Choosing an area to stay in Rome is a headache. We know it very well and we understand that right now you don’t even know where to start. That’s why we wanted to publish this article with information about which are the best neighborhoods, which are the areas to avoid as well as recommendations of hotels in each of them so that choosing a hotel in Rome is something much easier and faster.
The first and most important thing is to be clear that Rome, being one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, is one of the most visited destinations in the country and the world. That alone, as you can imagine, makes the prices of accommodation are not exactly low and much less in high season.
With this in mind, whenever you can, it is best to book as far in advance as possible, to find the best prices and also, more options since availability in cheap hotels in Rome usually sells out quickly.
Based on the several times we have been in the city, one of them living for two months in Trastevere, to update the guide to Rome, we leave you a selection of the best neighborhoods and areas to stay in Rome. Let’s get started!
Neighborhoods where to stay in Rome
Rome is a huge city and as such, it has multiple accommodation options. However, if this is the first time you visit Rome, our recommendation is that you look for a strategic and well connected area to sleep in Rome as this will allow you to take much more time and above all, enjoy more tranquility of the must-see places in Rome.
If we take this into account, the options for accommodation in Rome are considerably reduced so surely, after reading this post, you will find a hotel that fits everything you need.
1. City center, the best place to sleep in Rome
As you can imagine, the center is the best option to stay in Rome, although it is also the most expensive. This area is very large, although we, after the experience, we would prefer to look for accommodation in the areas of the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain or Piazza Navona, which are the most central and the most touristy. They are also the closest to the most important monuments of Rome, which will save you a lot of time in traveling.
And as if that were not enough, it is also one of the liveliest areas with the most restaurants, so sleeping in the center of Rome is synonymous with enjoying the most delicious gastronomy.
The price of accommodation in the center of Rome is usually around 200 euros (high season). In mid-season you can find options for 100 euros.
- Pros: you will be at the center of everything
- Cons: Prices are high and there is a lot of tourism.
Although the high price may make you think about other areas to sleep in Rome, we recommend you to give it a vote of confidence and review the options that we recommend because sometimes, there may be an offer and the price may surprise you.
2. Termini, the cheapest area to sleep in Rome
Are you on a tight budget? Then Termini can be a perfect choice for your stay in Rome. It has an excellent location, as this is where Termini Station is located, perfect if you want to make excursions from Rome or want to have a good connection to the airport. It is also relatively close to many of the most important points of the city such as the Colosseum, the Roman Forum or some of the best museums in Rome.
We anticipate that you will surely read that this is not a safe area to sleep in Rome. There are probably some streets that are not the most suitable to stay but we assure you that, if you are looking for a hotel near the station, you will not have any problem. We have stayed here on several occasions and although at night you can find a bit of a busy atmosphere around the station, we do not think it is an unsafe area, especially if you travel with common sense.
The price of accommodation in Termini is usually between 80-100 euros per night.
- Pros: hotels are usually the cheapest in Rome.
- Cons: Some areas of the neighborhood may be less safe and really, the neighborhood is not pretty and has no tourist attractions.
If you choose to stay here, we recommend that you carefully check reviews from other travelers to see if the hotel is in a good location and, most importantly, if anyone has had any problems.
3. Trastevere, the most charming area to stay in Rome
This is our favorite area to sleep in Rome. Imagine that, when we were livingin the city for two months, we chose it as our place to stay, and it was a great choice!
Just take a look at this list of places to see in Trastevere to get an idea of the beauty and charm of the neighborhood.
In addition, here are located some of the best restaurants in Rome so eating well is guaranteed. If you want to check it out we recommend you to take a look at this list of restaurants where to eat in Trastevere.
And if that’s not enough, you are within walking distance of Piazza Navonna, Campo di Fiori… right in the center!
The only bad thing about staying in Trastevere is that there is not an excellent combination of public transport to get there from the airport. Despite that, you have the streetcar, which you can take from Termini and it drops you off in the neighborhood or, as we have done the last few times, take a cab or hire a private transfer either from the airport or from Termini Station.
The price of accommodation in Trastevere is usually 150-200 euros per night in high season. In low season, if you book early, you can find rooms for less than 100 euros.
- Pros: it is one of the most charming areas to stay in Rome. Strolling through the streets in the evenings is a treat.
- Cons: Transportation from the airport can be more inconvenient.
If you decide to stay in Trastevere and have lunch or dinner in one of the most recommended restaurants, we advise you to go 15 minutes before they open as there is usually a long queue.
