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Where is the best place to stay in Rome? Finding a compromise. Dangerous areas of Rome: where you should not stop Which part of Rome is best for a tourist to stay

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The eternal City Rome, like a magnet, attracts millions and millions of tourists to its stunning beauty. They fill the streets of Rome, create a crush in its most famous places of interest and at the same time are already an integral part of it. Rome is great, but also generous. It is able to shelter anyone who needs its charm, be it a wealthy tourist demanding service and comfort, or a young backpacker who does not have an extra euro, but wants to join the unique Roman spirit.

Where is the best place to stay in Rome?

In fact, it is not possible to answer the question “where is the best place to stay in Rome” unequivocally. Rome provides different accommodation options for everyone; it all depends on the habits, desires and capabilities of the tourist. Of course, the ideal habitat in all megacities is the central areas, where many key attractions are within easy reach and you can take your time leaving the busy center in the evening in order to return to your temporary shelter on the outskirts.

To begin with, it is worth identifying the so-called points of interest (POI), points of interest. What plans does a tourist have for Rome, which places and events does he want to visit without fail, and which ones - on a residual basis? And if you put your POIs on an imaginary, or better yet, on a real map of Rome, it will become clear in which area it is more logical to settle, so as not to waste precious time moving from the hotel to attractions and back.

Center or outskirts of Rome

So, if opportunities allow, and you are primarily interested in the historical center, lively in the evenings, then an excellent choice would be housing near the Spanish Steps (Plaza di Spagna), Piazza Navona, and the Trevi Fountain. The places are truly atmospheric, pleasant both in the morning, during the day, and especially in the evening. In addition to the mentioned attractions in this area, the Pantheon, Forums, many shops for easy shopping, and restaurants for a wide variety of tastes are within walking distance.

If the central part of Rome is interesting, but the cost of housing is important, it makes sense to look at options in the area of ​​Termini Station and the Vatican. There are many more economical hotel offers here, and getting to the center by transport will not be difficult. And on foot you can take a pleasant stroll through the streets of Rome. These are favorite places to stay for tourists who want to be as close as possible to the city's key attractions, but do not have the means to pay for a room with a view of the Spanish Steps.

If you set yourself the goal of saving as much as possible on accommodation, then you should look for an option on the outskirts of Rome, where there is no metro, and you can get to the nearest station by passing a couple of stops by bus. These options offer comfortable campsites and residences: something like a country holiday, but with the ability to get to the center of Rome or the Vatican at any time. It is advisable to consider camping as an option when traveling by car.

By the way, when traveling with children, it is quite possible to opt for a campsite on the outskirts of Rome, especially if the trip occurs in the warm season. Firstly, campsites, as a rule, have a swimming pool and an area where the child will have room to spread out. Secondly, in the evening the campsites are quite quiet, except for areas where parties are held, but this usually happens away from the campers' houses.

In short, the choice of varied accommodation in Rome is great. You just need to decide on your individual preferences and, based on them, check into an expensive hotel in the city center or an affordable campsite on its outskirts.

What type of food should you choose at the hotel?

Rome is one of those cities where every minute spent is worth its weight in gold. Therefore, it is not advisable to return to the hotel every time it is time for lunch or dinner. The maximum is breakfast included in the price, and only if you are not planning very early forays into the city, while the majority of tourists are still sleeping or eating. There are plenty of cafes in the city where you can get your cup of coffee and fresh pastries in the morning, so even the issue of breakfast at the hotel is not an issue. And you can and should have a delicious meal in Italy in general, and especially in Rome, not in a hotel restaurant, but in your favorite city cafe, among a varied idle public.

Is the answer helpful?

Having chosen a city as a destination for your vacation, the first question that arises is where to stay and which hotel to choose. Especially if you go to such a huge tourist center as Rome.

Many people tend to stay somewhere closer to the center. After all, most of the main attractions are located in the historical part of the city, not far from each other, so by choosing a hotel located in the heart of the city, you will not have to go far or take a long time to get to the objects of interest to you. The only thing you need to consider is that the cost of living in the center (however, this applies to everyone) major cities) is quite high, so it’s better to calculate in advance whether you can afford it. The average price for a room in hotels located in the center of Rome ranges from 120 to 1500 euros per room per night. For example, the three-star Hotel Regno (Via Del Corso, 330), located in an ancient building between the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon, offers rooms ranging from 120 (if booked in advance or with a special offer) to 520 euros.

You can, of course, rent a studio for 130 - 150 euros per day. But this is also not particularly cheap and not very suitable for those who are used to saving money when traveling. Moreover, the inconvenience of living in the center can be the virtual absence of supermarkets, as well as high prices in restaurants and cafes.

Thus, if you want to save money and spend money on souvenirs, and in addition, you are not afraid to move around cities by public transport or on foot, it is better to choose another area where relaxation will not only be cheaper, but also quieter. The center may still seem a bit noisy.

Thus, the Trastevere district is popular among tourists, where you can enjoy a typically Italian atmosphere, sit in a street cafe, eat delicious homemade pizza or pasta and watch people pass by. True, housing here, despite the distance from the center, is not the cheapest - about 70 - 100 euros per room per day.

