Walking through Rome for the first time feels like stepping into a living museum. The massive amphitheater that’s stood for two millennia ago makes your jaws drop, especially when you marvel at what a group of people built without the technological power we have today. I’ve spent a fair amount of time in this Eternal City over the past couple of years—actually visiting four of the past five years—and lived six months younger in one neighborhood. Coming from cities like Seattle, San Francisco, and Portland Oregon where everything feels relatively young, the novelty of something so overwhelmingly old never gets, well, old.
Rome is romantic in ways that go beyond the typical tourist experience. The people are warm, the food is simple yet delicious, and after working up a pretty good handle on the city through recent experience, I want to share this up-to-date information with anyone planning a trip. This guide represents our collective experiences exploring Rome, and I’ll walk through the information you need to figure out your particular style, budget, and preferences.
The beauty of big cities like Rome lies in how each area has its own unique personality. The best neighborhood for you totally depends on what you’re looking for. The downside? It’s REALLY confusing the first time you decide which of the many great neighborhood options to choose, each with its own quirks and unique charm. Rather than give you a shallow look at every neighborhood, I’m going to go deep on the best four neighborhoods where 99% of people visiting SHOULD stay, depending on what they value.
I’m well aware some of you are currently ready to throw your left shoe at the screen because you’re short on time. If that’s you, I recommend reading the quick summary section for the area you end up staying in, then use the tips and places we add to build your list of must-visits.
Trastevere — The Village Within the City
Hands down, this is my number one recommendation for where to stay in Rome. In fact, we literally stayed here every single time until the last two trips when Matt went solo. To us, it’s among the most authentic areas of the city, with winding cobblestone streets opening up onto vibrant piazzas filled with markets and locals going about their day.
Sure, there are definitely tourists—I mean, it’s Rome—but it feels far less tourist-centric than an area like Centro Storico or even Monti. The neighborhood is about a 30 minute walk from all the main attractions, so the location is plenty convenient for exploring the main sights. However, it’s an attraction itself. The little shops and beautiful churches will have seemingly all to yourself, just far enough off the beaten path to avoid the throngs of tourists, although it’s certainly getting more busy by the day.
Here you’re among locals as they go by their daily lives, which makes this the best place if you really want to immerse yourself in the true culture and lifestyle of the Eternal City. Personally, it’s my favorite neighborhood because it offers a little bit of everything. All the charm you could ask for—cobblestone streets, greenery everywhere, bars and restaurants with people spilling out into the piazzas after dark. It’s as charming as it gets, in our opinion.
The great nightlife here really comes alive when the sun goes down. Settle into one of the numerous terraces for dinner and drinks, which can last until the early morning hours. The one downside is that it’s not particularly central. While you’re able to walk to the southern end around Piazza Navona, it’s not particularly walkable to much of the northeastern side—think Spanish Steps or Villa Borghese. There’s no easy connection from Termini, Rome’s main train station, so it’s just not as easy to get there. When we had to take a taxi from the airport, it wasn’t the end of the world, but something to consider.
Horti 14 Borgo is where we’ve stayed most recently. I had this beautiful boutique hotel bookmarked for our next trip YEARS before we finally decided to book it for the tail end of our last trip. My expectations were high—it gets stellar reviews and looks beautiful—and being in one of my favorite parts of the city, I would say it lived up to expectations, if not exceeded them.
Located on the northern edge of Trastevere, it’s about a 10 minute walk outside the heart of the action. At first I saw this as a negative, but then I realized given the nightlife scene and the fact that we need sleep or we become grumpy messes, the quiet location was actually nice. It’s a small hotel with just 17 beautifully furnished rooms featuring modern touches and floor-to-ceiling windows that bring in plenty of natural light.
They also have a terrace on the top floor where you can enjoy breakfast in the morning or aperitivo in the afternoon. We grabbed a bottle of cider—yes, not beer or wine—from the shop Les Vignerons and enjoyed a nice sunset on the rooftop patio. Another surprise, at least for me, was the incredible spread included in the room rate. I have Celiac Disease so my options were limited, but Alysha was the real winner. Pastries, fruit, toast, jams, cheese, cold cuts—name it, they probably have it. Plus made-to-order coffee. What a nice way to start the day.
It’s a little more expensive than most places we tend to stay at, but given the ambiance, I’d say it’s worth the splurge if you can afford it.
