Airbnbs in Rome
September 16, 2019 7:38 AM Subscribe
My mom and her friends are doing a quick trip to Rome at the end of October and have solicited my help in the planning. Mom and friends are in their mid-60s and it will be their first time in Rome (and Italy).
Looking for recommendations of specific neighborhoods where they can get an airbnb, as well as your favorite Rome recommendations. They enjoy food, leisurely (very leisurely) strolls, museums, a bit of shopping.
Looking for recommendations of specific neighborhoods where they can get an airbnb, as well as your favorite Rome recommendations. They enjoy food, leisurely (very leisurely) strolls, museums, a bit of shopping.
We stayed here in Trastevere and it was fantastic. It's a good neighbourhood for restaurants and strolling and there's good tram connections to the more central areas. Only downside with the apartment is lots of stairs to get up there.
posted by crocomancer at 8:11 AM on September 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by crocomancer at 8:11 AM on September 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
The phrase you want is: if the routine use of stairs is not an issue, if so ___
It’s an issue for my younger-than-that male spouse and informs our family outings and vacation rentals considerably.
posted by childofTethys at 8:24 AM on September 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
It’s an issue for my younger-than-that male spouse and informs our family outings and vacation rentals considerably.
posted by childofTethys at 8:24 AM on September 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
I stayed at this AirBNB and it was fantastic. Super close to the vatican and the vatican museums. Not too bad stair-wise. I was also travelling with elderly relatives.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 8:53 AM on September 16, 2019
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 8:53 AM on September 16, 2019
My absolute favorite recommendation in Rome is the Galleria Borghese. Lovely park, beautiful museum, stunning Bernini sculptures.
posted by Cobalt at 9:28 AM on September 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Cobalt at 9:28 AM on September 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
As they look at listings, remind them that the "1st floor" in Europe is the first floor above ground level, or what is called in the US "2nd floor" - a single flight of stairs is usually something I can handle (in my mid-sixties myself!).
We really love the area around Piazza Navona and Campo di Fiori (although not directly ON the latter - too noisy). That neighborhood is super close to nearly everything, and good food abounds.
PM for a specific Air bnb rec.
posted by dbmcd at 10:00 AM on September 16, 2019
We really love the area around Piazza Navona and Campo di Fiori (although not directly ON the latter - too noisy). That neighborhood is super close to nearly everything, and good food abounds.
PM for a specific Air bnb rec.
posted by dbmcd at 10:00 AM on September 16, 2019
We stayed near the spanish steps, in a hotel, which was nice and central and we were able to walk everywhere. If I ever go back, instead of a hotel in the city center, I would get an airbnb in the Trastevere neighborhood. It is very walkable, with lovely strolls along the river, and lots of lovely restaurants and shops. It's a little away from the extremely touristy insanity of the city center but gives you all the Rome you want, and it's easy to get to all of the sights.
One challenge about Rome is that the public transport is not so hot (when I was there, half the stations were closed, and it was very hard to buy tickets if you didn't have exact change as the ticket machines were often out of change or not taking bills, or there were long lines for the ones that did). I was a bit afraid to take taxis/uber because the traffic was crazy, so I just walked everywhere. It was possible because it's relatively small but we walked a LOT.
posted by pazazygeek at 10:00 AM on September 16, 2019
One challenge about Rome is that the public transport is not so hot (when I was there, half the stations were closed, and it was very hard to buy tickets if you didn't have exact change as the ticket machines were often out of change or not taking bills, or there were long lines for the ones that did). I was a bit afraid to take taxis/uber because the traffic was crazy, so I just walked everywhere. It was possible because it's relatively small but we walked a LOT.
posted by pazazygeek at 10:00 AM on September 16, 2019
Hi if we could stop referring to people who are 60 as elderly, that would be great.
I third Trastevere; it's all the benefits of a central location and also all of the benefits of a quieter residential neighbourhood.
posted by DarlingBri at 10:38 AM on September 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
I third Trastevere; it's all the benefits of a central location and also all of the benefits of a quieter residential neighbourhood.
posted by DarlingBri at 10:38 AM on September 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
my understanding from OP's referring to "very leisurely" strolls was that these particular 60 year old ladies are not looking to be challenged physically.