In search of the most budget accommodation, you can take a closer look at the Termini district, where hotels, rented rooms and studios are located on every corner. Among the advantages of this area, in addition to low prices for accommodation, one can note the relative proximity to the center and main attractions, a large number of shops and restaurants, as well as good transport links. The only thing that can stop it is the large number of immigrants living here from eastern countries, and therefore the possibility of accidentally wandering into a not very safe neighborhood. In addition, you need to be especially careful when choosing a hotel, since often low price corresponds to the quality, and you may find yourself in a rather old and uncomfortable environment.

In general, it is better, of course, to decide on the amount you are willing to spend on accommodation and food, think through your route in advance, the attractions you want to see the most and choose the hotel that best meets all your requirements. I will only note the places that are most popular among our tourists.

4 stars.

Hotel Club House Rome(Via Andrea Alciato, 14). Cozy hotel in a quiet area, close to the Cornelia metro station. The Vatican is three stops away. The cost of a triple room is from 120 to 240 euros per day.

Cardinal Hotel St. Peter(Via Leone Dehon, 71). A comfortable hotel, equipped with a swimming pool and spa, with a beautiful view of the city from the room window. Nearby is the Villa Pamphilj park. The cost of a triple room is from 100 to 240 euros per day.

3 stars.

Hotel Re Testa(Via Beniamino Franklin, 4). Not a bad hotel in a busy area near the Piramide metro station. The cost of a triple room is from 120 to 150 euros (including breakfast). Possible placement on extra space in the same room.

Best Western Hotel Astrid(Largo Antonio Sarti, 4). The hotel is located next to the tram stop (No. 2). The Stadio Olimpico is nearby. The cost of a triple room is from 130 to 260 euros.

Hotel Romee(Via Palestro, 49). The hotel is located in an ancient building near the Castro Pretorio metro station. Nearby is Termini central station. The cost of a triple room is from 110 to 130 euros (including breakfast).

Albergo Marisa(Via Marsala, 98). The hotel is located next to Termini metro station. Nearby is Termini central station. Two stops - the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain. Good transport links to airports. The cost of a triple room is from 110 to 130 euros (including breakfast). D

2 stars.

Hotel Ercoli (Via Collina, 48). Small hotel near the Barberini metro station. Nearby is the Borghese Gallery. The cost of a triple room is 120 euros (including breakfast).

939 Hotel(Via del Clementino, 94). Cozy hotel in the city center. Close to metro station and bus stop. Nearby is the Tiber River, Piazza di Spagna. The cost of a triple room ranges from 130 to 180 euros per night (including breakfast).

And if you want to get (rent) inexpensive housing in Rome, which, at the same time, will be comfortable and modern (without any Italian old-tech old-tech), you have come to the right place.

In this article, I will answer the most important questions travelers have when considering Rome as their destination for a few days, weeks or months.

I will tell you how to book accommodation correctly, which area of ​​Rome is best to stay in and which hotel (apartment, hostel) to choose for a romantic and memorable holiday.

Before I start, I want to warn you right away: there is no point in going to Rome for two or three days. During this time, not only will you not be imbued with the atmosphere of the city, you will resemble a driven horse that asks to be shot as soon as possible.

Unless you read my article before your trip: . Where did I make up a tourist route even for one day. But, again, this is for those who simply have no other choice (urgent business trip, connecting flight etc.).

After all, Rome is a city that requires leisurely exploration. There are many great attractions here, dating back to the days of the glorious Roman Empire.

My wife and I allocated 7 days to Rome and during this time we just managed to examine all the most significant architectural objects of this truly great historical city, visit the colorful and delicious establishments of Rome, and also enjoy Italian cordiality and hospitality. I will definitely write about all this in future articles.

In the meantime, remember one simple rule: you need to go to Rome for at least 4 days.

How to book a hotel, apartment, hostel in Rome

I’ll tell you a little secret that saved my wife and I 200 euros on accommodation alone during our 4-day stay in Rome (the savings on air tickets were also significant).

In order to achieve the best price-quality ratio, accommodation in Rome must be booked in advance.

We booked it six months before the trip.

In which area of ​​Rome is it better for a tourist to stay and why?

Under no circumstances should you choose an area to live in Rome by tossing a coin or reading cards.

I'm serious. This matter must be approached carefully and wisely.

Choosing the wrong place to stay can put a significant dent in your pocket and put a damper on your much-anticipated trip.

For example, if you live near the Vatican, it will be a long way for you to get to the Colosseum (about 4.8 km) and other attractions.

2. From Termini station to the main attraction of Rome - the Colosseum, it’s just a 10-minute walk away.

Near the Colosseum you can also see the Roman Forum and the Palatine. And there it is not far from other architectural objects.

3. In the Termini area there is one of the cheapest supermarkets in Rome, Emme Piu, where we constantly bought our groceries.

