Natalie Aldern

Living la dolce vita doesn't always come cheap: there are Vespas to rent, attractions to explore, Negronis to imbibe at the best bars in Rome and truffle-topped pasta to eat. Prioritising cheap hotels in Rome without sacrificing any iconic Italian style will free-up more funds for the tasty and cultural temptations around every corner. And luckily some of the city’s best hotels are also its most budget-friendly; finding cheap acommodations does not require being stuck in some soulless suburb. From art nouveau villas turned B&Bs in chic Parioli to tech-smart rooms near the Pantheon or former palaces on the edge of Piazza Navona, here are the 10 best cheap hotels in Rome, Italy.  RECOMMENDED: The best Airbnbs in RomeThe best hotels in Rome This guide was recently updated by Rome-based writer Natalie Aldern. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. While we might not stay in every hotel featured below, we've based our list on top reviews and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

Us Romans take our personal style seriously: it’s all part of our philosophy of embracing la bella figura and making a good impression. After all, Italy is known as one of the best shopping destinations on earth many of the world’s top artisans and famous designers started here. That’s a fact.  From independent brands to luxurious international fashion houses and curated vintage outlets, Rome is a haven for avid shoppers. Peruse luxury brands near the Spanish Steps, support local labels in Monti in between café hopping, or bring back homemade souvenirs from the capital’s many markets – whatever your style, we’ve got you covered. Here are the best places to go shopping in Rome. 🏨 RECOMMENDED: The best hotels in Rome This guide was recently updated by Natalie Aldern, a writer based in Rome. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

Rome in 2025: Rome is always great, but this year is extra special – 2025 marks the year of the Rome Jubilee, a historic Catholic event held every 25 years, offering pilgrims a chance to receive ‘plenary indulgence’, and travellers a chance to experience one of the city’s holiest traditions. As its name suggests, the Eternal City could take a lifetime to explore – but 2025 is an especially exciting time to visit. In preparation for the Jubilee, Rome has undergone a sweeping restoration effort, with hundreds of monuments, fountains and churches getting a fresh glow. But it’s not just the city’s historic landmarks getting a refresh: Rome is always evolving. New boutique hotels and concept restaurants are popping up alongside centuries-old trattorias and artisan studios, adding a fresh edge to the timeless capital. Whether you’re here for food, faith or just to soak in the city’s beguiling charm, 2025 is set to be an unforgettable year to visit. How long do I need in Rome? Even I know that we don’t all have a lifetime to spare, so the good news is that three days in the Eternal City is an ideal amount of time for a dolce vita escape with all the big hitters. If possible, plan to come on a Saturday, the one day a week when the private residence of Galleria Colonna opens to the public. But whenever you get to visit this city, trust us, it’s as brilliant as they say it is. Here are the best things to do in Rome.  RECOMMENDED:🏛️ Unmissable attractions in Rome🍝 The best restaurants

Made up of over 100 small islands with no roads, only canals, it's no wonder the city is known as the 'City of Canals'. Feeling a lot more like a fairytale than a modern European metropolis, Venice is the hub for romance and is classic right down to its core. So, of course, it makes sense that the hotels are opulent, charming, and stuffed with antiques of the city's history.  Luckily, this Old-World city also has a few modern retreats tucked away along its canals, as well as discrete country homes and family-run pensione a short vaporetto ride from the major attractions and museums. There are also budget-busting options for those hoping to book a stay like true Italian aristocracy (as well as budget-friendly, cheap hotel options). Regardless of the style, with only so much space and serious restrictions on any new construction, accommodation in the city is at a serious premium and should be booked as far in advance as possible. Here are some of the best hotels to help you decide where to stay in Venice. Updated March 2025: Thought this list was missing something? Us too. Which is why we've added a sumptuous five-star classic and a contemporary gem for you to consider. RECOMMENDED: 📍The best things to do in Venice 🏛️ The best attractions in Venice 🍲 The best restaurants in Venice🏠 Where to stay in Venice Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews

