Where to Stay in Rome: The Common Consensus

Rome is Italy's capital city, and it's one of the most traveled-to places in all of Europe.

One of the oldest modern civilizations in the world, Rome has absolutely no shortage of historical buildings and landmarks to explore. From religious greats like Vatican City to incredible artistic feats like the Trevi Fountain and Sistine Chapel, everywhere you walk is drenched in history and mastery.

If you're planning your first trip to Rome, or even Italy in general, one of the biggest questions is where should you stay to have the best experience and make the most of your time there?

We created this guide to help give you a quick snapshot (and thus, idea) of the best places to stay in Rome.

Where to stay in Rome by neighborhood

Rome has many different neighborhoods, but for tourists, there are a few that stick out. As a tourist, you will generally want to choose a location that's both close to the action and also feels safe and friendly.

These neighborhoods: Centro Storico, Prati, Vatican City, Trastevere, Monti, and Esquilino are usually the most popular for travelers.

They all have:

✅ Easy ways to get around.

✅ Museums and other attractions.

✅ Beautiful architecture and winding streets.

✅ Historic buildings, monuments, and things to see.

Most popular: Centro Storico

By far the most popular place to stay, especially for first-time visitors, the Centro Storico (or Historic City Center) is really the heart of Rome.

You can find everything here. Museums, piazzas, churches, shops... This is where the famous Trevi Fountain is located, as well as the Piazzo Navona and the Pantheon.

It's also next door to ancient Rome, which is home to the Forum, the Colosseum, and all of the ancient ruins your heart could possibly desire.

Pros

• It's the most centralized location.
• You're close to everything.
• It's beautiful.
• There are tons of options when it comes to accommodations, food, shopping, etc.

Cons

• It's more expensive than some other neighborhoods.
• It can be very crowded, especially in the summer months.

Top choice: Vatican City

Many people may not realize that Vatican City is its own country (well, a city state, technically). That said, it's also a "neighborhood" in Rome, just west of the Tiber River.

Staying close to Vatican City is a great choice, especially for those of Catholic backgrounds or who have a special interest in the history. You'll be a stone's throw from the Vatican Museums, St. Peter's Basilica, and even the Sistine Chapel.

While there are a ton of attractions, Vatican City does have a quieter nightlife and fewer choices when it comes to dining out. If you plan to explore all of Rome, being on the outskirts of the city is a good hub. It's also a bit notorious for having daytime crowds and more expensive options for food.

A big caveat: Keep in mind that it generally isn't possible to stay overnight within the Vatican City limits. Housing is reserved for local religious members, employees, etc. That said, you can get lodging nearby.

Note: For travelers holding a Schengen visa, Vatican City is included.

Pros

• It's the center of the Catholic church, which can be interesting for travelers of specific backgrounds.
• There are many museums, landmarks, and churches to explore.
• It's just across the river from the Historic City Center.

Cons

• Tourists generally can't stay overnight within Vatican City itself, which means you will need to find accommodations nearby.
• Because of its popularity, finding accommodations might be a bit tricky - and expensive.
• You're a bit further away from Ancient Rome, if you're interested in that.

Feels authentic: Trastevere

It's always worth it to see the most popular tourist attractions in a major city like Rome, but what if you want most of your experience to be a bit less touristy and a bit more authentic?

The Trastevere neighborhood is a great choice for travelers who want to see the sights during the day but prefer to get a more genuine feel of life in Rome.

Just west of the Historic City Center, Trastevere is close by, right along the river.

It is filled with winding streets with traditional Italian architecture, hidden alleys, and busy trattorias. Stopping by one of the late-open gelato shops and listening to a musician in an ivy-covered piazza may just become your new favorite activity.

Pros

• You can get a more authentic feeling than staying in a more touristic neighborhood.
• You're still relatively close to the action.
• Prices will be a little less expensive than the Historic City Center.
• It's a beautiful neighborhood.

Pros

• While it's not far, it's still a little way from all of Rome's main attractions.
• There are fewer museums and famous attractions in general.

Ancient charm: Monti

Monti is perhaps the best place to stay for travelers who are more interested in Ancient Rome and its history, but who also want to stay somewhere with a bit of old Italian charm.

This neighborhood mixes the two really well. Monti is just next to places like the Colosseum and has a quirky, artistic ambiance to it.

You'll find busy little cafes, local art shows, indie shops, and wine bars, all in earshot of the city center.

Pros

• Generally less expensive than staying in the city center.
• Closer to the main train station.
• Travelers may have a more authentic experience here with its local shops and eateries.

Cons

• If you want to be as close as possible to the ancient sights, it can be expensive.
• It's a bit of a walk to the river and the western part of the city.

Budget travelers: Esquilino

Definitely on the edge of the tourist areas, Esquilino is a great choice for travelers on a tight budget. Because it's a little bit further out (and near a major international train station), Esquilino is typically a lot less expensive than the prices you're going to see in the heart of the city.

The buildings and streets in Esquilino vary depending on where you stay, with more modern options. Many locals live here, so if you're hoping for a quieter stay in Rome, it's not a bad option to look into.

Pros

• Lower prices than other popular tourist areas.
• Fewer tourists.

Cons

• It's right near a large, international train station, so there's constant activity and a lot of people going in and out.
• It may not have that "Italian look" on every street, as there are more modern/industrial areas.

Refined travel: Prati

Prati is the neighborhood just North of Vatican City, on the left side of the Tiber River.

Its location puts it in close proximity to the historical part of Rome, but a bit further away from the Ancient city (where all of the old ruins are).

This is a clean, safe, quiet neighborhood that's popular for families and business travelers, or for those with a special interest in Vatican City who want to be close by.

Prati has a bit of a more modern feel with large boulevards and luxury stores, so staying here might give you a more modern city feeling than staying somewhere like Trastevere or even in the city center itself.

Pros

• Quieter than other busy tourist areas.
• A more residential feeling, which might appeal to families.
• Next door to Vatican City, not far from the city center.

Cons

• Further away from Ancient Rome.
• It can be a bit expensive as it's a more upscale area and near the two main tourist attractions (Vatican City and the city center).

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