Where to Stay in Rome - Tohu Travellers

Choosing where to stay in Rome can make a big difference to your visit. From accommodation in the historic centre within walking distance of famous landmarks to quieter residential neighbourhoods with excellent transport connections, Rome offers plenty of options for different travel styles and budgets. The key is finding somewhere that makes exploring the city easy while giving you a comfortable place to return to each day.

What Is the Best Area to Stay in Rome?

The best area to stay in Rome depends on your budget, interests and how you prefer to travel. Centro Storico is ideal for being close to major attractions, Monti offers convenient access to ancient Rome, while Trastevere appeals to travellers who enjoy lively streets and restaurants. For those looking for a more local experience, neighbourhoods such as Testaccio can offer a great alternative without sacrificing access to the city.

Our Experience Staying in Rome

Choosing where to stay in Rome was something we put a lot of thought into. Rome is a huge city, and although we love walking and discovering places on foot, we were also mindful of how much we wanted to see and the time we had available. Before booking, we studied maps, compared distances to major attractions, checked nearby markets and looked at public transport connections. We wanted to be close enough to everything without necessarily staying in the busiest tourist areas.

We’ve visited Rome twice and chose two different neighbourhoods, both of which worked really well for us. On our first visit, we stayed in Castro Pretorio, close to Roma Termini train station, as we were travelling without a car. It was a lovely area with convenient transport connections, making it easy to explore the city and continue our journey by train.

On our second visit, we decided to try somewhere different and stayed in Testaccio. We enjoyed its more residential atmosphere, local shops and restaurants, and particularly the easy access to trams and buses. Both areas were great bases for exploring Roma, but Testaccio gave us more of that everyday neighbourhood experience we enjoy when travelling.

Table of Contents

What Is the Best Area to Stay in Rome?
Our Experience Staying in Rome
Best Areas to Stay in Rome
Getting From Rome Airport to Your Accommodation
- Getting Around Rome From Roma Termini
Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in Rome

Best Areas to Stay in Rome

Rome has several neighbourhoods worth considering, and the best choice isn’t necessarily the one closest to the famous attractions. Staying a little further from the historic centre can offer better value, excellent public transport and a chance to see more of everyday Roman life.

Here are six areas worth considering, starting with two neighbourhoods we’ve stayed in ourselves.

Testaccio – Best for Local Life and Easy Transport

Testaccio is a greatchoice if you want to experience a more residential side of Rome while still being within easy reach of the major attractions. Located south of the historic centre, this neighbourhood is known for its food culture, local markets, traditional restaurants and everyday Roman atmosphere.

What particularly appealed to us was the balance between local life and convenient transport. It felt removed from the busiest tourist areas without making sightseeing difficult.

Best for: Travellers who enjoy local neighbourhoods, food and a less touristy atmosphere.
Advantages: Local restaurants and markets, public transport connections and a more residential setting.
Things to consider: You’ll generally need public transport or a longer walk to reach Rome’s main attractions.

Fancy experiencing a more local side of Rome? Take a look at Places to Stay in Testaccio and find your own little corner of the neighbourhood.

Castro Pretorio – Best for Train Travellers and Convenient Connections

Castro Pretorio is an excellent area to stay in Rome if you’re arriving by train or planning to explore Italy using public transport. Located close to Roma Termini, the city’s main railway station, it offers convenient access to trains, metro services and buses, making it easy to get around without a car.

Beyond the transport convenience, we found Castro Pretorio a lovely area to stay. It offered a comfortable base for sightseeing without needing to stay in the busy historic centre.

Best for: Train travellers, first-time visitors and those relying on public transport.
Advantages: Close to Roma Termini, excellent transport connections and a good range of accommodation options.
Things to consider: Streets immediately around Termini can be busy and noisy, so check the exact location of your accommodation before booking.

Travelling through Italy by train? Find somewhere to Stay in Castro Pretorio and make arriving, sightseeing and moving on to your next destination that little bit easier.

Centro Storico – Best for First-Time Visitors and Sightseeing

Centro Storico is Rome’s historic centre and one of the most convenient places to stay if you want to be close to the city’s famous attractions. With the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps all within walking distance, it’s an ideal location for visitors who prefer exploring on foot rather than relying on public transport.

The neighbourhood is filled with historic buildings, narrow streets, cafés, restaurants and accommodation ranging from boutique hotels to luxury apartments. The biggest advantage is its central location, although that convenience often comes with higher accommodation prices and busy streets, particularly during peak travel seasons.

Best for: First-time visitors, short stays and travellers who enjoy sightseeing on foot.
Advantages: Walking distance to major attractions, plenty of restaurants and a wide choice of accommodation.
Things to consider: Accommodation can be expensive, tourist areas are often crowded, and some streets can be noisy at night.

Want to stay right in the heart of Rome? Browse Accommodation in Centro Storico and find somewhere within walking distance of the sights you’re most excited to visit.

Monti – Best for History, Restaurants and Boutique Accommodation

Monti is one of Rome’s oldest neighbourhoods, located between the Colosseum and Roma Termini. It’s a great choice for travellers who want to stay close to ancient landmarks while enjoying a neighbourhood filled with independent shops, cafés, wine bars and traditional restaurants.

