Where to stay in Rome with kids: the most reliable guide to the Eternal City areas (with map)

Are you planning to visit Rome and are now trying to figure out where to stay in Rome with kids? Which is the best neighbourhood? Which area will be more convenient for the tourist attractions but also for local life?

Planning the perfect itinerary to visit Rome could already be overwhelming, here we will help you to narrow down where to stay in Rome with a family to enjoy an extraordinary time.

This guide will help make your decision easier by providing all the information you need about Rome’s best neighbourhoods to stay in. From convenience to activities, we’ve got you covered!

Rome with kids can be a lot of fun, but it’s also essential to choose the right area to stay in. Plus, we’ve included a list of the best hotels in each area so that you can rest easy knowing your accommodation is taken care of. All the hotels I suggest can offer a room for at least 2 adults and 2 kids, in some cases more. I added only two options that are only for three people, they are beautiful hotels that could still be worth considering for some families.

I am originally from Rome and since I had kids six years ago, I started to rediscover the city from a different point of view. Even though I now live abroad I go to Rome four times a year and so I will be able to help you discover where to stay in Rome with kids that is more convenient for you and your family based on your interests.

HOT TIP: When we travel, if possible I tend to pick an accomodation with a swimming pool, so the kids could have half an hour of fun after a busy day. In the best areas to stay in Rome for families, not many hotels offer this opportunity. To get a big hotel with swimming pools you will need to look quite out of the city centre. Unless you are planning to stay at least a week I wouldn’t recommend this option as you will waste a lot of time commuting.

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The central area of Rome consists of 22 Rioni, and in some cases, like Trastevere, the area is still identified with the “rione” name. However some of these Rioni are quite small and even for a resident could be challenging to identify the border, and their names are less used.

For example, Campo dei Fiori and Piazza Navona are part of Rione Parione, but many Romans would not be able to tell you where that area is because everybody identifies it by the names of the two most important squares.

In this guide, we will refer to the rione where relevant or we will identify the different areas by the most famous tourist attractions. Here are the Rioni/areas we will discuss in detail:

• Zona Campo dei Fiori/Piazza Navona/Pantheon – The best area to stay in Rome first time

• Zona Piazza del Popolo/ Piazza di Spagna – Best area for retail therapy

• Trevi – Best area for a charming Instagram spot

• Rione Monti – The best area to blend in with locals

• Termini Station – The best location to stay in Rome on a budget

• Trastevere – The best place to stay in Rome for foodies

• Zona Colosseo/Ghetto – Most central area

• I wouldn’t consider Prati and Testaccio, but they are a good option to visit for great restaurants and nightlife

For each area I will highlight why to stay there, the closest things to see and do, and the best accommodation. For the details of all the things to see and do check out the 4 days in Rome itinerary. If you are still debating how many days to spend in Rome I can tell you that it really depends on what you want to do and see, but four to five will give you time to visit some of the main attractions but also enjoy the Roman dolce vita!

HOT TIP: Some people will tell you that if you stay in the city centre you will just be surrounded by tourists. Nothing is less accurate! Of course, there will be lots of tourists, but the city centre of Rome is really lived by locals. Normal people live there, not just VIPs and they shop and dine side by side with tourists.

COMPARISON CHART

Campo dei Fiori / Piazza Navona/ Pantheon area – First time

This is one of the most central areas in Rome. You can easily walk to all the main tourist attractions, which makes it the best area to stay in Rome for first time visitor.

Piazza Navona is one of the most beautiful squares in Rome and it’s just a few steps from Campo dei Fiori, where there is a daily market with fresh fruit and vegetables, souvenirs, and clothes.

In this area there are a lot of restaurants, some of them are really touristic but if you walk around a bit you can find some hidden gems where the locals go.

Staying here with kids is perfect as you can easily walk to all the major attractions you want to see on your first visit to Rome.

