Things to do in Rome

Where to stay in Rome, a first-timer’s guide

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When planning a trip to Rome, the first of the many questions that needs an answer is where to stay. Whether you want to live like a local or soak in la dolce vita (the sweet life), eat to your heart's content, or lose yourself in the history of the eternal city - there is a neighborhood in Rome to suit every pocket and preference. Take your pick!

Where to Stay in Rome - An Overview

  • For Sightseeing

  • Your First Time

  • On a Budget

  • For Nightlife

  • For Shopping

  • With Family

Where to Stay in Rome for Sightseeing - Monti 

Monti is a bustling and historical neighborhood in Rome, Italy, located between Termini Station and the Colosseum. It is close to most of the historic landmarks in Rome and is one of the oldest areas of the city with its cobblestone streets winding through ancient ruins and modern shops. The area has seen many different cultures influence it over time, making it an eclectic mix of the old and new! This vibrant area is known for its lively nightlife spot, with plenty of bars and restaurants that stay open until late into the night. 

1 Monti (Editor's pick)

Perfect for sightseeing, good nightlife, amazing restaurants.

1.2 km

Distance from Centre
Where to Stay in Rome
Family First TimersSightseeingColosseum

Monti is located in the center of the city, only a few minutes on foot from the iconic Colosseum. One of the oldest neighborhoods of Rome, Monti is a treat for the eyes, soul, and of course, the stomach. It's the perfect place to get an alfresco coffee, savour local street food, and shop for alternative fashion!

  1. Explore the Piazza della Madonna dei Monti. This picturesque square is the heart of Monti and a great place to start your visit.
  2. Visit the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore,an ancient church that boasts stunning architecture and beautiful mosaics.
  3. Stroll along the historic Via dei Fori Imperiali road that leads to the Roman Forum and offers impressive views of ancient ruins.
  4. Check out the Mercato Monti, a weekend market featuring unique crafts, clothing, and artisan goods.
  • Cavour metro station will drop you off right in the center of Monti.
  • Bus number 75, 117 and nMB will also drop you at Cavour, a stop in the center of Monti.
  • Termini, Rome's biggest transit station for Buses, Trains and Metros, lies just 500 metres away from Monti.

Staying in Monti gives you easy access to some of Rome's best attractions:

🇮🇹 Local's Tip 🇮🇹

Do not miss out on a Fatamorgana gelato when you're in Monti. Many say it's the best gelato that Rome has to offer!

2 Trevi

Perfect for Sightseeing

1.4 km

Distance from Centre
Where to Stay in Rome
Family First TimersSightseeingTrevi Fountain

Trevi is one of Rome's most iconic neighborhoods – and for good reason. This central area is home to some of the city's most famous landmarks, including the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and the Pantheon. It's also a great place to stay if you want to be close to all the action.

  1. Take a walk to the iconic Trevi Fountain and Piazza Barberini.
  2. Explore the infamous cobbled streets of Rome - in Trevi, they're known to to be winding in nature and open into beautiful squares!
  3. Have traditional pizza at Il Piccolo Buco.
  4. Top Attractions in Trevi: Villa Fabri, Madonna of Tears Church, Basilica of St. Mary of Angels, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Barberini, Fontana del Tritone.
  • The closest metro station is Barberini
  • Buses to Via del Tritone or Via Veneto will help you get closer to the neighbourhood.
  • The taxi stands are located on Via del Tritone and on the Piazza S. Silvestro square.

Trevi's location allows you to be close to some of the most popular attractions in Rome! Read more about them here:

🇮🇹 Local's Tip 🇮🇹

With as much history as Rome has seen, there's something to do in every corner of the city! Take a tour of the Trevi district with the Trevi District Underground: Small Aqueduct Domus and explore the ruins hidden beneath the charm of Trevi!

