What neighborhood is the best to stay in while in Rome, Italy?
Feb 13th, 2012, 12:37 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What neighborhood is the best to stay in while in Rome, Italy?
I'm going to be in Rome with my husband for three days in September and I am trying to figure out what neighborhood would be best as a home base while we're touring around the city. We won't have a car so we'd be relying on the bus/metro to get around. I initially thought that staying by the Colosseum would be ideal but I'm not sure if it would be difficult to get to the Vatican City or Trastavere from there. I don't know if I want to stay by the Termini Station but maybe it's the most convenient in terms of travel. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Feb 13th, 2012, 12:48 PM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,321
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There are many many posts about this, so to get more info do a search above.
I would recommend the area around the Pantheon, Piazza Navona and Campo di fiori. You can walk most places from here. The Colosseum is not that convenient to anything else. We just stayed a week in Trastevere and also really liked that neighbourhood and walked everywhere.
I would recommend the area around the Pantheon, Piazza Navona and Campo di fiori. You can walk most places from here. The Colosseum is not that convenient to anything else. We just stayed a week in Trastevere and also really liked that neighbourhood and walked everywhere.
Feb 13th, 2012, 01:17 PM
#3
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,830
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You can take the metro from the Colosseum to the Vatican.
The. neighborhoods listed above are the most central to the common sights.From them you would take a bus along the Corso Vittorio Emanuele to getmto the Vatican.
The. neighborhoods listed above are the most central to the common sights.From them you would take a bus along the Corso Vittorio Emanuele to getmto the Vatican.
Feb 13th, 2012, 01:22 PM
#4
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,248
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've really only stayed in one area, but it was the area jamikins recommends first and I completely agree. We were there for five days and never had to take public transit at all - except for a car from the airport and a taxi to Termini with our luggage, we walked everywhere (Vatican, Trastevere, Colosseum, Spanish Steps, Borghese). It was a lot of walking, which for us was fine and I actually quite enjoyed it, but as charnees says the bus is accessible. Termini and the Colosseum aren't that convenient to other things.
Feb 13th, 2012, 01:27 PM
#5
hi tzoradi,
have a look at a plan of Rome. you'll see that the main sights are within a diamond shape - the Piazza del Popolo/Villa borgheses at the top, [north] the colosseum and forum at the bottom [south] Termini station to the east, and the Vatican to the west.
ideally you want to be in the middle, which means staying in the piazza navona/pantheon area.
fortunately there are lots of hotels and apartments in the centre.
I would go for one of them.
have a look at a plan of Rome. you'll see that the main sights are within a diamond shape - the Piazza del Popolo/Villa borgheses at the top, [north] the colosseum and forum at the bottom [south] Termini station to the east, and the Vatican to the west.
ideally you want to be in the middle, which means staying in the piazza navona/pantheon area.
fortunately there are lots of hotels and apartments in the centre.
I would go for one of them.
Feb 13th, 2012, 01:28 PM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,726
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We prefer the Piazza Navona-Pantheon area.
From the Piazza Navona we have walked to the Colosseum and Forum, the Vatican, Piazza del Popolo, Spanish Steps, Borghese Gallery, and everywhere in between.
Have a wonderful trip.
Byrd
From the Piazza Navona we have walked to the Colosseum and Forum, the Vatican, Piazza del Popolo, Spanish Steps, Borghese Gallery, and everywhere in between.
Have a wonderful trip.
Byrd
Feb 13th, 2012, 02:08 PM
#8
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,030
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Our preference has always been the south side of Termini. Four visits for about three weeks total over the past six years or so We prefer it for the convenience to local transit including the train station. Has nice, less touristy local restaurants,and the price is better. Some don't like it because it is on the edge of the tourist areas which means maybe five to ten minutes more of walking. With a pass you can jump a bus for a few blocks. We prefer Hotel Sonya across from the Opera House.
Feb 14th, 2012, 06:36 AM
#9
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,355
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You may want to take a look at this thread: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...odistricts.cfm
It hasn't been active for a while, but the districts of Rome are still the same...
