In this post, I will share all my local knowledge about the best neighborhoods to stay in Rome.
If you are planning a trip to Rome and haven’t yet asked yourself what is the best place to stay in Rome, you might want to start doing so.
The city’s historic center, where most of the attractions you’ll want to visit are located, is in fact vast, about 20 square kilometers.
Traffic is congested and travelers abound in every season: be prepared to visit the historic landmarks mostly on foot, walking several kilometers a day.
The best advice I can give you is to choose carefully where to base yourself in Rome, especially if this is your first time in town.
In this post, you’ll find a guide to the best neighborhoods to stay in Rome’s historic center or close by, such as:
- Monti
- Parione
- Prati
- Trastevere
- Testaccio
- Flaminio
- Trieste
- Garbatella
- Pigneto
I recommend these neighborhoods because of their proximity to attractions, the beauty of the architecture, the convenience of transportation, and the presence of nice venues to spend an evening.
9 Best neighborhoods to stay in Rome
1. Monti neighborhood
The Monti neighborhood should be at the top of your list when looking for the best place to stay in Rome for first-time travelers.
I imagine the first things you will want to see in Rome are the ancient Roman landmarks such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. Well, the Monti neighborhood borders the square where the Colosseum is located.
From Monti, a 5-minute walk takes you to Italy’s most iconic monument but also to Via dei Fori Imperiali, the scenic route that opens through the Roman Forum and the Imperial Forum.
Monti is also a trendy neighborhood that brings together intellectuals, university students, and young workers looking for socializing. There are many vintage stores, some designer stores, street food stores, and small restaurants. The heart of the neighborhood is Piazza della Madonna dei Monti, which comes alive at happy hour.
In Piazza degli Zingari is Fatamorgana Monti, one of the best gelaterias in Rome.
Looking for a hotel in this area?
A popular hotel in the Monti district is Relais Monti. Check availability and rates here.
2. Parione Neighborhood
The Monti district is not the only best area to stay in Rome for sightseeing. If you are looking for the perfect area to stay in Rome for two days, consider the Parione neighborhood as well.
This area lies within a bend of the Tiber River that contains the city’s greatest Baroque treasure, namely Piazza Navona. Walking through the streets of this area, you will find yourself surrounded by beauty.
From the Rione Parione, you can also easily reach the Pantheon, the Colosseum, and the Vatican City with its museums.
Piazza Campo dei Fiori is one of the liveliest places for Roman evenings. If you love shopping, you will have bread for your teeth, starting with Via dei Coronari, one of the most popular shopping streets in Rome.
To reach the Colosseum, however, you’ll have to walk about 25 minutes. In short, if you’re wondering where to stay in Rome to walk everywhere, the Parione neighborhood is a reasonable choice.
Is Parione Rome, safe?
The Parione neighborhood, being so central and full of monuments, is one of the safest areas in Rome.
Would you like to find accommodation in this area?
The Navona Rooms are located 2 minutes walking distance from Campo dei Fiori. A great continental breakfast is included in the price. Check the availability of this hotel here.
3. Flaminio
This is especially for you if you’re traveling with kids. Unless your children are fans of history and ruins, you will need to allow them an outlet. Little does everyone know that the Eternal City is famous for being full of public parks.
The most extraordinary is undoubtedly the Villa Borghese Park, which is built around a 17th-century aristocratic villa. Home to gardens, fountains, tree-lined avenues, as well as a lake, it is the perfect place to spend a few hours with your children. There is even a Bioparco (an ethical zoo.)
From the park it is a short walk to Piazza del Popolo, one of the city’s most beautiful squares, the Spanish Steps, and the Trevi Fountain.
At Villa Borghese, you can rent bicycles, rickshaws, and small boats. If you love sculpture, know that the Galleria Borghese, inside the park, has one of the most important collections in the world, with works by Bernini and Canova.
Looking for a hotel near Villa Borghese?
The Grand Hotel Parco dei Principi, overlooks the park itself and has family rooms and a swimming pool. It is one of the best luxury hotels in Rome. Check its availability here.
4. Trastevere
“Trastevere” – a name that has likely crossed your ears when discussing Rome, as it is frequently mentioned in guidebooks.
However, it is not situated in the immediate vicinity of the most renowned monuments. Nonetheless, Trastevere’s charm lies within the neighborhood itself. Travelers flock to this area for a delightful evening experience.
Locals come here to indulge in delectable food and beverages, with Roman pastas, pizzas, and street food taking center stage.
Beyond the culinary delights, Trastevere is also synonymous with vibrant nightlife. Its cozy bars offer more than just drinks – you can revel in DJ sets or get carried away with a jam session.
Given its historical setting, expect intimate bars that harmonize with the narrow alleys and the neighborhood’s ambiance.
Whether you choose to make Trastevere your temporary abode or not, keep these places in mind:
- Trattoria Taverna 51, where flawlessly cooked Roman pasta dishes await.
- Bar San Calisto, an unassuming café and bar adored by locals for beer and maritozzi (a typical Roman breakfast dessert.)
- In Vino Veritas, a wine bar that features live music.
Trastevere traces its origins back to ancient Roman times, with its name derived from the Latin phrase “trans Tiberim” meaning “beyond the Tiber River.”
Over the centuries, it has been the beating heart of Roman daily life. In the 1960s, the neighborhood gained fame among foreign travelers who were drawn to its authentic local atmosphere.
