6 Rome Neighborhoods for MICHELIN Stars, Exceptional Stays, and Art Treasures

The Historical Center: Cobblestone Streets, Majestic Palaces, and Baroque Churches

When it comes to the City of Seven Hills, the historical center can be tricky to pinpoint. History permeates the entire city, from quiet side streets to iconic staircases. Strolling through the Centro Storico di Roma feels like a journey through time as you wander from the busy Campo de’ Fiori market to the stunning Piazza Navona, with its exquisite fountains. You can admire the famed Pantheon from the bustling Piazza della Rotonda, or admire the ancient art collections of Palazzo Altemps. In the heart of it all, you can book an unforgettable stay at Six Senses Rome (One MICHELIN Key) and discover the culinary crossroads of Italy and Japan at Anthony Genovese's Two-Starred Il Pagliaccio.

The historical center is a Rome of contrasts: cobbled streets and busy corners alternate with majestic palaces and sumptuous Baroque churches where Caravaggio left his inimitable mark. It's tempting to call it the most authentic Rome, but that wouldn’t do justice to a city that defies classification—one with as many souls as it has hills.

Where to stay

Where to eat

Il Pagliaccio, Two MICHELIN Stars
Idylio by Apreda, One MICHELIN Star
Il Convivio Troiani, One MICHELIN Star
Per Me Giulio Terrinoni, One MICHELIN Star
Pipero Roma, One MICHELIN Star

Sites to see

Campidoglio (Capitoline Hill): A Gateway to the Remnants of Ancient Rome

There is perhaps no better starting point for exploring the cradle of our civilization than Campidoglio, or Capitoline Hill. According to legend, it's where the she-wolf nursed Romulus and Remus. Between the Capitoline Hill, Palatine Hill, and Aventine Hill, the Western World's most extraordinary civilization was born. Its influence would span three continents for more than a millennium. 

Standing on Capitoline Hill, where the Temple of Jupiter once loomed, gazing down at the Roman Forum, where senators shaped the fate of an empire, or walking past the Colosseum, where gladiators battled before roaring crowds, you can feel the reverberations of almost 3,000 years of history. Afterward, you can tuck into traditional Italian dishes with sweeping views of the Colosseum at One-Starred Aroma. 

Where to stay

Where to eat

Sites to see

Piazza del Campidoglio and Capitoline Museums
Colosseum
Roman Forum
Mercati di Traiano (Trajan's Markets) and the Imperial Forums
Palatino (Palatine Hill)
Domus Aurea
Basilica San Clemente and its mosaics
Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli with Michelangelo's Moses sculpture
Termi di Caracalla (Baths of Caracalla)

Trident, Quirinale, and Villa Borghese: Glitz, Glamour, and Hollywood

Between the Tiber and Via XX Settembre, you'll discover the most cinematic side of Rome: the heart of La Grande Bellezza, the Rome of La Dolce Vita, and of Roman Holiday. You'll find the glamour of Italian luxury boutiques and the frenetic energy of politics. From Piazza del Quirinale, where the President of the Republic resides, you can take in the entire city, but the vantage point from the Terrazza del Pincio certainly holds its own.

A far cry from the Rome of the people, here everything is glitz and opulence. It's no coincidence that the most exclusive hotels in our selection, like JK Place Roma (Two MICHELIN Keys) and Bulgari Hotel Roma (One MICHELIN Key), the most renowned restaurants (like Two-Starred Acquolina and One-Starred All'Oro), and some of the most extraordinary museums in Italy call this neighborhood home.

Where to stay

Where to eat

Sites to see

Trevi Fountain
Spanish Steps and Trinità dei Monti
Pincio Gardens
Villa Borghese and its museums: the Borghese Gallery and the Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia
Piazza del Popolo and Caravaggio's paintings in Santa Maria del Popolo
Santa Maria della Vittoria with Bernini's Ecstasy of Saint Teresa
Art collections of Palazzo Barberini
Contemporary art at MAXXI

Papal Rome: Influence That Defies Size

Cross the Tiber at Castel Sant'Angelo, and follow Via della Conciliazione to enter the world’s smallest state, spanning just 0.4 square kilometers and home to fewer than 800 inhabitants. It's also the focal point for a religion with over 1.3 billion believers: welcome to Papal Rome.

Just beyond the Vatican lies the rione of Prati, a chic Art Nouveau neighborhood centered around Via Cola di Rienzo. This quiet, residential area sits in the shadow of St. Peter's Dome, affectionately known as the Cupolone. While the restaurant selection is slimmer than other areas of the Eternal City, standouts include La Pergola (Three MICHELIN Stars) and Enoteca La Torre (Two MICHELIN Stars). 

Where to stay

The Place 217

Where to eat

Sites to see

St Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums
Castel Sant’Angelo

Trastevere: Where Hip Restaurants Meet Timeless Italian Charm

Considered Rome's working-class neighborhood, Trastevere has become a hotspot for accessible, chef-driven restaurants. Our Inspector favorites include Glass Hostaria (One MICHELIN Star) and Zia (One MICHELIN Star). 

As gentrification continues to transform the area, the atmosphere oscillates between touristy and bohemian-chic. However, the beauty in its bones remains intact. Colorful houses, lush vines snaking up ancient buildings, vintage Fiats, trattorias with checkered tablecloths, and laundry hung between the buildings draw snap-happy tourists like bees to honey.

Where to eat

Sites to see

Monti: Rome’s Trendy Heart Where History Comes Alive

In its maze of cobbled streets between the Colosseum and Termini train station, Rome's oldest district—once known as the notorious Suburra, the stomping ground of Messalina—has transformed into a trendy neighborhood where artists and designers rub shoulders. Relaxed and vibrant, Monti is a place where hipster culture and nostalgia coexist in harmony. If you love visiting art galleries, up-and-coming designers' ateliers, and wine bars, this district is a destination for you.

While there are no MICHELIN Keys or Stars in Monti, two delightful hotels embody the spirit of the neighborhood: Casa Monti and Condominio Monti.

Travel notes

Museums and monuments:

Hero image: Sunset over the Vatican (©Vladislav Zolotov/iStock)