It hasn't been active for a while, but the districts of Rome are still the same...
Feb 14th, 2012, 07:13 AM
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,726
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We stayed in the Hotel Genio in November and really enjoyed it. It is located right at Piazza Navona.
The hotel seems to have been redecorated since our last stay there some years ago, and everything is new and pretty. The rooftop terrace and breakfast room just off the terrace offer great views.
The location is perfect for us.
hotelgenioroma.it
Byrd
The hotel seems to have been redecorated since our last stay there some years ago, and everything is new and pretty. The rooftop terrace and breakfast room just off the terrace offer great views.
The location is perfect for us.
hotelgenioroma.it
Byrd
Feb 14th, 2012, 08:12 AM
#11
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What's your hotel budget?
I've been in Rome 5 times or more, and I've never taken the subway. There are only 2 lines anyway. I've take the bus a few times (holding tight to my belongings). But you see so many interesting sights walking that you would miss or zoom by on the bus: the odd Roman ruin with the city built around it, interesting shops, people-watching.
I've been in Rome 5 times or more, and I've never taken the subway. There are only 2 lines anyway. I've take the bus a few times (holding tight to my belongings). But you see so many interesting sights walking that you would miss or zoom by on the bus: the odd Roman ruin with the city built around it, interesting shops, people-watching.
Feb 14th, 2012, 09:37 AM
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Franco- Thanks for that link! It was very helpful.
Byrd- That hotel looks beautiful but it's out of our price range.
Mimar- We wanted to spend about 100euro or less per night on accomodation in Rome. It's looking pretty difficult to stick to that... I'm having a hard time finding a budget hotel in the Piazza Navona- Pantheon neighborhood.
I did find a hotel called Hotel Rosetta on Via Cavour. Has anyone stayed there? Is that part of town safe/nice? According to their website they are within walking location to most places I'd want to go and they charge 95euro a night for a double room.
Byrd- That hotel looks beautiful but it's out of our price range.
Mimar- We wanted to spend about 100euro or less per night on accomodation in Rome. It's looking pretty difficult to stick to that... I'm having a hard time finding a budget hotel in the Piazza Navona- Pantheon neighborhood.
I did find a hotel called Hotel Rosetta on Via Cavour. Has anyone stayed there? Is that part of town safe/nice? According to their website they are within walking location to most places I'd want to go and they charge 95euro a night for a double room.
Feb 14th, 2012, 10:20 AM
#13
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,355
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Safe yes - safety is nowhere really an issue in central Rome. But that's the center's seediest part. Not too nice, thus. You'll find lengthy discussions of this (and any other possible) neighbourhood on the thread I've referred you to.
Feb 14th, 2012, 10:27 AM
#14
Several years ago we stayed in Aventino, at Villa San Pio, which is one of Rome's Aventino Hotels group:
http://www.aventinohotels.com/
They are old residences transformed into charming hotels. Although Aventino is not the center of the city, Circus Maximus, the Palatinate and Forum were within about 20 minutes walk in one direction, the Pyramide Metro station and a Via Mamorato bus to Trastevere were within 10-15 minutes walk in another direction. They appear to have some twin rooms available in mid-September for about 105 euro.
http://www.aventinohotels.com/
They are old residences transformed into charming hotels. Although Aventino is not the center of the city, Circus Maximus, the Palatinate and Forum were within about 20 minutes walk in one direction, the Pyramide Metro station and a Via Mamorato bus to Trastevere were within 10-15 minutes walk in another direction. They appear to have some twin rooms available in mid-September for about 105 euro.
Feb 14th, 2012, 11:09 AM
#15
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 29,598
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We most recently stayed in Raphael near Piazza Navona but it was a splurge. We also stayed in Nova Domus (http://www.novadomushotel.it/) which was an easy walk to the Vatican museum entry and we had good luck with local restos there. Unfortunately, that was in 1999 and the place was a bit shabby then-recent google says it's 4-star now!
