The Spanish Steps

A stunning and social stairway
Word to the wise: In the Spring the steps are blooming with azaleas - a sight not to be missed.

Noteworthy for: To save you the bother, we've already counted them: there are 138 steps in all.
It's really not that often that you can get excited about a stairway, but then there aren't many as captivating and beautiful as the Spanish Steps in Piazza di Spagna.

Created by Francesca de Sanctis at the request of Innocent XII in the 18th century, they are so called because the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See was once situated in the piazza. In the 19th century, this was a place for the fine and dandy to pose and swoon. It hasn't changed a great deal: the curved flights and terraces still fill up with chattering crowds late into the summer nights.

As well as being a great place for a picnic or just to hang out, they are occasionally used for exclusive night-time fashion shows and as a backdrop for films such as 'The Talented Mr. Ripley' with Jude Law and Matt Damon.