Where To Stay In Rome – The Best Area To Stay In Rome And Best Places To Stay

Is it your first time visiting Rome and are you looking for a good place to stay in town? You’ve come to the right place. Here you will find information on where to stay in Rome, the best area to stay in Rome, and accommodation options for any budget – from the best hotels in Rome, to good hostels and Airbnb.

It’s easy to see why Rome is one of the most visited cities in the world. The city is full of history; it has some of the most remarkable archeological sites you can imagine; a thriving cultural life and art scene and – despite the crowds of tourists – it’s managed to retain all of its local character.

Rome is dirty, yet charming; chaotic, yet peaceful; ancient but oh so modern. The beating heart of Italy, the Eternal City is also one of the most expensive cities in Europe. So, if you are hoping to find a good accommodation deal, you will have to look very carefully.

Worried? Don’t be! Continue reading this post to discover where to stay in Rome.

Where To Stay In Rome – The Best Area To Stay In Rome

The best area in Rome

The center of Rome is generally safe and where you stay is mostly just a matter of what you are looking for. Prati is probably a safe bet as it is well connected by public transportation (Metro Line A stops there); it is close to the Vatican and Castel Sant’Angelo and it’s easy to reach other parts of the historic center of Rome.

Another great safe area to stay in Rome is that of the Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo – it’s a bit more touristy, but you will find plenty of shops, cafés and restaurants, and it’s actually quieter than you’d imagine at night.

Monti and Prati – Best area to stay in Rome for sightseeing

Monti is the area close to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill, and a short distance from the Baths of Caracalla. From there, you can easily reach many other popular landmarks in town. A good alternative if your priority when visiting Rome is sightseeing would be Prati. From Monti, you will have easy access to St Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and the the Sistine Chapel.

To make it all better, both Monti and Prati are packed with nice restaurants and bars, there are some lovely boutiques, and – in Monti – there are many terraces with stunning views of the Colosseum. Lots of nice hotels will offer that, as well as restaurants and bars.

The main downside of staying in Monti is that since it is so close to the Colosseum, along with lots of tourists, there are also pickpockets and scams running virtually 24/7 so you’ll have to keep your eyes open.

Look for places to stay in Prati here.

Make sure to read my post A Guide To Rione Monti, Rome: 9 Best Places To Visit.

You should also read my post The Worst Scams And Pickpockets In Rome.

Trastevere – Best area to stay in Rome for nightlife

Easily one of the most charming neighborhoods in Rome, Trastevere is full of character and has the best nightlife in the city, with plenty of bars and pubs. During the day, you will find cafés and many good traditional restaurants. Trastevere also has some lovely shops – it’s actually my favorite area to go shopping in Rome.

As the name says, it’s located across the Tiber River from the historic center, and it’s actually easy to walk to the Vatican from there. Whenever I am staying in Trastevere, I simply get myself to the Tiber River, walk down the stairs by one of the bridges, and take it left to walk towards Castel Sant’Angelo. Once I get to Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II I walk up the stairs again and I follow Via della Conciliazione to get to St. Peter’s Square.

The main downside of this Rome neighborhood is that it can be very noisy at night – I once stayed by the Porta Settimiana and the only way I could catch some sleep was by wearing earplugs. This means you really have to careful which place you pick, because some streets are noisier than others. Also, there is no metro stop – so you will have to learn how to navigate the bus system if you are on the other side of town, or alternatively walk or use taxis.

Look for places to stay Trastevere here.

Don’t forget to read my post A Short Guide To Trastevere, Rome.

Testaccio – Best area to stay in Rome for foodies

Testaccio is another Rome neighborhood that has retained its local character – in fact, it has yet to be discovered by the largest tourists crowds. Tourists only venture there to visit some of its most popular attractions (ie the Pyramid of Caius Cestius and the Protestant Cemetery of Rome) and to enjoy the many fabulous eateries.

Indeed, Testaccio is packed to the brim with good restaurants and local eateries where you can eat for a fraction of the price you’d pay in the historic center. My favorite is without a doubt the legendary Felice a Testaccio – they make the best cacio e pepe in the world.

The bonus? Testaccio is served by Piramide metro station an easy 20 minutes walk from Trastevere. The main drawback of this Rome neighborhood, however, is that there aren’t that many places to stay.

Look for places to stay in Testaccio here.

You should also read my post The Best Guide To Testaccio, Rome.

Historic Center – Best area to stay in Rome for first timers

The Historic Center – Centro Storico – is where to stay in Rome if it is your first time in the city. The area of the Pantheon is charming, and I must admit it’s actually my favorite area to stay in Rome!

I once found myself a place from where I had views of the Pantheon and let me tell you, it was sweet! I would wake up every morning, and that would be my first sight. Besides, it was right above Armando al Pantheon, one of the best restaurants in Rome.