Choosing where to stay in Rome is no easy task. The city I’ve called home for the past decade is massive, and its rione (neighbourhoods) are so diverse that they feel like distinct villages within the Eternal City. Some districts are gorgeously frozen in time, while others have a more contemporary urban appeal. But all of them have something worth visiting if you know where to look. So, do you blow the budget on a boutique hotel near the Colosseum? Venture outside the ancient boundaries to sip negronis with the edgier Roman residents? Or do you simply book one of the best hotels in the historic centre (centro storico) and hit every goddamn attraction on your bucket list? In the end, there are no wrong choices – each area offers an irresistible piece of the ancient vs modern mishmash that makes Rome so very special. Here’s my ultimate guide to where to stay in Rome.  RECOMMENDED:🛏️ The best Airbnbs in Rome🏨 The best hotels in Rome📍 The best things to do in Rome🍝 The best restaurants in Rome  Natalie Aldern is a writer based in Rome. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines

Venice is basically a work of art in itself, but the city is a cultural haven, home to a bunch of fantastic museums and galleries right on the water (we can confirm they hit different after a boat ride).  Whether you’re here for La Biennale, Venice’s art festival (among the best of its kind in the whole world), or any other time, you’ll find more than enough to get your teeth into here. The best part? On the first Sunday of each month, over 450 of them are free to visit. Read on for our guide to the very best museums in the Floating City.  RECOMMENDED:🛶 The best things to do in Venice🍝 The best restaurants in Venice🛏 Where to stay in Venice 🏛 The best attractions in Venice Natalie Aldern is a writer based in Rome, Italy. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

The Romans know how to party. That’s no secret. They’ve been at it since the beginning. But there’s one thing you should know before you hit the town: these guys start their parties like they start their dinners: late. So have a late, carb-filled lunch, possibly a nap, and then start bar-hopping at one of the brilliant bars on this list. Here, you’ll find the best late-night haunts in town alongside sultry rooftop bars with Colosseum views. But they all have one thing in common: they’re all open late, and they all serve really great drinks. Here are the best bars in Rome.   RECOMMENDED:🪩 The best clubs in Rome🍝 The best restaurants in Rome📍 The best things to do in Rome🏨 The best hotels in Rome This guide was recently updated by Natalie Aldern, a writer based in Rome. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

Sure, Rome might be known for the Colosseum or one of its many beautiful basilicas, but let’s be honest. What we’re really here for is the food. Rome is home to the kind of food you dream about–and it’s often not what you’re picturing when you think of Italian cuisine.  But the most important thing you can do? Avoid the tourist traps selling ovepriced, inauthentic pastas and keeping a look out for real, proper Roman food. Like did you know that Rome traditionally does just four types of pasta? Did you know that the pizzas here are cracker-thin? To help you source the best snackage, we’ve rounded up a helpful guide to the best local food in Rome, as well as the best restaurants to eat it. Warning: you will get hungry.  RECOMMENDED:🍝 The best restaurants in Rome🍕 The best pizza in Rome🍦 The best gelato in Rome🏘️ Exactly where to stay in Rome Natalie Aldern is a writer based in Rome. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

We love Rome for its huge, grand, beautiful buildings as it is for its little cobbled streets, lined with dinky cafés selling supplí and pizza rossa by the slice. But they’re both best approached the same way: by simply getting out there and taking it all in.  But in our opinion, there are some buildings you’d be a fool to miss. There is no trip to Rome without St Peter’s Basilica, or the Colosseum, but there are a few lesser-known spots you should make sure to add to your list too. We’ve listed the most beautiful buildings in Rome for your viewing pleasure. Read on for our picks.  RECOMMENDED:🍽️ The best restaurants in Rome🍷 The best bars in Rome📍 The best things to do in Rome🏘 The best Airbnbs in Rome Natalie Aldern is a writer based in Rome. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

You know it as well as we do: Italy is the best. It’s got all the beauty, old towns and breathtaking sights you could want from a Europe city break, but with the most delicious, indulgent and decadent food around to match. There is no place like Italy. And the best part? It’s absolutely huge, and there is always another city to see.  So if you’re ready to embark on your Italian bucket list, we’ve got just the ticket. You can do most Italian cities in a few days, but if you want to do a bit of city hopping, you’ll want to take a full two weeks to see it all. Whatever the trip, there are some things you absolutely should not miss. So we’ve rounded up the very best of Italy, right here. Here are the top things to do in Italy all year round. RECOMMENDED:🏖 The best beaches in Italy😋 The best restaurants in Italy🇮🇹 The best places to visit in Italy Planning your next trip? Check out our latest travel guides, written by local experts. 

