We will be a group of 6 adults (3 couples) visiting in Rome in the fall. I've convinced the group that an apartment would be a more economical option (both in terms of the rate but also having a kitchen to cook some meals in), only now I'm in charge of finding one! If it were just myself and my husband, I like the idea of Travestere- looks like a cute old neighborhood. However, I think some of the others would prefer to be closer to the sights rather than having to take public transport everywhere. Plus for the size apt we would need I'm finding limited options in the main part of Travestere anyway. Any thoughts on a good compromise- somewhere with a neighborhood feel and good local restaurants but maybe a bit closer to some of the attractions? I was thinking perhaps Prati as that would be convenient to the Vatican (where we'd spend one day) or somewhere near Piazza Navona/Pantheon. Any thoughts?
Posted by
Baltimore, MD
9 posts
Rome is pretty spread-out, and public transportation is difficult. They don't have as useful a subway as Paris or New York or even DC. If there are certain attractions you know you want to see, then stay near them. But if you want to go all over and get to the Vatican, Forum, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, etc., you're going to be travelling a lot no matter where you stay. So you might as well stay in Trastevere. Just aim for a quiet area. For getting around, Rome is a great place to rent scooters if you feel competent riding them. It's a very dangerous place to do it if you're a newbie.
We figured out the things we wanted to see ahead of time and grouped them in areas of the city. Then we'd head to that area (e.g. the Spanish Steps) and check off all the things around there we wanted to do (e.g. Villa Borghese, shopping the Via Condotti, coffee at Caffé Greco, etc) all at the same time. Then figure out how you're getting to the next area.
Also, for visiting the Vatican, I HIGHLY recommend splurging on a private tour. A good tour guide will get you around lines, and get you right to the things you want to see, while also being able to give you great information about what you're looking at. We saw more in four hours with our guide than we would have seen in two days without him.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11852 posts
Prati is great and has wonderful public transportation options. There's Metro, buses galore, and tram. You can also walk to Piazza Navona area in 20 minutes or so depending on where you are in Prati.
Posted by
Canada
116 posts
I always recommend the Jewish ghetto. It is central to everything and rich with character.
Posted by
Wilmington, DE, USA
1074 posts
anything near the Pantheon or Piazza Navona puts you in wonderful walking distance of just about everything. Trastevere is great but look at the map - a lot of the apartments are really quite a hike to anywhere else. I keep looking at Trastevere for my annual two weeks in Rome but keep going back to the Navona area. Guess it has become "home" for me after 10 years.
Posted by
OP
55 posts
Thanks all! I think we've narrowed it down between a few apts in Prati and Centro Storico (near piazza navona). Thanks for the idea about the Jewish Ghetto too. Ruling out Trastevere, I'd be too concerned about ending up on a noisy street. When planning for a group, I'd rather err on the conservative side!
One other question- any preferences on rental agencies/websites? We've found seemingly good options on vrbo, airbnb, roman reference, and cross pollinate. For vrbo, I'm only considering rentals with a decent amount of reviews. Has anyone had any particularly good/bad experiences with any of these options?
Posted by
Canada
116 posts
I have used all of the rental sites. You will find that some owners advertise on multiple sites. I have been scammed once but it is only because I didn't go with my gut instinct that things just didn't seem right. I still would not hesitate to use any of the main stream rental sites.
Posted by
Pennsylvania, USA
38 posts
We are also 3 couples traveling to Rome in Sept. I booked an apt through VRBO #554693. It is 3 bdrm, 3 bath. Near Colosseum, Trevi, etc. Off Via Nationale so also close to Termini. Might be worth taking a look. Reasonably priced for Rome I think and a great location if you wish to be close to these sites.
Buona fortuna e buon viaggio!
Posted by
roswell, ga, usa
1501 posts
I don't know if you've made your decision yet, or how old you are, but I always stay in the Prati area now. Contrary to another poster, I find the transportation pretty easy in Rome, and with Prati being near the Vatican, there are many options for bus travel throughout the city. The Prati is quiet at night, but I also enjoy Trastevere (I'm early 60's)
My favorite restaurant in Rome is in the Prati: Piacere Molise on Via Candia. Nice, small, family-owned. When we first started going ten years ago, no tourists, and no English spoken. Now several hotels in the area recommend them and there are occasional tourists. Thursday is Gnocci night, my favorite!
Any pizza place that says "forno al legna" means wood oven, and this is where you'll get your best pizza, and there is one small one on Via Candia also. This advice goes for all of Rome, re pizza.
Have a great trip, I'm crying now at the thought of that pizza!
Posted by
Saint Helens, OR, USA
304 posts
Try the Ghetto area. Lot's of nice economical apartments in this neighborhood (it's far from being a ghetto by the way). It's near the historic area and very convenient. We found a place near Campo di Fiori and Piazza Farnese. Great location!
Posted by
OP
55 posts
Thanks again guys! We've whittled through the listings and narrowed it down to a couple apts in Prati and Piazza Navona/Pantheon, but leaning towards the latter to be a bit more central. I actually really liked the look of the Campo de Fiori/Ghetto area, but just couldn't find something that suited our needs (I found a good 3BR/3BA, but there was a dealbreaker for one of the other couples). So we'll have to check out the area for dinner instead! Also definitely want to check out Trastevere.