Spanish Steps Accessibility Guide

Overview

The Spanish Steps (Scalinata di Trinita dei Monti) are one of the widest and most famous staircases in Europe. Built between 1723 and 1725, the 135 steps connect the lower Piazza di Spagna with the Trinita dei Monti church at the top. The steps themselves are completely inaccessible to wheelchair users, with no elevator, ramp, or lift to bypass them. However, Piazza di Spagna at the base is flat and accessible, and the top of the steps can be reached by an alternative road route via Via Sistina or Via Gregoriana. This is a site to enjoy from the bottom or to reach the top by a separate accessible path.

Getting There

• Metro: Spagna station (Line A) exits directly into Piazza di Spagna at the bottom of the steps. The station has elevator access to street level.
• Bus: Routes 117 and 119 (small electric buses) operate in the area. Route 590 is a wheelchair-accessible bus that follows the same path as Metro Line A.
• From Trevi Fountain: About a 10-minute roll north along Via della Propaganda and Via di Capo le Case.
• From Via del Corso: Piazza di Spagna is accessible from Via del Corso via Via Condotti, one of Rome's main shopping streets. The street is cobblestone-free and flat.

Wheelchair Accessibility

• The 135 steps have NO ramp, elevator, or alternative accessible route built into them. They are not accessible to wheelchair users.
• Piazza di Spagna (bottom): The piazza at the base of the steps is flat and accessible. You can view the steps, enjoy the Barcaccia Fountain by Bernini, and access the luxury shops along Via Condotti.
• Reaching the top: To get to the Trinita dei Monti church and the Pincio viewpoint at the top, take an alternative route. From Piazza Barberini (Metro Barberini, Line A), go along Via Sistina, which climbs steeply but is a paved road. Power wheelchair users can manage this independently, though the incline is significant. Manual wheelchair users will almost certainly need assistance or a taxi.
• Another option is to approach the top from Villa Borghese park. Enter the park from Piazzale Flaminio and roll through the park pathways to the Pincio terrace above the steps.
• Via Condotti and the surrounding shopping streets are cobblestone-free and relatively flat, making the area around the base enjoyable for wheelchair users.

Accessible Toilets

The Spagna Metro station has accessible toilets available within the station. At the top of the steps, accessible toilets are available in some of the cafes along Via Sistina. There are no public accessible restrooms in Piazza di Spagna itself.

Tips for Visitors with Disabilities

• Piazza di Spagna is worth visiting even if you cannot climb the steps. The Barcaccia Fountain, the views up the staircase, and the atmosphere of the square are memorable.
• The luxury shopping on Via Condotti (Gucci, Prada, Valentino) is fully accessible at street level. Most stores have step-free entrances.
• If you want to reach the top, a taxi is the most practical option for manual wheelchair users. Have the driver drop you at Trinita dei Monti church (Piazza Trinita dei Monti). The views from the top over Rome are excellent.
• The area is crowded throughout the day. Early morning or evening visits provide more space.
• Sitting on the steps is not allowed. Police enforce this rule strictly.
• Via Sistina, the alternative route to the top, has a steep gradient of roughly 10-12%. It is about 400 meters long. This is manageable for power wheelchairs but challenging for manual chairs.
• Combine the Spanish Steps with Trevi Fountain (10 minutes south) and Villa Borghese park (accessible from the top) for a connected accessible itinerary.