Explore the real places in Rome that appear in Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. Each location on the map shows what happens there in the novel, the real history of the place, and what's there today. Featured locations include Rome, Italy — The Colosseum, Rome, Italy — Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy — Piazza Navona, Rome, Italy — The Pantheon, Indian Ashram — Rishikesh and 10 more.
Piazza del Colosseo — Gateway to the Italian chapter
Elizabeth Gilbert arrives in Rome at the beginning of her journey, having left her marriage and life behind. The Colosseum represents the grandeur and ancient history that captivates her during the 'Eat' phase of her travels. She wanders through Rome's streets marveling at its beauty, culture, and food, using the city as her playground for rediscovering pleasure and sensuality.
The Colosseum, completed in 80 A.D. under Emperor Titus, is one of Rome's most iconic monuments and a symbol of the Roman Empire's engineering prowess. It once hosted gladiatorial contests and public spectacles that drew thousands of Romans.
The Colosseum is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Italy, operated as a museum and archaeological site. Visitors can explore the arena, underground chambers, and upper tiers while learning about ancient Roman entertainment.
Visit: Colosseum (Colosseo) (historic site)
Piazza di Trevi — Tossing coins and wishes into Rome's heart
Gilbert stands at the magnificent Baroque fountain, one of Rome's most enchanting landmarks. She participates in the tradition of throwing coins into the water to ensure her return to Rome. The fountain embodies the beauty and romance that surrounds her during her Italian months, a moment of pure sensory pleasure and wonder.
Trevi Fountain was designed by Nicola Salvi and Giuseppe Pannini, completed in 1762. The Baroque masterpiece depicts Oceanus riding a chariot pulled by sea horses and depicts the abundance of water in Rome. Legend says tossing a coin ensures a return to the city.
Trevi Fountain remains one of the world's most famous fountains and a major tourist destination. It undergoes periodic restoration to maintain the intricate sculptural details. Millions of euros in coins are tossed annually and donated to charity.
Visit: Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi) (monument)
Piazza Navona — Baroque splendor and Italian living
Gilbert spends time in this grand piazza with its stunning fountains and Renaissance palaces, absorbing the Italian philosophy of living well. The square represents the aesthetic and sensual pleasures she pursues during her time in Rome—watching street performers, sitting at outdoor cafés, and simply being present to beauty. The Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi stands at its center as a symbol of Rome's magnificence.
Piazza Navona was built in the 1st century A.D. on the site of Stadium of Domitian. The current piazza was shaped in the 15th-17th centuries, with Gian Lorenzo Bernini designing the iconic Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi in 1651. It became the heart of Roman public life.
Piazza Navona is a vibrant public square filled with restaurants, cafés, street artists, and tourists. The three fountains (including Bernini's masterpiece) remain centerpieces. It's one of Rome's most visited plazas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Visit: Piazza Navona (landmark)
Piazza della Rotonda — Ancient temple to the gods
The Pantheon represents the spiritual and aesthetic dimensions of Rome that Gilbert absorbs. She stands beneath its magnificent dome, marveling at the engineering and beauty that connects the physical and spiritual realms. The oculus allowing light to pour directly onto the marble floor becomes a metaphor for the illumination she seeks.
The Pantheon was originally built in 27 B.C. by Marcus Agrippa as a temple to Roman gods. It was rebuilt under Emperor Hadrian around 120 A.D. in its current form. Its dome remained the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world for centuries.
The Pantheon is one of the best-preserved Roman buildings and functions as a Catholic church (Basilica of Santa Maria and the Martyrs). It remains a major tourist attraction and active place of worship. The marble floor features the famous oculus opening.
Visit: The Pantheon (Basilica di Santa Maria and the Martyrs) (historic site)
Uttarakhand, along the Ganges River — Gateway to spiritual practice
Gilbert arrives at an ashram in Rishikesh (fictionalized in the book but clearly inspired by this spiritual center) to live out the 'Pray' phase of her journey. Here she dedicates herself to meditation, mantra chanting, and the study of yoga and spirituality under the guidance of her guru. She struggles with the discipline required, battles her wandering mind during lengthy meditation sessions, and eventually achieves moments of profound spiritual connection and peace.
Rishikesh has been a pilgrimage site for Hindu devotion since ancient times. It gained international prominence in the 1960s when The Beatles visited Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram here. It became a major center for yoga and meditation practice worldwide.
Rishikesh is a thriving spiritual destination with dozens of ashrams, yoga schools, and meditation centers. The city attracts thousands of international visitors annually seeking spiritual practice. Many ashrams offer residential programs combining yoga, meditation, and study.
