One underrated part of traveling? Checking in to your hotel and checking out the neighborhood you’ll call home. When you join us on tour in the Eternal City, you’ll rest your head in some of the best areas to stay in Rome and have free time to explore each one on your own two feet. From Esquilino to Parioli, these are the best neighborhoods in Rome, and the ways you can make the most of your time in each one—no taxi needed.
As the capital of Italy, Rome is home to a whole lot of culture and nearly three million people. The city is split into 15 municipi, and within each municipio are a variety of neighborhoods. If you’re traveling to Rome and want to dig in to the top sites, hidden gems, and culinary delights, the best neighborhoods in Rome are located within Municipio I and Municipio II.
Check out this in-depth map of Rome neighborhoods to see where all the top places to explore are located.
Our top five picks for the best areas to stay in Rome are Esquilino, Prati, Castro Pretorio, Monti, and Ludovisi. Here are the top things to eat, see, and do in each of these neighborhoods.
If you’re coming to Rome via train, Esquilino is the first neighborhood you’ll land in. Not only is it a transportation hub, but it’s also easy to access all the city’s top sites from here. But, before you get out into other parts of the city, give these neighborhood sites a visit.
Sandwiched between the banks of the Tiber River and Vatican City, Prati is one of the premiere Rome neighborhoods in Municipio I. Here, bustling morning markets give way to buzzing restaurants where diners enjoy cacio e pepe and vino late into the night. Check out some of the ways to pass the time in this neighborhood.
The Castro Pretorio neighborhood flanks the eastern edge of the Termini train station. With green gardens a few streets to the north and all of the city’s bucket list sites a couple neighborhoods to the west, it serves as the perfect jumping-off point for your time in Rome. Here’s how to kickstart your time here.
It only takes one look at a neighborhood map of Rome to realize you can’t get much more centrally located than the Monti neighborhood. This rioni, or historic district, borders the neighborhood that houses the Colosseum and Roman Forum. If you’re ready to dive into all the archaeological sites and history the city has to offer, this is one of the best areas to stay in Rome, and here’s how to spend your time.
Ritzy and elegant are two ways to describe this neighborhood in Rome. The area is rooted in 60s glamour and filmmaking after all! Whether you’re opting for a classy night out or just want to dip into an opulent bar, these are our top three ways to pass the time while staying here.
When it comes to the best neighborhoods of Rome in this part of the city, our favorites are Parioli and Nomentano. Both areas strike the perfect balance of being suburban sans the sleepiness.
Most travelers may tap out when they reach the borders of Villa Borghese (a spot featured in our Rome Travel Guide), but go a bit farther and you’ll be welcomed into the Parioli neighborhood. This section of Rome has an upscale, residential feel that delights newcomers and longtime residents alike. Here’s what to add to your to-do list on your next visit.
Families have flocked to the Nomentano neighborhood for years, making it one of the best areas to stay in Rome. It’s the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of downtown while still being a stroll away from a wide variety of restaurants and attractions. Check out our shortlist of how to spend time in this area.