4. In the Termini area (near the Colosseum) there is a park.

5. Walking in this area will somehow be more pleasant than in the others (but not near the station, of course).

6. You can walk to Termini station from the hotel and avoid spending money on metro or taxi fares.

In addition, if you are planning a trip to other cities in Italy (for example, after Rome we went to Florence (I told you what to see in this beautiful city in this article), and then to Cattolica), then having a station nearby will be very helpful By the way.

Well, if everything is in order with your budget, I recommend settling in the center. But be prepared for the fact that the prices for accommodation there are appropriate.

Which accommodation (hotel, apartment, hostel) to choose in Rome and why

Now about choosing housing in Rome.

This issue also needs to be approached carefully and rationally. Wisely.

Firstly, you probably already guessed that my first recommendation would be this: the housing should be located in the area of ​​the Termini railway station. Or in the center of the capital. Why, I already explained above.

As I mentioned above, near the station there is one of the cheapest supermarkets in Rome. You can buy inexpensive products there and cook them in your kitchen.

The task is not easy. Especially for those who come to the Eternal City for the first time. The capital of Italy has as many as 22 districts, or rioni. And each of them is special. It doesn’t matter whether the tourist plans to devote his trip to studying ancient sights or the purpose of his visit is to get acquainted with the monuments of the Renaissance. In any case, to choose an area that meets your expectations, all you need to do is do a little research.

A romantic's dream - Centro Storico

Centro Storico (Historical Center) is exactly the place where every tourist dreams of visiting. A labyrinth of cobbled streets, cozy alleys, surrounded by Renaissance palazzos, Baroque churches and majestic piazzas.

This is a great place to stay, especially for those who come to Rome for a short time and want to take in as many attractions as possible at once. After all, Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps with Piazza di Spagna are just a stone's throw away. But you have to pay for the convenience and opportunity to live within centuries-old walls. So, expensive hotels in Rome cost even more here - from 200-400 EUR per night and more.

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Atmospheric Campo de Fiori, Jewish Quarter and Tridente

Formally classified as Centro Storico, these two neighboring areas are not so heavily loaded with tourists. Narrow streets Surrounded by ancient shuttered terracotta houses and trendy wine bars on the ground floors, endless boutiques of emerging designers are the face of these Rioni. "Mast-si" - the market "Campo de' Fiori", the ruins of Tetra Marcello, the Great Synagogue and, of course, Bocca della Verita - "Mouth of Truth" (Pla. della Bocca della Verita, 18).

In the Middle Ages, this impressive marble slab with the image of Triton's mask was considered a kind of lie detector: if a deceiver puts his hand in the deity's slightly open mouth, it will bite it off.

Hotels in Campo de Fiori and Jewish Quarter suitable for those who want to live in the center, enjoy the spirit of Rome, but do not want to be among crowds of tourists.

Tridente, the northern part of the center of Rome, received a name that translates as “Trident”. Indeed, radiating from the Via di Ripetta, del Corso and del Babuino in plan form a tip topped with three teeth. This is an area of ​​designer boutiques (Gucci, Hermes, Versace and others), stylish bars and expensive restaurants.

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Monti and Cello - quiet center

The oldest rioni of Rome, Monti was considered a troubled red light district in ancient times. Its symbols today are traditional family restaurants with terraces covered with striped awnings, expensive and not so expensive boutiques. Monti will appeal to anyone interested in Roman history and who wants to buy inexpensive clothes from independent Italian designers.

To the southeast is the Rioni Cello with the Colosseum, the Arch of Constantine and the Forum. During the day, Cello is filled with tourists, but in the evening, when the lights are turned on, it becomes very cozy and comfortable here.

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Gourmet area Testaccio

Simple in appearance, the typical residential area of ​​Testaccio grew up around an old slaughterhouse. Today these neighborhoods are known for their inexpensive restaurants and an excellent food market (Benjamin Franklin Street). This place is suitable for those who are a little tired of ancient architecture and want to live like a real, and not a stereotypical Roman: in a quiet modern house in an area with developed infrastructure. By bus or metro to the center - only 10-20 minutes.

A little further north is the Aventine, one of the Seven Roman Hills. A cozy area, most of which is occupied by gardens and parks - an ideal place for lovers of silence. It is here that the famous Keyhole is located (Pla. dei Cavalieri di Malta, 3). Looking into it, you can see three sovereign state entities at once - Italy, the Vatican and the Order of Malta.

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Photogenic Trastevere, practical Termini and Prati for a sophisticated audience

Once a poor working-class neighbourhood, today's Trastevere is a trendy bohemian neighbourhood. There are cute coffee shops in ancient houses covered with ivy, and Vespas are seen cutting through the cobblestone streets and miniature piazzas. This is one of the main centers nightlife Rome.

Termini, the area of ​​Rome's main railway station, is not very attractive for tourists who come for a dose of beauty. Sights are relatively far away (but there is a metro), there are many migrants, there are no outstanding architectural monuments.

But there are relatively cheap hotels, many 24-hour shops and inexpensive establishments with international cuisine. And because of the abundance of police and carabinieri, it is even safer here than in the center. And, of course, Termini is like no other area suitable for those who need to leave Rome early in the morning.

