Where to Stay in Rome, Italy: Best Areas & Neighbourhoods to Stay in Rome for Every Budget & Traveller

Looking for the best places to stay in Rome? You just found them!

While I’m not originally from Rome, I’m Italian and have spent various months living in different neighbourhoods in Rome. As such, I have both a local and tourist insight into the best areas to stay in Rome.

Where to stay in Rome will depend on you and the experience you are searching for. Every area in Rome has its distinctive vibe, and is best suited to different types of travellers.

In this guide I have listed all the best and most populars areas to stay in Rome, describing each district and which travellers are most likely to enjoy staying there. I hope it will help you choose the best place to stay in Rome for your travel style!

So without further ado, let’s read on and discover where to stay in Rome!

Best Areas to Stay in Rome at a Glance

Rome has 22 districts, also known as rioni in Italian. Each area has its own personality, price tag, and atmosphere.

Trying to decide which neighbourhood you should stay in could be a real headache, especially when you have to take your itinerary and budget into consideration

Lucky for you, I spent some time living in Rome, and can recommend the best neighbourhood to stay in Rome for every type of traveller!

Here’s a brief overview of the best areas to stay in Rome to help guide you.

San Giovanni: This neighbourhood is great for long-term stays and is relatively close to Rome’s main attractions.

Roma Termini and San Lorenzo: These neighbourhoods are great for visitors travelling on a tight budget, or who need a quick transit out of Rome.

Piazza Navona and Campo de’ Fiori Square: Located in the heart of Rome, these areas are conveniently located near some of Rome’s best attractions and sites, perfect for first time visitors who want to explore Rome on foot.

Piazza di Spagna: Also a very central neighbourhood, this is where you’ll find some of the best luxury hotels and high-end shops, as well as the peaceful Villa Borghese which makes it perfect for families travelling to Rome.

Trastevere: Situated on the west bank of the Tiber River, Trastevere is well-known for its booming restaurant and nightlife scene, as well as cute cobbled streets.

Monti: This is a quiet neighbourhood near some of Rome’s most famous ancient sites.

Prati: Located close to the Vatican, this classy residential area is perfect for travellers who want a quiet city getaway.

Tip: Check out my guide on how to spend one day in Rome, a weekend in Rome or three days in Rome. After you’ve read them, you’ll get a good idea of what you’d like to do in the city, and this should aid you in deciding where to stay.

Best neighbourhoods to stay in Rome

Best area to stay in Rome for long stays & digital nomads: San Giovanni

Best for: Visitors that want to experience the more authentic side of Rome but still be close to all the action.

I spent two months living in this neighbourhood in Rome and loved it. If you plan on staying in Rome for quite some time, San Giovanni is a great neighbourhood to consider.

This residential area is located just a few minutes away from the city centre, which is easily accessible from the San Giovanni and Re di Roma Metro Stations.

It’s also within walking distance to the Colosseum and the Basilica di San Giovanni. You could stay here even if you’re not spending many days in Rome, as it’s still fairly close to the centre, but it’s better suited for long stays.

It’s a very local residential area, where you won’t find swarms of tourists on your doorstep. Filled with excellent plazas, shops and eateries, San Giovanni is the place to be if you’re keen to experience how the locals live in Rome.

Hotels in San Giovanni

Budget: Rome Experience Hostel is located near San Giovanni and offers a number of room options including double rooms and mixed dormitories.

It also has a lovely terrace that overlooks the Porta Maggiore Aqueduct and is near several metro stations.

Click here to book your stay at Rome Experience Hostel!

Mid-range: Diamond Apartments are a set of modern one or two-bedroom apartments that come with a fully equipped kitchen or kitchenette.

The Ponte Lungo Metro Station is a five-minute walk away while attractions like the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain are within a five-kilometre radius.

Check out prices and availability at Diamond Apartments!

Luxury: Hotel San Giovanni Roma is a luxurious contemporary hotel only two kilometres away from the Colosseum.

Don’t miss out, book your stay at Hotel San Giovanni Roma here!

Where to stay in Rome for budget travellers: Roma Termini and San Lorenzo

Best for: Budget travellers who want to be close to all the main attractions.

If you’re travelling on a budget or don’t plan to stay in Rome too long, then I recommend staying in one of these areas.

If you’re speeding through your Italy itinerary, keen to tick off all the main sights from your Italy bucket list, this central location will be very handy for you!

While Termini and San Lorenzo aren’t among the most glamorous areas to stay in Rome, they have great affordable accommodation options.

Roma Termini is the main train station in Rome, and is an excellent base for reaching some of the city’s iconic sights.

