“Viral” attractions in Rome: Our tips on when to visit them

Rome wasn’t built in a day, but with limited time in the Eternal City, you’ll want to capture its most Instagram-worthy moments without the usual crowds and queues. Whether you’re stepping off a cruise ship or enjoying a brief Roman holiday, the challenge is clear: how do you photograph Rome’s hidden gems and iconic spots when everyone else seems to have the same idea?

The secret isn’t just knowing what to see—it’s knowing when to see it. While tour groups cluster around the Colosseum at midday and tourists flood the Vatican area starting in the very early morning, savvy travelers are discovering Rome’s most photogenic locations at precisely the right moments.

From architectural marvels that play tricks with perspective to secret viewpoints that frame the city’s most famous landmarks, Rome offers countless opportunities for that perfect shot. Ready to discover the city’s most share-worthy secrets? We have gathered five of the city’s most photogenic hidden corners and the precise moments when they reveal their magic! And who knows, we may be back with more suggestions soon!

The frescoes at Sant’Ignazio di Loyola

Everyone knows about the stunning frescoed ceilings in this small church, but by the time you’re ready to go, you may find that hundreds of people are waiting to pay to turn on the famous lights. While you can always go and explore other churches or sights that are within walking distance and come back hoping that the queues have cleared, we recommend going late in the afternoons, preferrably when other tourists are having their dinner. You can also arrive very late: on most days of the week, the church closes at 11:30 pm.

When is best to go: anytime after 6 PM

The keyhole at the Knights of Malta

The smallest attraction in Rome, for sure! Once one of the city’s lesser-known attractions, the literal keyhole that shows a stunning view of St. Peter’s Dome is now not so niche anymore. Go at midday and you may end up waiting for over an hour! It’s best to go really early in the morning. The second best time is right before sunset, but at that time of day, most visitors combine the view showing three countries at once (Vatican City in the distance, Italy in the middle, and Malta closer to the keyhole) with those from nearby Garden of Oranges. As the keyhole is open all day, you can also visit at night to enjoy the historical centre’s nocturnal skyline from above!

When is best to go: anytime before 9 AM

The “secret” walkway at Galleria Sciarra

Although it was built for just the one person (Prince Maffeo Barberini-Colonna di Sciarra), everyone can now enjoy this amazing walkway, which dates back to the late 1800s and was inspired by both the new (at the time!) Art Nouveau style and the history of ancient Rome. It is one of central Rome’s most popular places for a selfie, but in spite of this it is never intensely crowded. However, it is best to go in the morning, right after its opening time (which start at 9 am) perhaps combining this with a visit to the nearby Trevi Fountain or the Spanish Steps so as to enjoy them when they’re not as impacted by visitors.

When is best to go: anytime after 9 am – but the sooner the better!

The cat sanctuary at Largo di Torre Argentina

While there are other cat sanctuaries in Rome, this is arguably the most famous one, celebrated by journalists and visitors alike. There’s only one drawback: the location is so central, halfway between Campo de’ Fiori and the Pantheon, that the place is always packed with people. And cats don’t necessarily like that much attention! Therefore, we recommend going in the early afternoon, right after lunch (the sanctuary is open from 12 pm to 4.30 pm). Sticking around? Consider visiting the nearby excavations, which are never crowded in comparison.

When is best to go: right after lunch

The out-of-this-world architecture at Quartiere Coppedè

The labor of love of famed architect Gino Coppedè, this cluster of streets in the larger Quartiere Trieste dates back to the early 1900s and is one of the most coveted real estate areas in all of Rome. Residents don’t particularly appreciate mass tourism, so we recommend you take your architectural shots here in the early afternoon (past 2/3 pm is best, in our experience).

When is best to go: in the afternoons

Ready to explore these attractions? Show us your best pictures on Instagram when you are done: our handle is https://www.instagram.com/_fromhometorome/

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