With so much history, culture, architecture, and art, there are few better places in the world to live than Rome Italy. Metropolitan Rome is spread over almost 500 square miles, making it bigger than New York City, and offering many great neighborhoods to live in.
Rome is a popular place for English speaking expats to live because of its amazing mix of culture, delicious food and things to do at a reasonable cost of living. As such, there are over 500,000 non-Italian people living in the city, almost 12% of the total population.
But with so many neighborhoods to choose from in such a wide area, it can be hard to know where to start. There are 18 districts in Rome, from the historic city center to the outskirts.
We’ve narrowed down our list to eight of the best Rome neighborhoods, each with its own unique features:
Things to consider when choosing a place to live in Rome
Rome’s neighborhoods may all look alike for an outsider, but they differ in terms of vibe, things to do and costs. If you will be renting an apartment in Rome, choosing an area that is both nice, in a good location and it is affordable takes some local knowledge and insight.
One of the biggest things you should consider when choosing where to live in Rome is the location and ease of access. Besides the major bureaucratic tendencies, most expats’ and locals’ biggest gripe with the Eternal City is its inconvenient, inconsistent bus system. This can be especially frustrating if you’re coming from a big city with organized and timely transport.
Though there are plenty of buses, they do not follow a schedule at all, especially if you’re outside of the center of Rome. If you’re relying on something like Google Maps for the bus schedule, you should always add 20 to 30 minutes on top of the estimated travel time and beware of routes with lots of bus transfers. Sometimes you’ll catch the bus immediately; other times, you’ll wait ages.
With that in mind, the best neighborhoods in Rome are either centrally located or accessible by tram, train, or metro line. Though the buses are inconsistent, you can always rely on these other train-style transportation options. Not only do they run (mostly) on time, but they are also situated off the major roads, so they won’t get stuck in the major traffic jams during rush hour.
Here are the eight best neighborhoods in Rome to live in:
1. Monti
Not only is Monti a stone’s throw away from popular landmarks like the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and so much more, but it is somehow less touristy than other places like Trastevere. Wandering around the streets of Monti is like teleporting into a small town.
Still, despite it being quieter than neighborhoods in the heart of Rome, there is still a lot going on in the neighborhood. It certainly has plenty of nightlife, great osterias, cafes, and shopping locations in the area. Parco del Colle Oppio, in the center of the neighborhood, offers fresh air and even a basketball court that overlooks the Colosseum.
But the best part of the neighborhood may be how well-connected it is. Though the neighborhood itself technically doesn’t have a metro stop, there are plenty of stations surrounding it, and Roma Termini, the central train station, is about five blocks outside the area.
2. Pigneto
If you’re looking for a trendy place to live, Pigneto is definitely the place for you. Plenty of people say that Pigneto doesn’t feel like it’s in Rome, but that’s one of the reasons why it has attracted a diverse population. University students, immigrants, and locals all love to call this neighborhood home.
Pigneto is one of the hippest areas in Rome, with vintage shops, dive bars, and amazing food, both Italian and foreign, there’s lots of variety that the city (and country) often lacks.
But interestingly, the area historically and into the present has a progressive and left-leaning presence. In the 1940s, it was the center of the anti-fascist movement for Romans and became a mecca for free-thinkers, artists, and progressives.
Now, its welcoming atmosphere attracts Rome’s LGBTQ+ community, students, and atypical personalities. With amazing nightlife, a wide range of architecture, and a metro stop, this is one of the best places to stay in Rome.
3. Monteverde
If you’re looking for the best areas to live in Rome with a family, Monteverde is the place for you. Located along the 8 tram line on top of Gianicolo Hill, this quiet neighborhood is a great place to settle, yet still within half an hour of the heart of Rome.
The best part of the neighborhood is Villa Pamphili, once a villa of Doria Pamphili but now the largest public park in Rome. Running paths, free yoga sessions, basketball and tennis courts, and so much more are all in the 180 hectares of public space. It’s the perfect place for a morning run or a dog walk.