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Rome is known to be one of the largest tourist cities in the world and one of the busiest. Therefore, in order not to spoil your impression of the trip and to protect yourself from all sorts of troubles, it is important to approach the issue of choosing a hotel with all seriousness.

At one time, one of the tourism forums described the ideal hotel in Rome as follows:

  1. 1) the main “beauties” and attractions can be reached on foot;
  2. 2) not very noisy at night;
  3. 3) safe area.

Let's see if this exists in nature.

Which area of ​​Rome is best to stay in?

Rome is a city where the expression “legs fall off” becomes close and understandable, due to the fact that the attractions are located at a considerable distance from each other (from the Colosseum to the Vatican several kilometers!), so you need to live in the historical center of the city. You can probably book yourself a hotel on the outskirts in one of the residential areas: it will cost significantly less, but spending an hour or two every day on the road to the center is still a pleasure, and it’s a terrible waste of time, especially if you plan to stay in Rome only for a few days. I understand that this won’t scare residents of big cities, but we go to work, and on vacation I would be terribly sorry for those hour and a half.

Center in Rome is long and lasts from Termini Station and the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore to the Vatican, from Borghese Park to the Colosseum. The territory is quite large (for example, from the Vatican to Termini Station is a good hour on foot), so in the center of Rome it is worth highlighting several areas, each of which has its own characteristics. So, the following areas and quarters will be considered next:

Surroundings of Roma Termini station

Area around Termini station(Roma Termini), perhaps the most budget option. This is where domestic tour operators like to accommodate tourists. It is widely believed that the area is dirty, indecent and unsafe. I dare to challenge this point of view: in fact, the station has long been a place, although crowded, but quite clean and comfortable, valuable not only because it is the largest transport hub in Rome, but also because there are many shops here, on the underground floor , including a supermarket open until late, of which there are not many in the city center. Homeless people can still be found in the park near the bus platforms, but if you remember this and avoid the park, you won’t have to cross paths with them.

In terms of infrastructure, the station is also good: there are shops in the station building, grocery stores around, and small pizzerias where people go local residents and random tourists. In addition, the Termini area is very convenient if you are planning trips out of the city: many trains and buses depart from here almost around the clock (including in the direction of airports), and two lines of the Roman metro intersect here. It is convenient to get to many attractions from here: the forums and the Colosseum are about half an hour on foot, but the Vatican will take about an hour to walk. However, as mentioned above, Roman attractions are scattered throughout the city, and if some object is within walking distance, then some will certainly be quite far away, so when choosing a hotel in Rome, the proximity of attractions is more of a convention than a rule.

How to choose a good place for accommodation in the Termini area? Here it is worth adhering to two guidelines. On one side of the station, in the vicinity of Via Marsala, Viale Castro Pretorio and Viale dell'Università, is located university district, on the other side - streets leading to the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore (Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore) and the Colosseum (Colosseo). It’s quite possible to stay there and there. As for hotels, I advise you to take a closer look, in particular, at Best Western Universo, UNA Hotel Roma, Gea di Vulcano or The Independent Hotel.

I will focus separately on the hotels located near the mentioned Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.

Area of ​​the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore

Surroundings of the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore(Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore) and the streets of Via Cavour are quite an interesting and distinctive quarter. Here you should pay attention to hotels such as Princeps Boutique Hotel, Relais Forus Inn, Aenea Superior Inn or Domus Liberius – Rome Town House. From here it is a stone's throw to the station, but at the same time it is relatively quiet and intimate, and it is even closer to the imperial forums and the Colosseum than from Termini. On the local streets you can find interesting places - for example, a coffee shop “for your own”, or a perfume shop with a hundred-year history that sells unique perfumes. For those who like to cook on their own and crave fresh produce rather than restaurant cuisine (although there are plenty of restaurants and bodegas), the area has an excellent food market where you can buy, among other things, fresh fish and seafood. From this point of view, in general, it makes sense to focus not on hotels, but on apartments, in order to have a kitchen and all the necessary utensils. Near the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore you can stay at, say, the Cavour Centric Apartment or the Merulana Inn. A more detailed list of Roman apartments can be found.

Via Nazionale

Caelium, or the area around the Colosseum

Perhaps the most recognizable landmark of Rome is Coliseum , next to which there are a large number of hotels, some (for example, Colosseo Panoramic Rooms) not without views of the famous ruins of the amphitheater or forums. The majority of hotels are located southeast of the Colosseum, in an area called Caelius, or Chelio(Celio). Here I advise you to avoid hotels located on large streets with active traffic, and focus on hotels located in the depths of the block. From the point of view of location, the place is nice: the forums are nearby, and to Piazza Navona (which can conditionally be called the core of historical center Rome) about 20 minutes walk through the shopping street Via del Corso, about the same to the Laterano district, the ancient residence of the Pope, but its main advantage, in my opinion, is that this area is not very trampled by tourists and here you can see a quiet, calm, non-tourist Rome. It’s worth keeping in mind, however, that most of the houses here are quite old, and the hotel may well not have an elevator, and if you decide to rent an apartment, there may not be a garbage chute in the house. Therefore, before booking, you should definitely read the reviews of tourists to be sure that your home has all the benefits of civilization. A good option near the Colosseum can be considered, for example, Hotel Romance or apartments N°9 Colosseo Luxury Suite and Residence Maximus.

