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Which is the best area to stay in Rome?

TIME : 2016/2/27 11:05:39

My husband and I start our three-day Italian holiday in rome in may. We are looking at apartment-style accommodation. Could you advise what area would be best to stay in and convenient to major sites? What are the must-see attractions? L. Fraser, Northbridge

Three days is tight so you want to be close to the main sights, and you can't beat Rome's Centro Storico​, the Historic Centre, a labyrinth of cobbled alleyways crammed with baroque churches, renaissance palaces and elegant piazzas, within easy reach of some of the city's highlights such as the Pantheon and Piazza Navona​.

This is also a pricey choice but you'll remember the experience far more than the cost.

You'll be doing plenty of walking so be prepared.

Everyone has a different idea of what rings their bells in Rome but for me it would be St Peter's, the Forum, the fruit and vegetable market in Campo de' Fiori​, The Colosseum, Hadrian's Villa,  the baths of Caracalla​, the Spanish Steps and the gardens at Villa Borghese​.

The Sistine Chapel is another must but queues can be long and if so, it's worth paying for a guide who will shunt you straight to the front of the line.

An ice-cream in Piazza Navona and a visit to the church of Sant'Agnese​ in Agone on the other side of the square from the cafes, plus the Bernini​ fountain in the middle, a stroll along chic Via Condotti​ and an evening at a restaurant in Trastevere should more than fill your three days. 

An apartment makes sense if you want to do some cooking yourself but eating out anywhere in Italy is such an essential part of the experience – even if it's just coffee and a cornetto at a local bar.

I'd be more inclined to look for a small hotel, or a  bed and breakfast.

You might try Sawdays sawdays.co.uk for accommodation.