Where to Stay in Rome: Best Central Neighborhoods and Hotels

If you're looking for where to stay in Rome, you've come to the right place. It's never easy to know where to start, so we'll walk you through the best areas of central Rome to help you find a place that suits you. We also share our hotel recommendations so you can pick the perfect spot for your style and budget.

Click to See the Best Hotels in Rome

Is Rome safe? The safest areas in Rome

Rome is a safe city. You'll see tourists and locals strolling the streets without a care and sitting out on terraces until late into the night.

Getting around Rome is very easy, especially within the center, where most of the main things to see in Rome are. And if you like walking, which is the best way to experience this city, you have even less to worry about.

The area around Termini station is better known for its homeless population and people asking for money. Police presence has increased in the area, but we'd still recommend keeping your wits about you.

Where to stay in central Rome

Waking up in the morning and seeing the sunrise over some of the oldest monuments in the world comes at a higher price. If you can treat yourself, don't think twice.

If you're looking for the ideal place to stay in the Eternal City, we'd suggest somewhere in the city center.

Stay in central Rome, have breakfast in one of its wonderful cafés, wander through the Campo de' Fiori market, pass by Piazza Navona and eat at a Roman trattoria. Carry on to the stunning Pantheon, toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain and end the day between the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.

Best areas to stay in Rome

Every neighborhood or rione in Rome has its own particular charm. Its old, well-kept streets and buildings are a big part of the experience of getting to know «the Eternal City».

Within the Centro Storico, give preference to the areas around the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain. We've broken them down into a selection so you can find your ideal hotel in the best areas to stay in Rome:

• Hotels near Rome Fiumicino Airport
• Hotels at the Spanish Steps in Rome
• Hotels next to Piazza Navona
• Hotels near the Trevi Fountain
• Hotels near Termini
• Hotels near the Vatican
• Hotels on Via del Corso

If you want to be in the middle of everything, this is your best bet.

Click to See Hotels in Central Rome

Staying near the Colosseum

Around the Colosseum you'll find two Rome neighborhoods where you can sleep safely and comfortably: Monti and Celio.

Monti has a bohemian, small-village feel, with handsome buildings and plenty of cafés and both traditional and international restaurants.

Celio, behind the Colosseum, is a quiet residential area, despite sitting next door to one of the most visited monuments in the world. It has a great many restaurants and bars, including the city's most gay-friendly ones, on Via San Giovanni.

Click to See Hotels near the Colosseum

Sleeping in Via Veneto / Villa Borghese

East of the historic center you'll find part of the Villa Borghese park and Via Veneto, which runs from the park down to Piazza Barberini, a few steps from the Quirinal Palace (the presidential palace).

This lovely street of elegant, exclusive buildings is home to some of the best romantic hotels in Rome. And despite being so close to the oldest part of the city, this area has an impeccable elegance and sense of space.

A 10-minute walk will take you to Piazza del Popolo, the Spanish Steps, or, in the other direction, the Trevi Fountain.

Click to See Hotels on Via Veneto

Sleeping in Trastevere

A little farther out, but perfectly connected to the center and with charms of its own, we recommend the Trastevere neighborhood.

Restaurants with outdoor terraces, gelato shops, a handful of bars and local shops surround a pretty square with a fountain at the foot of the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere. 

It's quieter than the center, though the nightlife is good. For an even quieter stay, look for a place on the eastern side of the neighborhood.

To get to the center, just hop on the number 8 tram, which runs constantly. For the Vatican or Fiumicino Airport, there's the train from Roma Trastevere station.

Click to See Hotels in Trastevere

Sleeping in Termini

The largest concentration of hotels, apartments and hostels in Rome is in the area around Termini station. Many of them have very attractive prices, so if your accommodation budget is tight, this area generally has the best deals. If that sounds like you, take a look at our selection of cheap, central apartments in Rome for under €100 a night.

Like many high-traffic areas, thanks to the thousands of people who come and go from the city through this station every day, Termini has a bit of a bad reputation. It's definitely an area where you'll want to pay a little more attention.

If you find a well-reviewed, reasonably priced place to stay in this area, chances are you'll have a positive experience. Still, take the advice about staying alert, and go in knowing this isn't one of the prettiest parts of the center.

Click to See Hotels in Termini

Staying in the Vatican / Prati

If your trip to Rome is mainly about visiting Vatican City, staying in the Prati neighborhood is your best bet.

Prati is a lovely area right along the edge of the Vatican, full of middle-class families and clean, quiet streets. It's also well connected by public transport.

On Via Cola di Rienzo you'll find plenty of shopping.

Click to See Hotels in the Vatican / Prati