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Rome, Italy
Photo: Francesco Gasparetti from Senigallia, Italy, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Modern Centre of Rome, home to the Via Veneto, Quirinale, Castro Pretorio, Repubblica, and Trevi neighbourhoods, is the city's hub of activity, especially shopping and nightlife. It's also home to a huge assortment of hotels, and it's likely that you'll be staying here, despite the fact that most of Rome's historic attractions are elsewhere.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Fontana di Trevi
Completed in 1762 to a design by Nicola Salvi, this spectacular Baroque fountain features a mythological sculptural composition of Neptune, god of the sea, flanked by two Tritons: one Triton labours to control a violent sea-horse, the other controls a pacified creature, both symbolising the dual nature of the world's oceans. The location of the Trevi fountain marks the terminus of the ancient Aqua Virgo aqueduct, completed in 19 BCE in order to supply the Baths of Agrippa, and is so named on account of its position at the junction of three roads (tre vie). The legend says that one who throws a coin in the fountain shall one day return to Rome. The coins in the fountain are regularly collected to finance charities. The fountain has been made even more famous by the 1954 film, Three Coins in the Fountain, and by a famous scene in Federico Fellini's film La Dolce Vita. According to popular superstition and custom, throwing coins with one's right hand over one's left shoulder into the Trevi Fountain is a practice endowed with good luck. Throwing one coin ensures that the thrower will return to Rome; throwing two coins will ensure that the thrower will fall in love with a beautiful Roman girl (or handsome boy); throwing three coins, finally, ensures that the thrower will marry that girl or boy in Rome itself. The fountain is one of Rome's most famous attractions, but the square isn't exactly as large as St. Peter's, therefore it might be packed with crowds almost like at a rock festival. For this reason it's reportedly also a pickpocket hotspot, so do watch your pockets and bags here!
In other information, Entering the water of the Trevi Fountain or climbing on its statues carries a heavy fine of €450. Police guard the site 24/7.
Via Vittorio Veneto
It was immortalised in 1960 by the Federico Fellini film La Dolce Vita. It is also the location of the US Embassy, in the massive Palazzo Margherita. Via Veneto went into a period of decline in the 1980s but has returned to popularity and the roadside cafes are the place to be seen if you are into that sort of thing.
Mura serviane
Remains of the first city walls, built in the early 4th century BC and attributed to king Servius Tullius.
Built after 1631, the crypt of the church contains a macabre display - a series of chapels decorated with the bones of 3700 dead friars. The bones are glued to the walls and ceilings in bizarre and striking decorations.
Four fountains from the time of Pope Sixtus V when much of Rome was redeveloped. A reclining deity is the theme of each sculpture. This is a busy intersection and if you don't look twice you may miss these exquisite examples of Roman mythology.
A magnificent collection of ancient Roman sculptures, mosaics and wall paintings, including the famous paintings from the Imperial-era villa discovered under the Villa Farnesina, as well as the dining room from the Empress Livia's villa at Prima Porta. Located across the piazza from Termini, opposite the Baths of Diocletian.
On the site of the Roman baths this museum houses an enormous collection of statues, etc.
Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica
This remarkable building, designed partly by Bernini, houses the National Gallery of Ancient Art, and includes some famous paintings by Filippo Lippi and Caravaggio, as well as Raphael's "La Fornarina".
With Bernini's famous Triton Fountain. Via Veneto starts here too.
Quirinal Palace
Home of the President of the Italian Republic, and the Quirinal Gardens. Built in 1573 as a papal summer residence, and has since also served as the residence for the pope and later for the king of Italy.
A very small and beautiful church, the first design commission of Francesco Borromini.
This church was built inside the former baths of Diocletian. Very light and airy inside. Note the unusual art on the outside doors. Around solar noon check out the sun's image on Francesco Bianchini's meridian line inside.
Now invaded by readers of Dan Brown's Angels and Demons, this is an interesting Baroque church containing Bernini's "Ecstasy of St. Teresa". Either side of this chapel are characters in what can best be described as theatre boxes. These are members of the Cornaro family, who paid for Bernini's sculpture. (As of Feb 2015, not visible due to restoration work.)