Lateran

Another interesting Roman area – Lateran, or Laterano(Laterano), where the residence of the Pope was once located (it is, in fact, adjacent to the Caelium discussed above). This is also a place not trampled by tourists, but it is quite far from the center and the Vatican - each walk will be longer by half an hour, or you will have to use the metro. But the hotels here are much cheaper than in the very center, and there are fewer problems with parking if you are suddenly going to Rome by car, which is perhaps not the best idea due to the density of Roman traffic. A list of hotels in this area can be found.

Via Veneto

One of the iconic and expensive places in Rome in terms of cost of living is located northwest of Termini - this street area Via Veneto, via del Tritone and via Barberini. The area is strange for me. Termini station is within walking distance from here, which, of course, is convenient, but not very prestigious, and therefore should influence prices downward. However, this is not the case and if you decide to stay in one of the local hotels, it will often cost you a pretty penny. Apparently, this is due to the fact that at one time Via Veneto was glorified by Federico Fellini in the cult film “La Dolce Vita”, and in the 60s it was the center of social life in Rome. Now there are a number of expensive hotels and expensive restaurants and shops. The advantages of the area include its convenient location - the train station is close, and at the same time you can walk in 10 minutes to the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain. When choosing a hotel here, be sure to pay attention to the availability of air conditioning and soundproofing, because the noise coming from the street can ruin the whole impression of even a very expensive hotel. If your budget is tight, then you can take a closer look at hotels like Hotel Imperiale or Aleph Hotel Rome, but there are simpler options - the same Rome Kings Suite, for example.

The very center

If the budget for your trip is not very limited, you want to live in the very center and one of the purposes of coming to Rome is shopping, then I advise you to take a closer look at district between Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain . The hotels in this area are incredibly conveniently located: all around are attractions, shops and restaurants, and even the Vatican, it seems, is not so far away, but the prices are off the charts, and there are a lot of people until late at night. The most crowded area is the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain, where the view from the window will be an endless stream of people, and when making your way home in the evening, you will often have to push aside the crowd with your shoulder. Adjacent to this area is one of the largest shopping arteries in Rome - via del Corso, where it is also incredibly noisy and crowded and you need to make sure that you don’t have windows facing the street. But all the shopping is nearby! Internazionale Domus, Piazza di Spagna Suites and Daniel's Hotel seem to me to be interesting options for accommodation here.

More details about hotels in the center of Rome read this article.

Hotels near Campo dei Fiori and in the Trastevere area

The more often you visit Rome, the more you begin to appreciate its authenticity and areas where there are few tourists and where you can go to the grocery store and easily chat about the weather with the owner, who from the second visit begins to address you by name and treat you with olives or sun-dried tomatoes . I consider such places area around Campo dei Fiori(Campo de' Fiori) and the area “beyond the river” - Trastevere(Trastevere). These are very cozy, quiet places, Rome without embellishment and the eternal crowd hungry for sights and shopping. Campo dei Fiori is a little more “central” and more expensive, Trastevere, one might say, is on the outskirts of the center, but this is where you can see the most Roman Rome. The Campo dei Fiori area is especially convenient if you plan to rent an apartment and cook on your own, because in the morning there is a market on the square where you can buy vegetables, fruits, spices and even cookies, and in Trastevere there are many private shops selling wine, seasonings and homemade sausages. In the Campo dei Fiori area I can recommend hotels such as Hotel Lunetta or Biscione 95, in Trastevere - La Gensola In Trastevere, Residenza Delle Arti or Nina Casetta De Trastevere. More detailed lists hotels and corresponding maps can be found here:

Near the Vatican

Hotels located in the Vatican area(Vatican), are remote from many of Rome’s attractions (for example, you will have to walk for an hour to the forums and the Colosseum), but the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, Castel Sant’Angelo and even Piazza Navona are within walking distance. In addition, the infrastructure of this area, in my opinion, is better: the houses are newer, and there seems to be more order than in the rest of Rome. If you don’t want to walk or drive anywhere, there is also its own shopping artery nearby - Via Cola Di Rienzo - which has, in particular, the Coin department store with a Billa supermarket, and its own railway station - “ San Pietro" (Roma S.Pietro), - from which trains go to the airport or some Viterbo, and there is no need to drag yourself to Termini. Here I advise you to pay attention to the hotels and apartments located in a semicircle in quiet alleys near the cathedral. But the hotels on the way from Castel Sant'Angelo to St. Peter's Cathedral are perhaps not the best option - this area is noisy, crowded and there are no special views, but the prices are still the same. In general, the area is very calm. Here you should pay attention to hotels like Aurelia Residence San Pietro, Starhotels Michelangelo Rome or Ancient Romance B&B.

