My Complete Guide To Staying Near The Pantheon In Rome

Staying near the Pantheon in Rome is a great choice if you want to be super central and like the buzz of a city.

You would be close to many must-see sites and monuments in the Eternal City.

The area is also full of excellent restaurants, local spots, and great shopping.

But it may not be right for everyone, so in this guide I'll be sharing my experience and advice according to your travel preferences and needs.

Everything You Need To Know About Staying Near the Pantheon

Whether you're after a luxury hotel, self-catering apartment or simple BnB, the Pantheon neighborhood has it all.

This doesn't automatically mean that near the Pantheon is the best place to stay in Rome, as there are a lot of factors that go into finding the right area for you.

To help you book your Rome accommodation, in this guide I'll be talking about:

• Why stay in the Pantheon area?
• Hotels near the Pantheon
• Apartments in the Pantheon neighborhood
• Is staying near the Pantheon right for you?
• Luxury accommodation around the Pantheon
• Budget accommodation near the Pantheon
• Our favorite place to stay near the Pantheon in Rome

Why Stay In The Pantheon Area?

You might think that staying near one of Rome's most famous monuments could be a bad idea.

What if it's loud, touristy, and busy all the time?

But, if I was a visitor coming to Rome, this would be my top choice neighborhood for where to stay.

First of all, you will be practically in the geographical center of Rome, with most of the must-see tourist sites close to the Pantheon.

Piazza Navona and the Trevi Fountain are a short walk away, the Colosseum is easily accessible, as is the Vatican in the opposite direction.

Second, you can see the Pantheon, the best preserved ancient Roman structure in Rome, as often as you like, at the very least from the outside.

There is nothing like seeing the Pantheon at dawn and also late at night, when there is almost nobody around and Piazza della Rotonda is pretty empty.

Third, as much as it is an area that inevitably attracts crowds, it's also a very local Roman neighborhood and there are plenty of quiet streets to explore.

Fourth, there is no end of shops, restaurants, bars, gelato shops and more all around you.

You will have no trouble finding exactly what you want at any point during your trip.

Hotels Near The Pantheon

There are lots of different hotels near the Pantheon.

The neighborhood was previously home to many grand palaces and buildings owned by Rome’s nobility, and over the years lots of these have been converted into hotels.

Some are smaller boutique hotels with just a few rooms, others are mid-range and then there are quite a few high-end luxury hotel options.

The prices of hotels in this area are on the higher side because of how central they are, but there are a few cheaper, more budget options a bit further out.

Because there are a lot of different hotels around the Pantheon, there is a lot of competition.

Standards are high and you will generally find the staff at these hotels eager to help as much as they can.

Keep an eye out for special features such as rooftop bars, balconies overlooking the classically Roman narrow streets or breakfast buffets offering more than the standard Italian continental selection.

However what you will not find in the hotels in this area are swimming pools or big sunbathing areas.

Space is tight and buildings are pretty close together so there is no room for even small swimming pools or places for people to lie out in the sun.

Similarly, do not expect far-reaching views of Rome from your room window.

The Pantheon neighborhood is not on a hill so unless you are staying on the very top floor of a hotel (and sometimes not even then), your view is most likely going to be of the surrounding buildings.

Apartments in the Pantheon Neighborhood

There are quite a few apartments you can stay in around the Pantheon.

As with the hotels, these are mostly in buildings that have been converted into modern properties.

This means that layouts are often unusual, room sizes are not standard and the quality of facilities can vary hugely.

We love the quirkiness of the self-catering apartments in this area as they are very Roman, but you should bear this in mind when browsing through the different options available.

There are two broad categories of apartments near the Pantheon; those that are designed for people using it essentially as a hotel room and those that are for people wanting a true ‘home-stay’ experience.

The first type comes with limited kitchen facilities and tends to be smaller, whereas the second is set up much more like an actual home.

You should think about whether you will be doing any cooking, remote working or spending more time inside when deciding what apartment to book.

Does it have a workspace, basic cooking equipment, or anything more than small folding chairs to sit on?

You’d be surprised how simple the inventory is for some of the cheaper apartments in Rome!