More modern than most Roman churches: it was not started until 1873. This is Rome’s Episcopalian church. Some very interesting artwork, particularly the mosaics by Edward Burne-Jones of the Pre-Raphaelite school.
At the northern end of Via XX Settembre next to the Porta Pia designed by Michaelangelo. The previous embassy had been destroyed by a terrorist bomb in 1946 and was eventually replaced by this world-renowned modern design by Sir Basil Spence. It was built on stilts so as not to interrupt the view of the garden.
Galleria Colonna
One of the most splendid (still private) Baroque grand palaces in Rome.
Rotating exhibitions, usually three at one time. Exhibition descriptions normally provided in both Italian and English. Avoid Sunday morning, when the Romans go, as queues to get in can be long.
Former stables of the Quirinal Palace, now an exhibition centre that usually hosts some excellent art shows.
Eritrian
Small restaurant with a lot of Italian guests (but they are tourists, not Romans...) and moderate prices.
Considered one of the best ice creams in Rome. Check out the meringue ice creams and the fruit sorbets according to the season.
An excellent ice-cream, one minute walk from Fontana di Trevi
If you haven't tried a "Cannolo" or a "Cassatina" then get one here, they are simply great. Don't sit at the tables (it's pretty expensive) just take them away. Good pastries too.
You can't visit Via Veneto and not go to Harrys Bar, forever associated with Fellinis' La Dolce Vita. Harrys is now a swanky upmarket {read expensive} bar/eatery where celebs can still be spotted. A piano bar. Sometimes guest artists availed themselves of the piano and entertain the patrons. For example, Australian Pianist Fiona Cohn played there.
The sister pub of the Druid’s Den.
Other branch: Alessandro Downtown, Via C. Cattaneo 23. 2nd Floor, +39 06 443 40 147. All locations are 5 minutes on foot from Termini, include free breakfast, free linens, no curfew, cheap internet, video security, free pizza parties at the Palace pub, internet PCs & Wi-Fi available at both hostels.
Single, double and triple bedrooms with private bath, TV LCD, breakfast, internet connection, telephone and mini bar for this guest house of Rome.
No curfew, no lock-out. Towels and bed linen included. Daily room cleaning. English and Italian spoken.
A four-minute walk from the central train station, this hostel has adequate dorms, some have nice balconies. Kitchens and communal areas. No curfew, but lockout from 11:00 - 15:00.
8 guest rooms which can be booked as single, double, twin, triple and family. All with en-suite services and shower. Special discounts with the local bars for breakfast.
Two-star hotel with 14 bedrooms divided in single, double and triple, and a single family room with four beds.
3-star hotel. Single, double, twin, triple and family rooms available. All with en-suites services, LCD TV and free internet access.
Bed & Breakfast near Termini. Three rooms with private bathrooms and an air-conditioning system.
Cheap and cheerful low budget hotel right in the centre of Rome near the train station and public transport, caters mainly to young people. Clean and secure.
Besides the single, double and triple rooms, this guest house of Rome also presents a cosy independent mini apartment for four people with kitchen facilities. Alla accommodations come with private bathroom. Single room: €60. Mini apartment: €95.
Within spitting distance of the train station. Friendly staff, reasonable dorms and nice private room. This popular hostel has a good breakfast for €3 but no lockout or curfew. Try the bar Living Room for food or nice drinks. Free Wi-fi, tours, and free Mmps
The Hotel Sonya is a three-star hotel in the centre of Rome, a few minutes away from Rome Termini Station and in front of the Opera House.
5 minutes away by foot from the termini central station, near the Castro Pretorio metro stop.
This youth hostel is part of the association of the World YWCA (Young Women Christian Association). It is found four blocks from Termini on the Via C. Balbo. A place fallen out of time, since not listed on the typical platforms and offering fixed rates even when everything else is booked (May 2023). You can stay there as a man too, just fill out the booking request form correctly. Breakfast is included, extra fees for Rome tourist tax and the annual membership for 1 year (~10 Euro) - and still very affordable. Not a typical hostel with all the travellers around, but a reliable and friendly place to stay in and located very centrally.
Small guest house in the centre of Rome near Via Veneto. Relatively new and pretty good facilities, and a small terrace off each room.