There are a few issues you may encounter if you opt to stay in the Historic Center of Rome. First of all, the prices: budget options in this area of Rome are a bit more limited. Secondly: no metro station – but you can easily walk to Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps) for line A, and honestly you won’t really need any public transport to explore the area as it’s easy to walk to most attractions.

Finally, it’s definitely more crowded and chaotic than the rest of the city. If none of this is a bother, definitely stay there!

Look for places to stay in the Centro Storico here.

Esquilino – Best area to stay in Rome for budget travelers

A mere metro stop from Termini Station, Vittorio Emanuele, in the heart of Esquilino, is one of the best neighborhoods in Rome for travelers on a budget. Another stop and you will be in San Giovanni, close to St. John in the Lateran Church (still Esquilino) which even more local than the rest of the area.

If you stretch all the way to Re di Roma you will find Pompi, a local legend for its Tiramisu. I went to school there, and not a day went by without having at least a coffee in Pompi!

Another bonus of staying in Esquilino is that there are lots of local eateries and one of the most historic gelaterie in Rome – Fassi.

Look for places to stay in Esquilino here.

BONUS! Aventino – Most romantic area to stay in Rome

If you have a knack for gorgeous vistas and romance, then the Aventine is where to stay in Rome. You won’t have shortage of interesting sights: the Orange Garden (Giardino degli Aranci) is there, as well as the famous Aventine keyhole for impressive view of St. Peter’s Basilica.

The main drawback is that compared to other neighborhoods in Rome, the Aventino is a bit off the tourist path so you won’t find such a great selection of places to stay – you need to book in advance.

Look for places to stay in Aventine Hill here.

Unsafe areas of Rome

Finally, it is worth mentioning where not to stay in Rome. Much like in any other big city, the area around the main train station – Stazione Termini, in Rome – can be a bit dodgy, with pickpocketing being a bit of an issue. To be honest though, it’s not nearly as bad as it used to be and if you look carefully, you’ll find some great deals on accommodation – besides, being the main transport hub in the capital moving in and out of the area is super easy at any time of day.

Other areas I’d recommend avoiding are Tor Bella Monaca, Torre Maura and Rebibbia – but they are so far away from the center that you wouldn’t want to stay there anyways!

Now that you have an overview of the best neighborhoods in Rome, let’s finally look at the best places to stay in Rome.

The Best Places To Stay In Rome

Monti

Located between via Nazionale and the Colosseum, Monti is the best area to stay Rome if you are visiting the city for the first time. During Roman times, this was the part of the city where gladiators lived. Fast forward to 2023, and Monti offers hipster bars, coffee shops and good accommodation options steps away from the Colosseum and Roman Forum, and two metro stops from Termini, the city’s main transportation hub.

As I have said before, there are lots of good restaurants in Monti too – you can opt to dine at Aroma, a Michelin starred restaurant located on the terrace of Palazzo Manfredi, for a fabulous dining experience with views of the Colosseum, and there are lots of good (and more budget friendly) eateries in Via della Madonna dei Monti.

Best places to stay in Monti:

• Residenza Maritti – lovely family run guest house with a terrace overlooking the Roman Forum.
• New Generation Hostel Santa Maria Maggiore – best budget friendly option near the Colosseum.
• Hotel Palazzo Manfredi – fabulous luxury hotel with views of the Colosseum.

You should also read my post The Best Hotels Near The Colosseum, Rome.

Prati

For easy access to St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, Prati is definitely where to stay in Rome. This part of town is really well connected to the rest of the historic center, so a great place to stay in Rome if you want to roam the city.

It’s incredibly airy, with nice boulevards and lots of trees; it’s super safe and affluent; and there are some good restaurants and excellent hotels. And if you want some night action, you can just walk to nearby Trastevere.

Best places to stay in Prati:

• My Bed Vatican Museum – want early access to the Vatican Museums? This is the best place to stay in Rome then!
• Trianon Borgo Pio Aparthotel – for longer stays in Rome, a self catering option such as this one may be the best.
• Hotel Paolo II – a fantastic hotel with all the comforts for a wonderful stay in Rome.

For more options, read my post 22 Best Hotels Near Vatican City.

Historic Center

The Tridente – an area of Rome that is included among three streets that all start in Piazza del Popolo and head south, forming a triangle – corresponds to the Historic Center of Rome, AKA the Centro Storico.

This is one of the best places to stay in Rome if it is your first time in the city, and by all means the best area to stay in Rome if you are keen on staying close to Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps.

Depending on where you stay in the historic center you will also be close to the lovely Villa Borghese, a great art gallery surrounded by the most beautiful park in the city, overlooking Piazza del Popolo.

Located in the historic center there are some excellent restaurants and trattorie – my favorite are the already mentioned Armando al Pantheon and Renato e Luisa, who make the best carbonara in Rome, but I also love Da Luciano, close to Campo de’ Fiori. If you have the budget to splurge, this is where to stay in Rome for sure.

