Best Location in Rome

Anything near the Pantheon would be good. It seems to be in the center of things.

Jarmine,

I also like the area around Termini station. If I can't walk to a particular attraction fro there, there's great access there to Metro, Bus or Taxi.

Termini is also convenient for ATM access, shops and a few restaurants, and there's a small "supermarket" on the floor below track level where one can obtain sandwiches, bottled water, etc. (almost like a Deli).

Happy travels!

Please use the search feature to do a little general research. Rome isn't really that big, so everything is available by foot, bus or subway.

What do you want to see? How long will you be in the city?

I prefer Trastevere. It has a quiet neighborhood atmosphere, but still has a vibrant nightlife and a lot of restaurants to choose from. Tram #8 is a very short ride into the center of things.

but Florence doesn't have the same sights as Rome -- there is a difference to what you will see on your walks. Florence is nice for walking, for sure, but it's a different city, different sights. If Rome's what you want to see, you have to pay the price for a good location for walking there. I stayed at the Hotel Due Torri - recommended in the Rick Steves Rome guidebook, and liked the hotel and it's location a lot, for my first time in Rome. Nice walking area.

Look at Hotel Nerva on Trip advisor-great central location

Mike DC

Personally, I prefer the Pantheon and Piazza Navona areas. They're full of charm and within easy distance of most major sights. At night these areas come to life and offer a variety of great restaurants and after dinner, they are nice to walk around with a gelato in hand. These areas can be pricier than the Trastevere or Termini areas but in my opinion, it's worth it.

Agree with others that staying within walking distance of the Pantheon is ideal. We also liked Hotel Due Torri--five minute walk to all the best sights including Campo Fiori. The area around the Termini is charmless and has very few good restaurants.

My first trip to Rome I stayed right on Via Cavour near the Colosseum. The location was fine, but I felt a little far from almost everything. I will be staying in the Navona/Pantheon area next year for sure, even if it costs a bit more.

Another vote for Piazza Navona/Pantheon. It will also mean you are close to the Vatican.

We also prefer the Pantheon and Piazza Navona areas. We are easily able to walk to almost all the sites we want to see from there.

The Pantheon is the best area. It is within walking distance to everything. It's about a short walk to Trevi & Spanish Steps. Then you have Via Corso (the main shopping street) just a couple of blocks to the east. It is a couple of blocks away to Piazza Navona to the west. A little farther to Campo di Fiori. It's a half a mile to Piazza del Popolo, a little less than a half mile to Vittorio Emmanuelle Monument & Capitoline Hill. It's about a mile to the Coliseum & the Forum. It's also near the Tiber River (which makes a wonderful evening walk of a mile or so). It's about a mile and a half to the Vatican. I know this because we walked to all of these places. Plot your course before you leave on Google Earth. Wear good worn in walking shoes. You gonna need em.

For those who favor The Pantheon area, hotel recommendations?

Top of the Spanish Steps.

Hotel Hassler.

Very convenient and a great view of the city from the rooms.

Near Pantheon.
Grand Hotel de la Minerve.
Close to everything, and they have a pretty good continental breakfast.

Near the Villa Borghese and right on the Via Veneto
there is always the Westin Excelsior. ;)

We stayed near Campo di Fiori and thought it was an excellent location. Previously had stayed off Via Nazionale but preferred the Campo location.

Re. the above posting--we stayed at Hotel Smeraldo. Rooms were small but very nice and the a/c was top notch!

Never stayed at a hotel in Roma, too expensive. Only stayed at B&B's. Lots of them in the city center. Go to www.cross-pollinate.com for a whole bunch of them. Much more reasonable.

I'd stay near the pantheon. It's central (for the most part) and frankly, I can sit in that piazza and stare at that church all day.