Centro Storico is the heart of
Rome. When people talk about how grand, historic, and downright breathtaking the Italian capital is, they're usually talking about this neighborhood. As the city's center, it's one of the most important and crowded parts of Rome. Though arguably its major draw is its many iconic landmarks. No less than the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the Spanish Steps are all located in Centro Storico. Surrounded by many of Rome's best restaurants, high-end boutiques, and other hotspots, it's no surprise that locals and tourists alike love it here.
Where is Centro Storico in Rome?
True to its name, Centro Storico is right smack at the center of the city. Located along River Tiber, it's the most famous district and is designated as the first urban zone of the Italian capital. Since it boasts some of the most iconic sights in the city, Centro Storico never fails to draw in locals and tourists alike, especially the latter. At the same time, since the area is fairly near many other
central neighborhoods in Rome, it's also a convenient location where any resident would love to settle down. Even more so since it's a pretty affluent district too.
Is it Safe in Centro Storico in Rome?
Even though it's a capital city,
Rome's crime rates aren't that high. It’s only at 51.38% as of this writing, which is only mid-range and is unfortunately unique for a capital city. But on the bright side, this also means that Rome is generally safe overall. Centro Storico, in particular, only has a crime rate of about 6,074 felonies per 100,000 people, which isn't all that high. It helps that it's a largely tourist-friendly neighborhood that's frequently crowded. Though there's still some pickpocketing and rowdiness here and there, it's still far from what many would consider a dangerous part of Rome.
What's the Vibe in Centro Storico, Rome?
Centro Storico is an eternally lively neighborhood in the “Eternal City.” As already mentioned, the area has many of the city's most iconic landmarks, not to mention several traditional trattorias and upscale restaurants. It's almost as if the place was designed to just serve and entertain tourists! Locals, however, still love it here too. They eat out here, go for drinks, and even still see the famous spots when they're not that crowded. Hence, don't expect Centro Storico to ever be quiet. No matter the time of year, the neighborhood is always bustling.
Is it Expensive in Centro Storico, Rome?
Yes, it is.
Rome's living costs are already pretty high, but it's especially high in Centro Storico. Since it's the most tourist-friendly part of town, it's no surprise that many of the places here cost a lot. Let's focus on eating out, for example. The average price for a meal here is about €20.00 to €25.00 for affordable trattorias and around €30.00 to €40.00 for a two-course meal in a mid-range restaurant. Imagine having to spend this much for every meal in your life! As for shopping, many of the best places to shop here mostly feature designer brands and luxury labels. The cheapest you'll find here are likely the random stalls that surround the famous landmarks.
What to See in Centro Storico, Rome
Centro Storico is a treasure trove of Rome's most iconic landmarks. They're probably the most famous sights in all of Italy too! No less than the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, and Piazza Navona are all in Centro Storico. Do you see now why the neighborhood is the major tourist hub in the city? If you love the Italian capital for its hustle and bustle, this is where you'll want to spend most of your time. It's rarely quiet here, even at night, and it shows off Rome's grand history and heritage. What's not to love?
What to Do in Centro Storico, Rome
Centro Storico is the best place to go full-on tourist. Even if you're a resident who
moved to Rome years ago, the city center will always make you want to go sightseeing and more. So as a local, you'll want to visit these famous sites around November to March, which is basically from autumn to right around the end of winter and the start of spring. This is the off-season for tourists so these world-famous places will have fewer crowds and shorter lines. Additionally, Centro Storico is still a great place to go riding a Vespa, eating gelato, and dining in a traditional trattoria—cliche things to do in Rome, sure, but they're undoubtedly fun too!
The Best Restaurants in Centro Storico, Rome
Unsurprisingly, Centro Storico is foodie central too. Though it's more accurate to say that all of Rome is a great place to eat, Centro Storico always guarantees a good time. It helps that it has such a diverse culinary scene, offering everything from more affordable and unknown traditional trattorias to some of the
best Michelin-starred restaurants in Rome. There's Cantina e Cucina on Via del Governo Vecchio, for example, which is said to serve the best carbonara in all of Rome, possibly even in all of Italy! Il Barroccio, on the other hand, is perhaps the most authentically Roman of all the hotspots in the area. Here are a few more restaurants in Centro Storico worth checking out.
- Il Barroccio Roma on Via dei Pastini
- Hostaria de' Pastini on Via dei Pastini
- Osteria da Fortunata on Via del Pellegrino
- La Nuova Piazzetta in Vicolo del Buon Consiglio
- Osteria dei Cappellari on Via dei Cappellari
- Taverna del Seminario on Via del Seminario
- Taverna dei migliori on Viale Manzoni
- Cantina e Cucina on Via del Governo Vecchio
- al42 by Pasta Chef rione Monti on Via Baccina
- CiPASSO on Via Metastasio
What to Know About Centro Storico, Rome Apartments
Considering its location and how crowded it is, most of the homes in Centro Storico are apartments. Ranging from studio flats to multi-bedroom penthouses, a majority of the area's real estate is clustered in residential complexes. Nevertheless, these are still some of the most
luxurious apartments in Rome to rent. Not only are they high-quality homes, but their location in the city center is among the most coveted in the city. As such, the average rent in Centro Storico is about €1,650.00 to €3,000.00 per month, specifically for smaller and medium-sized properties (up to 3 bedrooms). Anything bigger will naturally cost a lot more.
You'll be hard-pressed to find a place as grand and as historic as Centro Storico in Rome. As the center and heart of the Italian capital, the neighborhood boasts the city's most famous landmarks, best restaurants, and the true Roman spirit!