The Trevi Fountain and other attractions are all within walking distance from Termini. However, being so close to Rome’s main train station, it’s obviously not a very fancy area and has a reputation for being dangerous.

San Lorenzo is also very close to the train station, but has more character and is less sketchy. It’s also right next to Università la Sapienza di Roma, so you’ll find lots of students hitting the local bars and restaurants.

This neighbourhood is a great place to stay if you want to visit Rome without breaking the bank, but also experience a bit of the local student nightlife in Rome.

Hotels near Roma Termini and San Lorenzo

Budget: YellowSquare Rome is one of the top-rated hostels in Rome situated less than 1 kilometre away from the Roma Termini Metro Station. It has a variety of room options, a restaurant and an outdoor patio.

Click here to book your stay at YellowSquare Rome!

Budget: Sonder San Lorenzo – I wanted to include a second budget option for those who don’t want to stay in a hostel. I lived for a couple months in one of the Sonder apartments in San Lorenzo and can highly recommend it.

It’s a gated apartment complex in the heart of San Lorenzo. All the apartments have little courtyards, are fully equipped and modernly furnished. It’s an affordable and lovely place to stay, even for long stays.

Click here to see prices and availability at Sonder San Lorenzo!

Mid-range: Residenza Termini is an apartment complex located in the heart of Rome. There are seven different units that you can choose from and each apartment can accommodate between two to five people.

Residenza Termini is five minutes away from the Roma Termini Metro Station, and only one kilometre away from the Trevi Fountain and Piazza di Spagna.

Book your stay at Residenza Termini here!

Luxury: Hotel Royal Court is an Art-Nouveau decorated four-star hotel and is one of the best places to stay in Rome, Italy. It’s just 400 metres away from the Roma Termini Station and near to attractions like the Trevi Fountain and Piazza di Spagna.

Don’t miss out, book your stay at Hotel Royal Court here!

Best neighbourhoods to stay in Rome for first time visitors: Piazza Navona and, Campo dei Fiori Square

Best for: First-time visitors and travellers that want to explore Rome’s attractions on foot.

If you’re looking for some of the best places to stay in Rome, I recommend considering one of these areas. They’re right in the heart of the city centre and are surrounded by iconic monuments like Castel Sant’Angelo and the Pantheon.

All the main tourist attractions, and obviously best Instagram photo opportunities in Rome, are all less than 10 minutes away from both areas.

Staying here will be a great base for exploring attractions like the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, and St Peter’s Square. Plus, despite being in the tourist heart of Rome, Piazza Navona and Campo de’ Fiori are also great places to eat.

You need to weed out the tourist traps, but there are also lots of delicious local eateries like Osteria da Fortunata, where you can watch them make fresh pasta on the spot and taste a delicious pasta carbonara.

Being so central in Rome, these areas obviously have a higher price tag than others. However since you’ll be able to walk everywhere, you will end up saving money on taxis and public transport.

Hotels near the Pantheon, Piazza Navona & Campo dei Fiori

Budget: Dreaming Navona Rooms is situated in the heart of Rome and within a 200 to 900m radius of the city’s top attractions and piazza’s.

Click here to book your stay at Dreaming Navona Rooms!

Mid-range: Sant’lvo Apartments are located 200 metres away from the Pantheon, while Piazza Navona is just a three-minute walk away.

The apartment’s shared terrace overlooks the nearby attractions and has some of the best views of Rome.

Check out prices and availability at Sant’lvo Apartments here! 

Luxury: The Pantheon Iconic Rome Hotel, as the name suggest, this is one of the best hotels near the Pantheon. 

It’s conveniently located 250 metres from Piazza Navona and just a few steps away from the Pantheon. It’s got a lovely terrace that overlooks the Pantheon providing you with splendid views.

Book your stay at The Pantheon Iconic Rome Hotel here!

Apartment rental option: Light Nimbus – If you prefer an apartment over hotels, so that you can have your own spaces and kitchen, then look no further than Light Nimbus.

Conveniently located to all the attractions of Rome, this lovely apartment even has a partial view of the Altar of the Fatherland!

Click here to see prices and availability at Light Nimbus!

Where to stay in Rome for families: Piazza di Spagna

Best for: Travellers that want to experience the luxurious side of Rome, or families who want somewhere both quiet and central.

For some of the best hotels in Rome, Italy, I recommend staying near Piazza di Spagna.

This area shows off Rome’s love of luxury. If you’re looking for a luxurious hotel or apartment, fine dining restaurants, and the best designer shopping, then this is the area for you.

