A chandelier hanging directly over a road, a fountain dotted with sculptures of frogs, and fairytale-esque whimsy in every direction you look: welcome to Rome’s Quartiere Coppedè, one of the most delightfully unexpected neighborhoods in the Eternal City.
Quartiere Coppedè looks like it belongs somewhere between a 10-year-old’s dream of a fairytale castle and one of Gaudi’s prized corners of Barcelona–and yet, it feels and remains delightfully Roman.
Want to visit a corner of Rome that few tourists happen to see and that a casual visitor to Rome will rarely stumble across accidentally?
Come visit Quartiere Coppedè.
Here’s what you’ll find when you arrive–plus how to get there!
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A Brief History of Quartiere Coppedè, Rome
Quartiere Coppedè is the work of Florentine architect Gino Coppedè, who designed the neighborhood (“quartiere” is simply Italian for “neighborhood”).
He worked on Quartiere Coppedè from 1913 until he passed away in 1927.
About 40 buildings call the small quarter home, and while you’ll find quite a bit of Art Nouveau architecture here, architectural details and influences ranging from Baroque to Medieval to Greek to Gothic are evident.
Quartiere Coppedè is truly a mishmash of fanciful inspiration and childlike whimsy.
What to Do in Quartiere Coppedè
Truthfully, there is not much to do in Quartiere Coppedè–the main reason to visit is simply to marvel at the buildings.
There aren’t any restaurants, cafes, or shops here, and you’ll likely only see a handful of other tourists poking around. This is a place to slow down and meander.
Come prepared to soak up details and notice new facets of the buildings each time you lay eyes on them, and ideally, arrive with a camera in hand.
The most photographed section of the quarter is the arched entryway off of Via Tagliamento–this is where you’ll find one of the most fantastic buildings as well as the peculiar and memorable chandelier.
Right down the road sits the tiny and adorable Piazza Mincio, home of the Fontana delle Rane (Fountain of Frogs), which is known not only for its whimsical frog statues but also for the fact that the Beatles once famously plunged themselves into it after a concert in Rome.
The Fontana delle Rane is honestly one of my favorite small fountains in Rome, perhaps second only to Fontana delle Tartarughe (Turtle Fountain) in Piazza Mattei.
Yes, the smaller fountains are not even in the same universe as something like the Trevi Fountain or the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers) in Piazza Navona, but small fountains can be lovely in their own right, and a dash of whimsy makes them all the more delightful.
How to Visit Quartiere Coppedè
Odds are, you won’t find Quartiere Coppedè in Rome accidentally–it’s small and a bit off the beaten track, hidden inside the larger Trieste neighborhood.
However, that doesn’t mean it’s hard to get to!
Here’s how we suggest visiting.
Tram
Trams 3 and 19 both run to Piazza Buenos Aires, which is just a 2-minute walk from Piazza Mincio.
If you’re visiting Rome on a budget and also want to rest your feet, this is likely the option for you.
Taxi
If you’d rather be driven than hop a tram, it’s fairly inexpensive to take a taxi from the central tourist sights in Rome to Quartiere Coppedè.
We recommend using FreeNow to ensure you get a good rate.
FreeNow is a taxi app that is popular throughout Europe (and we use it in many countries!).
It essentially functions like Uber or Lyft, but instead of calling a car operated by a freelancing driver, it connects you to a local taxi.
Walk (After Visiting Galleria Borghese)
Would you rather stretch your legs and walk to Quartiere Coppedè?
If so, that’s definitely an option–your best bet is to head over after visiting the Galleria Borghese, which is less than a 20-minute walk away.
Alternatively, it’s about a 40-minute walk from either Piazza del Popolo or the Spanish Steps.
However, unless you’re up for quite a long walk, you’ll probably want to take another form of transportation back into the more touristy areas of Rome, so come prepared to either take a tram or taxi back after you finish poking around Quartiere Coppedè.
Read More About Visiting Rome (and Italy)
Heading to Rome soon and eager to keep planning?
You can browse all of our 100+ Italy blog posts here, or check out these guides:
- Inside Galleria Sciarra, The Trevi Fountain’s Secret Neighbor
- 2 Days in Rome: An Epic + Easy Rome Itinerary
- Is a Colosseum Night Tour Worth the Splurge? (+ Tips!)
- What to Do in Rome at Night: 15 Exciting Ideas
- How to Visit Palazzo Spada’s Offbeat Optical Illusion in Rome
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