Rome hotels: where to stay
Rome is very diverse and many-sided. It is a beautiful ancient city in which every stone seems to breathe history. But at the same time, Rome is a modern metropolis, living its own hectic life. It has both quiet cozy alleys and noisy squares and roads with crazy traffic, as ancient ruins and modern business and shopping centers …. Depending on which area you will live in during your trip, you will see one or another side of this city. To start your search for a hotel in Rome, it is worthwhile to familiarize yourself with the main areas of the city, the most interesting for tourists. So let’s explore the areas of the Eternal City, search for the best hotels in Rome and decide where to stay.
Content:
In the heart of the Eternal City: hotels in the center of Rome
Inexpensive and convenient: hotels near Termini and the Vatican
Cozy and colorful Rome: Monti and Trastevere
Expensive and sophisticated Rome: areas of Via Veneto and Plaza de España
Tranquility and closeness to the center: the districts of San Giovanni, Celio, Aventin
Modern and diverse Rome: Esquilino, hotels near Piazza della Repubblica and Via Nazionale
Democratic Rome (remote areas: Garbatella, Testaccio, Aurelio)
What else to look for when choosing a hotel in Rome
Rome city center hotels
The historic center of Rome is celebrated in films and tourist brochures. The main disadvantage of centrally located Rome hotels is their high price. However, in order to live next to Piazza Navona or the Trevi Fountain, many tourists are even willing to overpay. If you are ready to do anything to enjoy your stay in the very heart of Rome, try to choose hotels located in small streets, and not in noisy squares. Otherwise, the joy of living in the center of the Eternal City may be spoiled by the inability to sleep due to the constant tourist noise.
The main attractions of the center of Rome are located quite compactly, but for your convenience, we offer a selection of hotels near the main places:
Hotels near Piazza Navona
Hotels near the Pantheon
Hotels near the Trevi Fountain
Hotels near Colonna Square
If you want to live in the very center, but at the same time are looking for a cozy place a little away from the tourist hustle and bustle, pay attention to the area of Campo dei Fiori, the name of which translates as “Field of flowers”. On the one hand, the square is in the very heart of Rome, very close to the Pantheon, Piazza Navona and the Trevi Fountain. There are a lot of cozy cafes, restaurants and shops here. On the other hand, it is calmer and more comfortable here than in the districts of these attractions themselves. And if you go out to the square in the morning on a weekday, you will find yourself in a real Roman market and you can buy the freshest and most delicious products. More details about this square, its history and features will be told by the audio guide to Rome Travelry on the “ Heart of Rome ” tour.
Hotels near Campo dei Fiori
By Myrabella [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
See all hotels in the historic center of Rome
Hotels near Termini and the Vatican: inexpensive and convenient
The center of Rome is beautiful and inimitable. But most tourists on a budget still try to find hotels in the cheaper areas of Rome. At the same time, do not forget about the need to move around the city and get to places of interest. If you live too far away, you risk spending a lot of time (and money) on transport. But you can combine convenience, good location and low prices by choosing a hotel, for example, in the area of Termini station or in the vicinity of the Vatican.
Termini is the main train station in Rome. It is not surprising that it is always noisy and crowded here. There are a huge number of hotels near Termini, including budget mini-hotels, which are often converted into apartments, rooms in which are rented to various tourists. This area is convenient because it is located next to the train station, from where you can easily reach both the airport and other Italian cities. You can walk to the Colosseum and the historic center, and it is also fairly easy to get to other parts of Rome. The “railway station” location of hotels in the Termini area is both their advantage and disadvantage. Try not to settle in the immediate vicinity of the train station – it is noisy, not very clean, and a motley “train station” audience gathers, including those without a definite place of residence. But if you move 300 meters away from the station, then it can already be much more pleasant and quieter there. Excellent transport links are complemented by a large number of shops and a large supermarket in the station itself.
Search for hotels near Termini Station
By Maaike Andrea Westra (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Vatican attracts not only tourists but also many Catholic pilgrims. The neighborhoods around the Vatican, from which you can walk to St. Peter’s Basilica, are filled with relatively inexpensive hotels. This area is somewhat more expensive, but cleaner and more pleasant to live in than the Termini area. Hotels here are not particularly luxurious, but they will suit the budget traveler. On foot from here you can get not only to the Vatican, but also to the Castel Sant’Angelo (and if you want your walk to be especially exciting, download the audio tour “The Vatican and the Castello Sant’Angelo”). And from the castle you can cross the Tiber on the bridge and go to the central sights of Rome – Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain and others. You can also walk to Trastevere. However, many parts of Rome will have to be reached not on foot, but by transport, especially if you are not used to long walks.
Find hotels near the Vatican
Cozy and colorful Rome
Rome is impossible to feel without looking into one of its authentic old districts. It is in them that Rome opens up in all its natural and unique beauty. And living in such an area is a traveler’s dream! Some of the nicest, cozy and informal areas in Rome are Monti and Trastevere. On the one hand, they are located close to the main attractions of Rome, and on the other, they are much quieter and more comfortable, in close proximity to places of worship. And most importantly, these areas “conquer” with their originality and unique atmosphere.
