Where to stay in Rome, Italy in 2025 – The 8 Best Areas

But where should you stay? Do you want to be close to the main attractions or somewhere quiet and peaceful?

In this article, I will look at where to stay in Rome by drawing on my visits to several different areas and what they have to offer.

Best Places to Stay in Rome

Just need a quick recommendation on the best accommodations in Rome. Here are our quick picks for the best places to stay.

Now let us look closer at where to stay in Rome by checking out the best areas and neighborhoods and what they offer visitors.

8 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Rome

1. Close to Ancient Rome

Trendy and laid-back

Best Hotels Close to Ancient Rome – The Inn At The Roman Forum • Condominio Monti Boutique Hotel • Hotel Hiberia

The hippest neighborhood in Rome was considered to be the slums of the city for centuries. Today, it has a reputation as a laid-back boho district, popular with creative types and known for vintage boutiques, eclectic cafes, and excellent nightlife.

The neighborhood is one of the coolest in Rome, a favorite of the young and old. Like most of Rome, it has several archaeological treasures and culturally significant sites. It blends the beauty of classical architecture and trendy new attractions perfectly.

You won’t struggle to find things to do in Monti – the art galleries, boutiques, and hip wine bars will keep you busy from dawn to dusk.

With the neighborhood skirting around the Colosseum, Monti is also near Ancient Rome – perfect for sightseeing. Wandering the expansive Roman Forum and discovering the Colosseum for the first time is an unmissable experience.

Though Monti is only a stone’s throw from the most iconic sights in Rome, it is often overlooked by the waves of tourists ticking off their Roman itineraries. Hiding in plain sight, Monti manages to be central and bustling but off the beaten track.

2. Campo de’ Fiori & Piazza Farnese

For shopping and food

Best Hotels in Campo de’ Fiori & Piazza Farnese – Hotel De’ Ricci • Boutique Hotel Campo de’ Fiori • MZ HOTEL

The vibrant Campo de’ Fiori is famous for its morning market, which transforms into a place for evening revelry later in the day. 

Campo de’ Fiori means ‘field of flowers’ in Italian – and though the square may not be filled with wildflowers as it was in the Middle Ages, it is still just as colorful. You can buy flowers, food, and trinkets in the authentic morning market, which attracts tourists and locals alike.

Piazza Farnese is a quieter square than the nearby Navona and is dominated by the Palazzo Farnese, one of Italy’s most important High Renaissance palaces. The piazza has a relaxed feel, ideal for those wanting to avoid the most intensely packed parts of Rome.

Close to Campo de’ Fiori is the city’s Jewish Ghetto, one of Rome’s best-kept secrets. The neighborhood is overflowing with culture and charm.

The Synagogue is one of the most memorable sights in the quarter, and you will find several other important archaeological sites and ancient buildings in the area. The ghetto is also a great spot for trying Jewish cuisine – many restaurants have a reputation for culinary excellence.

3. Tridente & the Spanish Steps

Upmarket area for shopping and fine dining

Best Hotels in Tridente & the Spanish Steps – Rocco Forte Hotel De Russie • Hotel Del Corso • La Maison D’Art Spagna

For those looking for a vacation of elegance and sophistication, the Tridente area is an excellent fit. With the Spanish Steps right in the center and the Trevi Fountain, a little to the south, the district is unsurprisingly the most exclusive in Rome.

If high-end brands and boutiques are your bread and butter, you will absolutely adore the Tridente neighborhood. Famous Italian designers and luxury independent retailers all tend to congregate in the area.

You will find many of the most upmarket designer stores and boutiques down Via dei Condotti – one of Rome’s finest streets for shopping.

Piazza del Popolo, or ‘the people’s square’, is one of the city’s largest – and most famous – squares. It is where you will find the Egyptian Obelisk, twin churches, and the northern gate.

