Explore Rome with Starbucks: A Walking Tour of Iconic Sights and Unique Coffee Experiences

When in Rome, coffee lovers can get an extra taste of the city while seeing the sights by stepping into Italy’s rich café culture. While the Eternal City is filled with traditional espresso bars, Starbucks has seamlessly made its mark with locations that embrace both the city's modern energy and its traditional charm. Italian café culture and coffee craft was the inspiration for the Starbucks experience we know and love today, so if you’re visiting the cultural home of espresso, here’s your guide to exploring unique Starbucks locations across the city—each offering a distinct coffee experience.

Start at Starbucks Termini Station

Address: Piazza dei Cinquecento, 20

As you arrive into Rome’s central transit hub, refresh and recharge before exploring the city with a visit to the Starbucks in the Terrazza area of Termini station. A bustling store, this smaller location is ideal for those looking for a quick pick-me-up ahead of long day of sightseeing, or before a train journey onward to their next Italian adventure.

Just minutes from Roma Termini, you’ll find the Baths of Diocletian, an ancient Roman public bath complex that once accommodated up to 3,000 people. Today, it is a museum where visitors can experience ancient Rome and get a taste of what life would have been like nearly two millennia ago.

Continue walking north east to find the spectacular grounds of Villa Borghese. These sprawling gardens date back to the 17^th century and are home to several museums. A day’s adventure all on their own, the gardens and grounds are an oasis in the centre of the Eternal City.

A few minutes walk away from the store is the Piazza del Popolo, a monumental and elegant square featuring the "twin" churches of Santa Maria in Montesanto and Santa Maria dei Miracoli.

Beyond the Piazza and over the River Tiber, comes a welcome break in the form of Starbucks Cola di Rienzo.

Cola di Rienzo

Address: Via Cola di Rienzo, 23

The sophisticated, yet laid-back Prati district is home to a number of high-end boutiques for those wishing to indulge in some retail therapy, while the equally sophisticated, laid-back Starbucks on Via Cola di Rienzo offers a moment to take a break and relax.

Spanning approximately 200 square meters, the store features elegant lines and bright interiors that harmonise with the surrounding architecture. In addition to classic espresso-based drinks, the store offers innovative options like the Starbucks Oleato™, which combines coffee with Sicilian extra virgin olive oil. Seasonal beverages, including those enriched with caramel, chocolate, toffee nut, and gingerbread, are also available during the holiday season.

From this Starbucks, you’re only a short stroll away from Castel Sant'Angelo. The towering fortress, once a mausoleum, now offers panoramic views of Rome from its upper terrace. Grab a coffee to go, and as you wander, you’ll enjoy a beautiful walk along the Tiber River, catching glimpses of the ancient cityscape.

This vibrant neighbourhood also sits near the Vatican, and a short walk beyond the Castel Sant’Angelo will allow you to experience the grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Crossing back across the Tiber and heading back to the centre of Rome, the ancient city streets lead to Piazza Montecitorio, a quintessential, postcard-perfect Roman Piazza and the home to Starbucks very first store in the city.

Montecitorio

Address: Piazza Montecitorio, Via della Guglia 56-59

Located near the Italian Parliament, this store offers a chic, urban vibe within walking distance of several iconic landmarks, including the Pantheon. Suitably recharged, head a minute or two south to marvel at the intricate design of this nearly 2,000-year-old architectural wonder, built as a temple to all Roman gods.

Or perhaps, if you’re after some good luck, it’s time to head east to the Trevi Fountain, one of the most popular sights in the city - don’t forget to toss a coin over your shoulder for good luck!

The iconic Spanish Steps are also just a few minutes north. The perfect photo opportunity to help make your visit truly memorable.

And after all this sightseeing, shopping, history and culture, there’s only one place to end up – Starbucks new flagship store.

San Silvestro Piazza flagship

The first of its kind in Europe – Starbucks flagship San Silvestro location is perfectly situated in the heart of Piazza San Silvestro, just a moment’s walk around the corner.

Like Rome itself, the iconic store is inspired by the concept of exploration and layering, with a common thread of water throughout connecting, representative of coffee and life in the historic Italian city.

Featuring three different bars over two storeys, as well as bookable meeting rooms, art installations and a working Nasone water fountain to fill up your reusable water bottle, the flagship serves as the country's new destination store. The design keeps community, culture and art at its very core in a specially crafted space that honours Rome’s rich culture while inviting the local community to come together.

Read more about the unique blend of Roman coffee heritage and modern Starbucks twists on offer at this brand-new store here.

Each Starbucks location on this tour brings something uniquely Roman to the coffee experience, from historical landmarks to modern twists on Italy’s coffee and aperitivo culture. Whether you’re in town for a short stay or an extended visit, these Starbucks stores provide the perfect blend of local charm and international flavour. So, lace up your walking shoes, grab a coffee, and explore the Eternal City through its landmarks—and its lattes.