Rome is one of the most visited cities in the world. To fully enjoy the city, you should first ask yourself where to stay in Rome first time. Choosing the right neighborhood that suits your preferences is one of the most important tasks of the entire trip.
Although Rome is a very walkable city and you will come across one important historical sight after another, it is useful if you live near a metro station. However, the metro does not run under the old city center of Rome.
The neighborhoods we recommend always have good access to a metro station or are in such a convenient location that you do not need the metro.
That is why we have written a well-researched article with first-hand experiences, to make choosing the right neighborhood in Rome incredibly easy for you.
In brief: The best areas to stay in Rome are the historic center, Trastevere, Monti, Vatican & Prati, Campo de’ Fiori & Piazza Navona and Testaccio.
The most central areas are the historic center and Campo de’ Fiori & Piazza Navona.
These are where you will find most of the city’s highlights. This automatically makes them incredibly popular but also touristy.
Keep in mind that you will not have access to the metro here. Especially if you are traveling to or from the airport or train station, direct access to a metro line is incredibly convenient.
There are several ways to avoid the crowds much more easily and feel less touristy.
Areas like Monti, Vatican & Prati, and Testaccio have good access to the metro and also have cheaper accommodation compared to the central areas.
Trastevere is a great area south of the central areas, without direct access to the metro, but offers a more authentic Roman experience.
You can easily navigate to each neighborhood by tapping the link. Or go straight to the overview of the best neighborhoods to stay in Rome.
On our first visit to Rome, we decided to stay in the historic centre. A quick glance at the map is enough to see that many of the important historical sights are located here. And the few outside the historic centre are easily accessible on foot.
The great thing about Rome is that it is incredibly easy to explore on foot. You simply pick a few highlights that you want to see and walk from one point to the next. Take a break to eat and drink and take a thousand photos of the beauty of Rome.
If this is how you imagine your holiday, look no further and book a hotel here. However, there are a few things that are worth mentioning. Firstly, it is a very touristy area. This is reflected in the crowds, the prices and the atmosphere.
Secondly, there is no metro line under the historic parts of the city, which makes sense because there is an archaeological treasure hidden underneath. This means that as a tourist, the only way to get to the city is by taxi or, if you are willing to make a small detour, by bus.
Walking through these cobblestone streets with heavy luggage is no fun either. Finally, it is difficult to find something affordable. Prices skyrocket, especially in high season, and especially if you book your hotel just a few days before your trip.
However, we cannot deny that the historic center of Rome has many advantages. For example, we recently visited Rome again and stayed in the Montri area.
In the evenings, the streets were not as busy as in the historic center.
In the neighborhoods outside the historic center, it is simply less vibrant.
A hotel in the (tourist) heart of the city gives you access to so many activities that for many it is worth the extra money. Just know that there are several alternatives to this incredibly popular part of Rome.
Campo de’ Fiori & Piazza Navona is another great area known for its central location. From here you have easy access to the city’s main attractions, such as the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and the Vatican. Piazza Navona was built on the site of the ancient Stadium of Domitian and is surrounded by beautiful Baroque architecture.
There is an active nightlife and the whole area feels a bit more authentic compared to the touristy historic centre. Another great thing about this area is that you are more likely to find something affordable here compared to the historic centre.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind before booking a hotel here. Firstly, the area is still incredibly busy. Secondly, you don’t have direct access to the metro, although it is slightly better than in the historic centre.
Finally, there are fewer highlights in this area than in the historic centre. However, you do have better access to affordable accommodation and dining options.
The best comparison between the two neighborhoods is that Campo de’ Fiori and Piazza Navona offer more of a casual, local experience with a nice market and fun nightlife, while Centro Storico offers a beautiful historical and culturally rich environment with many of Rome’s most famous sights.
How to get around Rome? As mentioned earlier in this article, Rome is a city that you can easily explore on foot and this is the best way to discover its historical beauty. However, there are several instances where walking is not an option.
If you choose to visit one of the areas outside the historic center, make sure you stay near a metro station. You can buy a day pass for a few euros and use it to visit the Colosseum and the Vatican, among other places.
If you want to visit the Sistine Chapel, you should leave as early as possible to avoid the crowds. Again, the easiest option is to take the metro.
If you travel by train, you will arrive at Termini Station. There you will have access to both metro lines.
If you travel by plane, there is a train connection from Rome Fiumicino (FCO) to Termini. This takes about 20 minutes. Of course, you can always call a taxi or an Uber, but the metro is easy.
Monti is a large area southeast of the historic center. It is connected to the metro line B, which takes you to the central station Termini. During our last visit to Rome, we decided to stay as close* to Monti as possible for several reasons.
The first reason is that you have good access (and hopefully great views) to the Colosseum from there. Other historic sites such as the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill are also located here.
