Rome neighborhoods equivalent to arrondissements 6 and 7 in Paris?
 

Enjoyed the 6th and 7th arr. in Paris last summer. Looking for Rome hotel for 4 people next summer. What would be the equivalent Rome neighborhood similar to those areas?

Thank you!

I don't think Paris and Rome are comparable in that way. Your question would be easier to answer if you described what you found desirable about the 6th and 7th in Paris.

Thanks, Jean. We had an apartment in the 7th. I liked being in a somewhat residential area, with nice markets and restaurants, somewhat removed from the crowds, but close enough to walk to tourist sites or take a short cab ride. Upscale but not too upscale. Safe. Would like to avoid the subway.

In the 6th, I liked walking the narrow, cobblestone streets, boutiques, but also close to areas like the Luxembourg gardens. Looking for something charming, and not with hordes of tourists.

Try Prati.

I agree with the suggestion to take a look at Prati, but if narrow cobblestone streets are a big plus for you then you might prefer the other side of town, in the general area between Campo de'Fiori & piazza Navano, or in the Jewish Quarter. But the price you will pay for that is more tourists looking for the exact same things you are. (However, if you didn't find the 6th & 7th in Paris touristy, you won't notice how touristy the area I just recommended is either.)

One of the big differences between Paris and Rome is that every area of the city has quite a strong residential component of long long standing, and there are restaurants, markets, cafes, public piazza everywhere, with the people who live in those neighborhoods using them. About the only area of town where you might feel you are in a tourist hotel ghetto is the via Veneto -- which is near Rome's only significant expanse of green gardens/park, but the most charming open spaces to enjoy in Rome are the stone piazza, not the public park (except maybe if you are traveling with very small kids).

correcting my own post: piazza Navona is the correct spelling.

It's pretty funny that you found the 6ème not to be full of "hordes of tourists," so it's hard to answer your question.

Indeed StCirq... indeed. I hardly hear French ebing spoken in the 6th.

Thank you all for your advice!

Rome is so different from Paris. I guess Prati is like the 6th/7th (maybe more like the 7th?).

Agree heartily with massimop:

<i>However, if you didn't find the 6th & 7th in Paris touristy, you won't notice how touristy the area I just recommended is either.... </i>

About three years ago I decided to visit Rome to take a class in July, booking very late--end of May or early June, I think. Having limited choices, especially given that I wanted AC, walking distance to my school, and also strong wifi so I could work too, I ended up booking a place quite near the Pantheon. Right by the Pantheon in July! Horrors. But I was actually tucked back behind Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, and found it very easy to avoid the mega-throngs in and north of Piazza della Rotonda, just by altering my daily walking routes a block here, a block there. Avoid where and when you can, but don't let it ruin your trip when you can't.

Enjoy Rome! It is my favorite city, hawkers tossing those rave-like glow loops up in the sky in Piazza della Rotonda, Navona, notwithstanding. It's all part of the mad tourist experience.

Yes that's how I felt about the 6th in Paris. Certain streets and restaurants are very crowded, but if you stay on the periphery and visit less popular streets, it's very pleasant.

We love Trastevere and while there are lots of tourists you can easily avoid them by taking less trodden paths...

I think it is fair to say that Prati is more like the 7th, with upscale residential apartment blocks that have elevators & anchored by gov't buildings. Trastevere is not upscale. It is not downscale but it is historically a boho-quarter that only recently has acquired some pricey real estate values. In some ways is strives to stay earthy despite this. Also, if you have an energetic culture appreciation agenda, it could get old needing to take trams or taxis or walk the extra mile to get to and from Trastevere, which works best for people more interested in long sits & craft beer, wine bars, bargain trattorie and pizzerie...

Ok thank you all for the help. Sounds like We would want to be closer than Trastavere.

You have asked for hotel suggestions in areas of Rome that might be similar to the 6th and 7th arrondisements in Paris. The Prati district, as others have described, is residential and interspersed with small businesses. I think it comes reasonably close to those Parisian neighborhoods.

My husband and I now rent apartments when we are in Rome, but in years past very much enjoyed the Hotel Farnese. It is somewhat old fashioned and near several different bus lines. We walk everywhere, including into central Rome - and are in our 80s.

Carol

www.hotelfarnese.com

Just noting that Hotel Farnese isn't in the Prati district.

In general, you needn't overthink this when it comes to which neighborhood is richest with residents & good places to eat or shop. What you really need to understand is that Rome does not have the very zippy public transport system that Paris has. So if you have a wish-list for sightseeing, pull out a map and look at where your sightseeing targets are and try to stay within walking distance of the majority of them. That might me you need to take a taxi or bus to one or two of them, but if you can walk to the majority, that's a plus.

We have never stayed in the 6th or 7th in Paris -- always in the 4th...but we did twice stay in the Jewish Quarter of Rome (Hotel Arenula) and loved it. It was a quick walk to Trastevere, and many, many sights.

Was it touristy? Of course...it's Rome, but not so much as some of the streets in Paris. (R. de Huchette comes to mind, in the NW corner of the 5th.)

You are also a tourist, so you want to be pretty close to the action, I expect. Rome, unlike Paris does not have an extensive Metro that goes everywhere. (I assume that is because you can't excavate very easily, due to the underground ruins everywhere.) It sort of skirts the historic core.

Buses are fine, but I've been and have been in some incredible "parking-lot-type" traffic jams where it was faster to get off the bus and walk. (Just my experience.)

The historic core is easily walkable, if you're not to far away.

ssander

I would pick Jewish quarter over trastevere which is where I stayed. I wholeheartedly agree about the transit issue. Paris is amazing in that regard. Rome is like the opposite of amazing.

Someone also pointed out that there is stuff in every neighborhood in Rome, and I'd agree with that. I did a lot of wandering. One street might be heaving with tourists- turn the corner and you're in some kind of little street that feels idyllic with no English speakers. The main drag of Trastevere is not really any less touristy than other neighborhoods and I think probably I would not have liked to stay there. But go in any direction, and you'll find more local stuff. I liked the neighborhood in that regard; I just really regret not staying closer to the forum/pantheon/coliseum, because it was so fun to walk around at night.

Rome is layers upon layers and feels chaotic, which is why the quiet nooks and crannies exist. Paris is a lot more accessible with obvious city planning, and I've got to say the 6th/7th didn't feel all that local but maybe I didn't spend enough time there.

Looking at Alberto del Senato by the Pantheon. Location looks great. Crowds? Noise?

-- <em>Looking at Alberto del Senato by the Pantheon. Location looks great. Crowds? Noise?</em>

If you're trying to avoid the throngs of tourists, I don't think staying right on the Piazza della Rotonda is the best place to be. It's always packed...day and night.

Street-View it, and you'll get a glimpse.

ssander