4. Monti, one of the most beautiful neighborhoods to stay in Rome
Monti is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods of the city and since a few years ago, one of the most visited by tourists thanks to the large number of fashion boutiques and stores that have begun to settle in the neighborhood. This has made it become one of the best areas to sleep in Rome despite the fact that prices are rising every day.
In addition, its similarity to Trastevere and its location next to Santa Maria Maggiore and Michelangelo’s famous Moses, and being a short walk from the Colosseum, make Monti another of Rome’s most recommended neighborhoods to stay in.
The price of accommodation in Monti is usually 100 euros per night.
- Pros: it is one of the most charming areas to stay in Rome. Strolling through the streets in the evenings is a treat.
- Cons: Transportation from the airport can be more inconvenient.
Although, as we said before, in recent times this neighborhood has become one of the best known, it is still relatively untouristy so you can enjoy its atmosphere and its streets with some tranquility.
5. Vatican, a strategic location to stay in Rome
Staying in the surroundings of the Vatican, since it is impossible to do it inside, is another option where to sleep in Rome. Although you will be a little far from the main tourist attractions of the city, you will be just a few meters from the Vatican, which will allow you to quickly get to know all the places to visit in the Vatican.
In addition to this, most of the accommodations in the Vatican are quite modern and the area is becoming more and more popular with locals and restaurants, which makes this area a perfect place to look for a hotel.
The price of accommodation in the Vatican is usually 80 euros per night. In low season you can find options for less than 75 euros.
- Pros: you will be next to the Vatican Museums.
- Cons: It is far from the rest of the tourist attractions of the city.
In our experience, this would be one of the last options we would choose in the selection of areas to sleep in Rome. Despite that, it may be interesting to take a look at the hotels to see if any of them fits your price and compensates for the location further away from the city center.
6. Piazza Spagna, the most central and luxurious area of Rome
If you are looking to be in the center of the city and enjoy one of the most exclusive areas, the area around the Plaza de España will undoubtedly be a great choice.
Of course, the experience comes at a price. This area is one of the most exclusive and as such, the prices are usually much higher than in the rest of the city.
However, if you want to treat yourself or celebrate a special moment, this sleeping area in Rome is a sure hit.
The price of accommodation in Plaza España is usually 400-500 euros per night. In low season you can find options for less than 250 euros.
- Pros: impossible to be in a more central location. Also, if you like shopping, here you will be next to some of the most famous commercial arteries of the city.
- Cons: It is a rather expensive area.
It is important to keep in mind that the historic center of Rome is relatively small so, the Trevi Fountain, for example, is only 700 meters from the Spanish Steps and is only 2 kilometers from the Colosseum. We tell you this so that you can rest assured that, no matter where you stay, you will be relatively close to most of the city’s points of interest.
Tips for finding cheap accommodation in Rome
Although we know that searching for hotels in which to sleep in Rome is not particularly difficult, especially nowadays with search engines like Booking, we do want to leave you a series of recommendations and tips for finding cheap hotels in Rome since that can be a little more complicated.
- Generally speaking, accommodation in Rome does not have a balanced quality/price ratio and the quality is, unfortunately, often lower than normal. However, lately many hotels are getting their act together and new offers are emerging, with a lot of potential.
- If you are traveling during high season, weekends or holidays, it is very important to book in advance, as seats are usually sold out early and prices go up like crazy.
- If you dare to walk a little, we recommend staying in an area a little away from the most touristy spots. You are sure to find inexpensive lodging.
- Remember that to avoid paying commissions and to always have the current exchange rate we recommend you to use the Revolut card and the N26 card, which are the ones we use, are free and will save you a lot of money. You can find more information in this article about the best cards for commission-free travel.
- If you are on a tight budget we recommend you to check out this selection of cheap hotels in Rome, there is sure to be one that fits you!
Questions and Answers
Although we hope to have answered all your questions in this post, here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about where to sleep in Rome.
Where is the best area to stay in Rome?
We particularly like the city center and also Trastevere.
Is the Termini area safe to sleep in?
Yes, although it is a less touristy area with a somewhatgray atmosphere, if you have a hotel near the station and you move with common sense, especially at night, you should not have any problems.
Where is the cheapest neighborhood to sleep in Rome?
Termini is the cheapest area. If you are looking within the more touristy areas, in the Vatican you can also find cheap hotels.
How much does a hotel in Rome cost?
You have options for all budgets but the average is usually around 125-150 euros per night for a double room.
What is the price of a hotel in Trastevere?
In high season, the average price for hotels in Trastevere is 150-200 euros.
