Where is the best area to stay in Rome?
By Laura Pattara. January 21, 2023
Immerse yourself in the eternal city of Rome, a stunning mecca for history, art and architecture, delectable food, great shopping, and captivating culture. Rome is the embodiment of La Dolce Vita, where life comprises an infinite array of little pleasures. From your morning cappuccino, piping hot cornetto, the weekend stroll among 3,000-year-old-ruins, and the unmissable pre-dinner aperitivo with friends. Rome offers sensory overload served on silver platters and should be seen more as an experience rather than a mere tourist jaunt. Experience Rome, even if only for a weekend, and you’re guaranteed to be hopelessly charmed.
The best area to stay when visiting Rome is Piazza di Spagna, considered the beating heart of the Italian capital. Here, you’ll get to soak up the infectious vibe of the city by day and night, yet you can easily reach all the major attractions - from the Colosseum to the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain. Public transport also serves the area well, so visiting highlights in the outer rioni (suburbs) is a breeze. Moreover, Piazza di Spagna is home to Rome’s best-rated restaurants and prestigious boutiques. Squeezing in a sneaky shopping spree or outstanding dining experience is ridiculously easy.On the map, which shows the most convenient area to stay in Rome, you can see a selection of some of the best located hotels
If you are interested in where to stay in Rome, you may also be interested in where to stay in Venice, where to stay in Florence, where to stay in Milan and where to stay in Athens.
Piazza di Spagna, the best area to stay in Rome
Central / Lively / Luxury Hotels / First-Time / High-End Shopping / Family
Piazza di Spagna is one of Rome’s most iconic squares, revered for its breathtaking statues, churches, and fountains. From the majestic Baroque Fountain of the Barcaccia to the ancient Column of the Immaculate Conception - the area is bursting with monuments whose sole task is perpetuating the Eternal City’s rich history. Lively by day and night, the area around Piazza di Spagna is an ideal base for sightseeing and first-time visitors.
In addition to the many historical sights, Piazza di Spagna also offers plenty of entertainment. The world-renowned shopping strips Via del Corso and Via Condotti are home to designer boutiques, while the many cafés, restaurants, and gelaterias are perfect for classic Italian indulgences. For those who love nightlife, the area is lined with bars, clubs, and comedy venues. And if you’re looking for something more laidback, you can simply bask in the Italian sun’s warmth while admiring this legendary piazza’s breathtaking beauty.
Other areas to stay in Rome
Via Veneto
Central / Quiet / Family / Luxury / Family Shopping / Art and Culture
Central yet seemingly far from the tourist hordes, Via Veneto is perfect for families and anyone who wants to be close to the action but not quite in the thick of it. Via Veneto is merely half a mile (10min-walk) east of Piazza di Spagna and is one of the most celebrated thoroughfares in the world. This is also an ideal area to stay in Rome if you’re primarily looking to shop and dine to your heart’s content.
Immortalized for perpetuity in Fellini’s 19602 classic, La Dolce Vita, Via Veneto perfectly showcases Rome’s bustling café culture, glitzy nightlife, and grand architecture. Stay in Via Veneto and you won’t be short on things to see and do. The National Gallery of Ancient Art and Palazzo del Quirinale are within a block of Via Veneto and, thanks to the Barberini Metro Station, you can easily explore every corner of Rome.
Via del Corso
Central / Pedestrian / Family / Shopping / Luxury / Romantic / Nightlife / Sightseeing
Via del Corso is an incredibly famous shopping and pedestrian street that is located between Piazza del Popolo and Piazza Venezia. This is Rome’s main commercial artery, one lined with many high-end stores, malls, cafes, bars and restaurants. It is also known for its outdoor dining, souvenir stands, and busy street life. If visiting Rome in summer, Via del Corso is an enchanting area in which to stay.
In the immediate vicinity, you’ll discover the beautifully restored Basilica di di San Lorenzo, the ornately decorated Palazzo Borghese, and the exquisite Baroque-designed Church of Santa Maria in Vita.
Via del Corso transforms in the week preceding Christmas, with traditional market stalls selling local handicrafts and delectable treats. Yet no matter what time of year you visit Rome, Via del Corso’s profusion of eateries, bars, shops, and monuments will ensure your day’s meanderings are plentiful and varied.
Trevi
Central / Pedestrian / Luxury Hotels / Shopping / Nightlife / Sightseeing
If you love high-end shopping and luxury stays, you could choose no better area to stay in Rome than the Trevi neighborhood. Just 1km (12min-walk) south of Piazza di Spagna, Trevi is an elegant area revered for being home to Rome’s most famous fountains.
The Trevi Fountain is one of Rome’s start attractions, instantly recognizable around the globe. The Baroque-style fountain, the largest of its kind in Rome, was designed by architect Nicola Salvi and completed in 1762. It attracts camera-wielding tourists 24/7, every day of the year. It really is that unmissable.
The fountain is especially famous for the tradition of throwing a coin to make a wish. As such, over 3,000 euros are collected, every single day, and donated to several of the city’s charities. Other notable highlights in the area are Piazza Barberini and its stunning Triton Fountain, and the San Crispino gelato shop - a real Rome treasure if ever there was one!
Pantheon
Tourist / History Culture / Family / Authentic
The Pantheon is located in the Rione IX, Pigna district, which stretches to Piazza Venezia, and is bordered by the Trevi District and Rione Parione. From Piazza di Spagna, this architectural masterpiece and its surrounding area is merely a 15-min walk (1.1km) to the southwest, just past Palazzo Montecitorio.
The Pantheon is an architectural masterpiece and one of the best-preserved Roman buildings in all of Europe. Its unique design features a large dome, open central space and grand columns. The building is a tribute to the might of the Roman Empire and has become a symbol of cultural and architectural excellence. For locals and tourists alike, the Pantheon’s cobbled streets and profusion of ancient monuments are an absolute delight to explore on foot. This is a trendy destination for a Sunday passeggiata, so expect a very authentic Roman experience.
