Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Rome

Piazza Navona

Photo Credit: Tracy's Travels In Time

The area about the Piazza Navona is the perfect neighborhood to stay in for first-time
visitors to Rome. This historic and beautiful public square is home to 3 famous fountains (Fontana del Moro, Fontano di Nettuno, and Fontano dei Quattro Fiumi), numerous restaurants, churches, and baroque buildings.

The alleys and cobble-stoned side streets that surround the Piazza Navona are full of charming hotels, cafes, and shops The area is lively during the evenings with painters, musicians, and street artists all contributing to the atmosphere. During the balmy days of summer enjoy a meal at one of the many restaurants with an outdoor terrace.

The area is not only perfect for relaxing after a busy day of sightseeing but is also within walking distance of many of Rome’s most famous sights, landmarks, and attractions. Stroll from the Piazza Navona via the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain to the Spanish Steps or head over to the Vatican City.

Although the Piazza Navona is a traffic-free zone the tourist hop-on and hop-off bus has a stop in the locale too. Taking the bus is an excellent way to get your bearings especially during the first few days.

There are many restaurants and eateries to choose from around the Piazza Navona. Of particular note is the Frigidarium for outstanding gelato (and long lines due to its popularity) and Virginiae for delicious pasta.

Submitted By Tracy Collins from Tracy's Travels In Time

Monti

Photo Credit: Haley Blackall Travel

The Monti neighborhood, or more locally known as a municipi, is one of the best neighborhoods to stay in Rome.

Due to Monti’s central location in the heart of Rome, it's only a short walk to attractions like the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, and more. And, as the oldest neighborhood in the city, Monti is full of charming alleyways, picturesque cobblestone streets, and colorful facades.

A perfect destination for gal pals seeking culture, vintage shopping, and trendy boutique bars, or a couple looking for a romantic getaway, Monti fits the bill.  

On Sundays, the neighborhood hosts the Mercato Monti, a market where you can find everything from vintage t-shirts, jewelry, to old records and cameras. Perfect for the trendy thrift shopper.

In the evening, venture over to the Piazza Della Madonna Dei Monti where you will find the hip locals hanging out with cocktails in hand. The square is reminiscent of an old Italian film and is a great place to sit and people-watch under the intimate lighting. 

If you are seeking a unique late-night experience, look no further than Libreria Caffe Bohemien. This hip joint is the perfect reflection of the happening art scene in the Monti neighborhood.

Grab a book and a fun cocktail at this historic and eclectic bar and enjoy the fantastical atmosphere surrounded by vibrant bookshelves and paintings.

Centro Storico

Photo Credit: The Diary of a Nomad

The beautiful centro storico is hands down one of the best neighborhoods to stay in Rome — whether you’re visiting alone, with family, or as a couple. It’s also one of the best neighborhoods to stay in Rome for first-time visitors as it is where almost all the main attractions in town are located.

The centro storico translates to “the historic center” and as its name suggests, it is filled with the most ancient and important monuments in Rome. In fact, this neighborhood encompasses the iconic Colosseum, the gorgeous Trevi Fountain, and the must-see Spanish Steps. It is also home to lots of other historic monuments such as the Pantheon, the Altare della Patria, and the stunning Piazza Navona, where kids can enjoy clowns performing and where artists gather to showcase their work.

If you’re visiting as a couple, simply strolling the centro storico together is one of the most romantic experiences you can have in Rome. Even better — take a stroll there at night, when all the famous monuments are lit up and look even more brilliant!

There’s a big park named Villa Borghese not far from all the historic sites in the centro storico, and kids will especially enjoy the bike rentals and the large patches of greeneries there.

For an unforgettable experience, stay in Hotel 87 near the Spanish Steps. They have a hot tub on their sun-kissed terrace for guests to use!

Rione Monti

Photo Credit: A princess travelling with twins

Rome is a vast city so choosing the right area to stay in is essential to avoid wasting time in traffic or on congested public transport.

And Rione Monti is mentioned twice on this list because not only is it perfect for those who are looking to walk everywhere but it is the perfect place both for first-time visitors and for those who have already been to the Eternal City many times.

What makes it perfect? The fact that not only is it a strategic point for tourists to visit the city, but it is also dearly loved by the Romans, which guarantees the presence of a good number of bars and restaurants to mingle with the locals: for the classic cappuccino and croissant until aperitif time, and then continue with dinner based on local cuisine (do not miss a stop at the ancient winery “I tre scalini”).

The Rione Monti is a fairly large area bounded by Santa Maria Maggiore, the imperial fora, the Quirinale, and the basilica of San Giovanni. Although every corner is enchanting, by remaining close to via Cavour you will find yourself right in the liveliest part.

An excellent place to stop is the Antica Locanda hotel, in the heart of via del Boschetto, completely immersed in the atmosphere of ancient Rome, but a few steps from the most commercial streets and some of the inevitable sites to visit such as the Colosseum or the church of San Pietro in Vincoli which houses the Mosè di Michelangelo.

Monti is an area where you should lose yourself, letting yourself be guided by the views that open up at every corner. The ancient walls, the unique little independent shops, the streets with the cobblestones will make you feel like you are in a fairy tale or a movie, often making you wander with your nose up, but be careful as the intrepid Italian drivers venture into even the smallest little mews!