Features of hotels in Rome

One cannot fail to mention the peculiarities of Roman hotels.

  • One of the most common problems that tourists face is sockets, which differ from the pan-European ones. Therefore, just in case, you should stock up on an adapter in advance, although if necessary, you can purchase it at any hardware store nearby (you can always check with your hotel staff for details on where to go).
  • Roman hotels are mostly located in fairly new buildings, and the most medieval you can encounter is a cramped elevator that cannot accommodate more than two people, or the absence of one at all. In general, before booking a particular room, you should carefully read its description on booking sites. The description will usually indicate whether the room has a private bathroom (with a bath or a shower), whether there is air conditioning, etc. All this, of course, affects the cost of living - rooms with a shared bathroom and without air conditioning, of course, are much cheaper.
  • I would like to note separately that in There are practically no teapots in Roman hotels, but in apartments they are most often available.
  • Refrigerated bars now it seems to be available everywhere (at least, I haven’t seen hotels from 3* in Rome without a minibar).
  • The Romans don’t spoil tourists with breakfast.. Fruits will most often be maximum apples/bananas, and then only in hotels from 4*. In three-star hotels they like to dilute the milk, and the food is pampered with cereal, buns with butter and sliced ​​bland ham and simple cheese. What is typical is that if you pay twice as much for a hotel, you will get approximately the same breakfast, they just won’t dilute the milk and, perhaps, there will also be scrambled eggs and bacon. Yes, this is not Spain, Scandinavia or Germany with their breakfast variety.
  • Italian hotel reservation systems tend to glitch: at the “reception” you may not have your reservation (you should take a printout of your reservation with you), and upon departure you may be presented with a bill of about three thousand euros for the use of some television channels, but all these issues are usually resolved quite quickly and are accompanied by violent apologies from the staff.
  • And finally, I'll say a few words about safety. Rome is as dangerous or safe a city as any other metropolis with a large number of people, so it is impossible to say unequivocally that Rome is dangerous for tourists. Reasonable precautions are needed everywhere: you should store documents, for example, in a hotel safe (ideally if the safe is in the room), you should also put some cash and a second card (if you have one) there, and, of course, you also need to take care of your things, especially in crowded places where pickpockets often operate. And then your vacation will not be overshadowed by troubles, and Rome will only delight you.

When choosing a hotel or apartment in Italy in general and in Rome in particular, use not only booking sites, but also price comparison services. We recommend Roomguru.ru.

You should do the same when searching for air tickets. Pay attention, for example, to Skyscanner.ru.

Rome is known to be one of the largest tourist cities in the world and one of the busiest. Therefore, in order not to spoil your impression of the trip and to protect yourself from all sorts of troubles, it is important to approach the issue of choosing a hotel with all seriousness.

At one time, one of the tourism forums described the ideal hotel in Rome as follows:

  1. 1) the main “beauties” and attractions can be reached on foot;
  2. 2) not very noisy at night;
  3. 3) safe area.

Let's see if this exists in nature.

Which area of ​​Rome is best to stay in?

Rome is a city where the expression “legs fall off” becomes close and understandable, due to the fact that the attractions are located at a considerable distance from each other (from the Colosseum to the Vatican several kilometers!), so you need to live in the historical center of the city. You can probably book yourself a hotel on the outskirts in one of the residential areas: it will cost significantly less, but spending an hour or two every day on the road to the center is still a pleasure, and it’s a terrible waste of time, especially if you plan to stay in Rome only for a few days. I understand that this won’t scare residents of big cities, but we go to work, and on vacation I would be terribly sorry for those hour and a half.

Center in Rome is long and lasts from Termini Station and the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore to the Vatican, from Borghese Park to the Colosseum. The territory is quite large (for example, from the Vatican to Termini Station is a good hour on foot), so in the center of Rome it is worth highlighting several areas, each of which has its own characteristics. So, the following areas and quarters will be considered next:

Surroundings of Roma Termini station

Area around Termini station(Roma Termini), perhaps the most budget option. This is where domestic tour operators like to accommodate tourists. It is widely believed that the area is dirty, indecent and unsafe. I dare to challenge this point of view: in fact, the station has long been a place, although crowded, but quite clean and comfortable, valuable not only because it is the largest transport hub in Rome, but also because there are many shops here, on the underground floor , including a supermarket open until late, of which there are not many in the city center. Homeless people can still be found in the park near the bus platforms, but if you remember this and avoid the park, you won’t have to cross paths with them.

From the point of view of infrastructure, the station is also good: there are shops in the station building, grocery stores around, and small pizzerias where locals and tourists who accidentally wander in go. In addition, the Termini area is very convenient if you are planning trips out of the city: many trains and buses depart from here almost around the clock (including in the direction of airports), and two lines of the Roman metro intersect here. It is convenient to get to many attractions from here: the forums and the Colosseum are about half an hour on foot, but the Vatican will take about an hour to walk. However, as mentioned above, Roman attractions are scattered throughout the city, and if some object is within walking distance, then some will certainly be quite far away, so when choosing a hotel in Rome, the proximity of attractions is more of a convention than a rule.