The over all best for us was Isa. It was an easy walk to a major bus area and we found many nice restaurants in the area.
http://www.hotelisa.net/
Another place was Hotel Principe di Piemonte. The great things about it were the wonderful staff and its proximity to 3 tram lines that made getting around Rome a dream. It had a cute breakfast room. The bad things were that the rooms were small and shabby and the area was not touristy. Local resto food quality was uneven and there seemed to be more carry out places. It was not our favorite place to come "home" to at the end of the day. I couldn't find a direct link online for this hotel.
DO double check my info as things change over the years. And please report back!
The over all best for us was Isa. It was an easy walk to a major bus area and we found many nice restaurants in the area.
http://www.hotelisa.net/
Another place was Hotel Principe di Piemonte. The great things about it were the wonderful staff and its proximity to 3 tram lines that made getting around Rome a dream. It had a cute breakfast room. The bad things were that the rooms were small and shabby and the area was not touristy. Local resto food quality was uneven and there seemed to be more carry out places. It was not our favorite place to come "home" to at the end of the day. I couldn't find a direct link online for this hotel.
DO double check my info as things change over the years. And please report back!
Feb 14th, 2012, 11:33 AM
#16
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We always enjoy staying in Trastevere. There are lots of restaurants (for all budgets) and strolling around the Piazza Santa Maria de Trastevere makes for an enjoyable evening.
You can walk/bus/tram to anywhere in the city. The Trastevere train station is also convenient for traveling to and from the airport (FCO).
Last year we stayed at the Hotel Trastevere for a few nights. The rates are inexpensive for Rome, the room was comfortable and the location was central to where we wanted to be.
You can walk/bus/tram to anywhere in the city. The Trastevere train station is also convenient for traveling to and from the airport (FCO).
Last year we stayed at the Hotel Trastevere for a few nights. The rates are inexpensive for Rome, the room was comfortable and the location was central to where we wanted to be.
Feb 14th, 2012, 12:28 PM
#17
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,163
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We too stayed in Hotel Genio very near the Piazza Navonna and thought its location perfect. We walked everywhere from it. I would recommend the Piazza Navonna area highly. Ten years ago we stayed near the Vatican but appreciated the location and quieter locale of Genio. Lovely rooftop terrace.
Feb 14th, 2012, 01:36 PM
#18
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The top of Via Cavour is somewhat seedy; Rosetta is near the bottom. Just east of Cavour at that height is Monti, a neighborhood that is becoming more and more trendy, with many bars and restaurants, most of them less expensive than most of the ones in the Pamtheon/Navona area. The buildings are not as grand, but it's a historic and cobblestoned area.
Feb 14th, 2012, 01:54 PM
#19
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,321
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That is a pretty low budget for Rome. Try searching places recommended on www.eurocheapo.com
Feb 14th, 2012, 01:55 PM
#20
Monti is my FAVOURITE neighbourhood in Rome.
There is a very nice restaurant on Via San Vito near Maria Maggiore called Trattoria Monti.
I like this area because you don't see too many tourists about.
If you walk down Via Merulana, you can cut through Parco di Traiano to get to the Colosseum.
Maybe because I live in Philadelphia, I get a chuckle when people talk about the "seedy" parts of Central Rome.
If this is seedy to you then don't ever, ever come to Philly.
Seedy here means getting a gun shoved in your ribs for your wallet.
I guess if you live in a suburb with an Olive Garden and TGI Fridays next to the mall, you would find the neighbourhood around Termini seedy.
Tschuss,
Pepper
There is a very nice restaurant on Via San Vito near Maria Maggiore called Trattoria Monti.
I like this area because you don't see too many tourists about.
If you walk down Via Merulana, you can cut through Parco di Traiano to get to the Colosseum.
Maybe because I live in Philadelphia, I get a chuckle when people talk about the "seedy" parts of Central Rome.
If this is seedy to you then don't ever, ever come to Philly.
Seedy here means getting a gun shoved in your ribs for your wallet.
I guess if you live in a suburb with an Olive Garden and TGI Fridays next to the mall, you would find the neighbourhood around Termini seedy.
Tschuss,
Pepper
