When it comes to finding the best view in Rome, many suggest climbing  to the top of the duomo of St. Peter’s Basilica. However, this is no easy trek. Besides the fact that the journey consists of 491 stairs, some areas of the staircase are so narrow that there are no railings — not ideal for claustrophobics. I therefore suggest another option, the Victor Emanuel Monument at Piazza Venezia.

While this historic monument cannot be matched in its beauty, there is another (better, in my opinion) option when it comes to having a birds-eye view of the city.  The Altare della Patria, also known as Il Vittoriano, is a gorgeous monument located in Piazza Venezia.  Here, you can explore the museum of Italian Unification, visit the Tomb of the Unknown soldier with an eternal flame (free of charge), and finally, take the elevator to the top of the monument to get a breathtaking 360 degree view of the city of Rome.  The elevator ride costs 7 euro (only 2 euro more than walking St. Peter’s) and allows you to have an unmatched panorama of the entire city.

After visiting the monument and seeing the city from afar, it is then the perfect time to explore and get lost in the amazing city of Rome.  Grab an espresso at Tazzo d’Oro, make a wish at the Trevi Fountain, and experience the awe-inspiring engineering of the Pantheon.  End your day the Italian way by getting aperitivo at Fluid, one of my favorite cocktail bars in Rome.