Rome Neighborhoods

The Tiber River runs north-south and cuts Rome in two, with most of the city center on the eastern side, except for the Vatican City and Trastevere on the west. Rome’s ancient streets are notoriously difficult to navigate; a good map is a must. Still, for the most part, the river, Termini, P. del Popolo, and the Vittoriano Monument are helpful landmarks that can serve as points of reference.

Ancient City

The Ancient City begins directly south of P. Venezia, the center of the city and home to the huge Vittorio Emanuele II Monument. Directly behind the monument, the Capitoline Hill, capped by Michelangelo’s ...more

Centro Storico

The medieval neighborhood of Rome spreads north and west from P. Venezia, bordered by Via del Corso on the east and the Tiber to the west. Corso Vittorio Emanuele II runs northwest from P. Venezia toward ...more

Piazza Di Spagna And The Corso

East of the Corso, stretching from P. Venezia up to Villa Borghese, is the area around the Spanish Steps. The famous steps themselves, which climb from Piazza di Spagna up to Piazza Trinità dei Monti ...more

Villa Borghese

Northeast of P. del Popolo and the Spanish Steps is the Villa Borghese , a vast park that is home to the zoo and several museums. Its verdant paths provide ample opportunity for strolling or rides on ...more

Borgo, Prati & Vatican City

Across the Tiber, northwest from the Centro Storico, is the Vatican City. Crossing the Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II from Corso Vittorio Emanuele II takes you directly to Via della Conciliazione, the avenue ...more

Trastevere

Trastevere, easily Rome’s most picturesque neighborhood—and certainly its most entertaining to navigate—is south of the Vatican and west, across the Tiber from the Centro Storico. Viale Trastevere ...more

Termini & San Lorenzo

Located east of the center of town, this is the area most people see first when arriving in Rome. Get used to it, because it’s also where most budget travelers stay. The neighborhood immediately northeast ...more

Aventine & Testaccio

Across the river from Trastevere and south of the Jewish Ghetto and the Ancient City are the posh Aventine Hill and the working-class Testaccio district. The former is full of interesting and less-traveled ...more

Farther South

South of the Aventine is Ostiense, a residential neighborhood with little to draw travelers; Marconi, which provides food to fuel late night clubbers; and Esposizione Universale Roma (EUR), Mussolini’s ...more