The second reason is that it is a relatively quieter area compared to the historic center. This is because the historic center has narrow streets and relatively tall buildings, while Monti is more open.
Finally, the area feels more authentic and less touristy, especially if you choose a hotel that is a little further from the Colosseum.
We stayed near the Re di Roma metro station in a reasonably sized apartment for a reasonable price. We were at Termini station within ten minutes by metro. The area we stayed in felt more local and less crowded. But there are some drawbacks.
Firstly, you always have to travel a bit to reach the main sights.
Secondly, there is less to do and eat, especially if you live just outside the tourist centre. For example, there are far fewer restaurants. Also, keep in mind that if you are dependent on the metro, there is a possibility that there will be construction work on the tracks, as happened to us last time (July 2024).
The metro was more limited then.
But for value for money, being away from the crowds and still having a good metro connection, Monti is an excellent choice!
*The reason we chose a hotel near metro line A is because this line takes you directly to the Vatican and the Trevi Fountain. Of all the major attractions, metro line B only takes you to the Colosseum, which is within walking distance if you are staying in Monti. You can change to the other line at Termini station.
There are two major advantages to living in or east of the Vatican.
The first obvious reason is the good connection to the Vatican. If you are planning to visit St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, make sure you get there as early as possible to avoid the crowds. So staying as close as possible is a big advantage.
Secondly, the area around the Vatican, especially in Prati, feels elegant, much less touristy and more residential. This is a very different atmosphere than the historic center of Rome.
If you choose to stay in the northern part of Prati, you have good access to the metro, but if you live near the Tiber, you still have to walk at least 10 minutes to reach a metro station. You are still relatively central and have good connections to the main sights, although not as optimal as the historic center.
So why choose the Vatican, and Prati in particular, as a base to explore this lovely city?
It is the ideal area for those looking for a more authentic and less touristy experience in a culturally rich neighbourhood. It is also a great option for those visiting Rome to attend one of the papal audiences and other events in St. Peter’s Square without having to travel long distances.
It is advisable to choose a hotel between the Ottaviano metro station and the entrance to the Vatican.
Testaccio is one of the best options if you are looking for a non-touristy area with easy access to the metro, which will take you to the heart of the city and several major attractions.
In the third paragraph, we mentioned that during our last visit to Rome we stayed in the Monti area. One of the downsides of that area was the lack of restaurants.
However, you will not be disappointed in Testaccio, as this part of Rome is often referred to as a foodie’s paradise. The Testaccio Market is the culinary epicentre of this area, but the streets surrounding it are lined with great gastronomic delights.
In the evening, there are also many local bars to explore in this area, including wine bars and taverns. And since you are a bit further away from the tourist epicentre, you can easily find cheaper accommodation options here.
The downside is of course that you are a bit further away from the main attractions, but the metro line at Piramide station takes you to the Colosseum in just two stops. There are many similarities between Testaccio and the aforementioned Monti.
Both are great options if you are looking for a less touristy and cheaper area to stay. However, Monti has direct access to a more convenient metro line, while Testaccio offers more things to do and eat, especially in the evening.
Trastevere is the neighborhood south of the Vatican and on the other side of Rome’s historic center. It is best known for its narrow, winding cobblestone streets, ivy-covered buildings, and beautiful squares.
Staying here will feel like you’ve stepped back in time to a more authentic, traditional Rome. Despite its popularity with tourists, Trastevere has retained a strong local feel.
It also has a great nightlife and unique restaurants. It is one of the best neighborhoods in Rome to stroll around in the evening after a day of sightseeing. Although there are no major attractions in this neighborhood (except for two incredibly beautiful basilicas and a handful of churches), you can easily walk to the historic center.
Here you will find the Plaza Navona, the Pantheon, and the Foro Romano. The Vatican is also not far from Trastevere.
The biggest downside to this area is simply that it has no metro service at all. This means that in most cases you will only have to rely on a taxi or bus. If you have access to the metro but also want to enjoy Trastevere, choose a hotel in Testaccio (the previously recommended district), which is located south of this district.
Historic Center: The perfect area if you want to stay in the touristic heart of the city with the best access to Rome’s top attractions.
Campo de’ Fiori & Piazza Navona: Not as great as the historic centre in terms of access to the main attractions, but it feels less touristy and the nightlife is better.
Monti: One of the best options for value for money, but you’ll be a bit further away from the city’s highlights.
Vatican & Prati: The best option if you’re mainly looking to visit the Vatican. The area offers a more refined experience with plenty of gastronomic delights.
Testaccio: If you’re looking for a local experience with a famous food scene, this is the area for you. Just be aware that you’ll be further away from the tourist epicentre.
Trastevere: A great combination of authenticity and nightlife with easy access to the Vatican and the historic centre. A great neighbourhood to explore, especially at night. However, there’s no metro access at all, which is a big drawback.
*Tapping on the link will take you directly to the relevant part of the article for more detailed information.
