Rome apartment- Colosseum area for kids?
Sep 22nd, 2010, 03:54 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rome apartment- Colosseum area for kids?
We will be in Rome the first half of November, for about two weeks. Grandparents are temporarily there for four months on a work assignment and have an apartment across the street from the colosseum. We want to be close to them (short walking distance). My question is- When looking at apartments on the various websites, do I only pick colosseum area, or are there others that are just as close but called something else? The maps are very confusing to me as far as boundaries for each area go. Also, is the colosseum area good for kids- 7 and 11 years?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Sep 22nd, 2010, 05:22 PM
#2
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,983
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Many people stay in that general area and find it perfectly fine, but I''m not particularly fond of the Colosseum area as a base myself. I prefer then area generally around Campo di Fiori/Pza Navonna/Pantheon.
I like the pedestrian only zones, free of buses, cars and scooters. Lots of neighborhood shops, groceries, restaurants, etc. Sure, they're touristy - but hey, I'm a tourist. That's why I'm in Rome!
There are really no official designations regarding boundaries for each area - you may find many hotels or apartments that claim to be in the "Pantheon" area but are really quite a distance away. Many also underestimate the distance. "5min from the Spanish Steps" - for Usain Bolt, perhaps, but not your average walker.
I like the pedestrian only zones, free of buses, cars and scooters. Lots of neighborhood shops, groceries, restaurants, etc. Sure, they're touristy - but hey, I'm a tourist. That's why I'm in Rome!
There are really no official designations regarding boundaries for each area - you may find many hotels or apartments that claim to be in the "Pantheon" area but are really quite a distance away. Many also underestimate the distance. "5min from the Spanish Steps" - for Usain Bolt, perhaps, but not your average walker.
Sep 22nd, 2010, 05:30 PM
#3
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Coliseum area is fine for families, and is has a generally covers a pretty wide area. If you pick just about anywhere else with kids you will be a bus ride away. Rome is a great city for walking, and you will undoubtedly do a lot of walking during the day.But after a day of walking the kids (and you) will be tired,and so it would be helpful to be near the grandparents at the start and end of the day. some comments on transportation: tourists do use the metro-subway. We have never done that but we have used the train from the airport to the city center and used trams.There are lots of stories about pick pockets and gypsies on public transportation which are very true, and I would advise you to be vigilant about your purse,camera, etc especially since you will be distracted watching the children.
Sep 22nd, 2010, 05:37 PM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It won't be my first choice with kids but if the grandparents are there then why not? Its a walk for most people from that area to the "usual areas" but if you use the buses and underground you will be fine. Public transportation is very easy to get around. Do yourself a favor and buy one of the bus maps for about 5/6 euros from the newstands the first day so you can see which numbers you need to use.
The best deals are buying a pack of 10 tickets for use on the bus,trams or underground for 10 euros at any tabac shop-they never expire. They are good for about 75 minutes and you just have to validate on the yellow boxes on the bus when you get on-good for transfers,etc.Enjoy Rome!
The best deals are buying a pack of 10 tickets for use on the bus,trams or underground for 10 euros at any tabac shop-they never expire. They are good for about 75 minutes and you just have to validate on the yellow boxes on the bus when you get on-good for transfers,etc.Enjoy Rome!
Sep 22nd, 2010, 06:04 PM
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you! Are there casual restaurants/cafes and markets in the colosseum area? How residential is it? My MIL hasn't really explored the area yet, so isn't able to provide me much help yet. If we are going to be there for nearly two weeks, I really want to stay somewhere we can enjoy the area as we will have lots of down time.
Sep 22nd, 2010, 06:14 PM
#6
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,253
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It is really difficult to judge, since "the Colosseum area" can refer to a few different areas, some more residential, some busier, some hilly, some flat. Even "across the street" can mean different things because the Colosseum is round. Do you have an address?
Sep 22nd, 2010, 08:07 PM
#7
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A lot of the area near the Colosseum is in ruins. Run down, abandoned buildings, vacant government offices, decrepit sports facilities, and homes that have seen better days.
Are you sure that's where you want to stay with kids?
Are you sure that's where you want to stay with kids?
Sep 23rd, 2010, 05:02 AM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 602
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We were in Rome a couple months ago and rented this penthouse apartment: http://www.vrbo.com/32035, which has a magnificent rooftop terrace that overlooks the Colosseum, about a 5-minute walk away. Highly recommended if you're looking to stay in that area.
Sep 23rd, 2010, 09:46 AM
#10
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have always stayed in this area and I really like it. Yes, there are many restaruants in this area as well as a short walk away. Other areas close by would be Monti and Lanterna, not sure of the exact spelling of the second one, sorry. These other two areas are also great, but as someone said, the colosium area is quite large. There is a metro stop right across from the colosium so its very easy to get around. A bit farther away is the Testacio neighborhood which has great restaurants and a great daily market.
How cool is that to have the colosium as a playground in your backyard for the kids?
I don't find the area as ipodrobbie states it, sorry.
How cool is that to have the colosium as a playground in your backyard for the kids?
I don't find the area as ipodrobbie states it, sorry.