Personally I wouldn't stay in Trastevere if the goal is to see museums (the definition of "museum" gets flexible in Rome, by the way: while there are one or two standard "museums", like the superb Museo Nazionale at the Palazzo Massimo, one of the joys of Rome is that most of its world-class art is displayed in situ, in the churches for which it was commissioned, and where it can be viewed in context and mostly for free. There are museums displaying archaeological finds that can't remain outside; some, like the ones at Trajan's Markets, display finds in restored ancient buildings. In some cases the ancient buildings themselves are basically a museum.) But Trastevere is nice, just a little farther from most of the central spots (and it has its own lovely neighborhoods, great food, and some very atmospheric churches.)
posted by fingersandtoes at 11:14 AM on September 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
Personally I wouldn't stay in Trastevere if the goal is to see museums (the definition of "museum" gets flexible in Rome, by the way: while there are one or two standard "museums", like the superb Museo Nazionale at the Palazzo Massimo, one of the joys of Rome is that most of its world-class art is displayed in situ, in the churches for which it was commissioned, and where it can be viewed in context and mostly for free. There are museums displaying archaeological finds that can't remain outside; some, like the ones at Trajan's Markets, display finds in restored ancient buildings. In some cases the ancient buildings themselves are basically a museum.) But Trastevere is nice, just a little farther from most of the central spots (and it has its own lovely neighborhoods, great food, and some very atmospheric churches.)
posted by fingersandtoes at 11:14 AM on September 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
Trastevere or Campo de Fiori.
posted by sallybrown at 11:40 AM on September 16, 2019
posted by sallybrown at 11:40 AM on September 16, 2019
We once stayed at a great place near Campo di Fiori, which is unfortunately no longer listed. But I strongly recommend the area. Also Trastevere, but it does add an extra ten minutes to a lot of destinations.
When I first visited Rome, I stayed near the Piazza del Popolo, and I still love that area. Now when I go, I'm at work, and have to choose hotels on a list my workplace will accept. I can't really recommend them.
It's getting harder to find good restaurants and cafés in the Centro Storico (historical center), but for first time visitors that is where they want to be. Here are some places just out of my head: La Buca di Ripetta (high-end), di Pietro al Pantheon, Baccanale on Campo di Fiori (it's a tourist trap in a way, but if you stick to Roman food it's surprisingly good and not expensive and has a terrasse on the campo), Trattoria da Enzo al 29 (totally cult, you have to be there in advance, even after you have made a reservation), Antica Osteria da Giovanni (really old-school), 'gusto (fashionable, modern), the rooftop bar on the top of la Rinascente.
Bring a picnic for visiting the Forum Romanum and Palatine, remember to bring water.
I like visiting the less known sights, like Palazzo Spada and Santa Maria della Pace. And also just walking about and going into all the churches and many other places that are open to the public for free.
posted by mumimor at 11:45 AM on September 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
When I first visited Rome, I stayed near the Piazza del Popolo, and I still love that area. Now when I go, I'm at work, and have to choose hotels on a list my workplace will accept. I can't really recommend them.
It's getting harder to find good restaurants and cafés in the Centro Storico (historical center), but for first time visitors that is where they want to be. Here are some places just out of my head: La Buca di Ripetta (high-end), di Pietro al Pantheon, Baccanale on Campo di Fiori (it's a tourist trap in a way, but if you stick to Roman food it's surprisingly good and not expensive and has a terrasse on the campo), Trattoria da Enzo al 29 (totally cult, you have to be there in advance, even after you have made a reservation), Antica Osteria da Giovanni (really old-school), 'gusto (fashionable, modern), the rooftop bar on the top of la Rinascente.
Bring a picnic for visiting the Forum Romanum and Palatine, remember to bring water.
I like visiting the less known sights, like Palazzo Spada and Santa Maria della Pace. And also just walking about and going into all the churches and many other places that are open to the public for free.
posted by mumimor at 11:45 AM on September 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
If mobility is an important factor you should look for apartments in the center or nearest to whatever sights the group is most interested in visiting. If a 20-30 minute walk isn't a problem, Monti and Trastevere are only a little bit removed from the central part of the city (Monti is actually right next to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum) and both are great neighborhoods for apartments and for wandering around, with lots of good places to eat, interesting shops, and a more laid-back, residential atmosphere.
If you're looking for an apartment in Trastevere, you may want to stick to the southern/southeastern parts of neighborhood, where you'll find it's a bit quieter in the evenings away from the cluster of bars and restaurants near the Ponte Sisto. That would make for a longer walk to the sights of the central city, though, and it's also not particularly close to the Vatican Museum, which has its entrance located on the far northern side of Vatican City. However, there is a tram that runs through Trastevere and terminates near the center. In Monti I'd recommend looking north and west of Via Cavour.