3-star hotel on Colle Viminale near Termini Station. Offers its guests 15 rooms with Jacuzzi tub.
The Art and Relax Suites is a cosy bed and breakfast of Rome with 6 double bedrooms with private en-suite services, shower and breakfast.
The Trevi Rome is a bed and breakfast with 14 guest rooms divided in double and twin, standard and superior. A third bed available if needed. Rate for a double room €120.
A four-star hotel in a 1912 building on the highest of Rome's seven hills, the Esquilino, giving it good views of the city.
Three-star hotel of the central street of Via Nazionale with 14 bedrooms divided in single, double, twin, triple and quadruple with private bath (shower included). Also available two apartments 20 metres away from the hotel. €95 for a single and €115 for a double.
Upscale B&B very close to Via Nazionale and the Presidential Palace of Quirinale. All the bedrooms offer internet connection, mini bar, air conditioning, telephone with direct line and LCD television. Also available private parking and continental breakfast.
The Martini is a three-star hotel of Rome with a large choice of bedrooms divided in single, double, triple and family; all equipped with private bathroom and bathtub. Double rooms: €160 with included breakfast.
A four-star hotel with 64 rooms divided between six floors, on the 7th floor there is a nice 360-degree panoramic terrace with good views of historical centre.
Guest house in Via Veneto. Rooms with international channels, air conditioning, wifi, minifridge and telephone.
A 3-star hotel housed in an entirely renovated 18th-century palace.
A guest house on the third floor in a residential building on Piazza Barberini, so the name holds true. No elevator available, and it's a long walk up the stairs with your luggage. There are 8 rooms with en-suite services divided in double, triple and suites, but there are no common rooms or amenities. You are paying for a room and that's all, some have complained about missing air-conditioning during the day, broken bathrooms and noise from the busy square, but it's good value for the location.
Cosy Bed and Breakfast of the historic centre of Rome with double, twin triple and quadruple rooms. Toilet with shower and breakfast included. €140 for a double. Same price for a double for single use.
Budget accommodation with six bedrooms divided in single, double, quadruple and suites. All with private bath and modern facilities. Double: €130. Breakfast included.
A town house with 5 classic rooms, 1 deluxe and 1 suite, which can host up to four people. Modern facilities (plasma TV, internet ADSL), car parking, free breakfast, private bath and Jacuzzi bathtub.
Hotel 3 Stars in the centre of Rome near Termini Station in front of Palazzo delle Esposizioni, exhibition centre.
The Relais Trevi 41 is a guest house with double and twin bedrooms. All with private bath and shower whirlpool.
A member of Summit Hotels and Resorts
Near the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. All rooms come with an LCD flat-screen TV and WiFi access.
A modern inn near Via Veneto.
4 star hotel close to Piazza Repubblica. Style from the mid-19th century, reasonably large rooms and high ceilings. Internet connection costs €15 for 24 hours. Service at reception can be very poor, on occasions, it is downright rude.
4 star hotel close to Via Veneto.
Prestigious five-star hotel.
A splurge hotel in a quiet location. The rooms are large, with extra high ceilings, linens and bed of good quality, bath with shower and separate tub, bidet and two sinks. All the interiors are beautifully decorated, and the outside garden is perfect for a midday break. The staff is friendly and supportive.
A clean, quiet and small hotel. Free internet in the spacious lounge. The rooms are not too big, but really comfortable. Good continental breakfast - a buffet of juices, toast, cereal and pastries. The staff is attentive and really helpful.
5-star hotel that features a mid-19th-century style, high ceilings, and reasonably spacious rooms. Breakfast is sometimes included in the rate.
A shop that is all about lemons. You can buy products made with lemons: biscuits, jam, pasta, even soap, and of course limoncello. During hot days, do pop in for a glass of lemonade made with freshly pressed lemons or gelato where you can choose among a dozen of flavors each including lemon. The gelato is served in a lemon shell where the juice has just been pressed out to make lemonade!
The Modern Centre of Rome is not hard to find as the Termini Station brings you into the west edge of it. As you leave the station, the Castro Pretorio neighbourhood is to your right, with many smaller hotels.
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