Crumbling ruins, iconic  attractions and cobblestones for days—a walk through Rome can feel like stepping onto a movie set. The picture-perfect city almost feels like it was made for Instagram, because there is a photo-worthy thing to do (and a selfie stick seller) around practically every corner.  From mornings at the market to jaw-dropping city views, charming side streets and bucket-list-ticking monuments to a photogenic dinner at one of the city’s top restaurants, bella Roma has everything you need to bring your social media A-game. To ensure that your followers are suitably jealous of your new #dolcevita lifestyle, we’ve rounded up the most Instagrammable places in Rome. Just be sure to put your phone down while Vespa-ing. The top of St. Peter’s Basilica  A post shared by Alyssa🍍 (@alyssamramirez) on Nov 25, 2014 at 12:51pm PST Rome may have more than 900 churches, but it’s St. Peter's Basilica that reigns supreme among them. The Vatican's basilica is the largest and most opulent church in all of Italy. A list of the artists who helped create the magnificent structure reads like a who’s who of the Renaissance. Inside you will find Michelangelo's Pieta, Bernini’s lavish bronze altar piece and Bramante's distinctive window-lined dome. It’s hard to know what to post to Insta-stories first because every inch of the massive church seems to be covered in marble or gold. The exterior of the building is no slouch either, with the square on which its sits surrounded by

What’s the vibe? Supplizio has mastered the art of fried foods. Selling nothing but supplì and croquettes, the tiny shop turns out fresh fritti on a charming cobblestone lane in the heart of Rome. What should I order? Not to be satisfied with a simple marinara and mozzarella stuffed risotto ball, Supplizio serves the fried treats in flavours inspired by Rome’s best pasta dishes—carbonara, arrabbiatta (spicy tomato) and cacio e pepe (cheese and pepper). Beer and wine are also available to wash it all down with, but in matching the street food-inspired cuisine, seating is extremely limited. What are the prices like? All of the delicious eats on the menu cost between €2 and €8, making this excellent value for your money. Time Out tip The shop is decorated with matchbook cars because chef Arcangelo Dandini (who also runs L’Arcangelo by the Vatican) strives to recreate the flavours he remembers from his childhood. This review was fact-checked and updated in 2025. 📍Discover the best restaurants in Rome

What is it? Piazza di Spagna takes its name from the Spanish Embassy to the Vatican, but is chiefly celebrated for the elegant cascade of stairs down from the church of Trinità dei Monti. Known in Italian as the Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti, the English Grand Tourists referred to them as the Spanish Steps. At the foot of the stairs is a delightful boat-shaped fountain, the barcaccia, designed in 1627 by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and/or his less famous father Pietro; it’s ingeniously sunk below ground level to compensate for the low pressure of the delicious acqua vergine that feeds it. The steps are best seen first thing in the morning before the crowds arrive. A brilliant example of 18th urban planning, the 138 stairs of the Spanish Steps connect Piazza di Spagna to the Trinità dei Monti church. Restored by Bulgari in 2016, the shining marble stairs are the entry point to the city’s luxury shopping district. Is it good to shop there? The buzzing piazza and monumental scalinata (‘staircase’ in Italian) are a part of the Eternal City’s must-see list even before considering the shopping options, but the Spanish Steps also lead the way to Via Condotti – Rome’s must exclusive street. Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci are just a few of the brands with flagship stores here. There are also smaller local luxury shops like Sermoneta for custom gloves or Frette for high-end home goods on the piazza. What are the prices like? Italy’s most famous designers are known for charging impressive su

