Rome – Hostels in Rome. Maps for Rome, Photos and Reviews for each hostel in Rome.

It’s easy to imagine 50,000 Ancient Romans gathered for gladiatorial battles in the three tiers of Rome’s great Colosseum. Probably the city’s most recognisable monument and the first that most backpackers want to tick off of their list. The ticket includes admission to the Roman Forum, the Colosseum and Palatine Hill.

Website: http://www.coopculture.it/en/the-colosseum.cfm#

Address: Piazza del Colosseo, 1

District: Celio

Phone: 06-39967700

Rome’s most iconic and romantic fountain is a high point of Italian Baroque. Throw a coin into it over your left shoulder and guarantee a return trip, or so the legend goes. It’s a little way west of the city centre hostels, but well worth the walk.

Address: Piazza di Trevi, 00187 Rome

District: Trevi

An Ancient Roman temple dating to 27 AD, in continuous use and now a church. Its central rotunda (circular hall) is covered by a huge concrete dome. It is all so well preserved that you’ll have to keep reminding yourself just how old it is.

Address: Piazza della Rotonda, 00186 Roma, Italy

District: Centro Storico

Phone: 06 68300230

The world’s smallest state - it has a population of around 800 - is one of Rome’s biggest crowd pullers and home to the Pope. It’s the site of St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Gardens, the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. Admission to St. Peter’s Square and the Basilica is free.

Website: http://www.vaticanstate.va/content/vaticanstate/en.html

Address: Vatican City, Rome

One of the appeals of Rome is being able to step out of your hostel dorm and into the past. The Roman Forum offers you just that - the heart of the city during the years of empire, it’s one of the most important archaeological sites in the world.

Address: Via della Salara Vecchia, 5/6, Rome

District: Centro Storico

This is the historical and cultural heart of Rome, packed with tourists and backpacker groups. The Centro Storico (Historical Centre) is home to many of the city’s major attractions: Piazza de Spagna, (where the Spanish Steps are located), Piazza Navona and the Trevi Fountain, and that’s just a small sample.

If the “real” Rome is what you want, Testaccio is where you’ll get it. A working class neighbourhood loaded with authentic Roman spirit as well as hopping nightlife, family-owned restaurants and a top food market.

A little way south of Rome’s city centre hostels, Monti is a short walk from Rome’s historic centre but often bypassed by tourists. It’s a network of unspoiled streets and little piazzas full of hip bookstore cafés and arty food venues - just the ticket for backpackers.

The high point of Rome’s Easter celebrations is the Stations of the Cross procession. It begins at the Colosseum and makes 14 stops to recreate key moments in Christ’s route to the crucifixion.

Address: Piazza del Colosseo, 1, Rome (starting point)

District: Celio

Phone: 06-39967700

The Testaccio area of Rome hosts the Gay Village festival from the end of June until early September, and it has a colourful, anything-goes vibe backpackers will love. Free pop concerts, theatre and comedy as well as food stalls.

Website: www.gayvillage.it

District: Verano

A performing and visual arts festival that showcases over 300 artists from 20 different countries. Events are held throughout Rome. From late September to early December across the city.

Website: www.romaeuropa.net

The Natale di Roma festival on 21st April celebrates the founding of Rome in 753 BC. The city’s palaces and monuments are lit up and there’s a massive firework display. With cooler temperatures too, this is a perfect time to book your Rome hostel. Festivities are focused at the Piazza del Campidoglio.

Address: Piazza del Campidoglio, Rome

District: Centro Storico

Sorry dorm - we’re going to be out all night. The annual Notte Bianca (White Night) festival sees dance and theatre venues as well as museums, restaurants and shops are open all night. The city closes to traffic, so team up with a group from your hostel and explore Rome’s streets until the sun rises.

Rome’s biggest rock and pop music festival, held over three days in mid July. Headliners in 2015 included Robbie Williams, Lennie Kravitz, Alt-J and Chemical Brothers. There’s no camping, which means hostels in Rome book up quickly - so get your dorm space early!

Website: http://www.rockinroma.com/

Address: Ippodromo Capannelle, Via Appia Nuova, 1255, 00178 Rome

A relaxing summer music festival with musicians from across the world playing at Villa Ada park. Sit on the grass drinking wine and eating dinner from one of the food stalls as you watch the lakeside show. From late June until the end of August.

Website: www.villaada.org

Address: Villa Ada, Via Salaria, Rome

District: Villa Ada

Photos: https://instagram.com/p/4-d83ul2rR/

© Copyrights: terronfabio

A step up from the grime of rock and pop festivals, this is a more laidback choice for jazz-loving backpackers (yes, that’s a thing). Shows scheduled from late June to Early August.