For a peaceful escape from the city, head to Villa Borghese. The grandiose park is a typical Italianate landscape garden filled with beautiful fountains, classical buildings, and immaculate borders. The park, one of Europe’s most extensive urban gardens, is sometimes described as the ‘green lungs’ of Rome.

It is a refreshing change of pace from the bustle of the city and is free to enter. You do have to pay to explore the Borghese Gallery in the park, which contains paintings from esteemed artists such as Raphael and Botticelli.

4. Trastevere

A picturesque maze of Medieval streets, gorgeous piazzas, and ancient churches

Best Hotels in Trastevere – Horti 14 Borgo Trastevere • Residenza San Calisto • Hotel Carmel

Rome isn’t a small city, but many corners of it feel as intimate as the villages of the Amalfi Coast: every neighborhood has its own personality and allure. Even the capital is susceptible to that old Italian charm – no city is too large for tiny cobbled side streets and colorful gelaterias.

This is never truer than in Trastevere, the always-trendy neighborhood on the left bank of the Tiber. Trastevere is a picturesque maze of Medieval streets, gorgeous piazzas, and ancient churches. It’s oh-so-bohemian and chic, with leafy streets leading to some of Rome’s most popular bars and restaurants.

The lively neighborhood has some of the best nightlife in the city, as well as some of the best food. The island between Trastevere and Testaccio, L’Isola Tiberina, often hosts food festivals and other events – including an open-air classic cinema festival every summer.

The pretty Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere is one of Rome’s oldest churches and has been restored to its former glory with a recent restoration. You can visit any time between 7.30 am and 9 pm, except during mass.

The Piazza Trilussa is the central square of Trastevere, where people usually gather around the fountain and steps. The neighboring streets are filled with cute cafes and pizzerias – you can dine al fresco under a canopy of balconies and greenery in a winding alleyway in one of Rome’s most scenic districts.

5. Testaccio

For foodies and couples

Best Hotels in Testaccio – Hotel Aventino • Hotel Santa Prisca • Hotel Major Aventinus

Skip across the Tiber River from Trastevere, and you will land in Testaccio, the undisputed foodie capital of Rome. It’s been that way since ancient times when trade entered through the Emporio river port and flooded the city’s markets with fresh goods.

The trade was so plentiful that the amount of discarded amphorae – the terracotta pots used for storage – formed an artificial hill, Monte dei Cocci. You can see the hill from many of the bars and restaurants that now surround it.

Other ancient ruins include the Porta San Paolo city gate and the Testaccio Pyramid. The somewhat out-of-place Pyramid of Cestius was built in 12BC as a tomb for a Roman praetor, Caius Cestius.

Despite the actual pyramid, its food culture sets Testaccio apart from the rest of Rome. The food markets in the neighborhood are renowned, as are its many restaurants, eateries, and street vendors – you won’t find anywhere better in the city.

Stroll through the Orange Garden, a little green oasis in the middle of Rome, for a romantic date.

6. Prati & the Vatican

Safe and quiet area great for families

Best Hotels in Prati & the Vatican – Hotel Isa • Infinity Hotel St. Peter • Little Aurelius

Prati has a more residential feel than most central districts – the streets are wider, the pace is slower, and nightlife is more of an afterthought here. It’s a great base for families, as the neighborhood is safe and relaxed, and disturbances from late-night revelers are few and far between.

One of the most fascinating attractions in Prati is Castel Sant’Angelo, or the Mausoleum of Hadrian, a tomb once used as a fortress by the pope, which is now a museum.

While most of Rome’s main attractions are within walking distance of Prati, it is the obvious choice for exploring the Vatican, as it is the city state’s closest district.

A state within a state, Vatican City is technically the smallest country in the world. The central institution of the Catholic Church is famous for its iconic cultural sites. If exploring the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica is your priority in Rome, it makes sense to stay in Prati.

