lmavolio

Hi Everyone - I am considering staying in a hotel in Trastavere in Rome. Is it too far away (walking distance) from the main sites in Rome (Colliseum, Spanish Steps, etc.)? I am also considering a hotel near the Piazza del Popolo...Seems like that hotel might be more centrally located, but I believe that area is more touristy?? Not sure...But any advice would be appreciated. By the way, the 2 hotels are Santa Maria in Trastavere (an old converted convent) and Hotel Locarno in Piazza del Popolo/Spanish Steps area. Both hotels get good reviews, Santa Maria is slightly more expensive. Alternatively, any recommendations on good hotels in the Piazza Navona area? Thanks for your help! - Laura

adrienne

Hi Laura,

Trastevere is not as convenient to the sights as other places you mention. It would be quite a long walk to the Spanish Steps.

I stayed in Trastevere last October and loved it. Very quiet and the restaurant prices are much less than in more tourist-populated area. Food was great. The shop keepers didn't speak much English but they more than made up for it in pleasantness and willingness to help. Staying in Trastevere is like being in a town rather than a city and that's what I liked.

We took cabs a lot since there were 4 of us and we were only in Rome for 3 days. We'd start at the farthest point on our itinerary and start walking back toward the hotel. There are plenty of buses that connect Trastevere with other places in Rome.

jabez

It's walkable, but a long walk to colliseum area. Taking buses is easy and inexpensive.
The Spanish Steps area is probably one of the more touristy areas. I personally would choose piazza novona/Pantheon area, but you will be fine in the Tratavere area.

Henry

We stayed in Tratevere in April with our 10 yr old grandson. Our apartment was about three blocks from Ponte Sisto. We walked to St.Peter's and Spanish Steps,Bus to collaseum and everything else was within a 10 to 15 min walk. The area is great, lots of restaurants (very reasonable and good)

Wayne

If you are a walker, and most persons know whether they are, even Trastevere is not too far. I wouldn't call it convenient, however. But if people tell you to stay around the Pantheon rather than the Spanish Steps area because the Pantheon isn't as touristy, I'd question that call. Also, though most people don't realize it, the Pantheon is as far from the Coliseum as most of Trastevere -- and Piazza Navona is even farther. As for Piazza del Popolo, it's farthest away from the central area, and the Spanish Steps are a bit closer but still a long way from the Coliseum.

Get yourself a decent map of Rome and look at the layout of those various locations relative to what you want to see or to walk to. Then pick an area. It's really pretty fair to say that all of Rome is touristy, but Trastevere is a bit less touristy than most other locales.

jimcolorado

Personally I found the taxis in Rome to be very convenient and safe. If I were staying in Trastevere, I would consider taking a taxi to the furthest point planned for the day, ex. Spanish Steps, and walk back. Despite it's reputation, I found Rome to be very "walkable."

JennieH

I have read good things about Hotel Locarno and I would definitely recommend the location. Last time I was in Rome I ate dinner one night in the Trastavere area, after my guide book assured me it was charming and "the" place to go, and I did not like it at all. I thought it was grotty and run down and I had a nasty experience where a very drunk man picked on my fiance and I as we were drinking outside one of the bars - he would not leave us alone and it was quite upsetting when he slowly reached into his pocket and pulled put what turned out to be a mobile phone but I had expected a knife. To add insult to injury we couldn't get a cab after a fairly average meal in the piazza so we had to walk back to my lovely hotel near the Spanish Steps which took about 45 mins - not a prob at midday but less appealing at midnight.

dln

We stayed in Trastavere and loved the small village atmosphere. It's really nice to step out your front door and hear Italian spoken, not English. We didn't find it inconvenient, but then again my husband and I are marathon walkers. We only took the bus once. There's a tourist kiosk on Viale Trastavere, I believe, and they are very helpful about helping you choose the right bus route for where you want to go.

There's no shortage of excellent restaurants and gelato in Trastavere.

awbaker

Just some information I came across when booking my hotels -- Hotel Santa Maria gives a sizeable discount if you ask for Rick Steve's discount when booking. It is 155 euros instead of 207, and I believe they require you to present his book to them at check-in.

dgruzew

Trastevere is close enough to major attractions but not nearly as close as other area. You don't stay in Trastevere for convience you stay there beacause you want the experiance. There are 100's of great resturants with much better prices than the other side of the river. also the area can become somewhat of a party at night time. We where there last may and every night the streets were packed. I liked staying in this area very much. And would stay again in a second. There are busses,a tram that can take you a short distance, and cabs. But we actually walked quite a bit

zee123

Looking for a place to stay and have heard of this area. Is this workable?
Stay there but take cab to Basillica where I heard of a tour bus for 18 euros per person - goes to all major tourist spots and circles every 15 min.
Just how far is Trastavere from the train for Sorrento? Our next stop.
If my info is correct about tour bus perhaps we can help each other!

got1tiel

its not covered by the metro but by the others posts it is serviced by busses.rome is not that big (tiber is about 20min walk from collesseum) but you didnt say how many days you had available.if you only have a short stay i would opt for somewhere near a metro stop.

Sam

TopMan

There is at least one tram line which runs through parts of Trastevere. I think you'll find staying there a great experience..not as tourist-clogged as the other places you mentioned, especially not as "touristy" as the area immediately surrounding the Spanish Steps..and once you've seen them, well...you've seen them.

Have a great trip.

zee123

The bus tour you pick up in front of Basilica is 'Ciao Roma' - in case that is any help.

bardo

Is convenience your top priority? If so, stay in the historical center (Campo dei Fiori/Piazza Navona/Pantheon). Trastevere in not terribly inconvenient, however. A short walk to St. Peters and a short taxi or bus ride to most other sights (or a long but do-able walk).