Best places to stay in the Centro Storico:

• G-Rough – contemporary rooms in a classic historic building make this one of the best places to stay in Rome.
• Residenza Gonfalone – experience life like a local in this gorgeous apartment near Piazza Navona.
• Albergo Abruzzi – you literally just have to walk out to find yourself in one of the most impressive churches in Rome.

You should also read my posts The Best Hotels Near The Pantheon, Rome and The Best Hotels Near Piazza Navona.

Trastevere

Across the Tiber River, Trastevere is a maze of cobbled alleys, charming corners, nice plazas, and lots and lots of good bars, and it’s where to stay in Rome if you are interested in having a good night out or two. Definitely avoid it if you are a light sleeper, though!

Trastevere is also home to one of the most famous (and weirdest) restaurants in Rome – Cencio la Parolaccia, where you literally pay for the staff to talk to you in the most colorful and vulgar manner. Trastevere has no metro stop – you will have to walk everywhere, get a taxi, or use the bus.

Best places to stay in Trastevere:

• Horti 14 Borgo Trastevere – stunning, modern hotel with rooms set around a beautiful garden.
• Residenza San Calisto – classic decor in one of the busiest areas of Trastevere.
• Paola a Trastevere – lovely family run guesthouse away from the chaos of the nightlife hubs. Rooms are spacious and comfortable.

You should also read my post The Best Hotels In Trastevere Rome.

Testaccio

Neighboring Trastevere, Testaccio and Ostiense are among the nicest neighborhoods in Rome if you want to stay away of the largest tourists crowds.

Testaccio is where you will find Porta Portese, the most famous flea market in Rome. Ostiense is where Roma Tre University is located. Attractions in the area include the already mentioned non-Catholic Cemetery of Rome, the Pyramid of Cestius and St. Paul Outside the Walls Basilica. You’ll also be closed to the Garbatella district, a gorgeous newer area of Rome.

Testaccio is packed with good trattorie and bars and connected to the rest of Rome by bus or by metro (Piramide).

Best places to stay in Testaccio:

• Tiber Rooms Testaccio – good family run guest house with spacious comfortable rooms.
• Casa Testaccio – lovely entire apartment perfect for a small family or group of friends and ideal if you want a place to stay in Rome for a longer time.
• Little House Roma – nice small apartment in Testaccio perfect for a couple; it has everything you need for a comfortable say.

Esquilino

You will hear all sorts of things about Esquilino and some people will tell you that this is not where to stay in Rome, but I dissent. I lived there and survived to tell the tale – KIDDING! This is a perfectly ok area to stay in Rome.

Aside from some dodgy streets right by Termini Station, it is a good, safe area, with lots of budget friendly options, with a nice local feel, good restaurants and trattorie and some interesting sights.

This is where the already mentioned Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano (St. John in the Lateran Basilica) and Santa Maria Maggiore church are located; and you will find some of the nicest and lesser known squares in Rome (Vittorio Emanuele and Re di Roma). The bonus? It’s super well connected to the rest of the city by metro.

The best places to stay in Esquilino:

• Free Hostels Roma – one of the best hostels in Rome, it’s a great place to stay for budget travelers.
• The St. Regis Rome – the proof that not all places near the central station are cheap: this is one of the best places to stay in Rome if you want to splurge!
• The RomeHello – rooms are small but practical at this nice hostel. There also are private rooms.

For more options, read my posts 15 Best Hotels Near Termini Station and 15 Best Hostels In Rome.

Aventine Hill

If you are all about the views, forget all the other areas of Rome mentioned in this post and head straight to the Aventine Hill. Home of the Orange Garden, it’s one of the prime locations for incredible panoramas over the city – best if enjoyed at sunset.

The Aventine is also a bit less central compared to other Rome neighborhoods mentioned in this post, which means it will be less crowded with tourists – though don’t think of it as a far off location. It’s just a matter of walking down the hill and you’ll find yourself close to the Circus Maximus and the Baths of Caracalla.

The best places to stay in Aventine Hill

• San Anselmo – all rooms at this hotel have a fabulous historic feel. It’s actually quite budget friendly, considering what you get!
• Hotel Villa San Pio – very classic rooms, a beautiful garden, an on-site bar and restaurant make this one of the best places to stay in Rome.
• Hotel Aventino – retro / classic looking rooms, a garden to enjoy and the very helpful staff are all pluses of this nice hotel.

You should also read my post The Best Romantic Hotels In Rome.

Further Readings

If you are planning a trip to Rome, these other posts will come in useful:

• Where Is Rome?
• How To See Rome In 3 Days
• The Most Famous Landmarks In Rome
• The Nicest Neighborhoods In Rome
• A Quick Guide To The Rioni Of Rome
• The Nicest Parks In Rome
• The Best Airbnbs In Rome
• The Best Boutique Hotels In Rome
• The Best Hotels For Families In Rome
• The Best Hotels With Pool In Rome
• Where To See The Lovely Cats Of Rome
• Which Are The Seven Hills Of Rome?
• The Best Virtual Tours Of Rome
• How To Make Supplì Al Telefono

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