Trevi Fountain Tour Tickets

3 Tridente

The Best Neighborhood for Shopping in Rome

1.7 km

Distance from Centre
Where to Stay in Rome
Shopping Exploring Rome on Foot

Say hello to Rome's most glamorous neighborhood, where you will get to tick off two major items on your must-see list - Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps. Not very far away from the neighbourhood Trevi, Tridente is a meeting point to three of Rome's most famous streets - via Condotti, via Borgognona, via Frattina, and all the places close to piazza di Spagna. A shopper's paradise, the area is dotted with Italian, French, and international designers, all lined up one after another.

  1. Start your exploration of the neighbourhood at the Piazza del Popolo, and if you're limited on time, Via del Ripetta is the road you'll want to explore!
  2. Go shopping in Via del Condotti, Via de Borgognona, Via Frattini. Make sure to visit Andrea Fabiani's shoe store. Via del Groche has some excellent chocolatier shops, as well as Vertecchi, an iconic paperstore. And this is not even half of it!
  3. Eat gelato at Gelateria dei Gracchi.
  4. Top Attractions on the Tridente: Piazza Barberini, Sister Churches of Basilica di Santa Maria in Montesanto & Santa Maria dei Miracoli, Piazza di Spagna, Villa Medici, Mausoleum of Augustus.
  • There are multiple bus stops that lead you into the Tridente - Piazza Popolo, Ripetta & Spagna
  • The taxi stand is located on the Piazza del Popolo.

🇮🇹 Local's Tip 🇮🇹

Tridente is formed by the intersection of three straight streets of Rome, departing from Piazza del Popolo and diverging southward. It's one of the most popular locales in Rome and passes through the busiest roads of the city. Staying here will allow you to be a stone's throw away from some of the most popular attractions in Rome, including the Piazza Barberini, Villa Borghese and the Spanish Steps.

4 Trastevere

Perfect for First Time Visitors to Rome

5 km

Distance from the Centre
Where to Stay in Rome
Family SightseeingFirst Timers

When in Rome, live as the locals do. No better place to do that than Trastevere. A charming medieval neighborhood with an unmissable Bohemian vibe. With its old-world cobbled lanes, ocher palaces*,* ivy-laden facades, and heady nightlife, a trip across the Tiber River to Trastevere is a must on your itinerary.

  1. Take a stroll along the cobbled streets of Trastevere.
  2. Explore the lesser known underground Santa Cecilia in Trastevere Basilica
  3. Take a food tour with a local for a taste of Italy
  4. Enjoy the nightlife of Trastevere and check out the street-bar Freni e Frizioni (Via del Politeama 4) near Piazza Trilussa for a drink or an aperitif outside.
  5. Top sights in Trastevere: Basilica of Our Lady in Trastavere, Ponte Sisto, Basilica Santa Cecilia, Villa Farnesina, Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore.
  • The bus stop is located on Via Nazionale, and the bus number is 870
  • The tram stop is located on Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano, and the tram number is 3
  • The taxi stand is located on Via di Porta Cavalleggeri, and the taxi fare will be around 10 euros

🇮🇹 Local's Tip 🇮🇹

Trastevere is a beautiful neighbourhood, and leaves much to be explored! So whether or not you stay here, experience the best of Trastevere with these recommended guided tours of Trastevere.

5 Testaccio

Best Neighborhood to Experience Nightlife in Rome

3 km

Distance from Centre
Where to Stay in Rome
For ExplorersNightlifeStreet Art

Bounded by the busy Via Marmorata on one side, the ancient city wall on the other, and the deep curve of the Tiber river, Testaccio’s shape resembles a large wedge of cheese. Apt for a neighborhood that apparently has the best traditional pizza in Rome. A former slaughterhouse, this district is now packed with rich history and good food. Don't go expecting any Instagram-worthy architecture, but you can 100% expect Instagram-worthy street-art!

