I am thinking about booking a room at Bed and Breakfast Giovy. I have heard nothing but great things about the place but I have heard mixed reviews on the neighborhood. The B&B is two blocks west of the main train station. How is that area?
Posted by
Saint Helens, OR, USA
304 posts
We stayed in the Termini area in 2006, on Princepe Amedeo at a little B&B. That area is known as Little India. To me, as with the rest of Roma, it seemed perfectly safe. Better than some areas in Portland.
I would recommend looking it over on Google Earth "Street View". It'll show you exactly what it looks like from a sidewalk view. By the way, we were in Rome in June of this year(2009). DaVinci Airport & Termini Station showed signs of improvement when it came to beggars. There were none. Maybe the government ran them out. The thieves are probably a little harder to spot.
Posted by
Coraopolis, Pa, USA
1018 posts
This year we stayed at the b&b Armonio All' Opera on Via Viminale across the street from the Roma Opera House. The place was new and nice costing 90 euro for 2. I found it on venere.com and it is a 10 minute walk from Stazione Termini. We will probably stay there again next year.
Buon viaggio,
RB
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
Termini station has its conveniences of being near to the main subway artery, Leonardo Express to the airport, and trains like the EuroStar to other destinations. However, if I'm going to be there more than 1 or 2 nights I would much prefer to stay around Campo dei Fiori, Piazza Navona or the Pantheon in the historical center of old Rome. The Spanish Steps, in my mind, is WAY overrated and Trevi Fountain is just bustling with tourists and rose peddlers.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32249 posts
Scott,
This question of the "Termini neighborhood" seems to come up on a regular basis on the HelpLine. I'm not sure where these "mixed reviews" are originating?
Based on my experiences, the Termini area is no better or worse than other part of Rome. It's naturally much busier than other parts of course. I've never had any difficulty at all or felt "threatened", either in the station itself or walking around day or night.
Of course, given the number of people that pass through Termini every day, there's certainly a greater concentration of pickpockets and "scammers" so normal precautions are definitely a good idea. Wear a Money Belt and be aware of those around you! There's also a more visible Police presence in the station, including the Carabinieri.
I've also noticed an abundance of "the usual suspects" in the Piazza della Repubblica, outside Santa Maria in Trastevere Church and other locations, so it's a good idea to be vigilant in any part of Rome.
Happy travels!