Its narrow streets and smaller piazzas give Monti a different atmosphere from the busy historic centre. The Colosseum and Roman Forum are within easy walking distance, while nearby metro connections make reaching other parts of Rome straightforward. Accommodation includes boutique hotels, guesthouses and apartments, although prices can be higher in the most desirable locations.

Best for: History lovers, couples and travellers who enjoy restaurants and boutique accommodation.
Advantages: Close to the Colosseum, plenty of dining options and convenient metro connections.
Things to consider: Some streets are steep or cobbled, and accommodation near popular attractions can be expensive.

Like the idea of staying close to ancient Rome? Explore Accommodation in Monti and find a comfortable base for discovering the city’s historic landmarks.

Trastevere – Best for Restaurants, Nightlife and Character

Trastevere is one of Rome’s most popular neighbourhoods for travellers who enjoy good food, lively evenings and streets full of character. Located across the Tiber River from the historic centre, it’s known for its cobbled lanes, colourful buildings, traditional trattorias and bustling piazzas.

During the day, Trastevere offers a relaxed setting for wandering through narrow streets and discovering small shops and cafés. By evening, the neighbourhood becomes a lively dining destination, with restaurants and bars attracting both visitors and locals. Accommodation ranges from guesthouses and apartments to boutique hotels, making it an appealing alternative to staying in the historic centre.

Best for: Food lovers, couples and travellers who enjoy restaurants and nightlife.
Advantages: Plenty of dining options, attractive streets and a lively atmosphere.
Things to consider: Popular streets can be noisy late into the evening, and there is no metro station in the heart of Trastevere, so walking, buses and trams are important for getting around.

Prefer somewhere with plenty happening after dark? Browse Accommodation in Trastevere and find a place that puts Rome’s restaurants and neighbourhood atmosphere on your doorstep.

Prati – Best for Vatican City and a Quieter Stay

Prati is a great choice for travellers who want to stay close to Vatican City without being surrounded by the busiest tourist streets. Located north of the Vatican, this elegant residential neighbourhood has wide streets, shops, cafés and restaurants, offering a comfortable base for exploring Rome.

One of Prati’s biggest advantages is its proximity to St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums, making it particularly convenient if these attractions are high on your itinerary. The neighbourhood also has good metro connections, with Ottaviano and Lepanto stations providing access to other parts of the city.

Best for: Vatican visitors, families and travellers who prefer a quieter neighbourhood.
Advantages: Walking distance to Vatican City, good metro connections and plenty of shops and restaurants.
Things to consider: Some of Rome’s ancient attractions are further away, and accommodation close to the Vatican can be expensive.

Planning to spend time exploring Vatican City? Browse Accommodation in Prati and find a convenient base close to St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums.

Getting From Rome Airport to Your Accommodation

Getting from Rome’s main airport into the city is surprisingly straightforward, even if it’s your first visit. Fiumicino Airport (FCO), also known as Leonardo da Vinci Airport, has a railway station connected to the terminals, making it easy to reach central Rome without needing a taxi or rental car.

The Leonardo Express is the quickest and simplest option for reaching Roma Termini, the city’s main railway station. Follow the train signs from the arrivals area, purchase your ticket and board the direct service.

Journey time: Just 32 minutes, with no stops along the way.
Frequency: Approximately every 15 minutes, although some services run every 30 minutes.
Cost: €14 per person, one way.
Tickets: Available from station machines, ticket counters or online through Trenitalia.

If you’re flying into Ciampino Airport (CIA) instead, direct airport shuttle buses connect to Roma Termini, generally taking around 40 minutes depending on traffic.

Getting Around Rome From Roma Termini

Once you arrive at Roma Termini, you’ll find connections to the rest of the city through the metro, buses and nearby tram services. This makes it a convenient arrival point even if your accommodation is in another neighbourhood.

Metro Line A: Useful for reaching the Spanish Steps, Prati and Vatican City area.
Metro Line B: Connects to the Colosseum and Circo Massimo, with onward access towards Testaccio.
Buses and trams: Serve neighbourhoods beyond the metro network, including Testaccio and Trastevere.
Intercity trains: Roma Termini also connects to destinations such as Florence, Naples, Milan and Venice, making it convenient if you’re continuing your travels around Italy.

Our tip: Before booking accommodation, check which metro station, bus stop or tram connection is closest to your property. Rome’s transport network makes staying outside the historic centre a practical option, and you may find better value in a neighbourhood that suits your travel style.

For more detailed advice on public transport, sightseeing and planning your visit, read our Planning a Visit to Rome guide.

Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in Rome

You don’t have to stay in the heart of Rome to make the most of your visit. Some of the city’s most appealing neighbourhoods sit beyond the famous landmarks, offering a different perspective on everyday life in Roma.

After visiting twice, we’ve learnt that convenience isn’t just about distance from the attractions. Good transport connections, somewhere comfortable to return to and a neighbourhood that suits how you like to travel can make all the difference.

Whether you prefer being surrounded by history or staying somewhere with a more local atmosphere, choose the area that feels right for you, not simply the one closest to the sights.

“A great place to stay gives you more than somewhere to sleep. It gives you a neighbourhood to discover.”

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