Best location to base your stay in Rome
Rome is a huge, busy city that can be a bit overwhelming on your first visit. Rome is a city that get much better with preparation and basic understanding of its geography. Taking some time in advance to learn about it will really help you appreciate Rome when you get here.
Unlike many cities in Italy simply staying in the city venter historical area is not good enough as it is too big, in fact it is bigger than many of Italy’s cities so it is very important to know where to base your stay out of. Like every large city, Rome is divided into neighborhoods. There are a several neighborhoods (some better then others) that are ideal for visitors to the city, that offer easy access to the major sights of Rome.
Let’s start be talking a little about each and the good and bad about each of them.
Termini Station
The biggest advantage of staying near the station is the ease of getting on trains that head out of Rome for day trips and being close to the metro and all busses to access Rome. The disadvantages are over all the area is a bit seedy and most of Rome’s sights are too far to walk on foot. Also the night life around the station is not as inviting. I give the area 2 out of 5 stars.
Monti - the Colosseum
The colosseum is probably Rome’s biggest attraction and for good reason. There is a metro stop in front of the colosseum that makes it convenient to access other parts of the city. The Monti neighborhood is at the edge of the Colosseum and expands to the north. The neighborhood has it’s charm and interesting shops as well as many restaurants, To be honest I am not too familiar with the Monti neighborhood. Hopefully someone can comment with regards to the neighborhood being a good location to base your trip from. I personally feel it is too far from many of the area I love most about Rome such as Trastevere. Watch out for pickpockets in the Colosseum metro. The neighborhood is worth a visit and a visit to the Colosseum is a must. I give the area 3.? out of 5 stars.
Prati
This is the are northeast of the Vatican. The area is served by 3 metro stops making it super convenient. there are also tons of great restaurants in the area. If you are mainly visiting Rome to vist the Vatican than this neighborhood will be ideal for you. It is relatively safe. The cons are it is a bit far to walk to most of the other sites so you will need to rely on the metro and bus. You will find that you will end up walking quite a bit. Again if your main focus is to visit the Vatican and its museum then this are is perfect. If you are there to see all the sites, this area would not be my first choice. I give the area 2.75 out of 5 stars.
Trastevere
Trastevere in my opinion is Rome’s best neighborhood and is located just west of the Tiber river, a short walk fron the Jewish Ghetto and Largo Argentina. Trastevere offer the best night life in Rome with tons of GREAT restaurants, coffee shops, pastry shops and some of Rome’s best street food. The are is waking friendly with limited cars on many streets. Many of Rome’s sited are just to the east and most are less than 1000 meters. Cons are the metro does not service the area to you will need to rely of foot, bus or taxi. I also feel that not having the metro keeps the neighborhood “More Roman” and less touristic. The are feels very authentic with a definite personality. I give the are 4.5 out of 5 stars
Trastevere, Rome’s second best location to stay
Trevi’s Fountain
If you would like the Idea of being fairly close to the Metro and in the Historical Center the area of Trevi’s Fountain is an excellent choice. The area offers easy walkable streets as many of its streets are in a pedestrian only area. I would not recommend staying right next to Trevi’s fountain will be too crowed and chaotic in the square. There are dozens and dozens of restaurants scattered all over the area. The street are charming and inviting. The area is safe to walk even late at night. If I wanted to stay near the station this is as close as I would recommend. I personally like being closer to the Tiber River and Trastevere but his area is certainly a good option, I give the area 4 out of 5 stars.
Testacio
Testacio neighborhood is located southeast of Trastevere on the other side of the Tiber river. This are is serviced by the Metro and is gaining in popularity do to its many restaurants and night life. I find the neighborhood is authentic Roman. Most of the major sights are a bit far to walk and I also found the street are not as walker friendly with few pedestrian only areas. Most of its streets are lined with cars on both sides and not great to walk down. The great food and metro do help give this neighborhood 3 out of 5 stars.
Campo dei Fiori / Largo Argentina / Jewish Ghetto
This is my top pick of all of Rome as a place to base out of. It is in the hub of all the major sited, Most street are walker friendly. It is the most walkable area as many of Romes sites including, the Pantheon, Trevi’s Fountain, The Jewish Ghetto, Piazza Navona are all within a 10 minute walk. Trastevere is just a short 5 to 10 minute walk away and being close to it makes it very easy to walk over for the evening. Trastevere in my opinion is best enjoyed in the evening so I can aeasily go there as well have have most everything else just meters away, The Metro does not service the area you will need to walk, take a taxi of bus. Everything at you fingertips! I give the are 5 out of 5 stars. Here is a link to a video about the area.
Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona is Rome’s most beautiful square. Staying in this neighborhood has many advantages including countless restaurants, walker friendly streets, close to most of Rome’s sites and even close enough to walk to the Vatican. If you get the right price on an Airbnb of hotel it is an excellent choice. The downside is during high tourist season it is just too crowed for me and not as authentic as some other neighborhoods however it does make a great place to base from. The are is not serviced by metro. I give the area 4 out of 5 stars.
Spanish Steps
The Spanish Steps area is on the edge of the major sites but it is services by the metro. The area is known for its high end retail stores and fine dining. If shopping is your thing, especially high end shopping this may be the are for you. For me the neighborhood it is fun to visit for a few hours but then I have had enough. The area can also be very crowded, especially in peak travel season. I give the neighborhood 3 out of 5 stars.