Best Places to Stay in Rome On Vacation in 2024
Visit Rome is everyone’s dream for a weekend or a short holiday. You’ve got different opportunities:
You can walk through the timeless streets among the splendours of Ancient Rome. Or descend the stairway of Piazza di Spagna, being elated by alluring feelings.
Both are a thing than have to try at least once in life. But Rome is a metropolis, the biggest Italian city, distracting and messy place.
The choice of which Rome places to stay is decisive to make the most of your Roman Holiday.
#1. Trastevere district
Beyond cultural visits and social events, typical best things to do in Rome are:
- Eating spaghetti with “amatriciana” sauce together with friends or a romantic dinner for two.
- Walking through the crowded streets, warmly lit by restaurants, artisan workshops, and souvenir shops.
- Sitting on church steps to listen to street music.
- Get lost in the middle of Rome’s nightlife.
- Taking this into account, no Rome’s neighbourhood is emblematic as the Trastevere District is.
Things to know about Trastevere
Historically, a strategic zone of the river port of Rome, colonized by eastern sailors and fishermen, the centre of cultural exchange, places of oriental cults’ fulcrum.
A mixture of ancient and popular architecture, Trastevere is today known for the extraordinary flea market of Porta Portese, its local restaurants and the hectic nightlife scene.
The Best Things to see in Trastevere District
From the postwar period to today, when a Roman must sell any object or seek something that cannot be found, presents itself at first light on Sunday morning in the communal area destined for the market of Porta Portese. He knows he won’t be disappointed.
Porta Portese has become over time a strong tourist attraction, the perfect place for those who are not satisfied with the usual souvenir of their trip to Rome the eternal city.
Overlooking Trastevere is the Janiculum, one of the seven hills of Rome, where you can enjoy a wonderful view. For an unforgettable evening, your successful choice could be the Lounge bistro & Restaurant Terrazza Gianicolo. Here you will enjoy a perfect dining experience and dance in one of the most popular clubs in Rome.
Two magnificent fountains attract the local population and tourists with their gushing waters, the Fontana dell’Acqua Paola in the Janiculum and the Ponte Sisto fountain in Piazza Trilussa, terminal mouths of the same ancient Roman aqueduct.
The Fontana dell’Acqua Paola is a monumental fountain affectionately known by the Romans as the “Fontanone“, the “big fountain“.
Trilussa is the pseudonym of the roman poet Carlo Alberto Salustrito whom the square is dedicated to. It is a well known evening meeting point for many young people of the Italian Capital.
Santa Maria in Trastevere church is one of the first places of Christian worship in Rome. Here is possible to admire the apse fully decorated with a wonderful 12th-century gold mosaic.
Villa Farnesina is one of the noblest and most harmonious creations of the Italian Renaissance. At the beginning of the sixteenth century, it was commissioned by the Sienese banker Agostino Chigi. Nevertheless, it took the name from Cardinal Alessandro Farnese which bought the mansion at the end of the XVI century.
The Roma in Trastevere Museum exhibits the salient aspects of “popular life in Rome from the late eighteenth century to the early twentieth century”.
Things you cannot miss in Rome in the summer
Every year in summertime the Tiber Expo takes place on the edge of Trastevere. Along the Tiber, from the Porta Portese to Piazza Trilussa, the streets come alive with tastings of theatre-play programming, street art performances, concerts, literary events, vintage markets, and shows of all kinds.
The best things to see nearby the Trastevere district
Crossing the Ponte Sisto (Sisto Bridge) and reaching the opposite bank of the Tiber, turning to the left side, you enter the centre of Ancient Rome.
With a well-organized walking tour is possible to see all the most famous point of interest.
Starting from the storied market of Campo de’ Fiori, you’ll walk through Piazza Navona and its three beautiful fountains: the Fountain of the Four Rivers, the Fountain of Neptune and the Moor Fountain, pushing towards Piazza di Spagna and then come back by way of the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, Trajan’s Column and ending the tour in Piazza Venezia, before to back cross the Ponte Sisto bridge.
On the right of Ponte Sisto is the Palatine, another of the seven hills of Rome, fully transformed into a large open-air museum. The tickets are valid for both Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill.
At the foot of the Palatine is the Roman Forum, the Colosseum and, on the opposite side, the Circus Maximus.
Taking from Trastevere a taxi or the bus n°22 or n°115 you can easily reach Saint Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums.
Altare Della Patria, The Vittorio Emanuele II Monument, also known as the Vittoriano, Piazza Venezia, Rome
The best hotels in Trastevere district
The Trastevere’s beating heart is without any doubt Santa Maria in Trastevere square and all the areas nearby the ancient church.
The perfect choice to stay in Rome best location and close to everything. the greatest area to stay in Rome.
Just a short walk from Santa Maria in Trastevere church, you will find the lovely Hotel Santa Maria. This 3 Stars Hotel situated in 2, Vicolo del Piede street, was in origin a 16th Century cloister. It’s your monastery to stay in Rome, Italy! It has all the rooms opened on a courtyard at ground level, with a view of the garden and portico.
A few steps in the opposite direction from the church square, in 24/a Luciano Manara street, is located the Hotel Trastevere. You’ll feel comfortable in that 3 Stars Hotel, very clean and recently renovated, with breakfast included in the price.
Only for women, the Orsa Maggiore Hostel is highly recommended for travelling women, alone or with children.
Private rooms. Tea, American coffee and cake, free throughout the stay.
Cheap, with special discounts for children.
It is located in 1/a Saint Francesco di Sales street, on the second floor of the International House of Women building, not too far from Villa Farnesina.
A romantic and luxurious stay, is what you seek? The Residenza San Calisto Boutique Hotel could be the best value for money solution.
In 20 Dell’ Arco Di San Calisto street.
Enjoy this 18th-century building restored and turns your holiday into a truly fairy-tale!
Popular songs about Trastevere in Rome
To taste the best of Italy, some traditional folk song from Rome:
My House, “Casetta de Trastevere“, by Claudio Villa
Ciumachella Dé Trastevere, by Lando Fiorini (Slippy – a dialectal way to say “Girl” – of Trastevere)
Trastevere, by Nino Manfredi
And finally, for new trends…
Trastevere, by Cor Veleno
It’s time to go
Trastevere is a place far from the ancient splendour of Rome, but close to the heart of Italy and the values of the Italian people.
Now that you have set the top destination for your Rome City Break, just reserve the flight, pack your bags and go.
Always keep in mind, during the current journey you can get some inspiration for the next one! Step by step never stops dreaming.