Rione Monti
3-Day Stay / Family / Authentic / History / Elegant / Artisan
Travel 2kms south of Piazza di Spagna - a 15min ride on the bus or metro - and you’ll find yourself in Rione Monti, one of the oldest and most historic neighborhoods in Rome. This area is perfect if staying in Rome for 3 days or more. You’ll want to take public transport to reach the most central attractions yet will have oodles to explore outside your hotel door.
Monti’s streets still maintain a medieval layout with narrow, winding alleys hosting some of the city’s best artisan shops and restaurants, as well as some of Rome’s oldest churches.
Additionally, its central location makes it a great starting point for exploring the Eternal City — the Coliseum, Roman Forums, and Santa Maria Maggiore are all nearby, as is the bustling Via Cavour. Rione Monti effortlessly combines its historical landmarks with modern-day charm and energy, making it one of Rome’s most sought-after neighborhoods.
Colosseum
3-Day Stay / Ancient Monuments / Tourist / Sightseeing
Staying in the Colosseum area is ideal for those who’ve spent years dreaming of waking up to see the single most iconic symbol of the ancient Roman empire out of their hotel window. Rome’s crown jewel is a 25-min bus ride for Piazza di Spagna so it’s not as central as some of the above-mentioned suburbs. Unless your visit to Rome is short and sweet, however, that matters little.
The Colosseum neighborhood has a bohemian flair and is known for hip shops and cafes. Naturally, you will also have the Roman Forum monuments and other prominent ancient Roman delights right there at your feet. While it can be a bit crowded and noisy, the neighborhood surrounding the Colosseum offers a great selection of hotels and dining options.
If you’re more into sightseeing than shopping, the Colosseum area will suit you perfectly.
Roma Termini
Short Stay / Backpacker / Budget / Cheap Eats / Good Transport Connections
If your visit to Rome is fleeting or you wish for more budget accommodation options, then the area around Roma Termini station is ideal. It’s only 2km (7min metro ride) southeast of Piazza di Spagna.
Being the transport hub of the Italian capital, and the busiest in Europe, Termini is actually the single most visited area by tourists. From here, you can take buses and trains to reach the city’s main attractions, as well as continue your travels outside of Rome. Yet there’s more to Termini than mere convenience.
There’s a multitude of well-maintained parks, archaeological sites, churches, fountains, and ancient ruins to explore nearby. Nevertheless, the proximity of such a busy train station means Termini can be lacking in charm - yet it makes up for that in authenticity and value for money. That goes for hotels as well as bars and restaurants - head to the Mercato Centrale for fantastic local meals at local prices.
Piazza Navona
Central / First-Time / Lively / Safe / Toruist
Many consider Piazza Navona the most beautiful square in all of Rome, and it’s hard to disagree. Just 1km (15min-walk) southeast of Piazza di Spagna, and still very much in the ‘heart’ of Rome, Piazza Navona is an iconic city landmark known for its captivating beauty, fascinating history and vibrant atmosphere.
The piazza’s most famous feature is the exquisite Baroque-style Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers) designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in the 17th century. With its dramatic sculptures and ephemeral streams, the fountain draws tourists and locals alike. Piazza Navona also hosts charming market stalls, gelato stands and souvenir shops, as well as countless sidewalk cafes and restaurants that overlook the square and its monuments. Although this is definitely one of the busiest areas in Rome, the piazza’s charm still captivates. When visiting Rome, you really wouldn’t want to stay very far from Piazza Navona.
Trastevere
Budget / Return Visitors / 3-Day Stay / Trendy / Lively / Gastronomy / Shopping / Nightlife
Trastevere is the best area for budget travelers to stay in Rome. This small area is known for its culture, nightlife, and great value accommodation options. It’s only 3km southwest of Piazza di Spagna, on the western shores of the Tiber River.
This is one of the oldest and most beloved neighborhoods in Rome, known for its winding, cobbled streets, colorful buildings and ancient churches. It has long been one of the city’s most popular tourist destinations, and it is also beloved by locals, thanks mostly to its many fantastic restaurants, bars, art galleries, shops and open-air markets. The suburb takes its name from the Latin “trans Tiberim,” which means “across the Tiber.” Trastevere’s charm is quite unparalleled in Rome, or elsewhere in Italy.
Super lively, especially on weekends, Trastevere attracts returning visitors like no other suburb. Once you’ve ticket off your ‘must see’ list, you’ll no doubt want to spend all your time meandering its charming streets.
Vaticano Prati
Religious Attractions / Vatican Visit / Elegant / Residential / 3-day stay
Unsurprisingly, the Vaticano Prati area attracts tourists who are in town specifically to experience the city’s most religious complex and its churches, monuments, and museums. Spending a weekend soaking up the wonders of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel is indeed an unforgettable experience. Vaticano Prati is just west of the river, a 30-min bus ride from Piazza di Spagna.
If staying here, you can also discover other riverfront attractions like Castel Sant’Angelo, which dates back to the 2nd Century AD. While there, don’t forget to cast your eyes on the magnificent Vittorio Emanuele II bridge. Come back here after sunset and you’ll see a breathtaking skyline of Rome, all magically lit up.
When you’re in dire need of some tranquility, take a leisurely stroll through Rome’s Botanic Gardens, in the suburb’s south. It’s the perfect way to escape the at-time hefty Vatican crowds.
Our recommended hotels in Rome
Use the interactive map to navigate through our recommended hotels in RomeNote: Hotel prices can change daily due to promotions, seasons, and demand. Our $ - $$$$ scale shows the overall cost range rather than exact prices.