Monty is a charming area of Rome that has managed to retain a uniquely creative, even bohemian spirit, despite its central location. Staying here, you can not only easily walk to interesting places in Rome (for example, the Colosseum is just a stone’s throw from here), but also enjoy walks along cozy quiet streets, look into small shops with unique goods that you will not find anywhere else, sit on the square Madonna ai Monti, where all the locals meet and communicate ….
Search for hotels in the Monti area
Learn about the Masterpieces and Relics Audio Tour, in which we’ll take a short walk in the Monti neighborhood.
Trastevere is located a little further from the central attractions of Rome – you will need to cross the Tiber River to get to them. Actually, the name of the region means “Beyond the Tiber”. At the same time, the area falls in love with its unique flavor. It is completely unique in its appearance and cozy atmosphere, and is also famous for its excellent cuisine (Trastevere restaurants are considered one of the best in Rome). In addition, due to some distance from the noisy tourist center, there are more chances to find a cheaper hotel here.
Search for hotels in Trastevere
Dear and Refined Rome
If you are not looking to save money on your trip to Rome and want to get the most out of it, then look for hotels in the Via Veneto area or in the immediate vicinity of the Spanish Steps.
Street Veneto area (via Veneto), located near the main attractions of Rome, is considered one of the most prestigious in Rome and is famous for an abundance of expensive hotels, shops and restaurants. By the way, it was here that many events of Fellini’s film La Dolce Vita took place. Hotels in this exquisite place, surrounded by ancient aristocratic palaces and graceful basilicas, are certainly not affordable for everyone. But the experience of living in a great place is also invaluable.
Hotels in Via Veneto: rates and reviews
A cluster of expensive luxury hotels can be found in the area of Plaza de España . Those who choose a hotel in this famous area of Rome will enjoy close proximity to the city’s most popular tourist spots, many legendary attractions in the area, and an abundance of fine shops and restaurants.
Hotels in the Plaza de España
During the excursion “ Monumental and cozy Rome ” we will tell you a lot of interesting things about the Plaza de España and many other attractions.
Calm and close to the center !
If you do not like hustle and bustle, you can look for a hotel in the Roman districts of San Giovanni, Celio or on the Aventine hill. Tourists are not crowded in these areas, and therefore it is here that you can take a break from the hustle and bustle and see the real, “everyday”, and not only tourist Rome, as well as real Romans, vacationing or in a hurry on business. Just keep in mind that even here the tranquility can be disturbed if the hotel is located on a busy street with a lot of traffic. If you are looking for peace, then choose a hotel in the depths of blocks or in small streets.
District of San Giovanni (San Giovanni) or Laterano is notable for the huge magnificent basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano. It was here that the residence of the Pope used to be. The area is slightly away from the main attractions, so there are few tourists and cheap hotels can be found. At the same time, the Colosseum and Capitoline Hill are within walking distance, and the rest of Rome is easily accessible by metro or ground transport. If you like to walk (and you should definitely explore the center of Rome on foot!), Then a walk to the Trevi Fountain will not be difficult for you, but will only bring a lot of vivid impressions.
Search for hotels in the San Giovanni area
District of Celio (Celio), located on the Celio hill, adjoins Laterano and starts directly behind the legendary Colosseum. However, not many tourists come here either, and therefore the area remains cozy. Although, here the silence is periodically broken by noisy Roman motor scooters. There are many interesting old houses, many of which are located hotels in Rome. Transport links are well developed, and therefore it will not be difficult to get to places of interest to you. However, please note that you will generally need to use transportation rather than walking.
Aventine is one of the legendary seven Roman hills on which the great city grew. Today, an exceptionally picturesque area is spread here. It is so pleasant to take a walk in the Orange Garden, from where you can admire fantastic panoramic views of the city. And in spring and early summer, one cannot help but look into the city rose garden. In addition, there are several beautiful old churches on Aventina (Santa Sabina, San Alessio and others). There are not many hotels, very few tourists, but an amazingly calm, inspiring atmosphere, cozy beautiful streets and gardens and magnificent views. From here, it’s easy to walk to Capitol Hill and the city’s central attractions. More distant places can be reached by transport (metro stations and transport stops of Circo Massimo and Piramide)
Aventine hotels: prices and reviews
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Modern and diverse Rome
If you are looking for a hotel in Rome that is conveniently located, close to the main attractions, but not overcrowded at the same time, take a look at the Esquilino area. In particular, on the streets next to the square and the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. Esquiline Hill is interesting in itself: it has beautiful churches, squares, streets that deserve attention and a separate walk. If you have time and desire, go to the market, which is loved by the locals – Mercato Esquilino. In addition, there are many interesting shops, cafes and restaurants for every taste and budget. The Esquilino area is a cosmopolitan place where you can see and feel the diversity of modern Rome. At the same time, the main attractions of the city are very close. It has excellent transport links (keep this in mind when choosing a room – try not to overlook the noisy street!) And it is on the Esquiline Hill that our “ Masterpieces and Relics ” tour with audio guide Travelry in Rome begins.
