Best Hotels in Rome (Updated May 2021)

FAQ: Rome vacations

Spring and fall are prime times to visit Rome. Warm days and breezy nights are excellent for walking, which is by far the best way to see the city.

Winter is usually mild, with temperatures remaining above freezing even at night. Summers are very hot, though you may catch a breeze if you head to one of the seven hilltops.

If you’re seeking an authentic Roman experience, plan to visit in any month except August, when many Italians have the entire month off work. The city empties out and a large number of shops and restaurants, with the exception of the ones that cater to tourists, close. 

Rome’s historic center, or centro storico, is the best area for tourists, as you’re walking distance from many top attractions. The center includes neighborhoods such as the Spanish Steps and Monti. If you’re planning to spend a fair amount of time exploring the Vatican and its extensive museums, Prati is a sensible option.

If you want to get a genuine feel for how Romans live, choose a residential area such as Aventine or Parioli, loaded with authentic flavor and color. 

What are the cheapest and most expensive times to visit Rome?

Winter is the least expensive time to visit. Romans bundle up even when the temperature hits 60 degrees Fahrenheit, so there’s limited outdoor dining and less colorful people-watching. Summer is high season and the most expensive time to vacation here. Even in August, when the locals head to the beach for their lengthy vacation, prices are high as hoteliers base their room rates on the influx of foreign tourists who flock to Rome all summer long. 

There are must-sees such as the Sistine Chapel, the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, and the Colosseum, but the Eternal City is much more than just the sum of its parts.  

Romans bear the weight of their city’s history with casual nonchalance.  You’ll see them buzzing around town on a Vespa, fully embracing the 21st-century lifestyle as well as the very Roman concept, la dolce vita. To fully experience Rome, do as the locals do and get lost wandering the back streets of Trastevere, linger over a three-hour lunch in Testaccio, and stroll the tree-lined paths of the city’s splendid parks.

Despite a modern veneer, Romans hold traditions tightly, especially when it comes to eating. 

The city’s foodways are glorious, and no visit is complete without indulging in mouth-watering local delicacies, including pasta cacio e pepe, supplì, and porchetta. 

As more Americans are vaccinated, domestic travel is increasing, with European travel also poised to get back on track this summer. Italy has just re-opened its borders to American leisure travelers, lifting many of the restrictions that had been in place for over a year. Fully vaccinated Americans traveling on flights departing from the US will no longer be required to quarantine upon arrival, though they will still need to take a COVID-19 test before departure and upon arrival. The situation is fluid, so check with your airline. 

Italy was hit hard by the pandemic, and COVID-19 safety measures are taken seriously by the government and citizens throughout Italy. Though the vaccine rollout was initially slow, the pace is picking up. 

While hotels do have common spaces such as lobbies, gyms, and restaurants where you will encounter other patrons, experts say that with proper precautions hotels are safe.