During summer evenings, residents would gather on the streets, setting up long tables for communal dining while youngsters sang and played guitar.
Trastevere is even hailed as the birthplace of “stornello romano,” a musical genre sung in the Roman dialect, which remains an integral part of the city’s cultural heritage.
Trastevere is an alluring blend of tradition and modernity, seamlessly integrating ancient charm with contemporary energy, promising travelers an unforgettable encounter in the heart of Rome. Cozy piazzas, like Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere, are enveloped by charming cafes and restaurants.
The buildings adorned with ivy and warm colors exude a romantic ambiance.
Ultimately, if you consider yourself a culinary enthusiast, a sojourn in Trastevere during your Roman escapade is simply impossible to resist.
5. Prati
The Prati neighborhood is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Rome because of its elegance and proximity to the historic center. Prati is located across the Tiber River from the center of ancient Rome.
The area is delimited by the Vatican Wall, the Sant’Angelo Castle, the western bank of the Tiber River, and Milizie Street.
After the unification of Italy in the second half of the 19th century, the district underwent complete rebuilding. It now features many residential and administrative buildings in the European style, centered around the Piazza Cavour square and gardens.
Along Colonna Street and Cicerone Street, a sequence of coffee bars, small restaurants, and gelato shops offers a delightful self-guided street-food tour of Rome.
Ottaviano Street, with the Ottaviano subway station, and Cola di Rienzo Street stands out as among the best shopping areas in Rome.
Evenings and nights in the Prati district are usually quiet, and attractions like Saint Peter’s Square and the Vatican Museums are only a few minutes away. You’ll also enjoy crossing the enchanting Sisto Bridge at sunset, leading to the more dynamic Navona Square and Campo de Fiori Square.
All in all, Prati is one of the best neighborhoods to stay in Rome for travelers.
6.Trieste
This neighborhood is located between two important Roman consular roads, the Via Nomentana and the Via Salaria. It features the Villa Ada Park, the largest public park in Rome, and the Villa Torlonia Gardens, another main green area.
The heart of the district is the “Coppedè Neighborhood,” where you can admire the experimental architectural style of the architect Gino Coppedè.
As you stroll through Mincio Square, Brenta Street, Olona Street, and Obrona Street, you’ll be enchanted by the fairy-tale-like block featuring a fusion of Liberty, Art Deco, and Gothic styles.
These charming alleys have served as filming locations several times, and the Frogs’ Fountains witnessed the Beatles swimming fully clothed after a concert back in the Sixties.
The nearest subway station is Sant’Agnese-Annibaliano.
7.Testaccio
If you want to learn, strolling around just one neighborhood, what Rome has in store for foodies, then visit Testaccio.
Testaccio is one of the best areas to stay in Rome for nightlife as well. It boasts numerous small disco pubs, live music bars, places to enjoy an aperitivo, and restaurants offering typical Roman cuisine.
A must-visit attraction in Testaccio is the Testaccio Market, a vibrant food market that no foodie traveler should miss on their trip.
The neighborhood has also become a cultural hub, particularly due to the redevelopment of the old slaughterhouse (Mattatoio), which now houses the Faculty of Architecture of Roma Tre University. Here, workshops, exhibitions, and conferences take place.
Within Testaccio lies the Cimitero Acattolico, a cemetery for non-Catholics. This cemetery features beautiful sculptures and trees, serving as the final resting place for artists and poets, including John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley.
The nearest subway station is Piramide.
8. Garbatella
The Garbatella District is one of the most picturesque places in Rome. It is a “village” within the city.
Its architecture and layout of the houses are unique in the city and promote a more intimate and community atmosphere. Being a residential area (although well connected to the center by transportation), it is spared from traffic.
Walk along Via Domenico Chiodo, Largo Randaccio, Piazza Nicola Longobardi, Piazza Bonomelli, Piazza Montecroce, and Piazza Brin.
You’ll be captivated by the numerous houses in the barocchetto style. It almost feels as if you’ve left Rome far behind and entered a charming village with houses boasting their own gardens and a bucolic ambiance.
The district’s beauty has attracted attention, making it a frequent setting for many Italian movies. The presence of fine murals adds to the appeal, making it a must-visit destination for first-time travelers to Rome, even if they choose not to book accommodation here.
Garbatella is considered one of the best places to live in Rome Italy.
Delimited by Ostiense Street, the Garbatella district also serves as a popular meeting place for university students.
Spots like the Caffè Letterario and the Romeow Cat Bistrots are among the cutest cafes in Rome. There are vintage music club and cheap restaurants as well.
The area thrives in the evenings, with plenty of dining options along Porto Fluviale Street and Delle Conce Street, creating a vibrant and lively atmosphere.
9. Pigneto
In the last decade, the Pigneto district has emerged as one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in Rome, attracting a diverse range of citizens aged between 25 and 50.
Every evening and night, this area becomes the go-to spot for a significant portion of the young population of the Italian capital.
Wineries, breweries, restaurants, coffee shops, and music bars illuminate Via del Pigneto St. (which is partially a pedestrian zone) and the surrounding streets, making it the epicenter of hipster culture in Rome.
If you enjoy socializing, late-night pasta restaurants, and a laid-back atmosphere, Pigneto is the place for you. Additionally, the district is conveniently located near the central train station and La Sapienza University. So come here without hesitation if you’re looking for one of the best areas for bars and restaurants in Rome.
The nearest subway station is Pigneto.
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