When it comes to finding the best place to stay in Rome while on vacation, there are a few places you can choose from. Trastevere is one of them, and today we’re diving into exactly why it should be on your radar when you are booking your trip to the Eternal City…
Trastevere is hip and cool
The reason why Trastevere is often labeled as the best place to stay in Rome is that it is hip, trendy and cool. A student magnet and a hotspot for hipsters, backpackers and young locals, the vibe of this area is one that you’ll fall in love with instantly. Give your vacation an edge and book somewhere in this up and coming area, full of colorful spaces, fun things to do and so much more!
It isn’t too central
Nor is it too far away from the action. If you wanted to walk from Trastevere to the city center, it would take around 45 minutes. The drive is around 20 minutes, and you can get public transport there in around 25 minutes. It is a quieter and less busy area to stay than the center of town, but it still has a lot going on - this means you get the best of both worlds. Plus, a journey from here to the city center is the perfect chance to discover hidden gems that you might not have stumbled upon otherwise. It is so well located, and the public transport system in the Eternal City is really good at getting you from A to B. Of course, being out of the city center makes it much less expensive than the fancy central hotels too.
There are some great views
Looking for something a bit different to fill your time in the afternoon? Go for a walk up Janiculum Hill, and look down at the city with it’s interesting architecture, mismatched roofs and narrow streets. This is the second tallest hill in the city of Rome, and will give you some beautiful views of the domes and bell towers that make up this historic skyline. Named after the god Janus, its position is all about observation. So put your comfiest shoes on and head out on a walk, before you come back down to enjoy the abundance of bars and restaurants in Trastevere.
f hill walking isn’t quite up your street, book our Dark Rome Best of Rome Walking Tour to see the city from ground level and fall in love with the magic of the place. From stunning architecture to ancient ruins, there is something special around every corner and in the company of an expert, English-speaking guide you will discover everything that makes Rome so incredible. Explore the cobbled streets, throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain, admire the Pantheon… the city is jam-packed with iconic locations, and you’ll see plenty of them on this 2.5-hour tour!
You won’t go hungry
As mentioned, Trastevere is often labeled as the best place to stay in Rome because of how many incredible bars and restaurants there are dotted around. From pizza to pasta to cocktails, fine dining to street food and everything in between, no matter what food you’ve got on your mind you’ll find it here. Some of the very best pizza in the city can be found right here in Trastevere, and if that’s not a reason to stay around here then we don’t know what is!
The nightlife is great
One thing you’ll notice about Trastevere is that it is the place to be of a night time. From pubs to bars to nightclubs, you’ll easily find somewhere to fill the hours after dark when you’re winding down from a day of sightseeing or hoping to paint the town red. Whether you want somewhere that sets its shots on fire as people dance in every direction, or somewhere much more laid-back where you can sit down and enjoy a delicious glass of wine, you’ll be sure to find it here in Trastevere.
Looking for a cultural way to spend your evening in the Eternal City? Our Ghosts, Mysteries and Legends of Rome Night Walking Tour is perfect for those who want to see the spooky side of the city, and discover what Rome is like when the sun goes down. This city is pretty all of the time, but there is an added layer of mysterious magic of an evening. In just 1.5 hours, explore the historic center of Rome with an expert, English-speaking tour guide and find out some dark secrets. From female popes to mass murder, there are so many exciting stories to hear on this amazing tour!
You can easily reach L’Isola Tiberina
This is the only island in the Tiber, linked by the Sistio and Fabricio bridges. There is pretty much always something going on - food festivals, concerts, an open-air cinema… the list goes on, and it makes for a great way to spend a couple of hours during your time in Rome. It is somewhere that is often overlooked and hardly ever mentioned in the guidebooks, so it is well worth hopping over here to see how the locals hang out and discover yet another side to this incredibly diverse city.
So, is Trastevere the best place to stay in Rome? It is definitely up there - cool vibes, plenty of places to eat and drink, affordable accommodation, its own hill and access to a funky island. Wherever you stay in Rome, you’ll have an incredible time: there’s just something extra special about Trastevere!
