Districts · Rome
Rome by district
Think of Rome as five zones. The ancient core (Colosseum and Forum) sits at the south-east. The historic centre (Pantheon, Navona, Campo de' Fiori) is the middle. Trevi and the Spanish Steps sit to the north-east of it. The Vatican and Prati are across the Tiber to the west. Termini station is the transport hub on the east side, and Trastevere is the lively quarter across the river to the south-west.
About these names
Each zone is walkable inside, but the gaps between them (Colosseum to Vatican is about 5 km) are metro, bus or taxi. Do not plan to walk across the whole city in one day in summer.Each zone is walkable inside, but the gaps between them (Colosseum to Vatican is about 3.1 mi) are metro, bus or taxi. Do not plan to walk across the whole city in one day in summer.
- Monti and the ColosseumsleepeatseeSuits: A first-visit base with the Colosseum at the doorA village-like district of small streets, wine bars and restaurants, a 10-minute walk from the Colosseum and close to Cavour and Colosseo metro. Hilly and cobbled.2 sights · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Historic centre (Pantheon, Navona, Campo de' Fiori)sleepeatseeSuits: Walking everywhere, evening atmosphereThe most atmospheric base: piazzas, churches and restaurants on every street. Also the noisiest and the most expensive per room, and taxis cannot always reach the door.2 sights · 4 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Trevi, the Spanish Steps and Via VenetoseesleepSuits: Shopping, big-name hotels, Trevi at nightUpmarket streets between Termini and the river, with the Spagna and Barberini metro stops on line A. Very crowded by day around the two famous sights.2 sightsDistrict guide →
- Vatican and PratiseesleepeatSuits: A quiet, orderly base for the VaticanPrati is a grid of wide 19th-century streets with the Ottaviano and Lepanto metro stops on line A, good local restaurants and less tourist pressure. About 20 minutes by metro or taxi from the Colosseum.2 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- TrastevereeatsleepSuits: Dinner and nightlife across the riverA cobbled quarter of ivy, small restaurants and bars, busy and loud at night. Not on the metro; trams and buses connect it, and taxis are the easy way home late.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- Termini and EsquilinosleepSuits: Trains, airport express, budget bedsThe main rail and metro hub and the cheapest area for beds. The streets around the station are rougher at night; choose a hotel on a side street and take a taxi after dark.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Off the map: Rome Ciampino (CIA) (40–70 min by the usual route); Rome Fiumicino (FCO) (32–40 min by the usual route).
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Trastevere, Termini and Esquilino. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- Monti and the Colosseum: A village-like district of small streets, wine bars and restaurants, a 10-minute walk from the Colosseum and close to Cavour and Colosseo metro. Hilly and cobbled. Suits: A first-visit base with the Colosseum at the door. Price band $$.
- Historic centre (Pantheon, Navona, Campo de' Fiori): The most atmospheric base: piazzas, churches and restaurants on every street. Also the noisiest and the most expensive per room, and taxis cannot always reach the door. Suits: Walking everywhere, evening atmosphere. Price band $$$.
- Trevi, the Spanish Steps and Via Veneto: Upmarket streets between Termini and the river, with the Spagna and Barberini metro stops on line A. Very crowded by day around the two famous sights. Suits: Shopping, big-name hotels, Trevi at night.
- Vatican and Prati: Prati is a grid of wide 19th-century streets with the Ottaviano and Lepanto metro stops on line A, good local restaurants and less tourist pressure. About 20 minutes by metro or taxi from the Colosseum. Suits: A quiet, orderly base for the Vatican.
- Trastevere: A cobbled quarter of ivy, small restaurants and bars, busy and loud at night. Not on the metro; trams and buses connect it, and taxis are the easy way home late. Suits: Dinner and nightlife across the river.
- Termini and Esquilino: The main rail and metro hub and the cheapest area for beds. The streets around the station are rougher at night; choose a hotel on a side street and take a taxi after dark. Suits: Trains, airport express, budget beds.
- Sleep area Historic centre (Pantheon and Navona): suits Walking everywhere, evening atmosphere, price band $$$.
- Sleep area Monti and the Colosseum: suits A first-visit base with the Colosseum at the door, price band $$.
- Rome Ciampino (CIA), 40–70 min by the usual route.
- Rome Fiumicino (FCO), 32–40 min by the usual route.