Around Vatican City & Prati

For many, this is a rather dull area to be based in. It’s well removed from the ancient sites, and though Prati has some good restaurants, the area overall is not geared to nightlife. But if the main purpose of your visit centers on the Vatican, you’ll be fine here, and you will be joined by thousands of other pilgrims, nuns, and priests.

Ancient Rome, Monti & Celio

There aren’t many hotel rooms on earth with a view of a 2,000-year-old amphitheater, so there’s a definite “only in Rome” feeling to lodging on the edge of the ancient city. The negative to staying in this area—and it’s a big minus—is that the streets adjacent to those ancient monuments have little life outside tourism. There’s a lot more going on in Monti, Rome’s oldest “suburb” (only 5 minutes from the Forum), which is especially lively after dark. Celio has more of a neighborhood vibe, a local, gentrified life quite separate from tourism.

The Centro Storico & Pantheon

There’s nothing like an immersion in the atmosphere of Rome’s lively Renaissance heart, though you’ll pay for location, location, location. Since many of Centro’s characteristic streets are pedestrian only, expect to do a lot of walking, but that’s a reason many visitors come here in the first place—to wander and discover the glory that was and is Rome. Many restaurants and cafes are an easy walk from the hotels here.

Tridente, the Spanish Steps & Via Veneto

The heart of the city is a great place to stay if you’re a serious shopper or enjoy the romantic, somewhat nostalgic locales of the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. But expect to part with a lot of extra euro for the privilege. This is one of the most elegant areas in Rome, but we’ve found you a few bargains (and some worthy splurges).

Around Termini

Known for its concentration of cheap hotels, the Termini area is about the only part of the center where you can score a high-season double for under 100€. The area has some upscale hotels, though admittedly streets close to the train station are hardly picturesque, and parts of the neighborhood are downright seedy. Still, it’s very convenient to most of Rome’s top sights, and a hub for Metro lines, buses, and trams.

Trastevere

This was once an “undiscovered” neighborhood—but no longer. Being based here does give some degree of escape from the busy centro storico, though Trastevere’s narrow streets can be packed to the gills in the evenings, as there are bars, shops, and restaurants galore in this boho section of Rome. The panorama from the Gianicolo is also walkable from pretty much everywhere in Trastevere.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.