Trastevere

Photo Credit: PlacesofJuma

For sure one of the most beautiful and best neighborhoods to stay in Rome and at the same time a great choice for a city break is the Trastevere district. It is located on the right bank of the Tiber River and enchants especially with medieval streets, beautiful churches and picturesque piazzas. In this part of Rome, you will find numerous restaurants serving amazing food and delicious wines. Especially nice is Alle Fratte di Trastevere – from seafood to pasta to pizza – the kitchen is fantastic here.

But not only the bars and places are great, there are also some interesting attractions and churches to explore. Couples especially love this romantic area, which invites you to stroll and enjoy! Even if you don't stay in Trastevere, you should put the area on your sightseeing list.

Locals often say that Trastevere is the quieter version of Rome. It's still quiet here, yet very authentic. If you love views, be sure to visit Gianicolo Hill. Up there you will have one of the best viewpoints in Rome.

Because of its unique charm, top restaurants, and close proximity to the center, Trastevere is definitely one of the best places in Rome! And it has some fabulous accommodation options as well. If you're looking for recommended hotels check out the Hotel Santa Maria – directly in the heart of the neighborhood.

Submitted By Martina from PlacesofJuma

Aventino

Photo Credit: Travel your Memories

The Colosseum & Aventino neighborhood is located in the south of Rome. The neighborhood between the Colosseum and the historic center is world-famous and crowded, but if you go a little more into the neighborhood of Aventino you can see that Aventino isn’t touristy at all and you find yourself in a part of Rome that is completely unknown.

In the neighborhood, you stay among the locals, which is very nice. The district does everything it can to maintain the unique character of the district. You will not find large hotels here for this reason. It is very nice to walk through the neighborhood because of the nice atmosphere and beautiful gardens to see with all the flowers.

Aventino is perfect for various types of travelers. Families with children can enjoy peace here, just like couples, and still, have the pleasure of being in the heart of the center within +/- 10 minutes walk. In the Aventino district is the world-famous Colosseum and Roman Forum.

Are you curious about what you can do in Rome and are you looking for a travel route for 3 days in Rome, then we recommend reading this article: Best itinerary for 3 days in Rome.

Hotel Villa San Pio is a great place to stay because they have a quiet garden where you can enjoy peace. Besides this, it’s also a perfect place to start your day with breakfast, for example.

Just north of the Colosseum is the restaurant La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali located. When you arrive it doesn't seem like the best place to eat at first because it looks very touristy. However, don't let this put you off. If you sit down and taste the food you will understand why this is an absolute must. They only work with fresh ingredients and homemade recipes. Highly recommended to try is ravioli di burrata. Deliciously filled and very fresh.

Submitted By Alexander van Ravesteijn from Travel your Memories

Esquilino

Photo Credit: Pixabay

The area of Esquilino is often ignored when looking for suitable places to stay in Rome, and it is a pity, for it is more budget-friendly than most Rome’s central areas, and it still has a nice local feel that many parts of the historic center have lost because of over-tourism.

Esquilino Hill is one of the seven hills of Rome, and actually comprises three hills – Oppoian, Cispian and Fagutal Hills. The origin of the name Esquilino is believed to be linked to the high presence of aesculi (Italian oaks) in the area; though some believe the name is a reference to the contraposition of “exquilini” (suburb dwellers) and “inquilini” (in-towners). Back in Roman times, this was a popular and up and coming residential place to live.

Today, the area between Termini Train Station, Vittorio Emanuele square, and St. John in the Lateran church has much to offer to both locals and visitors, who will find it incredibly well connected to the rest of the city, and providing easy access to the Colosseum.

Other than the church of St. John in the Lateran, other places to visit in the area include Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica and the ruins of the Domus Aurea, Nero’s Golden House. Another interesting site are the ruins of the Temple of Minerva Medica.

Submitted By Claudia Tavani from Strictly Rome

Testaccio

Photo Credit: Nomadic FIRE

For Foodies, there is no place like Rome in the world. From the Amatriciana to the Pizza al taglio, the city teems with delicious dishes. But eating out in Rome can get expensive.

Tourist traps with subpar meals and pricey menus litter the city center. The secret to living in Rome on a budget or even visiting Rome is to go where the locals go. And locals and expats living in Rome know that there is no better neighborhood than Testaccio for visiting Foodies looking for real Italian food at local prices.

Testaccio may not be the most beautiful neighborhood in Rome, but its unique mashup of history and fantastic food, making it essential for any Rome itinerary. The neighborhood's vibe is influenced by its industrial food past. Most of ancient Rome's food supply was distributed through Testaccio's Emporium port.

Modern Testaccio's nightlife sits on ancient Rome's dumping ground for the Emporium's discarded food containers. A museum houses an art gallery in a centuries-old former slaughterhouse, once the largest in Europe. The neighborhood's history with food extends to Testaccio's current reputation as home to some of the best restaurants in Rome.

For a specific recommendation, it's hard to go wrong with the famous Mordi e Vai. Renowned throughout the city, Bite and Go (English translation) creates inventive twists to typical Roman fare and wraps them in a cheap and fast take-out sandwich.

If you want delicious Italian food on a local budget, skip the overrated tourist traps and headed straight to the Testaccio neighborhood. You'll learn more about what it means to live and eat like a local after you've eaten your way through Rome's original Foodie neighborhood