Where is the Best Area to Stay in Rome for a First-Time Visit

The Centro Storico is the historical center of Rome, where you will find most of the main points of interest. In addition, however, there are 22 different rioni, or districts, of the Eternal City. Several of them can be considered an amazing choice of where to stay during your Roman holiday.

Important Things to Know Before Planning Rome First-Visit

See also Rome Three Day Perfect Itinerary.

The historical center of Rome and the geographical one are entirely different places. Rome is a huge metropolis, the largest city in Italy, with about 4 million people. Since 5-6 story buildings prevail in Rome, the area of the city is huge. The ring road has a diameter of about 20 km. And due to the many narrow streets and relaxed Italians, transport and just everyday chaos reign in us.

Losses of time in Rome for travel are huge, so it is essential to immediately choose the right strategic location of the hotel to enjoy and fall in love with the Eternal City, walk only on foot, and not waste time and money in taxis and public transport.

Before every trip, every traveler needs to study a city map so he doesn’t find himself at the city’s back when he leaves the hotel. Google Maps gives the city’s geographical center near our “beloved” Termini station. But it does not coincide with the historical center.

How to Define The Historical Center

I included the main attractions on the map below that immediately come to mind. Even if you’ve never been to Rome, you’ve heard about them in history classes or films – the Colosseum, Pantheon, Vatican, Trevi Fountain, Roman Forum, Spanish Steps, and other points of interest.

It is worth to mention that most attractions are located in the area of the Pantheon

Using the map below, you can choose one of the hotels in the Historical Center:

Booking.com


The Vatican, by the standards of Ancient Rome, is located on the outskirts of backyards. Therefore, the phrases “We lived right at the Coliseum” or “next to the Vatican” may sound cool when you tell stories to friends. But people who know the city will only politely smile. However, it is still much better than renting a room somewhere on the city’s outskirts where you will always have to take several buses to get to Centro Storico (or even a metro).

Speaking of the subway. The closest stations to the historic center are Barberini (10 minutes walk to the Trevi Fountain), Spagna (Spanish Steps), Colosseo (Colosseum), and Ottaviano (Vatican Museums). Unfortunately, inside the most exciting part of the city, which is enormous – there is no metro.

If you decide to stay in the historic center, you will reach most of the main attractions in 10-30 minutes and spend your holidays as efficiently as possible. I recommend you to read our ratings of the best 3-star, 4-star, and 5-star hotels in Rome. For budget travelers, there are also many excellent options of hostels in the historical center of Rome.

Watch our video about the main 30 attractions to visit in Rome.

How to Choose a Hotel?

The most important conclusion for you is that the center of Rome is the Pantheon. When choosing a hotel by yourself, compare the distance from your address to the Pantheon. Let’s highlight three levels of remoteness:

1. An ideal location of the hotel is the distance to the Pantheon of about a kilometer, with a walk of no more than 20 minutes on foot. In this case, to see the main attractions, you do not have to use public transport.
2. If the distance from your hotel to the Pantheon is about 25 to 45 minutes by bus or tram – it is normal. But do not choose the area of Termini Station.
3. Travel time, taking into account the trip by bus or metro, is more than an hour – this is absolutely a disaster. Transport in Rome is far from ideal, but rather even terrible. Plus, regular traditional strikes, possible disorientation in the Eternal City, lateness, and events that cannot be predicted or even imagined. All this will increase the chances of not falling in love with the most beautiful city in the world. Get ready to spend 2 to 4 hours daily for nothing. Do you dream of such a Rome?

Tip: If you are traveling to Rome in the heat of its summer climate, it’s difficult to find a hotel with air conditioning- pay attention to this detail when you choose a hotel. The same rule works with the winter period, where you always have to pay attention if your hotel has heating

Many travelers try to find a hotel with a swimming pool. Of course, there are such options in the Eternal City (usually much more expensive than other hotels), but don’t forget that the closest beach is only 30 minutes from Rome. There are hundreds of amazing beaches in Italy. Moreover, Rome is about its rich history, food, shopping, and culture. Therefore, you should better choose another destination if you want to spend your trip lying on the sunbed.

Another peculiar thing is the Internet! Even if we live in the 21st century, you should pay attention to free wifi in the hotel or hostel you choose. Otherwise, there will be an extra charge per day, which is usually not that small.

If you are looking for the best bars, nightclubs, and restaurants, Trastevere and Testaccio areas are for you! However, even if you are not interested in bars or nightclubs, you should definitely visit Trastevere, as the best restaurants are there. In addition, it is one of the most historically rich districts of Rome. On the other hand, if you are looking for a romantic weekend, you should consider staying in the area of Aventine hill since it is peaceful, tranquil, and simply beautiful.

If this is your first trip to Rome, choose a hotel in the Centro Storico. This way, you can access all the main monuments and museums on foot.

The peak season for hotel room rates in Rome starts in late May, June, early July, September, and October. At this time, room rates can be double or more than in the winter months. Trying to find a family room at peak times is not easy unless you book well in advance. The months of May and April (outside Easter) can be an excellent time to visit with reasonable room rates and comfortable temperatures. Moreover, Rome celebrates its birthday on the 21st of April. You should visit the Eternal City during this period to see beautiful shows and events held every year!

Book a hotel at least 3-6 months prior to your trip as close to the historical center as possible. So you won’t need to use public transport at all. Wish you to save time, and nerves and enjoy the city from the first minutes!

Author: Kate Zusmann

I have lived in the Eternal City for the past 12 years. They say every angle of Rome has its history, and I'm here to tell you about the most intriguing historical facts and city legends. :)