Niki’s Collection Trastevere is a four room guesthouse that I really like because it’s a little removed from the busiest part (read: loudest) of Trastevere. It’s right on the river at the eastern edge of the peninsula that juts out into the Tiber. Like I said, it’s small, which means if you’re going during peak months, you’ll need to book well in advance—one of my top tips for visiting Rome for first timers. BUT if you manage to snag a room, you’re in for a treat because small guesthouses mean great service.
Rooms are fairly standard hotel-style rooms, though some have a nice little terrace where you can enjoy a cup of coffee (they have Nespresso machines) or a glass of wine between activities. Unlike the name might suggest, there’s another Niki’s Collection location right in the heart of all the action, where we’ve seen the most nightlife. This might not be for everyone. However, it’s worth noting that after reading tons of reviews to see how many people mentioned noise, I found I actually saw more people remarking how quiet it was versus the opposite—unexpected, especially for a place that’s not loud at night.
The rooms are pretty standard in size and configuration, though they do have a couple with a jacuzzi in the middle of the room, which is romantic I guess. They also have a rooftop with a view out over the neighborhood.
Ripagrande a Trastevere offers better value if you’re looking for something more affordable. It’s a small, affordable guesthouse that can’t go wrong, particularly if you’re looking to be closer to Campo de’ Fiori.
Centro Storico and Piazza Navona — Right in the Heart of Everything
When the sun went down on our first day in Rome, almost a decade ago now, I found myself wandering the narrow streets near the Historic Center during blue hour—that glorious period after sunset when it’s almost dark but not completely. As I followed the sometimes winding paths through this part of the city, the streetlights started to come on. The first thing I noticed was how they were designed to look like torches, invoking the feeling of experiencing the Eternal City during its heyday in Ancient Rome. The soft golden light washes over everything, transporting you thousands of years into the past.
It’s SUPER romantic—like, let’s kiss under the mistletoe romantic—in a way that gives you the sense of being immersed in the rich history and culture cultivated over the course of many years. Until, of course, some drunk tourist stumbles out of a bar and ruins the vibe. That’s a distinct possibility, unfortunately. Still, if you’re looking for that Rome feeling, then this is the place for you.
Previous iterations of this guide combined the area around Piazza Navona with the area around Trevi Fountain, but after our latest stint in Rome, I decided the two areas are actually pretty different and deserve to be separated. This is the best area for first time visitors because of its central location and good selection of hotels—some of the best hotels in Rome, for lack of a better word—and the vibes.
To be honest, Piazza Navona and Trevi Fountain aren’t particularly close to one another. One of my favorite things to do, and a staple of our 4 day Rome itinerary, is a walking tour that takes you from one end to the other. In addition to the main attractions—the squares and fountains tucked away within the lamp-lit streets—these are the best places to wander and get a little lost.
However, generally speaking (though there are exceptions in the places below that I recommend), I’d suggest eating elsewhere because there are A LOT of restaurants in great locations serving very mediocre food at very high prices.
Staying here doesn’t get more central. You’ll be in the heart of Rome, within walking distance of pretty much anything you want to see. It’s the most romantic version of the city with cobblestone streets and torchlight ambiance—nothing could be more romantic.
Where are the locals, though? If you want a slice of local life, this ain’t it. You’ll be surrounded by tourists and you’re probably going to hear the majority of words spoken in languages other than Italian. It’s pricey—you’ll pay for staying in the most central parts of Rome—but if you’re able, it’s a worthy splurge to have your front door steps from the Spanish Steps.
Be warned: it can be loud and boisterous. Thousands of tourists pass through each and every day. Especially at the southern end, namely around Campo de’ Fiori, it’s particularly rowdy after dark, as many bars cater to the tourist crowd.
Rome As You Feel – Grotta Pinta Apartments offer the perfect location if you’re looking for an apartment in this part of the city. On our latest trip, we could not have been happier with the location, amenities, and basically everything else. The apartments are tucked away in an old building with a slow elevator (classic Rome) on a quiet street in the entire neighborhood. Our particular unit was literally just a few blocks away from everything.
Around the corner you’ll find Fatamorgana, one of Rome’s best gelato shops, and Antico Forno Roscioli, a must-visit for foodies. The apartments are surprisingly spacious with a range of layouts that can accommodate between one and six people, all with a full kitchen. The best part, if you’re someone who likes a room with a view like I do, is that the windows look out over the rooftops—a very pleasant thing to look at while you make your morning coffee. If you’re interested in an apartment in the center, I highly recommend looking here.
