Where to Stay in Rome (Best Hotels and Neighborhoods to Stay in 2025)
Explore Rome’s Top Neighborhoods and the Best Places to Sleep in 2025
Rome is a city of allure — centuries of secrets, hidden corners, timeless style and glamour, and world-class food. I was lucky enough to call it home in my early twenties while working as an au pair, and for a while, Rome truly felt like my own backyard.
Because of that time, I got to know so many of the city’s rioni, or neighbourhoods, each with its own quirks, character, and local heartbeat.
In this guide, I’ll take you on a stroll through Rome’s best neighbourhoods, sharing what makes each one special and my personal picks for where to stay in Rome, no matter your budget.
Centro Storico - Classic Rome and History
The historic centre or “centro storico” is easily the best place to stay in Rome for first time visitors to the eternal city. I was lucky to spend three years living in Rome in my early twenties and although there were so many neighbourhoods and pockets of the city that drew me in, I always looked forward to visiting the historic centre.
The walkable historic centre stretches from Piazza del Popolo in the north down through the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and on to Campo de’Fiori and the Roman Forum. This is easily one of the best areas to stay if you’re short on time or want to be close to the city’s main sights. You can see so much of ancient Rome on foot without needing buses or the metro, which makes it a great choice even if you’re only here for a day or two.
Best for: walkability and short stays
Suggested Hotels:
Albergo Etico Roma (Cost: €)
art’otel Rome Palazzo Sallustio (Cost: €€)
The Goethe Hotel (Cost: €€€)
Trastevere - Quaint Streets & Low-key Nightlife
If I were to name one neighbourhood in Rome that’s synonymous with my young twenties and enjoying Rome’s vibrant nightlife, it’s undoubtedly Trastevere.
Set on the south side of Rome beside the Tiber River, Trastevere has working-class roots shaped by its riverside location, once home to fishermen and sailors. Today, it feels like the Rome you see in old films, with narrow cobblestone lanes, family-run trattorias, and locals chatting over espresso or playing cards in open piazzas. Trastevere is also on the boundaries of some of Rome’s best green spaces, such as Gianicolo and Villa Pamphili, turning it into quite possibly one of the best places to stay in Rome for couples and low key nightlife seekers.
While Trastevere used to be more of a “secret” for visitors, its popularity has certainly grown, but it certainly still deserves a place for where to stay in Rome.
Best for: Low-key nightlife and picturesque streets
Suggested Hotels:
Whim Collection Trastevere (Cost: €)
Nikis Collection Trastevere (Cost: €€)
Villa Agrippina Gran Meliá (Cost: €€€€)
Prati - Residential Life Near the Vatican
Prati sits right next to Vatican City and is known as one of Rome’s chicest residential neighbourhoods, home to well-heeled locals and white-collar workers. Despite being one of the city’s best-connected areas, with plenty of buses, trams, and metro stops, parts of Prati still feel quiet and refreshingly free of tourists. It’s also one of the few neighbourhoods in central Rome that feels spacious and breathable, with wide streets and plenty of room to wander.
Staying here means you’re close to the main sights, but away from the crowds and noise of the historic centre. Next to Via del Corso, Via Cola di Rienzo is one of Rome’s top shopping streets, lined with stylish boutiques. Prati is also popular for its sleek bars, cosy aperitivo spots, and small music venues. Hotel prices tend to be reasonable too, making it a smart choice for a mid-range budget.
Best for: Room to Breathe & Vatican Sightseeing
Suggested Hotels:
Cassiodoro 19 (Cost: €)
San Pietro Boutique Rooms (Cost: €€)
Boutique Hotel Piedra Rome City Centre (Cost: €€€)
Testaccio - Rome’s Foodie Heartbeat
Just south of Trastevere along the Tiber, Testaccio is a proudly working-class pocket of Rome famous for its unbeatable food scene, deep roots, and lively local markets. This neighbourhood has a loyal following — ask anyone who knows Rome well, and they’ll tell you to stay here in a heartbeat.