Hotels in the Esquilino area: prices and reviews
By Wknight94 [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons
Proximity to the historic center and modern Roman bustle and business are combined in the area around Place de la Republique and Via Nazionale. This area is convenient for its location – from here you can easily walk to Termini station with its powerful transport interchange, and to the Colosseum, Pantheon and other legendary sights. At the same time, the street Nazionale itself is full of shops, therefore, having seen enough of the sights of Rome, you can devote time to shopping without leaving your hotel. But when choosing a hotel in this area of Rome, keep in mind that the street is quite noisy. Therefore, try to find a hotel not on the street itself, but on the adjacent side streets. Or at least ask for rooms facing the courtyard.
Hotels in the area of Republic Square and Via Nazionale
By Szilas (Own work, photo by Szilas) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons
Remote areas: democratic Rome
Thrifty tourists who are looking for cheap hotels in Rome and are ready to actively use public transport may be interested in areas more remote from the center. Despite the fact that they cannot boast of walking distance to the city center, they are interesting in their own way and allow you to see a simple, democratic, everyday Rome.
Garbatella is a residential area in Rome where you can “try on” the lifestyle of an ordinary Roman. Many houses here were built during the time of Mussolini. The historic center can be reached from here by transport (10-15 minutes on the way), to the Vatican – about half an hour by transport. But if you are interested not only in the central sights of Rome, but also less known, then this area will be able to please and pleasantly surprise you. For example, from here you can walk to the beautiful Basilica of St. Paul “Outside the City Walls” (it was built on the place of the apostle’s resting place). The ancient Appian Way with its famous catacombs is also easy to get to. Also visit the Sunday market at Portaportese.
Hotels in Garbatella: reviews and prices By Lalupa [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons
Testaccio is another remote area where you can find budget and even cheap (for Rome) hotels and see simple, everyday Rome, not just its colorful tourist façade. Previously, Testaccio was an industrial area, but today it is a very democratic place, which is characterized by simplicity, friendliness, and also known among the Romans for its rich nightlife.
Rome hotels located in Testaccio
By Lalupa [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Aurelio (Aurelio)
The relatively quiet area of Aurelio is located just outside the walls of the Vatican. It is also not the most “tourist” place in Rome, as it is located at a distance from the main historical sites. But this is precisely what many find its advantage – after seeing the masterpieces and ruins and bumping into the tourist crowd, many want to return to the hotel, where you can just take a break from the tourist hustle and bustle and even feel a little “out of town”. At the same time, the infrastructure is well developed, from Aurelio it is easy to get to the city center and its main attractions. In addition, it is full of shops, pizzerias, cafes, so you can always find something to do and where to eat.
Hotels in the Aurelio area: rates and reviews
When deciding where to stay in Rome, and choosing a hotel, take into account the specifics of your trip. How long are you planning to stay in Rome? If you have enough time, then it makes sense to stay in a remote area – you will spend some time on the road to the center, but you will not overpay for the location. But if you are going to Rome for only 2 or 3 days, then it may be worth paying extra to stay closer to the center, but use every minute of your trip, enjoying Rome. Look at the map for the exact location of the hotel and, if possible, plan in advance how you will get to certain places.
What else to look for when choosing a hotel in Rome
The choice of the area of Rome will be just one of the “filters” when choosing a hotel. When exploring hotels in Rome, pay special attention to tourist reviews and living conditions.
Keep in mind that Roman hotels, especially budget hotels, tend to have small rooms and rather poor breakfasts. If you are choosing a cheap hotel, it is convenient if there is a supermarket or inexpensive cafes nearby where you can have a snack.
Another feature of hotels, especially in historical areas, is the small size of the elevators, and sometimes their absence. If you are traveling with a lot of luggage, then check these details in the hotel description and in the reviews of tourists.
When choosing a hotel in Rome, try to avoid places and rooms facing noisy streets (there are a lot of scooters in Rome, and in some areas there is quite busy traffic). And if you are traveling in the summer, then take an interest in the presence of an air conditioner so as not to choose between noise with open windows and stuffiness with closed ones.
Rome is a city that has little to do with sitting in a hotel. This is one of those cities in which hotels usually serve only to spend the night, as travelers try to devote as much time as possible to exploring the city and inspiring walks through its streets and squares. However, it is a good idea to have a place where you can relax and unwind after a busy day. We hope you make a great choice and wish you a happy trip to Rome!
Read also:
Tips for those traveling to Rome on their own .
Also check out our Rome Travel Guide to better prepare for your happy journey! And if you are interested in itineraries in Rome, explore our ideas, what to see in Rome in 7 days .
Things to do in Rome: 10 fun ideas for your Roman vacation