Accommodation

Best things to do and see near Campo dei Fiori/Piazza Navona/Pantheon

• Visit the Campo dei Fiori during the day and at night
• Try to get a glimpse of the majestic paintings inside Palazzo Farnese from Piazza della Cancelleria
• Wander around the narrow streets of the Jewish ghetto
• Visit the Pantheon
• Go and look for “Maria pe’ Roma”
• Take a coffee at the famous Caffe Sant’Eustacchio
• Try Roscioli for pizza al taglio, to eat a Michelin star Roman meal, or to rest at their new coffee shop
• Walk over the romantic Ponte Sisto to reach Trastevere
• Read what Pasquino said
• Admire the Four River fountain and laugh at the story of the Bernini-Borromini competition

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Piazza del Popolo/ Piazza di Spagna area – Retail therapy

Piazza del Popolo and Piazza di Spagna are two of the most famous squares in Rome. From here it is really easy to walk to the main attractions you want to visit, but it is also the best connected to the biggest park in the city centre, Villa Borghese.

If your kids are still quite young then it could be a good option for where to stay in Rome with family as you can end each day in the park where they can run around, play in the playground, or even take a boat ride on the lake.

If you stay here, you’ll be in the midst of one of the city’s more exclusive shopping areas. In the evening this is a little bit quieter but during the day it could be quite crowded and a bit chaotic.

In this area, you will find some of the most luxurious hotels, it is not easy to find great accommodation for a really low price. Below I have highlighted the best options for location, services, and price.

Accommodation

Best things to do and see near Piazza del Popolo / Piazza di Spagna

• Climb the Spanish Steps (of course)
• Visit Villa Borghese
• Watch the sunset from Pincio terrace (above Piazza del Popolo)
• Shop ’til you drop
• Drink water from “La Barcaccia” ( the fountain in front of the Spanish steps)
• Visit Explora museum
• Visit Mausoleo di Augusto (Ara Pacis)

Trevi – Instagram spot

Trevi is best known for its fountain where it is said, if you throw a coin in, you are guaranteed to come back to Rome. It’s a really central area, not far from the Spanish Steps and the luxury shopping street Via Condotti.

Trevi is one of the most famous and touristic areas of Rome. During the day the crowd around the fountain areas and the streets beside it could really put you off, but if you stay close by then you can easily visit the fountain again in the evening when you could possibly manage pictures without people around you.

If you walk a short distance away from the fountain however, there are still lovely empty streets, charming corners, and excellent eateries to explore.

Accommodations

Best things to do near Trevi

• Through a coin in the Trevi Fountain
• Walk over the Spanish steps
• Visit Villa Borghese
• Visit Colosseum
• Visit the Roman Forum
• Go shopping

Rione Monti – Blend with locals

Rione Monti is the first “rione” of Rome, and is located just behind the Colosseum. It’s a really central and convenient area, but less touristic than other areas like Trevi or Campo dei Fiori.

In this area, you can find some great restaurants, as well as a lot of small independent shops and cafes.

It’s perfect if you want to experience the “real” Rome, but still be close to all the main attractions. This is one of my favourite areas in Rome, it is charming and alive with that authentic feel that can tend to be lost in more central areas. It strikes the perfect balance between being central and touristic.

If your children are older and eager to walk a bit farther, or if it’s your second time in Rome, I recommend staying in Monti.

Some of the further away areas can be easily reached by bus. Take no.64 to go to the Vatican City or no.590 to Villa Borghese.

Accommodation

Best things to do and see near Rione Monti

• Explore Rione Monti (of course)
• Walk down to the Imperial and Roman Forum
• Visit the Colosseum
• Visit the Domus Aurea
• Visit San Clement basilic and the archaeological excavation
• Search for the Moses statue (from Michelangelo) in “San Pietro in Vincoli” basilic
• Stop for a drink/dinner at the wine shop “I tre scalini”
• Blend with locals at “Piazza della Madonna dei Monti”

Trastevere – Foodies

Trastevere is on the other side of the river from most of Rome’s tourist attractions, but it’s well worth the effort to cross over. It’s a lovely area with narrow cobbled streets and pretty squares.

