Seven Hills of Rome (Sette Colli di Roma)

The Basics

Before a city called Rome even existed, the area's marshy valleys and steep hills offered natural protection to the individual communities that eventually united as the population increased. In the fourth century BC, Ancient Rome's Servian walls encircled the Seven Hills. While modern Rome has far outgrown its original limits, the Seven Hills area still serves as the geographic and historic heart of the city.

The hills—prominent in ancient times—can be hard to distinguish amid modern Rome’s jumble of buildings, so it's best to visit with a local guide. Touring by Vespa, Italy's famous peppy scooter, is a fun way to see the Seven Hills.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The Seven Hills have something for everyone, from Roman ruins for history buffs to sweeping parks for kids.

• If you're planning to tour all seven, you'll be outdoors for at least a few hours. Be sure to wear a hat and sunscreen in the summer.

• The Seven Hills are in a rather compact area, but still require quite a bit of walking, so wear comfortable shoes.

• Some of the sights on the Seven Hills are accessible to wheelchairs while others are not. Confirm in advance if the individual attractions you would like to visit on each hill are accessible.

How to Get There

The hills of Rome are east of the river Tiber, within the walls of the ancient city and covering most of the historic center of Rome. You can walk between the hills, or take the metro to save time.

When to Get There

Touring the Seven Hills requires being outdoors for a long time, so it’s best done on a clear day when temperatures are mild.

The Seven Hills

Legend states Romulus founded Rome in the central hill of Palatine, now an archaeological site. The largest Esquiline Hill was a park before becoming the site of Domus Aurea. Aventine Hill has its many temples, Capitoline Hill has Rome’s city hall, and Caelian Hill was a fashionable and wealthy district. Quirinal Palace, the Italian head of state’s official residence, sits atop Quirinal Hill, which along with Viminal Hill (Viminale) are two of the smallest hills.

Ways to explore

The Seven Hills of Rome comprise the Aventine Hill, Caelian Hill, Capitoline Hill, Esquiline Hill, Palatine Hill, Quirinal Hill, and Viminal Hill. Some hills feature landmarks that require tickets to visit, such as Palatine Hill and Quirinal Hill, while others have multiple attractions, including Capitoline Hill. Other hills are public or residential areas and can be hard to distinguish amid modern Rome’s jumble of buildings, which is where having a local guide can be helpful. Touring by Vespa—Italy’s famed scooter—is a fun way to navigate and explore the Seven Hills.

Accessibility

Wheelchair access varies for each of the Seven Hills and their attractions; some attractions, such as the Capitoline Museums, require anyone with accessibility needs to contact staff in advance.

Age limits

Young children may lose patience trying to climb all of the hills in one day.

What to pack

Sunscreen, umbrella, reservation information

What to wear

Hat, comfortable shoes

Not allowed

Access is not permitted to some parts of the hills that are residential or private property, such as on Aventine Hill.

Address

The Seven Hills of Rome are all east of the Tiber River (Fiume Tevere), covering much of the historic center of the city. You can walk between the hills, but driving or taking public transportation can save time.

Driving

Although most of the hills are just a short drive apart, some have no road access, such as Palatine Hill, while others have very limited nearby parking. Together, this makes driving to see the hills challenging.

Public transportation

Buses are the most convenient option for getting between the hills, as some of them lack easy access to Rome’s metro stations, such as Capitoline Hill and Quirinal Hill.

Best times to visit

Each hill’s attractions have their own opening hours, but try to start early to limit how long you’re out in the hot sun.

Best days to visit

Hills with popular attractions can get quite busy over the weekend, while some attractions may also close on Mondays, so exploring midweek is ideal.

Best months to visit

Bouncing around between the Seven Hills means a lot of time outdoors; shoulder months, such as April to June, and October and November, usually offer mild but pleasant weather.

Special events

Capitoline Hill regularly hosts events and exhibitions in its palaces and venues, while the Quirinale Palace Gardens are open to the public on June 2, Italy’s Republic Day.