Website: http://www.casajazz.it/

Takeaway pizza-by-the-slice near the Vatican Museum, popular with locals and backpackers alike. Drool over freshly baked pizzas in the window to make your choice. Couple your slice(s) with a craft beer.

Address: Via della Meloria, 43, 00136 Roma, Italy

District: Quartiere Trionfale

Phone: 0639745416

Every dish at this all-Roman restaurant and wine bar is made with ingredients sourced from local farms. The menu changes regularly guaranteeing seasonal food for about €10 a dish.

Website: www.enotecapalatium.com

Address: Via Frattina, 94, 00187 Roma, Italy

District: Colonna

Phone: 066920 2132

Photos: https://www.facebook.com/EnotecaRegionalePalatium

Rome would not be Rome without lashings of gelato (ice cream) and this gelateria has some of the cheapest and best. Even better, it’s on the doorstep of the city centre hostels around Termini station.

Website: http://www.palazzodelfreddo.it/

Address: Via Principe Eugenio, 65

District: Esquilino

Phone: 06 4464740

Plastic plates piled with pasta near the Spanish steps for €4. Choose to eat in and you’ll get a complimentary cup of wine and water.

Address: Pastificio Via della Croce, 8, 00187 Roma, Italy

District: Campo Marzio

Phone: 06 6793102

Photos: https://instagram.com/p/vX9SocKU4C/

© Copyrights: travelcoholic

About half a dozen tables worth queuing for at this lunch-only traditional hostaria. Lots of Italian classics made the right way. Try the ossobucco (veal, tomatoes and peas).

Address: Via Tacito, 80, Roma, Italy

District: Prati

Phone: 06 361 0305

Photos: https://instagram.com/p/13H3FJoauS/

© Copyrights: flaviaini

A not-so-typically-Italian bar filled with party-loving Romans. Great place to start off the night playing beer pong with locals and the international backpacker crowd.

Website: www.drunkenship.com

Address: Piazza Campo de’ Fiori, 21

District: Centro Storico

Phone: 06 68300535

Freni e Frizioni (Brakes and Clutch) used to be a car mechanic’s workshop and is now one of the hippest bars in Rome, with a trendy, creative vibe backpackers will love.

Website: www.freniefrizioni.com

Address: Via del Politeama, 4-6

District: Trastevere

Phone: 06 45497499

One of Rome’s trendiest nightclubs is in the historic centre. Features some of the world’s best DJs and burlesque nights. If your burlesque dancing is not up to much they give lessons…

Website: www.miccaclub.com

Address: Via Degli Avignonesi, 73 (Piazza Barberini)

District: Trevi

Phone: 06 87440079

Photos: https://instagram.com/p/2D5XmUI40S/

© Copyrights: soriansky

If you’re heading out of the hostel in search of beer, obviously the ‘Beer Oasis’ is the place. This basement bar has over 300 types and an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Website: www.drunkenship.com

Address: Piazza Testaccio, 40

District: Verano

Phone: 06 547 6122

If you’re a hostel group looking for something a bit different, try these themed 1960s and 70s party nights held on one of Rome’s last street trams. The tram passes by the floodlit Colosseum. Be sure to book ahead.

Website: www.rometramtracks.com

Address: Piazza de Porta Maggiore (starting point)

District: Termini

Phone: 334 7328705

Photos: https://instagram.com/p/4QiRGxwarS/

© Copyrights: angiedepdx

Mercato di Testaccio is an open-air market selling food and clothes. If you’re a backpacker looking for a slice of the real Italy, here it is - and just a few streets from the tourist hotspots.

District: Verano

Grab a bargain at this second-hand designer store, packed with desirable, quirky pieces for as little as €15. There’s a great selection of accessories and shoes too.

Address: Via del Boschetto 140

District: Monti

Phone: 06 485511

Go from your Rome hostel to North Africa and the Middle East at this fabulous food market next to Rome’s Grand Mosque. Italy may suddenly seem far away.

Address: Largo della Moschea, Fridays

District: Villa Ada

Rome has so many sights that visiting them all gets pricey. The €30 three-day Roma Pass includes two tickets to major attractions. Use it for the most expensive tickets (Colosseum/Palatine Hill/Roman Forum and the Galleria Borghese). After that you get discounts on tickets for other major sights. The pass also includes metro, bus and tram travel, which would cost you €16.50 on its own.

Website: http://www.romapass.it

The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) provides discounts all over Rome. Make sure you get one before you arrive. If you’re a non-student but aged under 25 get an International Youth Card for similar discounts.