Four Best Areas Where to Stay in Rome First Time – Our Hotel Picks

Many first-time travelers to Rome panic over where to book their hotel. I get it, Rome is huge and confusing and especially if you have never been, it’s intimidating. Like for every big city, wondering about the safety, moving around, and distances is normal. This is why having an idea about where to stay in Rome first time is necessary.

Rome is quite the touristy destination, so well organized to welcome visitors from around the world. But if you get the wrong neighborhood, your holiday might not be as smooth as you would like it to be.

If you are looking for an area where to stay in Rome on your first trip to the city ever, I suggest, in fact, opting for more central areas. This way, you will have a better chance of finding English-speaking locals and staff in hotels and restaurants.

Let’s find out the best areas to stay in Rome for the first time and some of their best hotels.

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Image: St Regis Roma in the city center, one of the best areas where to stay in Rome first time.

Where to book your hotel in Rome first time

Centro Storico

This is probably the most popular option when looking for the best area to stay in Rome first time. It’s right in the heart of everything, close to all the most famous landmarks from the Pantheon to the Spanish Steps to the Trevi Fountain, or at least the attractions first-time visitors would usually include in their itinerary.

Adding to that, it’s also well served by public transport, whether it’s buses, metro, and trams, the main train stations are easy to reach, it’s easy to find a taxi, and let’s face it, it won’t take long to find a place to eat.

Where to stay in Rome’s Centro Storico for the first time? Best hotels

Image: Ancient sites are perfect to explore in September in Rome.

Monti

This is a close contestant with the historic center because it’s the neighborhood next to the Colosseum and the main archaeological ruins. Plus, it’s also close to the Centro Storico.

Monti is quite touristy and really packed with apartments, B&Bs and hotels of all types. You will also find a large choice of restaurants and all kinds of eateries.

Even though the traffic is consistent, walking around Monti is pleasant because it’s a very ancient quarter, so you will be breathing history around every corner.

Where to stay in Rome’s Monti for the first time? Best hotels

If you are looking for a great Colosseum tour, check out my top selection of the best ones

Image: Vatican to visit in five days in Rome

Near the Vatican

The districts around the Vatican are fantastic for booking your hotel if it’s your first trip to Rome. I used the plural because there are actually three neighborhoods I would consider if you are not familiar with the city.

These are Aurelio, just behind the Vatican towards Stazione San Pietro train station, Prati, right on the other side towards the river, and Trionfale, next to the Vatican Museums. Everywhere here you will find plenty of hotels of all types and especially in the Prati area, great restaurants and great shops if you wish to do some window shopping or buy some gifts.

These neighborhoods are obviously perfect to reach the Vatican landmarks but from here, it’s also very easy to get to the historic center either on foot or using public transport. Between Trionfale and Prati areas, in fact, are three metro stops on the A line, Cipro, Ottaviano and Lepanto, while the Aurelio neighborhood is served by train (the aforementioned Stazione S. Pietro) and several buses.

Where to stay near the Vatican for the first time? Best hotels

Do you wish to gain more knowledge and insight into the Vatican rather than just wandering around?
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Image: Trastevere in Rome.

Trastevere

Where to stay in Rome’s Trastevere for the first time? Best hotels

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About The Author: Angela Corrias

Hi, my name is Angela Corrias! I am an Italian journalist, photographer, and blogger living in Rome. After over ten years of living abroad, I finally came to the conclusion that in order to better organize my future adventures, I needed a base. Since I know and love Rome so much, I moved back to the Eternal City. This is how Rome Actually was born. Here, I cover everything about Rome, from the local food to the culture to Roman history.

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