In Rome, where you sleep decides how much you walk – and how much you enjoy the evenings. The historic centre is compact, and almost every great sight is within an hour on foot. Each neighbourhood has its own character, from Baroque squares to ivy-covered lanes.
The quick answer
- First trip: the historic centre (Navona and the Pantheon) or the Spanish Steps.
- Romantic break: Trastevere or the lanes around the Pantheon.
- Families: Prati, the historic centre, or a hotel with a garden.
- Local feel and good value: Monti.
The historic centre: Navona and the Pantheon
Between Piazza Navona, the Pantheon and Campo de’ Fiori, this is the Rome of postcards: fountains, churches and cafés at every turn. Everything is on foot, but streets can be busy and noisy at night.
The Spanish Steps and the Tridente
Around the Spanish Steps, Via Condotti and Piazza del Popolo you will find elegant shopping streets and many of the city’s grand hotels. The Trevi Fountain is ten minutes away, and the Villa Borghese park is up the hill.
Monti
Next to the Colosseum, Monti is a lively village of trattorias, wine bars and independent shops – central, with a more local feel.
Trastevere
Across the Tiber, Trastevere is all cobbled lanes, ivy and trattorias. It is magical in the evening and busy until late; the main sights are a walk or a tram ride away.
Prati
North of the Vatican, Prati has wide, calm avenues, good restaurants and metro line A – a practical base for the Vatican Museums and for families.
Tips for choosing a hotel
- Light sleepers should ask for a room facing a courtyard.
- Lifts and stairs: in historic palazzi, check whether there is a lift.
- A city tax per person per night is paid at the hotel.
Ready to choose? See the 5 best hotels in Rome and the 5 best family hotels in Rome, and plan your days with Rome in 3 days.