Visit: Rishikesh Ashram Centers (multiple) (spiritual site)
Rishikesh, Uttarakhand — Sacred river and spiritual focal point
The Ganges River flows through Rishikesh where Gilbert meditates, bathes, and participates in spiritual rituals. The river represents the flow of spiritual practice and the cleansing power of devotion. She walks along its banks, witnesses Hindu rituals of worship, and feels the sacred presence that millions of pilgrims have experienced for millennia.
The Ganges River is considered the holiest river in Hinduism, with pilgrimage sites and temples dotting its 1,560-mile length. Rishikesh became particularly significant after the 8th-century spiritual teacher Adi Shankaracharya established a major center there. It's one of seven sacred cities in Hinduism.
The Ganges River remains sacred to Hindu pilgrims who bathe in its waters for spiritual purification. Rishikesh is a major pilgrimage destination where devotees perform daily rituals. The river faces pollution challenges but continues to be central to spiritual practice and Indian culture.
Visit: Ganges River at Rishikesh (spiritual site)
Lodhi Gardens — Urban spirituality and Indian modernity
Gilbert spends time in Delhi as a transition point in her spiritual journey. Lodhi Gardens represents the juxtaposition of ancient spirituality and modern urban life in India. She walks through the gardens where 15th-century monuments stand amid contemporary Delhi, reflecting on her internal transformation and preparation for the next phase of her travels.
Lodhi Gardens were laid out in 1936 during the British Raj era as a public garden, though the garden contains 15th-century tombs of rulers from the Sayyid and Lodhi dynasties. The gardens blend Mughal-era architecture with modern English garden design.
Lodhi Gardens remains a popular public park and green space in central Delhi, attracting joggers, families, and tourists. The historical monuments are preserved within the garden landscaping. It's considered one of Delhi's most peaceful public spaces.
Visit: Lodhi Gardens (park)
Monkey Forest Road, Ubud — Spiritual and natural convergence
In Bali, Gilbert visits the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud. The forest, with its Hindu temples nestled among ancient trees and inhabited by troops of monkeys, becomes a place where the physical and spiritual worlds intersect. She encounters the playful, mischievous monkeys who steal her sunglasses, reminding her of the unpredictability and divine play (lila) in the spiritual journey she has undertaken.
The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (Mandala Wisata Wanara Wana) was established in 1972 to protect the Balinese long-tailed macaque population and preserve the forest ecosystem. The site features three temples integrated into the forest environment, representing Hindu-Buddhist spiritual traditions.
The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary remains one of Bali's most visited attractions, balancing conservation with tourism. The forest protects hundreds of monkeys in their natural habitat with temples and walking paths throughout. It operates as a nature reserve and tourist destination managed by local community.
Visit: Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (Mandala Wisata Wanara Wana) (park)
Tegallalang, Ubud — Balinese agricultural artistry
The lush green rice terraces surrounding Ubud captivate Gilbert with their breathtaking beauty and orderly harmony. Walking through the terraces, she reflects on balance, abundance, and the integration of physical labor with spiritual practice. The terraces represent the Balinese philosophy of living in harmony with nature and the cycles of growth, harvest, and renewal.
The Tegallalang Rice Terraces have been cultivated using traditional Balinese irrigation systems called 'subak' for over 1,000 years. The UNESCO World Heritage system of rice paddies reflects sophisticated water management and agricultural knowledge passed down through generations.
The Tegallalang Rice Terraces remain a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Bali's most iconic landscapes. They continue to produce rice while serving as a major tourist attraction. Visitors walk through the terraces on designated paths; locals still farm the paddies using traditional methods.
Visit: Tegallalang Rice Terraces (park)
Jl. Tirta Empul, Tampaksiring — Holy spring water temple
Gilbert visits Tirta Empul, a Hindu temple built around sacred spring waters believed to have healing properties. She bathes in the temple's pools, participating in the ritual purification that pilgrims have practiced for centuries. The temple represents the convergence of water, spirituality, and healing that she seeks during her Indonesian phase.
Tirta Empul Temple was built in 926 A.D. during the reign of King Udayana. It was constructed around natural spring water that emerges from the ground, considered holy in Balinese Hindu tradition. The temple has been an important pilgrimage site for purification rituals for over 1,000 years.
Tirta Empul Temple remains an active Hindu pilgrimage site and tourist attraction. Visitors can bathe in the sacred pools following Hindu ritual protocols. The temple complex includes gardens, shrines, and traditionally maintained architecture. Entrance fees support temple maintenance and local community.
