Italy for me From Italy with love
How cool does it sound to tell your friends, “We’re staying near the Vatican,” when planning a trip?
I rented an apartment just 200 meters (about 656 feet) from the Vatican walls one summer, admired the dome from the kitchen window, and remembered the reactions from friends. Everyone thought it was just awesome!
But is it really comfortable to stay next to one of the most popular attractions? Let’s find out.
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Things to Know
First, let’s answer the 3 most popular questions that I get asked about living near the Vatican.
If you simply search for a hotel near the Vatican, there are more than 12,000 accommodation options. Incredible. And how to choose the right one?
Even after filtering only highly rated accommodation options, we get over 9,000 results, all claiming to be “near the Vatican.”
That’s quite a lot. So, let’s dig deeper and understand what “near” and “Vatican” actually means.
If you’ve already read the article “Where is the Center of Rome“, you know that the Vatican is away from the main attractions and the historic center of the city.
Therefore, the area behind the Vatican, where the entrance to the museums is located, is marked in red – this is where the biggest crowds are, it’s quite dirty, and it has the most touristy restaurants. This is not Rome for me, and I won’t be writing about this area.
A safe and comfortable area to stay is located west of the Vatican, towards Piazza Navona and Castel San Angelo.
We’ll aim for something better and more beautiful and focus on the green zone, starting from St. Peter’s Square towards the historic center, so you can comfortably walk to other interesting places in Rome without a 5 km (about 3 miles) hike.
Unless you’re a religious fanatic willing to sleep on the floor or a tourist on a super tight budget, you only have four decent options near the Vatican. Note that there are no 3-star hotels with good reviews in the green zone around the Vatican.
Residenza Paolo VI – Editor Choice
Residenza Paolo VI is located in a former monastery building just across the street from the colonnade.
The rooftop terrace offers a panorama of St. Peter’s Basilica and Square. Cozy rooms, friendly staff, the ability to visit the basilica daily without wasting time, and the ability to listen to the papal Sunday Mass definitely make it worth considering.
Recommended reading:
Starhotels Michelangelo Rome – Modern Option
The 4-star hotel Starhotels Michelangelo Rome is the most modern option in this review.
I rented an apartment in the neighboring building, so I know this area very well. It’s quiet here, so you’ll get a good night’s sleep. It’s about a 7-minute walk to St. Peter’s Square. In terms of price/quality ratio, this is a perfect option.
The only downside is that to reach Trastevere on foot, you have to walk through a noisy 500-meter (about 1640 feet) tunnel, which I didn’t like. Buses 46, 62, and 64 frequently run to the city center, towards Piazza Venezia, from the hotel.
Gran Melia Rome – Luxury Stay
The 5-star hotel Gran Melia Rome – even if this option is beyond your budget, it’s worth scrolling through the photos on Booking.com.
The hotel has everything you need to recover after walking around Rome – a pool, a jacuzzi, a spa area, a Turkish bath, and lounge areas.
Hotel La Rovere
The 4-star hotel Hotel La Rovere – a golden mean in terms of price and location.
It’s about a 10-minute walk to the Vatican, but also about the same distance to the city center, plus Trastevere with its hundreds of delicious restaurants is nearby. If you can’t afford Gran Melia, this is definitely the best option from those reviewed in this article.