How to choose a good place to stay in the Termini area? Here it is worth adhering to two guidelines. On one side of the station, in the vicinity of Via Marsala, Viale Castro Pretorio and Viale dell'Università, is located university district, on the other side - streets leading to the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore (Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore) and the Colosseum (Colosseo). It’s quite possible to stay there and there. As for hotels, I advise you to take a closer look, in particular, at Best Western Universo, UNA Hotel Roma, Gea di Vulcano or The Independent Hotel.

I will focus separately on the hotels located near the mentioned Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.

Area of ​​the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore

Surroundings of the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore(Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore) and the streets of Via Cavour are quite an interesting and distinctive quarter. Here you should pay attention to hotels such as Princeps Boutique Hotel, Relais Forus Inn, Aenea Superior Inn or Domus Liberius – Rome Town House. From here it is a stone's throw to the station, but at the same time it is relatively quiet and intimate, and it is even closer to the imperial forums and the Colosseum than from Termini. On the local streets you can find interesting places - for example, a coffee shop “for your own”, or a perfume shop with a hundred-year history that sells unique perfumes. For those who like to cook on their own and crave fresh produce rather than restaurant cuisine (although there are plenty of restaurants and bodegas), the area has an excellent food market where you can buy, among other things, fresh fish and seafood. From this point of view, in general, it makes sense to focus not on hotels, but on apartments, in order to have a kitchen and all the necessary utensils. Near the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore you can stay at, say, the Cavour Centric Apartment or the Merulana Inn. A more detailed list of Roman apartments can be found.

Via Nazionale

Caelium, or the area around the Colosseum

Perhaps the most recognizable landmark of Rome is Coliseum , next to which there are a large number of hotels, some (for example, Colosseo Panoramic Rooms) not without views of the famous ruins of the amphitheater or forums. The majority of hotels are located southeast of the Colosseum, in an area called Caelius, or Chelio(Celio). Here I advise you to avoid hotels located on large streets with active traffic, and focus on hotels located in the depths of the block. From the point of view of location, the place is nice: the forums are nearby, and to Piazza Navona (which can conventionally be called the core of the historical center of Rome) it’s a 20-minute walk through the shopping street Via del Corso, about the same time to the Laterano district, ancient residence of the Pope, but its main advantage, in my opinion, is that this area is not very trampled by tourists and here you can see a quiet, calm, non-tourist Rome. It’s worth keeping in mind, however, that most of the houses here are quite old, and the hotel may well not have an elevator, and if you decide to rent an apartment, there may not be a garbage chute in the house. Therefore, before booking, you should definitely read the reviews of tourists to be sure that your home has all the benefits of civilization. A good option near the Colosseum can be considered, for example, Hotel Romance or apartments N°9 Colosseo Luxury Suite and Residence Maximus.

Lateran

Another interesting Roman area – Lateran, or Laterano(Laterano), where the residence of the Pope was once located (it is, in fact, adjacent to the Caelium discussed above). This is also a place not trampled by tourists, but it is quite far from the center and the Vatican - each walk will be longer by half an hour, or you will have to use the metro. But the hotels here are much cheaper than in the very center, and there are fewer problems with parking if you are suddenly going to Rome by car, which is perhaps not the best idea due to the density of Roman traffic. A list of hotels in this area can be found.

Via Veneto

One of the iconic and expensive places in Rome in terms of cost of living is located northwest of Termini - this street area Via Veneto, via del Tritone and via Barberini. The area is strange for me. Termini station is within walking distance from here, which, of course, is convenient, but not very prestigious, and therefore should influence prices downward. However, this is not the case and if you decide to stay in one of the local hotels, it will often cost you a pretty penny. Apparently, this is due to the fact that at one time Via Veneto was glorified by Federico Fellini in the cult film “La Dolce Vita”, and in the 60s it was the center of social life in Rome. Now there are a number of expensive hotels and expensive restaurants and shops. The advantages of the area include its convenient location - the train station is close, and at the same time you can walk in 10 minutes to the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain. When choosing a hotel here, be sure to pay attention to the availability of air conditioning and soundproofing, because the noise coming from the street can ruin the whole impression of even a very expensive hotel. If your budget is tight, then you can take a closer look at hotels like Hotel Imperiale or Aleph Hotel Rome, but there are simpler options - the same Rome Kings Suite, for example.

The very center

If the budget for your trip is not very limited, you want to live in the very center and one of the purposes of coming to Rome is shopping, then I advise you to take a closer look at district between Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain . The hotels in this area are incredibly conveniently located: all around are attractions, shops and restaurants, and even the Vatican, it seems, is not so far away, but the prices are off the charts, and there are a lot of people until late at night. The most crowded area is the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain, where the view from the window will be an endless stream of people, and when making your way home in the evening, you will often have to push aside the crowd with your shoulder. Adjacent to this area is one of the largest shopping arteries in Rome - via del Corso, where it is also incredibly noisy and crowded and you need to make sure that you don’t have windows facing the street. But all the shopping is nearby! Internazionale Domus, Piazza di Spagna Suites and Daniel's Hotel seem to me to be interesting options for accommodation here.