Visit: Tirta Empul Temple (spiritual site)
Penestanan, Ubud — Nature immersion and solitude
Gilbert takes the scenic Campuhan Ridge Walk through Ubud's verdant valleys, a journey that allows her contemplative space for reflection. The walk through rice paddies, jungle, and valleys mirrors her internal journey—sometimes steep and challenging, sometimes flowing easily. The natural beauty and physical movement provide balance to her spiritual practice.
The Campuhan Ridge Walk connects Ubud's Penestanan district through a valley landscape that has been shaped by Balinese agriculture and settlement for centuries. It remains largely unchanged from traditional Balinese countryside, despite Ubud's development.
The Campuhan Ridge Walk is a popular hiking trail in Ubud, accessible to visitors of various fitness levels. The walk passes through active rice paddies, small villages, and tropical vegetation. It remains one of the best ways to experience rural Ubud and its natural landscape.
Visit: Campuhan Ridge Walk (park)
Jl. Raya Ubud, Ubud — Yoga and embodied spirituality
During her time in Ubud, Gilbert continues her yoga practice, deepening her connection between body, breath, and spirit. The yoga studios of Ubud become spaces where she integrates the wisdom gained from prayer in India with physical practice. Yoga instructors guide her through asanas and pranayama, connecting her to Balinese and yogic traditions.
Ubud has become a major international yoga destination since the 1970s-1980s, with numerous yoga studios and retreat centers opening. The area blends traditional Balinese spirituality with contemporary yoga practice derived from Indian traditions.
Ubud hosts numerous yoga studios, retreat centers, and teachers offering classes from traditional Hatha to contemporary vinyasa styles. Many studios cater to international visitors while maintaining connections to authentic yoga and Balinese spiritual practices.
Visit: Ubud Yoga House and similar studios (landmark)
Tabanan Regency, Bali — Cliffside temple and ocean spirituality
Tanah Lot, one of Bali's most iconic temples perched on a rocky outcropping in the sea, becomes a place where Gilbert contemplates the spiritual journey she has undertaken. The temple's dramatic setting between ocean and sky symbolizes the balance and integration of the 'Eat, Pray, Love' trinity—sensory pleasure, spiritual devotion, and love.
Tanah Lot Temple was founded in the 16th century and is one of Bali's seven directional temples. It's built on a large rock formation and accessible only at low tide. The temple has been an important Hindu pilgrimage site and is believed to protect surrounding waters.
Tanah Lot Temple remains one of Bali's most visited tourist attractions and an active Hindu worship site. The temple complex is accessible at low tide with designated walking paths. The sunset views attract thousands of tourists daily, making it one of Indonesia's most photographed temples.
Visit: Tanah Lot Temple (spiritual site)
Penestanan, Ubud — Home and refuge during the Love phase
During the 'Love' phase in Indonesia, Gilbert rents a simple house in Ubud where she settles into daily rhythms of meditation, writing, and community. She learns Indonesian, makes local friends, and participates in daily life with her neighbors. This domestic space becomes a sanctuary where she integrates all she has learned and opens herself to love—both romantic and universal.
Ubud's expatriate community grew significantly in the late 20th century as artists, spiritual seekers, and tourists were drawn to the area. Many visitors chose to stay long-term, renting modest houses in local neighborhoods.
Ubud continues to be home to a large expatriate community with numerous rental properties available for short-term and long-term stays. Many of these houses are integrated into traditional Balinese neighborhoods, blending foreign residents with local communities.
Piazza di Spagna — Gathering place and Roman daily life
The Spanish Steps serve as a beloved gathering place where Gilbert sits and observes Roman life unfolding. She watches locals and tourists converge on these famous steps, reflecting on the simplicity and beauty of being present to the moment. The steps become a metaphor for her own ascent toward self-discovery and pleasure.
The Spanish Steps were built in the 18th century (1723-1726) and are called 'Scalinata della Trinità dei Monti.' They connect the Piazza di Spagna to the Trinità dei Monti church. The steps became a famous meeting place and social hub in Rome.
The Spanish Steps remain one of Rome's most visited tourist attractions and a popular gathering spot. The steps are protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sitting and eating on the steps is prohibited by city ordinance, though crowds remain constant.
Visit: Spanish Steps (Scalinata della Trinità dei Monti) (landmark)
More by Elizabeth Gilbert: All Elizabeth Gilbert books