  1. Walk about the neighborhood on foot and take in the street art in Testaccio.
  2. Shop the Volpetti Salumeria, a deli with some of Italy’s best meats, sandwiches and cheeses!
  3. La Città dell'Altra Economia is a farmer’s market complex where all the produce is organic, fair-trade product. Here, you can get an understanding of Roman food up close.
  4. Visit Da Remo, Il Grottino or CasaManco for some of Rome’s best pizza!
  5. Top Attractions in Testaccio: Pyramid of Cestius, Mattatoio Modern Art Museum, the Testaccio Market
  • Short walk from the train station - Roma Porta S Paolo.
  • Get off the tram at the Ostiense stop to be able to walk into Testaccio.
  • The bus stop name to get to Testaccio is Ostiense/Mercati Generali, Galvani or Zabaglia.

🇮🇹 Local's Tips 🇮🇹

  • Testaccio is an old neighbourhood in Rome, and while there might not be many picturesque things to do there, do rent a motorbike to explore the streets of Testaccio. You are sure to be surprised!
  • The Colosseum complex is the nearest historic landmark to Testaccio, only 2 KM away. You can catch a bus from the Mamorata/Vanvitelli bus stop, and hop off at S. Gregorio, which is only a 100m walk away from the Colosseum.

6 San Lorenzo

The Neighborhood for Budget Travellers

5 km

Distance from Centre
Where to Stay in Rome
Industrial HistoryStreet Art Bar HoppingAffordable Stays

Set along the train tracks leading up to Rome’s Termini Station, San Lorenzo was bombed heavily during World War II and was never rebuilt quite as well as the other neighborhoods. That said, what San Lorenzo lacks in Insta-worthiness, it makes up for with fun, because this is where all the young guns are. Students from the nearby Sapienza University have transformed this former industrial area, with converted warehouses and factories being turned into hip studios, restaurants, and craft beer pubs.

  1. Walk around the streets in San Lorenzo to admire wall murals and street art, particularly on the wall along Via dei Sardi.
  2. Explore Villa Mercede, a small green garden-park that hosts a library within its premises.
  3. Hop from one entertainment venue, to another! In San Lorenzo, you’ll find a vibrant lifestyle of unique restaurants & spaces like Soho House.
  4. Take a walk through the Cimitero del Verano, Rome’s biggest cemetery; it’s a beautiful cemetery and is the resting place of many famous Italian figures.
  5. Attend a burlesque show at the Micca Club!
  6. Top Attractions in San Lorenzo: Porta Tiburtina, Basilica di San Lorenzo Fuori Le Mura, Cimitero del Verano, Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale di Roma.
  • You can pick from a number of buses - 150F, 19NAV, 3BUS, 3L, 492, 71, C2. Board any of these to get to San Lorenzo!
  • Tram Stop - Porta Maggiore

Owing to San Lorenzo's distance from the city's centre and its predominantly student population, it's potentially one of the most affordable neighbhorhoods in Rome to live in.

🇮🇹 Local's Tips 🇮🇹

The nearest historical landmarks to San Lorenzo are the Colosseum ( 3 KM ) and the Villa Borghese ( 4 KM ).

  • You can reach the Colosseum Piazza from San Lorenzo by taking Bus 3B at Reti and disembarking at S. Gregorio. You can also take bus 71 from Tiburtina and get off at Milano. To go by metro, board the metro at 
  • You can take the metro from Termini to Barberini to reach the historical centre of Rome; all major attractions are within walkable distance from here.
Where to Stay in Rome
Rome Public Transportation

Everything You Need To Know About Public Transportation In Rome

Read in further detail about the public transportation in Rome to make exploring the city much, much easier! From the metro in Rome, to cabs & the network of trams in Rome, there is much to be read about the extensive network of public commute in this city!
Summary
Where to Stay in Rome - The Neighborhood Guide
Amulya Chintaluri

Amulya's love for travelling was a natural consequence of her moving around so much as a child. Throw in her love for writing into the mix, and there's no better way to spend her time. A person who collects hobbies like Infinity Stones, she loves reading, sketching, drawing, painting, dry pressing flowers, music, cooking, eating cake, watching TV and sleeping.

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