The neighborhood, of course, has plenty of amazing restaurants, cafes, and stores, but the area is especially nice for families because it has a great selection of private and public schools. If you don’t mind being away from the hubbub of central Rome (but not too far away), Monteverde is the best neighborhood for you.
4. Campo de Fiori
Though the literal translation of “Campo de Fiori” is field of flowers, this area of town is much more like one large piazza. If you’re the type that loves to stay in their neighborhood but also likes to be social, Campo de Fiori is one of the best places to live in Rome.
In the center of the neighborhood is Campo de Fiori’s piazza, a bustling neighborhood market that attracts locals and tourists alike. You can walk through the cobbled streets and soak up all the history, visit museums, monuments, churches, and more. In the evenings, there are plenty of outdoor bars and restaurants to enjoy an aperitivo and light snack before dinner.
Besides all of the amazing things to do inside Campo de Fiori, there are so many things to do within walking distance. The Vatican is a 15-minute walk, and the Colosseum five to ten. Also, the Pantheon, Trastevere, and Via del Corso are all within walking distance away. Though it’s not near a major train station or metro stop, this is one of the only areas you can rely on the busses to be consistent.
5. Testaccio
Testaccio is best encapsulated by its famous slaughterhouse, which is now a modern-art museum. This transformation summarizes the neighborhood well; a once working-class part of town that has mixed with expats and young professionals.
Testaccio offers reasonably affordable housing, but best of all, it has some of the best restaurants in Rome. Try the Caico Pepe at Felice, or enjoy an early evening aperitivo in the rooftop garden of Evangeline. You’ll also find locals, expats, and business professionals at Oasi della Birra, ordering beer or wine and taking it to the piazza across the street or wandering down the sycamore-lined street of via Galvnia.
Testaccio is also a well-connected neighborhood, too, with busses, trams, and the Piramide metro stop within walkable distance.
6. San Saba
On the opposite side of the Colosseum is San Saba, a highly sought-after neighborhood. This area is surrounded by lush green parks, has amazing transportation, and is conveniently centrally located, making it one of the best neighborhoods to live in Rome.
The catch? It’s the most expensive neighborhood on our list.
Parco Savello, an old monastic orange grove and the municipal rose garden on the Aventine hill, and the Baths of Caracalla, the best-preserved thermal baths, are just three of the many places you can enjoy in this neighborhood.
If you’re moving to Rome with disposable income and have a family, San Saba is the best place to stay, especially with their amazing schools and family-friendly activities.
7. Ostiense
Ostiense is another affordable Rome neighborhood and well-connected, making it rank among the best places to stay in Rome. Like many major industrial areas around the world, Ostiense has quietly modernized most of the neighborhood. It’s most well-known for its amazing street art and murals and scene of counterculture.
Ostiense is a unique part of town in that it has a great mix of nightlife as well as being a good spot for families. Many of the warehouses and factories have been converted to restaurants, clubs, and bars, though they are far enough outside of the residential buildings that you can easily avoid the loud late-night partiers.
The neighborhood has plenty of schools and universities, farmer’s markets, restaurants, bars, and cafes which attracts locals and international citizens alike.
8. Prati
Prati is another diverse part of Rome, providing modern luxuries, tourist attractions, sleepy and quiet areas, and traditional cultural points. Vatican City and Castel Sent’ Angelo are right next door to this beautiful neighborhood, and it’s just across the Tiber River from the historical center.
In addition to those perks, the area is along the Metro Line A, meaning many of the most popular places in Rome are just a metro ride away. Prati is known as the quiet side of Rome, and you’ll notice a subtle difference in this part of town. Tons of greenery and wider streets, boutique shops, and higher-end restaurants are what you can expect.
However, as a mainly white-collar neighborhood, this is one of the nicest neighborhoods in Rome. Though this is certainly an authentic and convenient location, you can expect to pay over €1,500 to rent a one-bedroom apartment.
Getting ready to move to Italy? You may also be interested in:
Expat’s starter guide to living in Italy
Best jobs in Italy for English speaking expats