Testaccio is perfect if you want a break from the crowds and a taste of daily Roman life at a slower pace. It’s also the place to try some of the best carbonara you’ll ever eat. Whether you spend a few nights here or just drop by for an afternoon, don’t miss grabbing a coffee or a cocktail at my favourite local spot, Tram Depot.
Best for: Families and Food Pilgrimages
Suggested Hotels:
Gasometer Urban Suites (Cost: €)
Seven Suites (Cost: €€)
Testaccio Hotel Monte dei Cocci (Cost: €€€)
Monti - Vintage Shops & Cool Cafés Near the Colosseum
Monti is one of the most picturesque neighbourhoods in central Rome and, thankfully, often flies under the radar for many tourists. From plenty of corners here, you’ll catch a glimpse of the Colosseum standing tall, whether you see it glowing by day or lit up at night.
This neighbourhood has a creative, laid-back feel, dotted with vintage shops, good restaurants, stylish bars, and a mix of modern and old-school cafés. Monti is also well-connected, with metro stops and bus routes that make getting around the city easy.
You’ll find all kinds of places to stay here, from cosy Airbnbs to high-end hotels, so you’re not limited to one style or budget if you choose Monti as your base.
Best for: Colosseum Proximity and Style
Suggested Hotels:
MyTALE Creative Academy Hotel (Cost: €€)
Dimora ai Fori (Cost: €€€)
Casa Monti Roma (Cost: €€€€)
Roman Ghetto - Hidden History & Jewish Quarter
Tucked between Piazza Venezia and the Tiber River, the Roman Ghetto is one of Rome’s true hidden gems. Thought to be one of the oldest Jewish quarters in the world, this small neighbourhood holds layers of history that are both heartbreaking and deeply moving.
Despite its size, the Roman Ghetto is full of character, with excellent Kosher restaurants, unique fountains, and quiet streets that feel far from the crowds. It’s centrally located, too — right between the Colosseum and the historic centre, so you’re close to the main sights while staying somewhere that still feels local and peaceful.
Most places to stay here are Airbnbs or serviced flats, which makes it a surprisingly affordable base for exploring the city.
Best for: Underrated Architectural Beauty and Culture
Suggested Hotels:
Domus 21 (Cost: €€)
Citizen M (Cost: €€€)
Palazzo Roma (Cost: €€€€)
Esquillino - Budget-Friendly near Termini Station
If easy access to transport is a top priority, Esquilino is worth a look. This neighbourhood sits between Monti and San Giovanni and includes Rome’s main hub, Termini Station. It’s especially handy if you’re only in the city for a day or have an early train or flight to catch, staying here can save you time and hassle.
Esquilino is sometimes described as gritty, but it’s generally safe and popular with budget travellers. You’ll find affordable hotels and guesthouses, quick links to buses and metro lines, and the impressive Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, one of Rome’s seven main pilgrimage churches.
Best For: Transportation links and Affordable Stays
Suggested Hotels:
DVE Suite Rome (Cost: €)
Smart Guesthouse (Cost: €€)
Hotel Central Lodge (Cost: €€€)
Pigneto - Creative & Alternative Rome
Just beyond the San Giovanni neighbourhood sits Pigneto, one of Rome’s most alternative corners. Popular with students and young creatives thanks to its university crowd, Pigneto has a laid-back, bohemian vibe that feels worlds away from the city’s grand historic sights.
This area is packed with character and has some of the best nightlife in Rome, perfect if you want to stay out late and see the city like a local. Pigneto is also a haven for street art, with colourful murals around almost every corner.
Accommodation here is often more affordable than in the city centre, with a good mix of small hotels and plenty of Airbnbs if you’d rather feel like a local.
Best For: Rome Off the Beaten Path
Suggested Hotels:
FanfullArt (Cost: €)
Sweet Home Pigneto Guest House (Cost: €€)
