Piazza Navona And Pantheon
Romes most enchanting neighborhood is centered around the Baroque-style Piazza Navona. From well-kept Renaissance architecture to impressive fountains, this area is a sensory overload of beauty.
Piazza Navona and the Pantheon could easily be split into two areas, but they share many features, like the Spanish Stepsthis is the spot for luxury. The rates are among the highest in Rome for posh hotels, chic B& Bs, and upscale private apartments, but its worth the extra cost if you can.
Best Hotels Near Piazza Navona/Pantheon:
Eitch Borromini Palazzo Pamphilj
| 5 Star | Central Location | Piazza Navona | Rooftop Bar
Looking for a truly magical Roman experience? Look no further than the Eitch Borromonia hotel literally built into the side of a 17th-century baroque church that overlooks the Piazza Navona. You can enjoy breakfast on the terrace with views of the Fountain of the Four Rivers. So picturesque!
| 3 Star | Boutique | Rooms & Apartments | Multi Level Terrace
For families who need extra space, you can book an apartment here that comes with a full kitchen. Or just opt for a regular room thats richly decorated. Youre only steps from the busy Campo de Fiori piazza and not far from the Pantheon and Piazza Navona.
Tips for Airbnbs Near Piazza Navona/Pantheon:
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our Rome Guide for more info.
Villa Borghese Staying Near Spanish Steps
These suburbs of Rome to the north of the city center are wealthy and attractive parts of town, and delightful places to stay, if you can afford it.
The tourist highlight of this part of Rome is the spectacular Villa Borghese gardens on the Pincian Hill, which have been opened to public since 1903. It is stunningly ornate landscapes gardens that contain spectacular buildings and the excellent Villa Borghese museum.
The Galleria Borghese here has splendid sculptures and paintings, including works by Caravaggio, Rafael and Titian. If its art gallery not enough, you can visit the Museo Carloi Bilotti and Canonica with various works of art.
Inside the garden, you can find a tranquil lake, Bioparco di Roma Zoo with more than 1,000 animals Pincios Water Clock, Silvano Toti Globe Theatre, Teatro Stabile dei Burattinis San Carlino Puppet Theatre, and the 16th-century mansion Villa Medici.
The Villa Borghese area contains several other interesting landmarks and attractions, including the famous Spanish steps, Piazza Del Popolo, and Piazza Di Spagna.
The Spanish steps is a grand and sweeping staircase that you will recognize from any number of movies. These baroque-style public stairs were built in the 18th-century to connect Piazza di Spagna to the Trinità dei Monti church.
For those who like to shop, another option is to search near Via dei Condotti and Via del Corso. This area is the main shopping drag in Rome and is dedicated to high fashion.
Termini: The Best Area To Stay In Rome On A Budget
Normally, we wouldnt add Termini to our list of the best places to stay in Rome. We consider the area around Termini the worst place to stay in Rome.
However, we cant overlook the fact that some of you may be travelling on a very tight budget or you need a place near the central train station for an overnight stay before you catch a train to your next destination. For these two reasons alone, you see Termini on this list.
Accommodation options near Termini are by far the most affordable in the entire city. And for good reason. Termini isnt an attractive part of Rome and it can be quite sketchy, especially at night. That said, Termini Station is the citys main train station and major metro hub which means that if youre staying in the area, you can easily get to anywhere you want around the city.
Best Hotels in Termini
- La Girandola Bed & Breakfast, a family-run B& B with comfortable rooms.
- Sophie Terrace Hotel for its beautiful rooftop area and modern rooms.
*This is a hostel. We may not be into hostels ourselves, but we thought we should include one in this guide, for the budget travellers among you. Although we have zero experience with hostels, our friend Kash from the Budget Traveller is THE expert on them and it must mean something that this eco-friendly hostel is among his all-time favourite ones.
If youre travelling on a budget, you might want to check out our 30 tips to save money for travel.
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Prati: The Best Place To Stay Near The Vatican
The Prati neighborhood is the best area to stay in Rome if you are looking for somewhere a little quieter, away from the hustle and bustle. Though its a hop, skip, and a jump away from the Vatican, so youll be perfectly set up to explore either early in the morning or late in the evening, depending on how you want to do it.
In fact, Alysha lived in Prati for six months, and loved it. Ive been trying to get her to take me back for years, and its finally happening in 2020 !
It is more reminiscent of Parisian neighborhoods with its wide avenues and large elegant buildings than expected of the narrowed alleys of Rome. With the Supreme Court and two other tribunal courts housed here it is a hot spot for lawyers during the work week but in the evenings and on weekends you can expect to find a multitude of wine bars, restaurants, and trattorias.
A place predominantly frequented by locals, Prati is a perfect place to stay for families or other travelers seeking a more peaceful base.
Pros and Cons of Staying in Prati
Pros:
- The Vatican. Theres no place to stay that is closer to the Vatican.
- Its quiet. Especially once you get away from the area immediately adjacent to the Vatican, when it becomes more residential the further north you go.
