Rome might be one of Italy’s more expensive cities, but the historical capital has a wide array of options when it comes to budget stays. With lodging geared towards every type of traveller, from the all-night ravers to the culture-seekers, it’s possible to visit the city without breaking your wallet.
Visiting Rome on the cheap doesn’t mean you have to deprive yourself of a pleasant place to stay. Enjoy la dolce vita with Culture Trip’s selection of the best hostels in Rome.
This sleek hostel feels more like a boutique hotel, offering stylish accommodation in the centre of Rome. Marketing themselves as the first ‘Poshtel’ in the city, Generator’s design-led decor offers lush rooms without the high prices. The dorms are a sweet mix of retro and modern, with soft colour schemes set off by vintage desks, wooden dressers and framed photos on the wall. Featuring a café, bar and lounge, and located on the edge of the bohemian Monti district, this is one of the closest hostels to the magnificent Colosseum.
If you’re visiting Rome to socialise and party, look no further than The Yellow. A famous stop on backpacker itineraries, this is hostel travelling at its best. Mediterranean-tiled floors and minimalist furnishings in the dorms give the place an alternative artsy vibe, but it’s the events that make this place special. With regular gigs held downstairs in the bar, a rooftop terrace for big social dinners, as well as yoga sessions, cooking classes and more, you’ll never have an excuse to be bored. There’s even an escape room, but this hostel is so fun you might decide to stay trapped inside. Conveniently situated, you’ll be within 15 minutes of Via Nazionale, Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore and Teatro dell’Opera di Roma.
Located a few-minute walk from Termini station, The Beehive is a stylish hostel with an environmentally friendly ethos, and a top pick for travellers looking for a more relaxed stay. The dorms are spacious and airy, with large windows and bright orange-and-yellow trims, personal outlets and USB ports. The café and kitchen serve up delicious vegetarian meals, and even offer pasta-making classes and group dinners at least three times a week. It’s easy to explore the best of Rome with the hostel’s downloadable app, filled with recommendations from the two owners.
This female-only hostel is a top pick for women looking for a safe and welcoming stay in the heart of Rome. Located on the first floor of a 19th-century residential building across the street from the train station, this lodging has a casual and relaxed atmosphere where you can wind down after roaming the streets. There’s a shared kitchen, common area with TV and a sunny terrace that hosts a free breakfast including fruit and croissants every morning. The regular dinner parties and cooking classes in the evening are a great way to meet some fellow travellers.
One of the few hostels located outside the Esquilino district, The Bricks is in the Navona district, northwest of Vatican City. The gorgeous building has a rooftop terrace and an outdoor courtyard that’s a great spot to enjoy a meal or morning coffee. Dorms are basic but comfortable, featuring romantic balconies with a table and chairs. You’ll feel like a local wandering around the nearby Piazza Navona, a picturesque square ripe with aperitivo opportunities. Culture buffs will rejoice at the great transport connections into the centre and its proximity to St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
One of the newest hostels in town, the RomeHello Hostel is an ultra-modern accommodation with a quirky and unique vibe. Describing itself as ‘inspired by street art’, you can expect gorgeous murals and works of art throughout the common social areas that lend an alternative air to the hostel. Regular daily events make this a great spot for solo travellers looking to socialise, and the connected bar and grill, The Barrell, hosts regular live music. The hostel is located only 15 minutes from the Spanish Steps and the gorgeous Trevi Fountain.
One of the oldest hostels in the city, Alessandro Palace is another hostel that’s great for mingling with and meeting other travellers, and a highlight among hostels in Europe. A free glass of prosecco on arrival gets you buzzed for the regular events on the social calendar, such as karaoke nights, beer-pong tournaments, and the beginnings of bar crawls, all held in the hostel drinking hole, Palace Bar. Dormitories are simple, no-frills affairs. There’s a shared kitchen and gym on-site, and a gorgeous rooftop terrace that holds regular parties. Located north of Termini station, guests have Via Nazionale and Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore around the corner.
Fans of the film La Dolce Vita (1960) will fall in love with La Controra Hostel. It’s located right on Via Veneto, one of Rome’s most elegant streets, and the shooting location for the film. With large rooms available, the hostel is a good option for families and small groups. Included is a modest breakfast and access to a shared kitchen, while the staff have some excellent restaurant and bar recommendations. The location in Ludovisi is a 15-minute stroll to Termini Station, but one of the closest hostels to the historic centre.
A colourful hostel in the Prati neighbourhood on the western bank of the River Tiber, Comics Guesthouse is an affordable and cheerful option for travellers in Rome. Themed around comic books, superheroes, Simpson characters, and Manga artworks grace the walls of dorms and common spaces. Brightly painted rooms have modern furniture. A small shared kitchen and a common room complete with PlayStation are also available. It’s within easy walking distance of Vatican City and the historic centre, while wide boulevards brimming with wine bars, al fresco dining and cocktail lounges are just around the corner.
Tucked away in the traditional Trastevere neighbourhood, this hostel is a great place for couples and groups of friends looking for a true Roman experience away from the hustle and bustle of the main tourist areas. The dorms all come with en suite bathrooms and the hostel is home to an on-site bar and restaurant and a cosy garden space. But the heart here is the neighbourhood. Famed for its narrow cobblestone streets, walls of ivy, and lively wine bars and restaurants, you’ll discover that classic Italian vibe that will have you returning to Rome in no time.