What is it? Rome’s favorite Bohemian neighborhood, Monti is brimming with independent stores and little cafes that dot its postcard-worthy cobblestone streets. The rione (Roman district) has everything from antique stores to boutiques and vintage shops. Is it worth visiting? The central location and Metro stop (Cavour, on Line B) make Monti easy to reach. The edge of the neighborhood intersects with Trajan’s Forum meaning you can also wander through the area after a Colosseum tour. What are the prices like? Humana has Italian vintage for as little as €5, while tempting lol boutique’s rainbow-colored racks of Scandinavian designs can easily set you back over €100 for a single item. The mix of high and low (and ancient and trendy) is a part of Monti’s charm, and window shopping is definitely allowed. What’s worth visiting nearby? Between shopping stops, indulge in a cone of gelato at Fatamorgana. At sunset, the main square (Piazza della Madonna dei Monti) serves as a local meeting spot for a relaxed aperitivo on the steps of the fountain where, if you crane your neck to stare down Via dei Serpenti, you can watch the lights come on to illuminate the Colosseo after twilight. 

What is it? For shoppers committed to la bella figura (putting your best self forward), La Rinascente is the ultimate stop. The iconic department store on Via del Tritone gathers the Eternal City’s most luxurious brands under a single roof – taking up seven floors to cover housewares, cosmetics, accessories, clothing, gourmet food, and everything in between. Is it worth visiting? One-of-a-kind in Rome, it is worth visiting La Rinascente even if your bank account will only allow for ogling rather than actual purchases. Take the zigzagging elevators up to the top, strolling through each new layer of luxury on the way to the panoramic terrace.  What are the prices like? If the suited security isn’t indication enough, it is fair to say that there are not many options for bargain hunters in the hallowed halls of La Rinascente. The department store has high-end offerings at luxury price points (so be sure to request the VAT Refund paperwork if your purchase qualifies). What’s worth visiting nearby? La Rinascente is a 3-minute walk from the Trevi Fountain in one directions and 5-minutes from the Spanish Steps in the other which means you’re right in the middle of everything once the purchases are made. However, you don’t have to step outside for a taste of Roman history – a portion of the Aqua Vergine aqueduct is on display in store’s basement. For something different, pop into the Capuchin Crypt for creepy one-of-a-kind Roman church on nearby Via Veneto. To refuel, there is a roof

What’s the vibe? Known for its cheap drinks and committed clientele that is a mix of artists, lifelong Romans, college students, and visitors, Bar San Calisto is perennially busy from day to night. Finding a table outside requires a bit of persistence and a dash of luck, but spillover crowds are welcome to mill around the square outside the bar with beverages in hand. What are the prices like? Bottled beer and pre-mixed spritzes are just €2.50, which explains why the place is usually completely rammed until close (around 2am).   What should I order? Want to blend in with the locals? Large bottles of Peroni (66 cl) are the drink of choice here.  What’s worth visiting nearby? On the weekends there are usually street musicians playing for the crowd at Piazza San Calisto but the neighborhood’s best music venue – Live Alcazar – is just a three minute walk away. Before leaving the area, be sure to wander by Santa Maria in Trastevere with its gilt glory illuminated after dark, or stroll down Via del Moro to shop the area’s small boutiques during the day. Time Out tip: Don’t expect any menus or table service at Bar San Calisto. Head inside to pay at the cash register, then take your receipt to the bar in order to redeem your drink. 🏛️ Discover more of the best things to do in Rome

What’s the vibe? A cocktail bar inside a former mechanic’s shop that manages to tread the impossible line between high and low. Expertly mixed drinks are the main draw, but people watching with a spritz in hand on the massive outdoor terrace is a close second. Open until 2am.   What are the prices like? Cocktails are around €10, and there’s an unlimited aperitivo buffet for €12 between 6.30 and 9pm every day.  What should I order? Classic cocktails, be it a mojito or a spritz, are always reliable here, but the regularly updated signature drink list is never disappointing and includes offerings like Cardinal Sin, made with Buskers Irish whiskey, amaretto, and saffron. What’s worth visiting nearby? Nearby Piazza Trilussa is a nightly gathering spot for young Romans who regroup on the steps at one end of the square, listening to street musicians and waiting for friends. Grab a late-night pizza-pocket panini from Trapizzino and then join the impromptu dance party that usually develops, or walk across the Ponte Sisto bridge to check out Campo de’ Fiori.  🍦 Discover more of the best restaurants in Rome