Cons:
Neighborhood Highlights
Best Places to Stay In Prati
NH Collection Roma Giustiniano: A TRADITIONAL HOTEL STEPS FROM THE VATICAN:
Hotel Della Conciliazione: BEST BOUTIQUE HOTEL IN PRATI
Domus Terenzio: MODERN LUXURIES, SMALL BUDGET
Prati & Borgo: Best Location For Saint Peters Basilica & The Vatican Museums
Located on the western bank of the Tiber, Borgo & Prati are excellent locations for a Roman holiday.
- Why is this the best area to stay in Rome:
- Saint Peters Basilica
- Best districts for a pilgrimage
- Boutique hotels
Bordering the Vatican City, Prati and Borgo are two of the most elegant districts in Rome.
North of the Vatican, Prati developed much later than the rest of Rome and is known for its wide streets and art nouveau buildings. With Via Cola di Rienzo as its main commercial thoroughfare, this quarter is known for its many upscale boutiques, restaurants and bars.
Meanwhile, Borgo is home to the Castel SantAngelo, a 2nd-century castle with gardens and panoramic city views. Via della Conciliazione connects the castle to Michelangelos Saint Peters Square.
Best Hotels Near the Vatican
Hotel Della Conciliazione
Hotel Della Conciliazione is just 100 m from Saint Peters Basilica, and a 2-minute walk from the terminus of bus 40 Express, providing direct links with Roma Termini Train Station. The rooms offer a flat-screen TV.
Hotel S. Anna
Just 200 m from St Peters Basilica, SantAnna Hotel is a 17th-century building offering elegant rooms and interiors in central Rome. Wi-Fi is free and varied continental breakfast is served.
Hotel Al SanPietrino
Set on the third floor of a building with a lift, this family-run hotel in Rome is only a 5-minute walk from Ottaviano Metro Station. It features air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi.
Trianon Borgo Pio Aparthotel
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Where To Stay In Rome: A Complete Guide
Its no secret that Rome is basically paradise for tourists. The city is dedicated to protecting its historical and cultural heritage so youll find plenty of relics from the Roman Empire. When it comes time to decide where to stay, it can be a little overwhelming. Should I stay near the Vatican? Or maybe near the Colosseum?
In this guide to the best areas in Rome, youll find three of our favorite neighborhoods and a selection of the best places to stay in Rome.
Alysha lived in Rome for six months, and Matt loved it so much on his first trip, he made the return trip just two years later. Between us, were certainly not locals, but we have a solid working knowledge of Rome beyond a typical tourist who has been once for a couple of days.
Were here to help you learn from our decisions so that you can skip staying somewhere mediocre and find an amazing place to stay in Rome.
Keep in mind, we havent stayed at most of the specific places in this guide. However, we have explored each of the neighborhoods below, and did the research to find the top-rated places to stay in each, mostly in service of planning our most recent 10 day stay in Rome.
You can read it as here are the best areas to stay in Rome, and where wed stay in Rome if we were planning a trip.
Most people are drawn to Rome to visit the Vatican, explore the Colosseum, and to climb Palatine Hill. Others are drawn for the food, dreaming about pizza, pasta, gelato, tiramisu, and espresso.
Where To Stay In Rome
Could someone advise me where to stay in Rome. Staying 3 nights in May and wish to be near all the sights but not in a noisy area preferably. Have between £300 – £400 budget, is this possible? Many thanks
Hi Jane – I was in Rome in Sept and stayed at a beautiful B& B a few meters from Castl’ Sant Angelo run by a lady named Rosa. She actually has two B& B’s one closer to St Peters but this room was in an authentic Italian apartment building with amazingly high ceilings. It was just amazing and Rosa was very welcoming and helpful – the breakfasts were also awesome – and I often saved half of the breakfast to eat for lunch cause there was so much! It was very quiet close to both st peters and Piazza Navona and I was very comfortable – was a great price of 90 euro for a single traveller! I really enjoyed being part of the italian homes rather than in a hotel that are the same all over the world!
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Centro Storico Area Where To Stay In Rome For The First Time
In our opinion Centro Storico the best is to stay in Rome if you are visiting for the first time. Its near everything! The lines of the Colosseum, Roman Forum with the outline of columns of Castor and Pollux and Septimus Severus seen from the Palatine Hill at sunset make you feel as if you have been transported back to the glory of Rome.
Pair that with the beauty of the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore and you can understand why The Center of Rome is magical. Dont forget to walk a little and check out the Spanish Steps, Campo de Fiori, and the beautiful Piazza Navona and Piazza del Popolo. This is a fantastic place to have a base if you plan on spending a lot of time in its many attractions.
Its only two downsides are price there are a lot of 5-star hotels here so the cost is higher than in other areas, but if your budget isnt tight, it is wonderful to be based here, especially at sunrise and sunset.
Looking for a great Rome Itinerary? Check out our 3 Days in Rome post for information on all of the top attractions including hours of operation and cost.
