Hi, I am a 20 year old girl who is spending a couple of nights in Rome this summer. I haven't booked my hotel yet and would like some advice on where abouts to stay. I would like to visit the Colosseum and the Vatican and maybe Trevi Fountain. The main thing I am worried about is where to go at night time. If anybody has any ideas I would love to hear them!

Thank you!

Well, the first thing is that Romans eat really, really late. Like 9 pm- many places don't even open until 8. So by the time you eat, and maybe have a few drinks, it's bed time for most people.

But other than that. When I wasn't seeing the sights at night- the forum and fountains and coliseum are can't misses in the dark- I was hanging out in the Trastevere neighborhood, which has a good night life vibe. Lots of bars and late night food.

Look at Trastevere. Lots of young people out at night.

Thin

I know you don't want to be a tourist all the time but Rome can be especially beautiful at night, with many beautiful buildings lit up, or the tiny atmospheric streets of the historic center, or the fountains of the piazze. In particular the Trevi fountain is more fun at night than in day time. Seeing the Colosseo at night is quite a thrill. In the summer time they show movies on the island in the Tiber & the Castel Sant'Angelo has a music & arts fair. Most things are free, so if the weather is warm and dry, you might want to get a gelato and go strolling in the historic center. You can ask where you are staying if they know of any special outdoor events that they might recommend. In the historic center (around the Pantheon, the piazza Navona, the Vatican, the Spanish Steps) it is safe to walk around after dark, although don't be surprised or alarmed if young men try to engage you in conversation. Of course you need to do what you always so in any big city (not drink too much and don't carry a flimsy shoulder bag filled with valuables -- just tuck your ID & some cash into a money belt instead) -- but I highly recommend saving up a bit of energy for some after dark strolling.

Thank you so much everybody, I appreciate all of your responses! I'll definitely be doing some sight seeing at night time now, and maybe visit Trastevere as well! Can't wait to go!

Monti has a fair amount of nightlife, too. Also, bear in mind that a lot of places offer l'aperitivo (happy hour) prior to dinner. Just Google Rome and happy hour and you'll find a variety of places in nearly every neighborhood.

That's brilliant thank you! I'll definitely be looking into that!

Another discussion I am thankful to read. I will also check out the Trastevere area for this but does anyone have any other suggestions-I have heard Testaccio somewhere and is this a good area? And also near public transportation that runs late? Other areas? Is there good nightlife in the historic center or not so much?

>>>And also near public transportation that runs late?<<<

You would need to use night buses.

http://www.atac.roma.it/files/doc.asp?r=358

>>>Is there good nightlife in the historic center or not so much?<<<

It used to be the nightlife in Rome moved to the coastal area in the summer. It was also quite late (starting as the subways were closing and ending when they opened back up around 5am) as in many European cities. It's been 15 years since I've been in any clubs in Europe and about 10 since my daughter lived in Madrid and was going out. Clubs started about midnight then. You might check the Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree as it's always attracted younger travelers (backpackers/college kids).

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/welcome

Piazza della Madonna dei Monti usually has a young crowd (mostly Italian) hanging out around the fountain quite late. There is a restaurant/bar on the Piazza so it's not a club, just socializing. It's a block off Cavour on Via Serpenti.

http://www.turismoroma.it/cosa-fare-...life-3?lang=en

I have my hotel booked in Trastevere and I was wondering if I would have to take public transport to get to the Vatican or is it walkable? Thank you ��

I'm just back from Rome and two evening options we did are an evening food tour in Trastevere, 17.00 - 20.45, and an evening segway tour, 19.15 - 22.30, round the sights. Neither, however, are cheap options: respectively €90 - 10% as a repeat customer and €65 - 20% discount with the Romapass.

The Vatican Museums are open on Friday evening during the summer €16

BethanyA, Trastevere is a large area, so it's hard to say with any precision. It's also hard to know what you consider "walkable." I'm happy to walk a couple of miles/several km to get to and from someplace; others would consider anything longer than a 10 minute walk to be worth a taxi or public transport. Either give us the exact location you will be walking from our plug your address into into a map application and see how far away it is.

Be aware that the entrance to the Vatican museums is in "the upper right hand corner". If you look at a map, it is near the Cipro metro station. If you are staying in the northernmost end of Trastevere, you might consider it a reasonable walk to head up the west bank of the Tiber to St Peter's, cross the piazza, and walk up to the museum entrance.

However, if you are further south, you might find it easier to cross the Tiber and head for the Largo di Torre Argentina and get a tram or a bus there that would take much closer to the museum entrance. Sorry I don't have the right bus or tram number to give you -- and there might even be one that leaves from Trastevere that's convenient -- but you can find that info online or someone else here will show up to answer.

In general, you can find good estimates of distances & walking times from place to place in Rome by using the "directions" feature of Google maps, which will also give you bus & tram options.