7. The Pantheon & Piazza Navona

An ideal place for exploration and shopping

Best Hotels in The Pantheon & Piazza Navona – Eitch Borromini Palazzo Pamphilj • Hotel Teatro Pace • Hotel Mimosa Pantheon

Many people look to the Colosseum as the heart of Rome, but I think there’s an argument that it is here, in the Pantheon and its neighboring streets and piazzas.

The Pantheon is one of the most intact ancient structures in the world. The former Roman temple was built in 126AD, and while little has altered the building, you can imagine that the surroundings have changed a dozen times.

Much of the neighborhood settled in the Renaissance era, reflected in the architecture. The more ornate structures are mostly baroque – Piazza Navona is filled with masterpieces of the period; you could spend hours admiring the gorgeous fountains and churches of the square.

Venture out from the piazza and Pantheon, and you will find cobbled streets, romantic restaurants, and several luxury boutique stores – it’s one of Rome’s best shopping areas. The alleyways and side streets have an intimate, distinctly Italian feel, perfect for dining al fresco.

The area is also perfectly located to explore the rest of Rome. The Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and the Vatican are easy to reach on foot.

The Colosseum is a little further, but still easily accessible – the Pantheon & Piazza Navona are right in the center of Rome, so make a fantastic base for sightseeing.

8. Termini & Esquilino

For those traveling on a budget

Best Hotels in Termini & Esquilino – Hotel St. Martin • Hotel California • Albergo Enrica

The area surrounding Rome’s busy Termini Station has a – slightly unfair – reputation for being a little bit seedy. While not as beautiful as the other districts’ ancient sites and classical architecture, the neighborhood has its charm.

You should, of course, be vigilant for pick-pockets and scam artists – but that is true for all major transport hubs, and Termini certainly isn’t the only district with this issue.

The often disregarded side of the Termini & Esquilino district is its rich culture. Churches, museums, and art galleries can all be found in the area; the National Roman Museum is fantastic and includes the Baths of Diocletian.

There are several bars, restaurants, and nightclubs in this part of Rome; it’s one of the better districts if you’re looking for nightlife.

The benefit of being less sought-after than other districts is that it is far cheaper in Termini & Esquilino. The amount of affordable accommodation is unmatched.

You can walk to all the main sights of Rome from here – or use public transport – so it is an excellent base to explore the city without spending huge amounts of money.

FAQs About Where to Stay in Rome

So, Where Should You Stay in Rome?

• Close to Ancient Rome — Once considered the slums, the area closest to Ancient Rome has been revamped and is now one of the trendiest areas. This area offers an ideal mix of old and new Rome and is great for first-time visitors.

• Campo de’ Fiori & Piazza Farnese — This unique area of Rome offers a unique one-of-a-kind market and access to authentic Jewish dining, perfect for those who want to explore other elements of Rome’s culture and history.

• Tridente & the Spanish Steps — An upscale area of Rome, Tridente & the Spanish Steps is ideal for those who want to indulge in shopping and fine dining while exploring attractions.

• Trastevere — Cobbled streets that lead to gorgeous piazzas and ancient churches make Trastevere the ideal home base for those wanting to spend their days exploring at their own pace and crafting unique memories of Rome.

• Testaccio —The small markets and boutique restaurants make Testaccio the ideal area to stay in for couples, especially those who love to wine and dine together.

• Prati & the Vatican — If you are traveling with a family, this area is ideal, given its vast spaces, quiet atmosphere, and safety.

• The Pantheon & Piazza Navona — While the world-famous Pantheon is an ideal draw, this area also offers up plenty of attractions and shopping opportunities.

• Termini & Esquilino — This area is ideal for budget travelers while offering easy transit access to other areas of Rome. However, travelers should also exercise more caution against pick-pocketers and scammers in this area.

Rome is rich in history and culture. You are bound to find unique and memorable experiences and sights in any area you stay in. Pick a location that best suits you, but be ready to check out other parts of Rome and make notes so you know where you want to stay on your next visit.