CitizenM Isola Tiberina is another spot I need to mention. Look, I LOVE CitizenM hotels. I’ve stayed at them all over the world—at the time of writing, I’ve been to their locations in London, Boston, and Seattle. Their new hotel in Rome is no different and offers one of the best values in the entire city.
The whole thing is incredibly well designed. The bedrooms are super comfortable and thoughtfully designed so you get a great night’s sleep, while the common areas give you space to work, read, or lounge when you’re not sleeping. The other thing I like about all CitizenM hotels is that the rooms are all the same—you’re not trying to decide between standard, deluxe, and super perfect options. Here, the hotel is right on the Tiber River, just across from Trastevere, putting you within a 5-10 minute walk of two of my favorite parts of the city.
The best part? It’s surprisingly affordable. One note, though: because the bedrooms are small with bathrooms in the middle of the room, it’s not a great option for people traveling together who aren’t a couple or who aren’t very close.
Sonder Antinoo is in the northern end of Centro Storico, and the location is FANTASTIC. It’s two blocks off Via del Corso, which strips through the historic center all the way down to the Tiber River. Using the waterfront path, we walked nearly everywhere. When we didn’t want to walk, we were able to either walk eight minutes to the metro at Piazza di Spagna or catch the buses that ran to both the Vatican and Termini.
Staying here means you’re also close to the main sights—we walked almost everywhere. In terms of facilities, there are less than ten units in the building, with a mix of studio, one bedroom, and two bedroom layouts. The kitchens are pretty nice with a stovetop and microwave (no oven), while the bedrooms have big desks and wardrobes. The highlight for us was the shared terrace with a nice little seating area set up and views of the surrounding rooves.
The street can be a loud one, which is not surprising at all, so I would bring ear plugs just in case you end up along a low floor. Crucially, there’s reception onsite for most of the day, and we found the staff to be key to having a good experience. They offered luggage storage so we could leave our bags when we arrived and before we departed.
Due to the nature of Sonder properties using an app to check in and manage most things, this might not be the right choice for every traveler. But generally, we’ve had good experiences with them, especially if you’re someone who doesn’t need much help unless things come up.
Little Queen Pantheon is a beautiful boutique hotel—a small, charming guesthouse or bed & breakfast, as you might have guessed from the name. It’s just a couple of minutes away from the Pantheon and straddles the line between budget and mid-range categories, offering really good value for the amenities you get.
It’s another restored historic building that’s been renovated to make the interior more modern and contemporary. Choose from standard hotel rooms, which are about average in size at 160 square feet, or junior suites if you want a little more room (though they’re still relatively compact). The rooms are colorful and have Netflix access and A/C.
Monti and the Colosseum — Hip, Central, and Full of Life
Prior to this year—Matt here—on my latest trip, we weren’t quite sure how we felt about Monti. We had spent an evening eating, drinking, and wandering the cobblestone streets and piazzas packed with people, but we didn’t have a real sense of what the neighborhood was all about. So on my solo trip, I decided to spend more time staying in Monti to get a feel for what it’s like to use it as a home base for exploring Rome.
Turns out, it has just about everything I love in a neighborhood. For one, it’s got good transit connections, at least by Rome standards. Two, there’s a cornucopia of places to eat, drink, and shop in a relatively small section of the city. I still slightly prefer Trastevere, which scores higher on charm, but Monti has a somewhat more convenient location that most people—especially those on shorter trips—might find to be an important consideration.
This little slice of Rome forms a triangle bordered by Piazza Venezia on the western end, the Colosseum on the southern end, and Termini Station on the northern edge. It’s hard to argue against the location. When I stayed there on this trip, I walked to just about everywhere, including to catch the Leonardo Express to and from the airport. And if something was a little too far to walk—like the Vatican for an early morning Pristine Sistine tour with Walks of Italy—I was within walking distance of a bus or the metro.
Staying in Monti is central. If you choose to stay here, you’ll be well positioned between the main train station and the Colosseum, making it convenient and well connected via public transit if you need to go elsewhere. The neighborhood has also made the transition from up-and-coming hipster haven to flat out trendy over the past decade, and it’s now full of restaurants, bars, and cafés of all kinds. In particular, if you look around the Chiesa di Santa Maria ai Monti, along via Urbana, and in the surrounding area, you’ll find some of the best food and drinks in Rome.
