Which is a better hotel location in Rome
 

Would you rather be staying in a hotel in Piazza Navona or a hotel close to the Vatican City? Spending three days in Rome and would like to make sure our stay is worth every minute.

Have initially booked close to Piazza Navona on booking.com but I'm thinking of switching to a hotel close to Vatican?

Please advice... And thank you.

What dates will you be traveling to Rome? Depending upon your travel dates you can get some great deals in the off season. Having been to Rome several times, I would definitely recommend being as close to city center as possible so you can walk everywhere and be a piece of the action! Piazza Navona would be ok and my preference over staying in Vatican area. We stayed in Vatican area one of our visits and it was convenient to visiting the Vatican but not as convenient to see other sights.

I am sure that others will offer their advice as well. If you are planning to do lots of walking then I think you would be better in a hotel not in Vatican area. JMO.....

One tip for you that we learned. If you are flying into FCO airport and taking a taxi to the hotel you will be staying at, print out the pertinent information to the hotel (name, address, phone #, etc.) so that your taxi driver will be able to find the hotel. We didn't do this and our taxi driver couldn't find the hotel. They may use GPS's now but just in case they don't you will have the info.

No question---Piazza Navona is the best location.

"near Vatican City" can mean many things and while convenient for visiting the Vatican is bad for other areas.

In my opinion it's a no brainer - stay in the historic city center, near Pza Navona or Campo di Fiori

I'd prefer Piazza Navona.

I'd prefer staying near the Pantheon and in the Albergo del Senato although both places (pantheon and Navona) are often MOBBED with visitors so be aware.

Thanks everyone. Sounds like Piazza Navona is the place to be.

@Dukey1 - what do you mean when you say MOBBED? Are the streets packed like a can of sardines? Is it safe?

I've never been to Rome, but my mom went there a decade ago and she said somebody slashed her bag and she didn't even notice it until she got back to the hotel (She noticed there was this big cut/slice on the side of her bag) -- although her wallet was not taken, thankfully.

Can you afford the Hotel Raphael?

It is behind the Piazza Navona.


The best hotel in Rome is the de Russie.

The posh areas of Rome are safe. Pickpockets galore at Trevi Fountain, Colosseum, bus from Termini to Vatican City.

Rome is a very beautiful city.


Thin

I really don't like the area around The Vatican, it is fairly residential and not the best residential area at that. The Vatican also seems to attract I unsavoury individuals who intend to prey on tourists or simply the world's "down on their luck".

Piazza Novana was "the" place to be, Italians still rave about its exclusivity from the 1950s. We found it just really busy and a bit tacky. We loved the quieter area around Piazza del Popolo which is at the base of Villa Borghese park and allows you to get some quiet time in the park.....and as Thin points out it has some some of the city's best hotels.

Rome can be quite crowded and there are quite a few "tricky people" to take advantage of the crowds. So just be aware, esp. anytime on the buses or metro where you are jostled - someone may be fishing in your pockets, backpack, or purse. So while there is theft, otherwise I would not be concerned about saftey.

But most of the main parts of the city will be full of visitors unless you are going really off-season. The Vatican area is less convenient for most of the other sights as others have said. We found the Aventine Hill a nice area to stay in as far as being quieter but it also was a bit out from many of the must-sees. Bus connections were adequate.

Since the subway goes to Vatican City, I'd opt to use that as transport (we also walked a few times) and stay around Piazza Navona. Rome is quite walkablbe assuming you are willing to do the 5+ miles each day with plenty of stops. Since more of the historic sites (eg - colosseum, spanish steps, all the piazzas, many churches, museums, etc are on the 'other side' of the river, Piazza Navona is the best bet.

Done both. Navona.

Another vote for Piazza Navona.

Without question the Piazza Navona area. We stayed in a hotel a few blocks from there for Easter weekend. We attended Easter mass at the Vatican which was about a 15 minute walk away. Our last two times in Rome, we stayed near Piazza Navona. It is much closer to Rome's other attractions and there is so much more to do and see near there. Not to mention many more top notch cafes and restaurants. If you want to visit the Vatican, it is an easy walk.

If you're staying near Piazza Navona, the metro wouldn't be the way to get to the Vatican. You should either take the number 64 bus or walk. If you're staying north of Piazza Navona maybe another bus would be better, perhaps the 23.

Thank you for all the responses. Yes - we will be staying in the area of Piazza Navona