Sep 23rd, 2010, 10:06 AM
#12
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,142
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't care for the neighborhood near the colloseum at all. I also would not let a 7 or 11 yo walk in the area without an adult holding their hands - it's an auto traffic nightmare. I would look into a pedestrianized area of the city. Where exactly is the grandparents apt.?
Sep 23rd, 2010, 10:20 AM
#13
hi amelia,
the first time we went to Rome, we stayed with our kids in an apartment on via dei serpenti, which is just north of the colosseum/forum area, in "Monti". it's less touristy than immediately round the colooseum, has excellent links to the rest of the city via the buses that go up and down the via nazionale, and lots of nice "neighbourhood" shops, bars, and cafes. we ate in that immediate area every night and never had a bad meal. depending on exactly where they are, you would probably be close enough to walk to the GPs but not too far from the piazza navona, pantheon etc.
it was safe enough for our DS, then 15, to go out alone every morning and buy breakfast for all of us, so a 7 & 11 eyar old should be fine under supervision.
the first time we went to Rome, we stayed with our kids in an apartment on via dei serpenti, which is just north of the colosseum/forum area, in "Monti". it's less touristy than immediately round the colooseum, has excellent links to the rest of the city via the buses that go up and down the via nazionale, and lots of nice "neighbourhood" shops, bars, and cafes. we ate in that immediate area every night and never had a bad meal. depending on exactly where they are, you would probably be close enough to walk to the GPs but not too far from the piazza navona, pantheon etc.
it was safe enough for our DS, then 15, to go out alone every morning and buy breakfast for all of us, so a 7 & 11 eyar old should be fine under supervision.
Sep 23rd, 2010, 08:29 PM
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks so much everyone. Grandparents are on Via Celimontana (think that's the spelling), it appears on the map to be just east of the colosseum. I have seen the "monti" area on some of the rental websites and those did all look nice. If anyone else has stayed anywhere near the colosseum that had a good experience, I would love to hear it! Or a bad one as well, I guess 
.
Thanks!
.Thanks!
Sep 23rd, 2010, 08:42 PM
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Does anyone have any opinions on these two apartments? Both are near colosseum and look nice, but if they're in a bad area, I will probably look farther out.
http://www.vrbo.com/42260
http://www.vrbo.com/20263
http://www.vrbo.com/42260
http://www.vrbo.com/20263
Sep 23rd, 2010, 09:34 PM
#16
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,253
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So the grandparents are located in Celio, to the San Clemente side of the Colosseum. In that case, I can recommend Taverna dei 40 on Via Claudia 24 at the corner with Via Annia as a reasonable place to eat with good food.
42260 seems to be an apartment group. It's unclear to me if you and your children could all fit in one unit. Each unit is a "studio" with kitchen, living and sleeping all in one room so it might be tight. I couldn't tell where the apartment is located.
20263 looks to be the right size for your family, but it is on the other side of the Palatine Hill from the grandparents' apartment--not a particularly short walk if that's what you were hoping for.
42260 seems to be an apartment group. It's unclear to me if you and your children could all fit in one unit. Each unit is a "studio" with kitchen, living and sleeping all in one room so it might be tight. I couldn't tell where the apartment is located.
20263 looks to be the right size for your family, but it is on the other side of the Palatine Hill from the grandparents' apartment--not a particularly short walk if that's what you were hoping for.
Sep 24th, 2010, 05:20 AM
#17
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
San Clamenti is a wonderful church to visit...this part of the neighborhood is also a great area.
The first link is also unclear to me if you have enough room and although I like the second apartment and the owners, and it ia a great area I have also stayed in, it is too far from the grandparents.
The Monti area is kind of right across the street from the san clamenti area, so it would be very convienient.
Keep lookimg
The first link is also unclear to me if you have enough room and although I like the second apartment and the owners, and it ia a great area I have also stayed in, it is too far from the grandparents.
The Monti area is kind of right across the street from the san clamenti area, so it would be very convienient.
Keep lookimg
Sep 24th, 2010, 05:52 AM
#18
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,142
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Both are are in perfectly safe areas, but I agree about the multiple apartments one - you want ONE apartment. The http://www.vrbo.com/20263 (3 BR) looks perfect. I also like that they give an exact address.
Sep 24th, 2010, 09:03 AM
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am having a hard time finding anything (whether I like it or not, and in any price range) less than 1.5 km away from the grandparents. I'm wondering if that's how it's going to have to be. Kids walk a half mile to school each day, so I feel like we could easily do that walk, but it will change things with visiting. I had visions of easily running back and forth whenever between grandmas and our place!
Thanks all for alerting me to the first one being studios. Somehow I missed that. I've been emailing the owner of the second one and he seems really nice. I am still concerned about the distance, and the fact that internet costs extra. He offered me .5 Euros per hour or 7 Euros per day (if I remember correctly). We absolutely need internet for several hours per day as my kids will be doing their schoolwork through the online program at their school.
Decisions decisions!
Thanks all for alerting me to the first one being studios. Somehow I missed that. I've been emailing the owner of the second one and he seems really nice. I am still concerned about the distance, and the fact that internet costs extra. He offered me .5 Euros per hour or 7 Euros per day (if I remember correctly). We absolutely need internet for several hours per day as my kids will be doing their schoolwork through the online program at their school.
Decisions decisions!