In Trastevere you can really feel like a local, even if there are lots of tourists staying and visiting the area (especially at night) it still has a really authentic feel. Many people find this the best area to stay in Rome with kids for its more laid back setting.

There are some great restaurants here, as well as a lot of bars and cafes with outdoor seating – perfect for people-watching. In Trastevere you will find many restaurants that offer authentic roman dishes, it’s worth reading this Rome food guide to understand what to expect from this unique culinary experience!

If you stay in Trastevere, you’ll be close to the Gianicolo hill which has fantastic views over Rome. This is a great place to bring the kids to see the military cannon that every day at noon fires a shot to mark the time.

If you want to walk it’s about 25-30 minutes to Piazza Venezia or you can take bus no.44

Accomodation

Best things to do and see near Trastevere

• Get lost around the charming corners in Trastevere
• Visit the Botanical Gardens
• At 12 noon go to the top of the Gianicolo hill to listen to the cannon
• Visit the Vatican Museum
• Visit Castel Sant’Angelo
• Walk over the romantic Ponte Sisto in the evening
• Walk over to the “Tiberina Island”
• Enjoy the food available at any corner

Termini Central station – Budget

The area around the main train station, Stazione Termini, is not the most picturesque or charming in Rome. However, it’s a really central area and well connected to public transport.

If you’re looking for a more affordable place to stay, this is a good area to consider. There are a lot of B&Bs and apartments in this area, as well as some budget hotels.

Just be aware that the streets around the station can be a bit noisy at night.

Accommodation

Best things to do and see near Termini station

• Explore Rione Monti
• Walk down to the Imperial and Roman Forum
• Visit the Colosseum
• Visit the Domus Aurea
• Go to an exhibition at “Palazzo del Esposizioni”
• Visit San Clement basilic and the archaeological excavation
• Vist Santa Maria Maggiore basilic
• Go for a night out in the close by student neighbourhood “San Lorenzo”
• Search for the Moses statue (from Michelangelo) in “San Pietro in Vincoli” basilic

Colosseum / Jewish Ghetto – most central

The Colosseum area is quite vast if you include the Roman and Imperial Forum, the Mercati Traianei, il Vittoriano, and Colle Oppio (where the Domus Aurea is located). I have included it here even if there aren’t many properties available around it, but it is of course an excellent choice.

I didn’t include in the map the area between the Colosseum and San Giovanni in Laterano basilic, because it is less practical.

The Jewish quarter (in Rome is still called Jewish Ghetto) is a lovely area nestled between the Roman Forum and Campo dei Fiori. I didn’t include it with Campo dei Fiori as it has its own distinct identity and it stretches quite far down towards the Tiber and the Tiberina island. If you stay here you will have a really good connection with Trastevere.

Accommodation

Best things to do and see near Colosseum/Jewish Quarter

• Explore the Colosseum
• Visit the Roman Forum
• Visit the Domus aurea
• Walk around the Jewish quarter
• Try some Roman speciality you can rarely find outside the Jewish quarter
• Walk to Tiberina island
• Walk to Circo Massimo
• Test the “Bocca della Verita'”

Prati and Testaccio area

If you’re looking for a convenient area to stay in Rome with kids, the Prati and Testaccio areas are not the best places to stay in Rome for families. While there are some great things to do in these neighbourhoods, in my opinion they are a bit too far away from the main tourist attractions.

If you stay in Prati you will be really close to the Vatican city, and Testaccio is a great area for foodies with its many restaurants and cafes. However, both these areas are quite far from the Colosseum and the rest of the attractions you will want to visit.

Of course, public transport is available. The metro station Ottaviano is located in Prati and from there you can easily reach the Vatican City or Piazza del Popolo.

In Testaccio, you could use buses to connect with more central areas

Conclusion

I hope this guide gave you a great overview of the best places to stay in Rome for families. If you have any questions just let me know in the comments below!