Italy

Where to Stay in Rome – The 10 Best Neighbourhoods

June 25, 2024 /

Rome is a wonderful city to explore. Dubbed ‘The Eternal City’, it is one of the most historically and culturally rich places in the world.

Finding accommodation can be confusing, because of the overwhelming amount available. It is highly personalised, and depends on preferences and budget, among other things.

In this blog, I’ve highlighted the best districts or areas to stay in Rome, complete with pros and cons, to help you pick the perfect accommodation for your trip to the city.

1. Centro Storico

Trevi Fountain, Where to stay in Rome

Centro Storico is the historic centre of Rome and is within walking distance to major landmarks, including the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and Piazza Navona. It is the best area for first-time visitors to Rome that want to do a lot of sightseeing.

Also, keep in mind that the area is full of tourist traps. Be careful when choosing restaurants, especially because many of them are flashy for tourists, inauthentic, and more expensive than anywhere else in the city.

Because of its close proximity to so many attractions, it is generally packed with tourists, so it is predictably one of the pricier areas to stay in.

Places to stay:

2. Trastevere

If you want to experience some of the nightlife Rome has to offer, Trastevere is a great area to stay. The district is known for its bohemian vibe and cobblestone streets.

It is not quite as overrun with tourists as Centro Storico, but is still close to many attractions. You can reach some on foot, including the Basilica of Santa Maria and Villa Farnesina.

Trastevere is also home to some of the best restaurants in the city. Try traditional Roman food at Da Enzo al 29, Osteria der Belli, or Tonnarello. Biscottificio Innocenti is bakery that is a popular spot among both tourists and locals.

Places to stay:

3. Vatican City Area

Vatican City, Where to stay in Rome

If you want to spend lots of time in Vatican City, why not choose accommodation in the area? This spot is a bit quieter than most of the other spots in Rome.

From here, you can visit the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, and St Peter’s Square. You can also attend a papal audience to receive the pope’s blessings.

This area is unfortunately not known for its culinary scene. Most of the restaurants are targeted at tourists, so it’s difficult to find authentic Italian food.

If you’re not planning on visiting Vatican City for more than a day, I would recommend staying in Rome and taking a day trip here. For a full guide on how to plan a day trip from Rome to Vatican City, check out my blog post here.

Places to stay:

4. Monti

Monti is the perfect area to stay if you like trendy cafés and vintage stores, but still want to be near the big attractions in Rome. The area is near Rome’s main train station, Termini.

It is also a great place to stay if it’s your first time visiting the city. The Colosseum and Basilica of San Giovanni are closest to this district. From here, you can also get to Circus Maximus, the Roman Forum and the Baths of Caracalla easily.

Many rooms available in Monti even have a view of the Colosseum from the window. Check your accommodation before booking and specifically request it if this is something you want.

Places to stay:

5. Prati

Prati is an area in Rome that is close to the Vatican. Although it is close to many significant landmarks, the district has a more suburban vibe. Unlike many other places in Rome, Prati is generally not as crowded.

It is a good place to stay if you want to spend time in Vatican City. The district is close to the Vatican Museums, St Peter’s Square, and the Hadrian Mausoleum.

Unlike the area directly around the Vatican, Prati has a wide selection of fantastic authentic Italian restaurants, pubs, and cafés. Some of the best places to eat in Prati include:

  • La Zanzara: Serves a variety of pastries, cocktails, coffee, and meals.
  • Ristorante Arlù: Specialises in Italian dishes and seafood.
  • Pizzarium Bonci: The best gourmet pizza by the slice.
  • Trattoria Da Cesare: Known for its traditional Roman food, like saltimbocca alla Romana and cacio e pepe.
  • Papo Gusto: Serves traditional Neapolitan dishes. There is one near the Vatican in Borgo Pio, and another one in Prati.

Also in the area you will find Mercato Trionfale, which is a great way to get closer to the local culture. It is a large indoor food market where you can sample and buy local Italian produce and ingredients, including cheeses, wine, and meats.

Places to stay:

6. Campo de’Fiori

Campo de’Fiori is a lively area that is known for its nightlife and its market. The market is on the square and is open in the mornings on Mondays to Saturdays. Vendors at this market sell fresh produce, Italian cheeses, flowers, and spices.

It is also a centrally located area and is within walking distance of attractions like the Roman Forum, Piazza Navona, and the Pantheon.

Campo de’Fiori gets quite crowded with tourists and is therefore one of the more expensive places to stay. Because of its nightlife, it can get pretty noisy at night. So if you’re not planning on going out at night, it’d probably be best to avoid the area.

Places to stay:

7. Spanish Steps

Spanish Steps, Where to stay in Rome

Staying in the area of the Spanish Steps is another great option. It is a more upscale district, being the shopping hub of Rome. If you want to have a more luxurious experience, this might be the best area to choose.

It is very close to many famous attractions. From here, you can walk almost anywhere you’ll probably want to visit. Of course, the Spanish Steps and Piazza di Spagna are very close by, as are some lesser known attractions like Piazza del Popolo, Via del Babuino, and the Mausoleum of Augustus.

The restaurants in this area are also often aimed at tourists, so be careful where you choose to eat.

Places to stay:

8. Termini Station Area

The area near the main train station in Rome is a great place to stay, because of its good connections via public transport. It isn’t far from the city centre, so it’s great for exploring the city.

It’s a particularly great option if you’re planning on taking day trips to other parts of Italy.

The districts that lie around Roma Termini are:

  • Esquilino: Known for its diverse cultural vibe. Attractions include the Mercato Centrale, Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, and Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II.
  • Castro Pretorio: One of the more hidden areas, with many budget options. Attractions include the National Roman Museum, Baths of Diocletian, and Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale di Roma.
  • San Lorenzo: The student area of Rome, known for its bohemian vibe and great nightlife. Attractions include Porta Maggiore, street art, and the Verano Cemetery.
  • Repubblica: The business district of Rome. Attractions include Teatro dell’Opera di Roma and Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri.
  • Viminale: The area around one of the seven hills of Rome, Viminal Hill. Attractions include Palazzo del Viminale and Teatro dell’Opera di Roma.

Places to stay:

9. Trieste

If you’re looking for a quieter, less touristy area that offers a more local experience, Trieste is a great option. It feels a lot more residential than many of the other areas on this list.

The district has a lot of parks and beautiful villas with unique, elegant architecture. Some of the villas you can visit are Villa Torlonia and Villa Ada. Although it is not super central, Trieste is not far from the Borghese Gallery and Villa Borghese. It is also well-connected to the rest of the city via buses and the metro.

It is the best district if you don’t only want to do intense sightseeing, but are also looking for a relaxing getaway.

Because the area doesn’t have that many tourists, almost all of the restaurants serve authentic Italian cuisine.

Places to stay:

10. Testaccio

Testaccio is another great option for anyone looking to really get into the local culture and get away from that extremely touristy side of Rome.

This is one of the districts that is most famous for its food scene. Here you’ll find the Testaccio Market, which is known for its high-quality local produce and ingredients. It is a great place to chat to locals and taste authentic Roman food.

The nightlife is also quite active in Testaccio. Via di Monte Testaccio is a street lined with bars and clubs where you will often find live music.

From Testaccio, you can reach Trastevere and the Aventine Hill on foot, and can easily find buses, trams, and metros to take you to other parts of the city.

Places to stay:

  • Budget: Seven Suites (165€/night), Hotel Aventino (120€/night)
  • Mid-range: Casa Vanvitelli (203€/night), Vespucci Palace Roma (222€/night)

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