Aventine Hill is one of Rome’s seven hills and a peaceful place to look out over the city. Rising above the Tiber just south of Circus Maximus, this leafy residential neighbourhood offers a quieter alternative to the capital’s busier viewpoints, with walled gardens, villas and long views across the rooftops.
The hill has a place in Rome’s founding story: according to tradition, Remus watched for omens here while Romulus chose the Palatine. It later became associated with the plebeians’ struggles for political rights. Among its most compelling historic sites is the Basilica of Santa Sabina, a fifth-century church with a serene interior and remarkable early Christian architecture.
The best-known Aventine Hill viewpoint is the Giardino degli Aranci, or Orange Garden, where a terrace overlooks the Tiber, Trastevere and the dome of St Peter’s Basilica. A short walk away, the Knights of Malta keyhole frames the dome at the end of a hedge-lined avenue. In spring, the seasonally opened Roseto Comunale offers another perspective over the Circus Maximus valley.
Come in the late afternoon for warm light over Rome, or try a weekday morning if you want a shorter wait at the keyhole. Circo Massimo, on Metro Line B, is the nearest station; allow time for the uphill walk and wear comfortable shoes for the cobbled streets. Bring water in summer and keep voices low in the residential neighbourhood.