Where To Stay In Trastevere
- Best Air B& B in Trastevere: Elegant Trastevere Apartment: This elegant and welcoming apartment in the Trastevere district is right in front of Tiber Island in the center. Check out Availability and Prices on Air BNB
- Best Hotel: Hotel Ponte Sisto: Located steps from the River Tiber with views of Renaissance and Baroque Rome. Via dei Petinari 64. Check out Availability and Prices: TripAdvisor or Booking.com
- Best Hotel Mid Range: Villa della Fonte: This terracotta-hued, ivy-shrouded gem is in a 17th-century townhouse. Via della Fonte dellOlio 8. Check out Availability and Prices:Tripadvisor or Booking.com
- Best Budget Hotel: Trastevere Manara: This hotel has fresh, bright bedrooms & new renovations in one of the most atmospheric areas. Check out Availability and Prices:TripAdvisor or Booking.com
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Prati Near The Vatican City One Of The Safest Area To Stay In Rome
Prati along with neighborhoods in Central Rome, is one of the safest places to stay in Rome due to its close proximity to the Popes residence. The Vatican, the home of the Pope and the seat of the Catholic church is a wholly independent state from the rest of Italy and the smallest country in the world.
Borgo is the 14th historical district of Rome, located right next to Vatican city, on the west side of Rome, just across the river Tiber from the Historic Center. The area is very popular with tourists because of the Vatican and you will find excellent tourist infrastructure, including lots of hotels and guest houses catering to most budgets.
Prati is a charming residential neighborhood with wide boulevards, art nouveau buildings, and sophisticated shopping streets. It is a good base for those who want a stay away from hustle and bustle of the city center, but still close to all the major Roman sites.
It is a large district with plenty of accommodation to choose from. The main attraction in the Prati neighborhood is the most well-known shopping street Cola di Rienzo with many high-end design shops, cool restaurants, and bars.
Once you enter The Vatican, one of the first things that youll see is the Swiss Guards, who with their spectacularly colorful uniforms, are very hard to miss. The majority of Vatican City is closed to tourists but an exception is St. Peters Basilica, a stunning church that is topped by a vast dome designed by Michelangelo.
Whats The Best Area To Stay In Rome
The best area to stay in Rome is Centro Storico, especially if you are a first-time visitor to the city. This area, located on both sides of the Tiber River, in the heart of the Italian capital, this district is divided into 22 attraction-packed Rioni , each one with a different flavour. This World Heritage Site offers some of the most visited attractions in Rome, including the Roman-era Colosseum, Imperial Forums and Pantheon, the most beautiful medieval and renaissance churches and civil buildings, as well as some of the best-rated hotels in Rome.
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Pantheon / Piazza Navona / Campo De Fiori Area
Our absolute favorite area to stay in Rome is right in the heart of the historic center. Surrounded by the citys history and iconic monuments, you immediately feel at one with the city. In this area youll find the Baroque splendor of Piazza Navona, bustling Campo deFiori market and of course the magnificent Pantheon which has stood in place for 2,000 years.
And to top it all off, you can walk easily to the major attractions in Rome. The Colosseum, St Peters square and Trevi fountain are all around 20 minutes from this area on foot. So theres no need to navigate public transport. Simply wander and soak up the wonder that is Rome.
The Pantheon area is also a great place to eat. Youll find classic gelato bars like Giolitti as well as some of the best pasta restaurants in the city Roscioli is where we go for our carbonara fix!
BEST FOR: All travelers and especially first time visitors wanting to explore all the highlights of Rome on foot
Where Will You Stay In Rome
The rione or districts of Rome each have their own unique charm. Whether youre staying for a night or two or are soaking up the city over a classic 3 day trip, choose the area thats right for you and enjoy all that the Eternal City has to to offer on your doorstep. But, if exploring ancient sites, gushing fountains and pretty piazzas is your ideal Roman holiday, you cant beat staying in the historic center with the Pantheon close by.
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Tridente & Trevi: The Best Places To Stay In Rome For High
As a result of an urban planning project that materialised between the 15th and 17th centuries, Rome is home to a trident, tridente in Italian. This trident is formed by three streets that start in Piazza del Popolo: Via di Ripetta ending in Piazza Cardelli, Via del Corso ending in Piazza Venezia and Via del Babuino ending in Piazza di Spagna.
The area bordered by these streets, the so-called Tridente, alongside the nearby Trevi neighbourhood, which is home to the most famous fountain in Rome, the imposing Fontana di Trevi, are the best places to stay in Rome if you are high-end shopping and luxury hotels enthusiasts.
Except for Trevi Fountain, the most recognisable fountain in Rome, staying in this area means you are within short walking distance of the most prestigious shopping street in Rome, Via del Corso, and one of the most quintessentially Roman spots, the marvellous Spanish Steps.
Tridente and Trevi are extremely centrally located. Thanks to their glamorous vibes, they are the best areas to stay in Rome if youre in the city to celebrate a special occasion or if you want to splurge on the Roman Holiday youve always dreamt of. The downside of staying in Tridente and Trevi is rather self-explanatory then. Theyre quite pricey options.