It is pricey, though. This sought-after district means there’s plenty of demand, which calls for higher prices. You’ll be in a hip neighborhood, so be prepared to pay for it. This probably isn’t the best place for budget travelers. Also, given its proximity to the train station and the Colosseum, there are going to be lots of tourists. Which is fine, but it’s something you should know going in.
Salotto Monti became my mid-range hotel with a GREAT location when I wanted to use this charming neighborhood as my home base. It’s sandwiched between the Colosseum and Centro Storico (more on the specific neighborhood in the section below). The hotel is on the third floor of a nondescript office-ish building right on Via Nazionale, across the street from Monti proper.
While the hotel itself is a bit removed from the heart of the action, you’re within five minutes of exactly where you’d like to be. It’s great value for what you get. From here, it’s a 10-15 minute walk from almost everything you’d want to see. You can walk to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, and Spanish Steps. And buses run down the street right in front that will whisk you off to wherever else you want to go. There’s also a metro stop right at the door.
The hotel basically takes up most of one floor, though it’s expanded to include some apartments on the lower floors if you’re traveling with family or planning on doing some writing during the course of your stay and want more space—always a plus. The best part is probably the rooftop terrace that overlooks the beautiful Banca d’Italia building, where you can have breakfast in the morning (it does cost extra, though). I also just hung out up there a couple of times because it’s a lovely, sunny patio.
Overall, given the excellent location—very much in the middle of everything—I think it’s a great choice. And to be honest, the prices weren’t as high as I was expecting for what you get. The standard hotel rooms were comfortable and well-appointed.
Condominio Monti is where I stayed one night solo before my traveling companions—my mom and uncle, who were visiting for the first time—arrived. As their tour guide, I had to find somewhere central that would give me a quiet night’s sleep so I could recover from jetlag. I chose this place because I’d stayed here with Alysha after our time in Trastevere almost exactly a year ago.
It puts you right in the heart of Monti, with the exception of being a bit far from the Colosseum itself. It’s a nice mix of hotel-style rooms that mostly feature some variation of seating areas, ranging from small to spacious, along with single, double, triple, and quadruple rooms to fit larger groups.
The most unique part is the family rooms—bigger rooms with a kitchenette, including a stovetop, and a well-thought out layout to accommodate groups of four. Another great aspect is breakfast, which is served on a terrace on the fifth floor. It features a dazzling spread of pastries, fruit, and other breakfast items served buffet-style. They even were nice enough to bring up a basket of gluten free items from Schar when I told them about my Celiac diagnosis.
Without that, I would have been having just a banana and espresso. They happily added bread, nutella, and other items for me. It’s good value, and though the rooms are on the small side (not surprising for Rome), I found it plenty quiet. I got to prepare for my upcoming duties showing my family around the city.
The Fifteen Keys Hotel is another beautiful boutique hotel in the area. Its 15 tastefully designed rooms make this a charming hotel and lovely place to base yourself. Unlike the mega hotels you’ll find just a few blocks away near Termini, here you’ll get personalized service, which will make your stay more pleasant. The staff has insider knowledge you can only get from a local who actually cares about your experience.
It’s located inside a renovated five story building. Rooms are thoughtfully laid out with everything you need, including a desk (nice to have somewhere to sit other than the bed), USB charging ports, and a kettle for hot water and tea. Breakfast is served in the aptly-named breakfast room with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto an internal courtyard, or on the terrace itself when the weather is cooperating (which will be most of the summer).
They also have complimentary bikes if you want to rent a Vespa—which sounds terrifying to me, but you might feel differently.
Prati — Quiet Residential Charm Near the Vatican
First of all, when Alysha lived in Rome for six months, she stayed immediately northeast of Vatican City (which is NOT part of Rome but a separate country). This makes Prati a convenient home base if you’re planning a trip focused on the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica.
However, that’s not the only thing going for it. It’s a more residential area, and as soon as you get a few blocks from the Vatican, you’ll find yourself walking down streets lined with five story high apartment buildings. While the main street, Cola di Rienzo, is full of stores and commercial real estate, once you go deeper into the neighborhood it gets quieter.
