When planning a vacation, the first thing a traveler thinks about is where they will stay. Among the variety of tourist zones and hotels, it is very important to choose the perfect place. Where to stay in Rome is a question that concerns those whose route passes through the sunny capital of Italy. The city is rich in historical sights, each of which is worth visiting. To determine where it is best to stay for the night, it is worth understanding the features of each zone of Rome.
Roma Termini Station
The medieval saying goes: all roads lead to Rome. The area of the famous Termini station, on the contrary, can be called the place from where all roads begin. The station itself is a combination of three modes of transport: bus, train, and metro. Choosing a hotel near Termini means having the opportunity to go anywhere in Rome.
Another advantage for tourists is the well-developed infrastructure of the station. On the territory of the complex, you can find everything necessary for travelers during their stay: from a mobile SIM card to a tourist guide. ATMs, souvenir shops, restaurants, and cafes will also be within walking distance for those who choose to stay in the Termini station area.
Hotels in this area attract budget-conscious travelers, as accommodation here can be relatively inexpensive. A disadvantage of this zone can be the small number of attractions, but this is compensated by the ability to easily move around the city and beyond.
Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore
It is worth staying near the church of Santa Maria for the opportunity to visit this Roman shrine, one of the largest Christian cathedrals in the city. The historical quarter where the Basilica of Santa Maria is located combines the unique culture of the ancient city with comfortable conditions for modern tourists. It can be confidently stated that this area is the city center. From here, it is easy to reach the Termini station on foot.
With the help of public transport or during a walk, you can easily get from the church to the nearest attractions. Nearby is the famous ensemble of architectural monuments — the Imperial Forums, as well as the ancient majestic structure — the Colosseum. The Santa Maria Maggiore area is the ideal place to stay for those who want to visit as many memorable places as possible in a short time.
Via Nazionale
A tip for those who love shopping during their vacation is to choose hotels on Via Nazionale for a permanent stay. This is one of the central parts of Rome, connecting the Termini station and Piazza Venezia. Via Nazionale is the most popular place for shopping. It would be difficult to visit all the fashionable boutiques on this street in one day. Many well-known world brands have sales points in this area, including Guess, MaxMara, and high-quality leather goods and shoe salons.
Almost everyone who has visited Italy has appreciated the variety of shops on Via Nazionale, buying gifts and accessories to their taste. Staying here means having the opportunity to not only enjoy the surroundings of Rome but also indulge in pleasant shopping. When shopping gets tiring, it is easy to get from here to any other popular tourist zone.
Colosseum
The presence of such a landmark as the Colosseum nearby is a strong argument for choosing accommodation. By staying in this area, tourists can see the legendary architectural monument right from their room window. Hotels near the Colosseum are a good choice for those who love historical buildings. Many hotels in this area have been preserved from past centuries, allowing guests to touch the culture of the ancient city.
The area can be called noisy and lively, with transport hubs, cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops. It is easy to get to other museums and monuments. The Colosseum is rightly considered a treasure of Italy, so visiting it is an essential part of the itinerary for many travelers.
Lateran Area
Lateran or Laterano is an area distant from the center. Those who choose this zone for accommodation should be prepared for long walks or constant metro rides. As a result, prices in this part of the city are lower than in the rest. Therefore, Lateran will appeal to lovers of budget accommodation. In addition, there are far fewer tourists here than, for example, in the station or Colosseum area.
The main attraction is the Lateran Palace, which once served as the residence of the Pope himself. In the vicinity of the church, you can see other preserved buildings from past centuries.
Via Veneto Area
Via Veneto is a prestigious area of Rome, where elite hotels and embassies are concentrated. In the mid-20th century, Via Vittorio Veneto was the cultural center of the city, thanks to the concentration of cafes, restaurants, shops, and hotels. Many social celebrities stayed in Rome precisely in the hotels of the Via Veneto area. Those who decide to stay in this area will have to spend a lot. Hotels on Via Veneto belong to the category of prestigious and therefore expensive accommodation.
The street connects Piazza Barberini and the ancient Porta Pinciana gates. Nearby is the main transport complex — Termini station. Tourists who stay here during their vacation will enjoy walks along the luxurious well-maintained street with historical establishments and shops. One of the main attractions on Vittorio Veneto is the cafes and bars celebrated in the cult Italian film “La Dolce Vita.”
City Center
The historical center of Rome can be defined as the area around the Pantheon, where most of the valuable cultural and architectural monuments are concentrated. By choosing a hotel in the city center, travelers will not have to walk far to see the sights. In close proximity to the Pantheon area are the Colosseum and Trastevere. A little further are the Termini station and the Spanish Steps.
For those who do not like even short walks, the metro station is within walking distance.
The historical center is always full of tourists, so this area is not suitable for those who prefer to live in peace and quiet. However, by staying here, guests will be in the center of events and colorful shows, surrounded by ancient buildings and monuments every minute.
Trastevere Area
Trastevere is an excellent place to feel the Italian rhythm of life and immerse yourself in the culture of this country. This area is equally populated by locals with their measured lifestyle and noisy tourists. Trastevere is home to temples and cathedrals of various denominations and architectures of different styles. All this creates the unique color of the area.
Walking along the winding streets of this area, you can come across such attractions as the Basilicas of San Crisogono and Santa Maria in Trastevere. The only drawback that can be highlighted is the lack of a nearby metro line. Staying here is the best decision for those who want to get acquainted with the multifaceted culture of Rome and its centuries-old traditions.
Campo de’ Fiori Square
On the other side of the Tiber River from Trastevere is Campo de’ Fiori Square, easily recognizable by the statue of Giordano Bruno in the center. The historical significance of this monument encourages tourists to choose a hotel here. It should be noted that noisy trade rows are set up on the square every morning. Those who love peace and quiet should choose accommodation deeper within the neighborhood.
The abundance of restaurants offering national cuisine will allow you to appreciate real Italian pasta and pizza. Few tourists can resist the opportunity to try these dishes where they were created. On both sides of Campo de’ Fiori are other equally famous squares — Navona and Farnese. Nearby is a metro station, so getting to other parts of the city will not be difficult.
Vatican
The Vatican is the main religious attraction of Rome. It is considered a separate, sovereign territory with its own atmosphere and special rules. In relation to the historical center, the Vatican is located at a distance. Catholic pilgrims from all over the world come here to touch the world’s cultural and architectural heritage.
Hotels near this tiny state are imbued with a special spirit of religious worship. Life in this area has a calmer, more measured rhythm than in other tourist zones. This feature should be taken into account when choosing accommodation near the church estate.
The distance from the center is more than compensated by the number of attractions in the Vatican. Perhaps the most famous of them are the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. The microstate has its own railway line adjacent to the general city communication. In addition, the red metro line Ottaviano and bus transport are always at the disposal of city guests who want to go beyond their area.
Each district of Rome is rich in its own culture and history. A couple of days is not enough to see them all. When choosing which area to stay in, it is worth considering the allowable budget and transport accessibility. Those who prefer a quiet rest should choose hotels in the quieter corners of Rome. Those who prefer to be in the center of tourist fun will suit hotels near the Pantheon or Colosseum.