Here you’ll find the famous Via Condotti, home to some of the world’s leading luxury brands like Prada, Gucci, and Bottega Veneta, with the Spanish Steps and gorgeous Trinità dei Monti in the backdrop.

You can walk along this iconic Italian street, admiring the window displays and making your way to one of Rome’s most famous attractions.

The Villa Borghese Gardens and Trevi Fountain are all within walking distance from the Spanish Steps area.

Villa Borghese is a peaceful park where many locals go for their Sunday walks. If you’re travelling to Rome with children, this area is a great place to stay also because of this.

The region also has two metro stations, Spagna and Barberini, to help you get around to other parts of the city.

Piazza di Spagna is one of the best parts of Rome to stay in because it’s conveniently located near some of Rome’s top attractions, so that you can easily tick them off your Europe bucket list.

Hotels near Piazza di Spagna

Budget: New Generation Hostel Rome Centre is only one kilometre away from the Spanish Steps and Piazza di Spagna.

The hostel offers family rooms, mixed dorm rooms and twin rooms. It’s also a 10-minute walk from two metro stations to help you get around to other attractions in the city.

Book your stay at New Generation Hostel Rome Centre here!

Mid-range: Sonder at Piazza di Spagna is very central and near attractions like the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and Pantheon. It’s the same chain as the Sonder I stayed in San Lorenzo, and can highly recommend their customer service.

They’re professional and always quick to respond to any queries or issues, plus the apartments are always modernly renovated and fully stocked.

Click here to book your stay at Sonder at Piazza di Spagna!

Mid-range: H501 Luxury Rooms – Despite the name, this hotel actually offers very affordable rooms.

I stayed here for a week and it was a good option since it’s close to Piazza di Spagna, but located on a more residential and local street.

Check out prices and availability at H501 Luxury Rooms!

Luxury: Palazzo Nainer is situated less than a kilometre from both the Spanish Steps and Piazza di Spagna.

It is surrounded by numerous galleries and designer shops. It also has a beautiful rooftop garden where you can enjoy spectacular views of the city.

Don’t miss out, book your stay at Palazzo Nainer here!

Where to stay in Rome for couples: Trastevere

Best for: Couples, food lovers, and travellers looking for a unique neighbourhood close to the historic centre.

Trastevere is one of the best neighbourhoods to stay in Rome. When translated, its name means “Beyond the Tiber,” as it is located along the west bank of the Tiber River.

Trastevere is a charming neighbourhood, characterised by narrow cobbled streets and small piazzas, with a bohemian feel to it. This neighbourhood is filled with great restaurants, bars, and local eateries.

From your accommodation in Trastevere you can easily walk around the quaint cobbled streets of the neighbourhood, joining the locals for aperitivos and drinks in the streets, enjoying the Bella Vita that many Italian quotes talk about.

With its uniquely Roman vibe, it’s also a very romantic place to stay for couples. If you’re looking for a Roman neighbourhood with a buzzing nightlife scene, I recommend checking out Trastevere.

Hotels in Trastevere

Budget: Hostel Trastevere is located in the historic centre of Rome. It’s a lively hostel near the Rome Trastevere Station. It is a short distance to the Roman Forum and other sites and attractions.

Click here to book your stay at Hostel Trastevere!

Mid-range: Sonder Trastevere has five apartments available and each unit can accommodate between two and six people, making it the perfect option if you’re travelling in a group.

It’s near to a number of Piazza’s including Piazza Navona and Piazza di Santa Maria. It’s always the same chain of apartments I suggested for San Lorenzo and Piazza di Spagna (can you tell I like them?).

Check out prices and availability at Sonder Trastevere here!

Luxury: Grand Hotel Gianicolo is a luxurious hotel with two stunning gardens. From the hotel’s rooftop, you can take in stunning views of the Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica.

Don’t miss out, book your stay at Grand Hotel Gianicolo here!

Apartment rental option: Aspects – If you’re planning to spend longer in Rome, you might prefer an apartment over a hotel, so that you can have more space and a kitchen to cook meals for yourself.

Aspects, in Trastevere, is considered one of the best Airbnbs in Rome. With its huge terrace, spacious rooms, and sweeping views of the rooftops of Rome, it’s easy to see why.

Check out prices and availabilities at Aspects in Rome here!

Best district to stay in Rome for history lovers: Monti

Best for: Exploring ancient Roman history

The quiet area of Monti borders one of Rome’s biggest attractions; the Colosseum and Roman Forum monuments. This scenic neighbourhood in Rome lies southeast of the historical centre and has a bohemian flair.

If you’re after some vintage clothing items, this is the place to visit as Monti has many hip shops.