Hotels near Campo dei Fiori and in the Trastevere area

The more often you visit Rome, the more you begin to appreciate its authenticity and areas where there are few tourists and where you can go to the grocery store and easily chat about the weather with the owner, who from the second visit begins to address you by name and treat you with olives or sun-dried tomatoes . I consider such places area around Campo dei Fiori(Campo de' Fiori) and the area “beyond the river” - Trastevere(Trastevere). These are very cozy, quiet places, Rome without embellishment and the eternal crowd hungry for sights and shopping. Campo dei Fiori is a little more “central” and more expensive, Trastevere, one might say, is on the outskirts of the center, but this is where you can see the most Roman Rome. The Campo dei Fiori area is especially convenient if you plan to rent an apartment and cook on your own, because in the morning there is a market on the square where you can buy vegetables, fruits, spices and even cookies, and in Trastevere there are many private shops selling wine, seasonings and homemade sausages. In the Campo dei Fiori area I can recommend hotels such as Hotel Lunetta or Biscione 95, in Trastevere - La Gensola In Trastevere, Residenza Delle Arti or Nina Casetta De Trastevere. More detailed lists of hotels and corresponding maps can be found here:

Near the Vatican

Hotels located in the Vatican area(Vatican), are remote from many of Rome’s attractions (for example, you will have to walk for an hour to the forums and the Colosseum), but the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, Castel Sant’Angelo and even Piazza Navona are within walking distance. In addition, the infrastructure of this area, in my opinion, is better: the houses are newer, and there seems to be more order than in the rest of Rome. If you don’t want to walk or drive anywhere, there is also its own shopping artery nearby - Via Cola Di Rienzo - which has, in particular, the Coin department store with a Billa supermarket, and its own railway station - “ San Pietro" (Roma S.Pietro), - from which trains go to the airport or some Viterbo, and there is no need to drag yourself to Termini. Here I advise you to pay attention to the hotels and apartments located in a semicircle in quiet alleys near the cathedral. But the hotels on the way from Castel Sant'Angelo to St. Peter's Cathedral are perhaps not the best option - this area is noisy, crowded and there are no special views, but the prices are still the same. In general, the area is very calm. Here you should pay attention to hotels like Aurelia Residence San Pietro, Starhotels Michelangelo Rome or Ancient Romance B&B.

What else to consider when choosing a hotel in Rome

One cannot fail to mention the peculiarities of Roman hotels.

  • One of the most common problems that tourists face is sockets, which differ from the pan-European ones. Therefore, just in case, you should stock up on an adapter in advance, although if necessary, you can purchase it at any hardware store nearby (you can always check with your hotel staff for details on where to go).
  • Roman hotels are mostly located in fairly new buildings, and the most medieval you can encounter is a cramped elevator that cannot accommodate more than two people, or the absence of one at all. In general, before booking a particular room, you should carefully read its description on booking sites. The description will usually indicate whether the room has a private bathroom (with a bath or a shower), whether there is air conditioning, etc. All this, of course, affects the cost of living - rooms with a shared bathroom and without air conditioning, of course, are much cheaper.
  • I would like to note separately that in There are practically no teapots in Roman hotels, but in apartments they are most often available.
  • Refrigerated bars now it seems to be available everywhere (at least, I haven’t seen hotels from 3* in Rome without a minibar).
  • The Romans don’t spoil tourists with breakfast.. Fruits will most often be maximum apples/bananas, and then only in hotels from 4*. In three-star hotels they like to dilute the milk, and the food is pampered with cereal, buns with butter and sliced ​​bland ham and simple cheese. What is typical is that if you pay twice as much for a hotel, you will get approximately the same breakfast, they just won’t dilute the milk and, perhaps, there will also be scrambled eggs and bacon. Yes, this is not Spain, Scandinavia or Germany with their breakfast variety.
  • Italian hotel reservation systems tend to glitch: at the “reception” you may not have your reservation (you should take a printout of your reservation with you), and upon departure you may be presented with a bill of about three thousand euros for the use of some television channels, but all these issues are usually resolved quite quickly and are accompanied by violent apologies from the staff.
  • And finally, I'll say a few words about safety. Rome is as dangerous or safe a city as any other metropolis with a large number of people, so it is impossible to say unequivocally that Rome is dangerous for tourists. Reasonable precautions are needed everywhere: you should store documents, for example, in a hotel safe (ideally if the safe is in the room), you should also put some cash and a second card (if you have one) there, and, of course, you also need to take care of your things, especially in crowded places where pickpockets often operate. And then your vacation will not be overshadowed by troubles, and Rome will only delight you.

P.S.: This article was originally published on i- I talia.ru(cm. ). You can also find another one there useful information about traveling around Italy in general and Rome in particular.

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See also:

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