There are also some great places to eat and drink, from Venezuelan street food to traditional Italian trattorias. We’ll cover our favorite highlights in the section below.
Staying in Prati means you’ll be super convenient to the Vatican. You’ll be within walking distance, so you’ll be able to walk over for an early morning Pristine Sistine Tour with Take Walks, a company we love and recommend. It’s also well connected to Termini via the Metro. Rome’s metro doesn’t go to a whole lot of places, but one place it does go is between the main station (where you’ll arrive by train from other cities or from the airport) and Prati.
However, you do have to connect if you want to get to the Colosseum area. It’s also a little out of the way. Similar to Trastevere on the southwestern end of the main city center, Prati is up on the northwest edge. While you’re plenty close to Centro Storico, it’s a bit of a journey down to the Colosseum, though you are connected via metro.
There also aren’t many places to stay. Because it’s a little more residential, there aren’t nearly as many hotel options as you’d find elsewhere. And the proximity to the Vatican means the ones that do exist are going to be a little pricier than they probably should be.
Hotel Paolo II isn’t located in the heart of Prati—it’s on the northern side—but it’s in a nice location just off the southern end of the neighborhood, near Piazza San Pietro. The upside is it’s a little quieter. The downside of this location is you’re further from some of the best bars, restaurants, and shopping found elsewhere in Prati.
Rooms are simple, modern, and relatively compact. You’re not going to have a big seating area in your room to spread out, but you will have a comfortable place to sleep with air-conditioning and comfortable beds. Side note: I do enjoy the wall of greenery in their photos. The Superior Rooms look nice, and I’m curious whether or not those are real plants.
It’s a solid mid-range hotel at an affordable price. If you’re okay with a little bit of extra walk to get to the heart of Prati, this would be a great home base for exploring St. Peter’s and the surrounding area.
St. Peter’s Keys is a small, affordable bed & breakfast on the eastern end of Prati, close to the Tiber River. And when I say small, I do mean small—there are only three rooms. Which is generally a good thing because, as I’ve mentioned, small size is correlated with a better, more personalized service experience.
The rooms are about average in size for Rome. There are a couple of common areas, including a dining room with a communal fridge and toaster. There’s a self-service breakfast included in the room price, as is coffee. It’s simple but offers great value given the central location. It’s roughly equidistant between the Vatican and Centro Storico, and it’s also close to a metro station that connects you to Termini for arrival and departure.
Hotel La Rovere is a charming hotel, also on the south end of Prati. As I explained above, this location has its pros and cons—it’s quieter but further out from the main part of the neighborhood. I like it because from here it takes about the same amount of time to walk to either the Vatican or Centro Storico.
This 27 room hotel has been completely renovated from top to bottom. The result is an elegant, modern hotel in one of the oldest areas of Rome. They have different room types. The deluxe rooms are, as far as I can tell, the lowest on the totem pole. Then there are rooms with a city view and rooms with a private terrace—perfect for an afternoon glass of prosecco.
For all the rooms, you can choose between a double bed or two twins. Alysha stayed at Hotel Rovere when she was in college, just outside the main center of the historic area, and she remembers it fondly.
Spanish Steps — Luxury Shopping and Elegant Streets
This is one of the most upscale parts of Rome, known for its high-end boutiques and elegant hotels. You’re just steps from the Spanish Steps themselves and it’s a quick walk to the historic center. This area is beautiful, but it’s also busy, especially at night.
I stayed on a popular street in this neighborhood once and wouldn’t recommend it if you’re hoping for a quiet, relaxing evening. The highlights here include the Spanish Steps themselves, Via Condotti for designer shopping, and Villa Borghese, which is nearby. It’s very touristy and can be noisy and expensive, but if you’re a luxury traveler or a shopper looking to explore the city in style, this might be your spot.
Hotels near the Spanish Steps range from luxury options like Hotel Locarno to more budget-friendly choices like B&B Casa Angelini. There are also mid-range options like Residenza Canova Tadolini and boutique guesthouses like TB Place Roma. If you want more space or are traveling with family, consider an apartment like APT ROME or Vittoria Palace.
Termini Train Station — Practical But Not Charming
The area around Termini isn’t my favorite, but it works if you’re arriving late or just need a place to crash for the night. I stayed here once after a late flight and found a decent hotel a few blocks from the station. It’s not the prettiest part of Rome, but it is convenient and often more affordable than other neighborhoods.