It's definitely possible to find some Airbnbs that have elevators if stairs would be an issue, although they aren't super common. Otherwise you can focus your search on ground-floor apartments.
Good areas for leisurely strolls in the central city are Via dei Coronari, with its antique shops and art galleries, and Via Giulia, which is quiet and lined with beautiful buildings. You'll probably see a lot of people recommending Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina for a meal, and for good reason. They have a few different locations in close proximity to each other, including a bakery, a wine-tasting room, and the salumeria/restaurant. It's probably best to make reservations for the restaurant, but I've been able to walk in and snag a table in the afternoon near the deli counter with no difficulty. Armando al Pantheon is another solid choice. If you show up just before they open for lunch it's possible to get a table without a reservation. Under most circumstances you should book ahead of time, though.
posted by theory at 12:03 PM on September 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
If you're looking for an apartment in Trastevere, you may want to stick to the southern/southeastern parts of neighborhood, where you'll find it's a bit quieter in the evenings away from the cluster of bars and restaurants near the Ponte Sisto. That would make for a longer walk to the sights of the central city, though, and it's also not particularly close to the Vatican Museum, which has its entrance located on the far northern side of Vatican City. However, there is a tram that runs through Trastevere and terminates near the center. In Monti I'd recommend looking north and west of Via Cavour.
It's definitely possible to find some Airbnbs that have elevators if stairs would be an issue, although they aren't super common. Otherwise you can focus your search on ground-floor apartments.
Good areas for leisurely strolls in the central city are Via dei Coronari, with its antique shops and art galleries, and Via Giulia, which is quiet and lined with beautiful buildings. You'll probably see a lot of people recommending Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina for a meal, and for good reason. They have a few different locations in close proximity to each other, including a bakery, a wine-tasting room, and the salumeria/restaurant. It's probably best to make reservations for the restaurant, but I've been able to walk in and snag a table in the afternoon near the deli counter with no difficulty. Armando al Pantheon is another solid choice. If you show up just before they open for lunch it's possible to get a table without a reservation. Under most circumstances you should book ahead of time, though.
posted by theory at 12:03 PM on September 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
OP might want to update if mobility is an issue. I get that people in their mid-60s might be more likely to dislike stairs, etc, but my mid-60s mom who enjoys leisurely strolls would have zero issue with stairs or stamina or distance to museums, etc. and would beat a lot of younger people in a stair climb race (lol).
posted by sallybrown at 12:09 PM on September 16, 2019
posted by sallybrown at 12:09 PM on September 16, 2019
Response by poster: Not to thread sit but do want to clarify on mobility issues. Folks on the trip are decent walkers, with the exception of my mom who has asthma and just needs to take things slow (and can't walk like 10 miles a day). Ideally, the place I find for them won't be a 3rd or 4th floor walk-up - but 1st or 2nd floor should be ok.
Thanks again!
posted by something_witty at 12:20 PM on September 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
Thanks again!
posted by something_witty at 12:20 PM on September 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
This place isn't an AirBnB, but rather a real BnB that I've stayed at multiple times with great results: La Maison dell'Orologio is a pleasant place with a decent breakfast, good price, and an elevator. It's in a great neighborhood (right near the Piazza Navona), and the only downside is that it's not exactly close to the subway. It is, however, walkable to a ton of tourist attractions and restaurants; and staying in the medieval part of the city is incredibly atmospheric. They will order you a cab from the airport as well, which is nice.
posted by kdar at 10:20 PM on September 17, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by kdar at 10:20 PM on September 17, 2019 [2 favorites]
kdar, that looks really good. And even though it's far from the metro, it's close to other forms of public transport. For work, I use the trams and busses in Rome a great deal, and I find them very comfortable and rarely overstuffed.
When my grandmother was still alive, but in her older days a hesitant walker, we often went to Rome with her, and I was positively surprised by the helpfulness and care we met everywhere. From restaurant service to getting into St. Peters through a side door so she didn't have to wait.
posted by mumimor at 8:59 AM on September 18, 2019 [1 favorite]
When my grandmother was still alive, but in her older days a hesitant walker, we often went to Rome with her, and I was positively surprised by the helpfulness and care we met everywhere. From restaurant service to getting into St. Peters through a side door so she didn't have to wait.
posted by mumimor at 8:59 AM on September 18, 2019 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by fingersandtoes at 7:43 AM on September 16, 2019