If you forget any of the essentials on your Italy packing list, you can easily find a replacement in one of the shops here! It’s also a great place to eat and has many great restaurants.

I would also recommend staying in this area if you’d like to wake up to a magnificent view of the Colosseum every morning.

After all, it’s a must-see on any Italy itinerary and no trip to Rome would be complete without it! 

Whether you’re visiting Rome in spring, summer or winter, this neighbourhood has an eternal charm to it, just like the Eternal City.

The accommodation here tends to be more expensive, since it’s so central, but the easy access and vibe make it worth it.

Hotels in Monti and Near the Colosseum

Budget: Ostello Bello Roma Colosseo is a simple hostel just 400 metres from the Domus Aurea and 600 metres from the Colosseum. It has a number of dormitories as well as family rooms.

Click here to book your stay at Ostello Bello Roma Colosseo!

Mid-range: Otium Maecenatis Apartments are situated just 600 metres from the Colosseum. There are four units to choose from which can accommodate between four to nine people.

The apartments are also located less than a kilometre away from four metro stations.

Book your stay at Otium Maecenatis Apartments here!

Luxury: The Glam is a contemporary style hotel located on the Via Nazionale. It’s located near attractions such as the Trevi Fountain and Piazza di Spagna, while the Rome Termini Station is not too far either.

Click here to see prices and availability at The Glam!

Apartment rental option: Giallo Colosseo – Just look at the Colosseum views that you’ll have right from your bedroom window, and you’ll see exactly why staying at this epic apartment near the Colosseum is a must.

Besides being close to all the attractions of Rome, this apartment is perfect if you plan to visit the Colosseum at night (one of the most popular Rome by night tours!) as you won’t have to wander around at night for long!

Don’t miss out, book your stay at Giallo Colosseo here!

Where to stay in Rome for a quiet city getaway: Prati

Best for: Travellers that want to stay near The Vatican City and in a quiet residential neighbourhood, away from the tourist chaos.

The Vatican City is one of the most popular locations in Italy and is the home of the Pope. It’s also famous for being the home of the Sistine Chapel, St Peter’s Basilica, and the Vatican Museums.

Situated directly next to it it is the elegant and calm neighbourhood of Prati. If you plan on making Vatican City the centre of your visit to Rome, then I suggest staying here.  

Bordering the Tiber River’s west bank, Prati is best-known for its wide avenues, sophisticated buildings and Italian charm. It’s especially good if you’re visiting Italy in summer, when all the restaurants have outdoors seating.

It has one of the best nightlife scenes in Rome, and along its avenues, you’ll find alfresco wine bars, cocktail lounges, and fine dining restaurants. It’s a great place to stay if you’re looking for a quiet city getaway, away from the big tourist crowds.

While obviously the area closer to Vatican City can get very busy, the other parts of this neighbourhood have a more residential and local feel.

Hotels in Prati

Budget: Catone District Hotel is situated just 500m from both St Peter’s Square and the Vatican Museums. The modern rooms are the perfect place to relax at the end of a long day exploring Rome.

Click here to book your stay at Catone District Hotel!

Mid-range: NH Collection Roma Giustiniano is a spacious, modern hotel just 10 minutes away from the Vatican.

Book your stay at NH Collection Roma Giustiniano here!

Luxury: The Vatican Royal Apartment is just 500m from the Vatican City Museum and just 1km away from St Peter’s Square. It has two bedrooms, bathrooms and a fully equipped kitchen.

It’s also located 100m away from the Ottaviano-San Pietro Metro Station for easy access to other parts of Rome.

Don’t miss out, book your stay at Vatican Royal Apartment here!

Final thoughts on Rome, where to stay

There you have it, the ultimate guide on the best areas to stay in Rome! Rome is a huge city, where every neighbourhood has a distinctive feel, so it’s important to choose the best place to stay in Rome for you.

Have you been to Rome before? Where did you stay? Let me know in the comments below! I spent some time living in Rome on and off, meaning I was changing apartments and trying different areas all the time.

But since I’m not originally from Rome, I was able to look at it both from a traveller and a local point of view.

In this guide I wanted to list all the best areas to stay in Rome, outlining who each neighbourhood is best suited for, as well as accommodation options for every budget.

I know choosing the best area to stay in Rome can be daunting. It’s such a huge city, it’s not like choosing somewhere to stay in Milan, Florence, Cinque Terre or Venice. You want to be sure you pick the perfect place for you.

I hope you find this Rome accommodation guide useful in planning where to stay in Rome for your trip! If you have any questions, just let me know in the comments below!

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