What’s the vibe? Named one of the 50 best bars in the world, Drink Kong has sophisticated cocktails without an intimidating aura. The dark bar has intimate table seating and just enough neon lights and retro arcade games to feel cool instead of kitschy. How late is it open? The bar is open until 2am and reservations are close to essential. What are the prices like? Cocktails are around €14 and there are a variety of small plates from the Japanese-inspired food menu. What should I order? The cocktail menu is mood-based and free from elaborate descriptions of ingredients. Order based on flavor profile (like citrusy vs. bitter) or opt for a drink marked as high on ‘Kong Factor’ for a taste of the signature mixology style. What’s worth visiting nearby? Drink Kong is a destination in its own right, but downhill from the bar, the villagelike neighborhood of Monti is brimming with boutiques, jewelry designers, and vintage shops. In summer, even if the stores are closed, the nearby Colosseum is open for moonlit tours. 🏛️ Discover more of the best things to do in Rome

Located across the street from the entrance to the old slaughterhouse (ex-mattataio), Checchino dal 1887 has specialized in offal for more than one hundred years. Once a working-class eatery, the white table-clothed restaurant has evolved into a more sophisticated destination, with jacketed waiters navigating the old-school dining room with a wine trolley. Despite its current upscale air, Checchino still specializes in the “fifth quarter” of the animal and serves a full offal tasting menu so you can sample all the leftover bits transformed into long-stewed Roman classics.  Time Out tip: End your meal with a cheese course, which will be wheeled out on a cart with a flourish to show off the Sicilian cheese that incorporates saffron and pepper or local caciofiore made with wild thistle.

Ai Marmi is a lively traditional Roman pizzeria filled with long marble tables (marmi means “marble” in Italian) that are pushed together in rows to accommodate the crowds that flock to this Trastevere institution for crispy thin pizza. Find a table to the left of the dining room as you enter in order to have a better view of the pizzas being expertly slipped into the wood fire oven. Once seated, give in to the old-school typography advertising supplí al telefono and order the fried rice and mozzarella balls to enjoy as a pre-pizza appetizer. Time Out tip: Don’t even think about splitting a pizza here! One pie per person please, but trading slices is totally acceptable.

For a local breakfast, shimmy your way up to the bar of Pasticceria Regoli. Just a few minutes from the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, the Esquilino pastry shop turned 100 in 2016 and still manages to do brisk trade in cakes and sweet baked goods of all types. Regoli is most famous for its cream-filled maritozzi buns, but the tartlets topped with custard wild strawberries from the nearby town of Nemi are also major crowd pleasers. Time Out tip: The maritozzi con la panna (with cream) are considered some of the city’s best, but you’ll soon see why Regoli’s bar is decorated with so many mirrors. The buns are so liberally stuffed with whipped cream that it is nearly impossible to eat the pastry without smearing some on your face. Do a quick check for stray panna before heading out the doors.

With a balance of upscale service and traditional dishes, Felice a Testaccio is often described as one of Rome’s best restaurants. Despite its elegant appearance, the restaurant is best known for its humbler dishes that evolved thanks to the slaughterhouse history of the Testaccio neighborhood in which it is found. The meat courses, including coda alla vaccinara (oxtail braised in tomato sauce) and veal saltimbocca, are particularly tasty. The restaurant wears its prestige well, but expect prices to be slightly higher than at nearby eateries. Time Out tip: The waiters tend to upsell the menu, but listen when they suggest peaches in white wine for dessert.

Trattoria Da Danilo’s carbonara is considered one of the best in the city because it is topped with perfectly crisped bacon instead of only guanciale (a cured pork jowl). Located just off the highest of Rome’s seven hills, the Esquilino restaurant is popular with locals because it lies outside of the most heavily trafficked parts of the city. The cozy trattoria serves fantastic pastas, all of which can be paired with one of the more than 200 bottles off the impressive wine list. Time Out tip: Carbonara is the signature dish at this restaurant, but for a tableside show its best to order the cacio e pepe which is quickly prepared on a small cart before being served piping hot.