This area is best for one-night stays, budget travelers, or anyone dealing with late-night arrivals. You’ll have access to Roma Termini Station and public transit, which makes it easy to get around. However, it’s gritty and lacks charm, so it’s not ideal for longer stays.
Rome Hello is a more budget-friendly option—it’s a hostel near the train station, which gives you good access to the metro, buses, and the ability to walk to and from the station when you need to catch a train. The facilities are really nice, with good internet, plenty of common areas, and nice rooms. Overall, it’s a good option if you’re looking for an affordable place to stay.
Other options near Termini Station include budget places like Eden LUXURY ROMA, boutique hotels like Napoleone Suite, and mid-range guesthouses like Rhome Guest House.
Testaccio — For Those Who Want to Live Like a Local
This is a truly local neighborhood that most tourists never make it to. It’s ideal if you’ve been to Rome before or if you’re staying for a week or more. The food here is next-level—some of the best Roman trattorias are hidden in this area.
It’s not super central, but the metro makes it easy to get around. The highlights include Testaccio Market and authentic Roman restaurants with a less touristy vibe. However, it’s far from the main sights and quieter at night, which might not appeal to everyone.
If you’re looking for an apartment for a long stay, Rione Testaccio Apartment is a great choice. For something more traditional, Vespucci Palace Roma offers mid-range accommodations.
Our Personal Stays — A Chronological Journey
Our own personal experience might be a good place to start with this guide. As a reminder, we’ve been to Rome four of the past five years and stayed somewhere different each time. At this point, we’ve experienced so many different neighborhoods that it makes more sense to give you a list of the places we’ve stayed with some brief thoughts on why we think they’re worth your time or who should consider staying there.
I’m going to go in chronological order, which means I’ll start from a few years ago and end with our more recent stays. You’ll find more detail in the longer guide above.
Rome as You Feel – Grotta Pinta in Centro Storico was a nice set of apartments situated just a few blocks from Campo de’ Fiori and Piazza Navona. It was a fantastic location in the historic center. We spent a week there and found it to be a great combination of location and facilities. The apartments have full kitchens and plenty of living area.
Horti 14 Borgo in Trastevere is a beautiful boutique hotel on the southern edge of the neighborhood, removed from all the hustle and bustle so you can actually sleep, but still just an easy walk into the heart of the neighborhood. We stayed here on our most recent trip, and though it was a bit of a splurge, we loved it. The excellent breakfast buffet and rooftop terrace were standouts.
Rome Hello, which is Termini-ish, is our more budget-friendly option. It’s a hostel near the train station that gives you good access to the metro and buses, plus the ability to walk to and from the station to catch trains. The facilities are really nice, with good internet and plenty of common areas. Overall, it’s a good option if you’re looking for an affordable place to stay.
Salotto Monti in Monti is a nice boutique hotel that allows you to basically walk everywhere. If you don’t want to walk, a couple of key bus lines run right in front. It has nice rooms, friendly staff, and a view of the grand architecture of the former bank across the street.
Condominio Monti is where I stayed for one night solo on my latest trip. I found it central and knew it would give me a quiet night’s sleep so I could recover from jetlag. You can walk outside and have a view of the Colosseum down the street. Breakfast is included in the room rate, and they have a lovely terrace on the fifth floor where you can sit and enjoy it. The beds are comfortable too, though they’re on the small side, which isn’t surprising for Rome.
Sonder Antinoo was where we stayed with family on our most recent trip because we were looking for a two bedroom apartment with space rather than getting several hotel rooms. It’s a modern solution to that problem. Most things happen through an app, which means it might not be right for everyone, but we were pleasantly surprised by the apartment. We spent many evenings there just relaxing with wine and cheese.
Quick Answers to Common Questions
If you want easy access to the main sights, Centro Storico near Piazza Navona or the Spanish Steps area are all great places to stay. For a more local vibe, Monti, Testaccio, or Trastevere are wonderful neighborhoods to consider.
For first-time visitors, I recommend staying in the historic center near the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, or Trevi Fountain. It’s the most convenient area for a first-time visit, putting you within walking distance of most major attractions.
Most of the main tourist attractions are in the historic center, including Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, and the Pantheon. This is the part of Rome that’s best for tourists who want to maximize their sightseeing time.