One other point to note is that this is an area of Rome where there is currently a big push to remove key-boxes and keypads from the outside of historic buildings.

Owners are therefore having to arrange check-in to take place in person, which may be restrictive if you have a late flight or are unsure of your arrival time.

If self check-in is an important need for you, this area will not give you many options compared to places further away from the historic center.

Is Staying Near the Pantheon Right For You?

As I said at the beginning of this guide, I love the Pantheon area and would definitely stay here if I was a visitor. However, as with any neighborhood or area there are pros and cons to consider, so it may not be the right place for you and the people you are traveling with:

Families

When people traveling as a family ask me for advice on where to stay in Rome, my first questions are always when are you coming, and how old are your kids.

If you are traveling as a family in the summer, the Pantheon neighborhood is not my recommended location.

The heat can feel more intense in the center, and you have to go further to get out to the green spaces and parks that feel cooler.

If you are coming in the cooler months however, it’s a great place for families.

The close proximity of everything means you can pop in and out of your accommodation as needed with your kids.

You also don’t have to worry about taking buses as you’ll be so close to everything.

When it comes to the age of your kids, older kids and teenagers tend to like the noise and excitement of the area.

They are old enough to not get lost and there is so much for them to do.

However younger kids may struggle.

The paths are all cobblestone so if they fall it will hurt, there are no playgrounds and the uneven floor makes being in a buggy or pram quite uncomfortable for everyone.

Couples

Staying near the Pantheon as a couple is a great idea.

If someone is looking for a romantic break or wants a luxurious vacation as a couple, this area is always at the top of my recommendation list.

As well as the variety of accommodation options you will have, there are lots of places in the area that are perfect for couples.

Cosy restaurants, fun wine bars, all the shopping you could want and of course an almost unlimited amount of things to do.

Walking around the streets at night when the crowds have left, finding somewhere for an after-dinner drink and soaking up the ambience is a must-do activity.

Solo Travelers

If you’re visiting Rome by yourself, the area around the Pantheon is a good choice for your accommodation.

It is safe to walk around by yourself at night and you don’t have to travel long distances alone on public transport.

Eating and drinking alone is very normal here and you can easily join a food tour or walking tour as well.

Accessibility and Mobility Needs

If you require accessibility-friendly accommodation or struggle with mobility, the Pantheon neighborhood may be a good place to stay in Rome.

This comes down to your individual needs.

Many of the hotels, BnB’s and apartments have elevators if you struggle with steps, but these are not always large enough to accommodate wheelchairs.

Buildings may have elevators in the common area but then there are steps or uneven surfaces inside the accommodation or to get into the building from the street.

I always recommend checking directly with any accommodation if the access will be suitable for you, and carefully look at the pictures that are available.

When navigating the streets around the Pantheon, they can be uneven.

I suggest finding accommodation closer to the main roads in the neighborhood as the sidewalks tend to be a bit wider, are better maintained and taxis can get to you more easily.

Luxury Accommodation Near the Pantheon

There are a lot of luxury accommodation options in the Pantheon area.

These range from excellent quality 4* hotels to well-appointed apartments and super high-end boutique hotels.

Having visited many of these luxury hotels, they are a worthwhile splurge.

Stunning rooftop terraces, fabulous decor and top-quality linens in the rooms, tasty food options and excellent service all come together to create a wonderful experience.

The Six Senses hotel is one of Rome’s newer luxury hotels, located just off Via del Corso, or you can go for the classic elegance of the La Minerva overlooking Bernini’s elephant in the piazza below.

I have spent many evenings in the rooftop bar of the 5* Singer Palace, which is a more modern hotel created from the old Singer sewing machine headquarters.

You cannot go wrong with the hotels in this category, but always remember to confirm what facilities are on site.

Even the super luxurious hotels are constrained by the available space and rules around what can be done to historic buildings so these may not be the same as other 5* properties you have stayed in around the world.

Budget Accommodation Near the Pantheon

At the opposite end of the price range for accommodation near the Pantheon, you can find some good quality cheaper options.

These are not truly budget prices, as nothing in the center of Rome is really that cheap these days, but you can find some good value places.

Look for guest houses and BnB’s, or smaller apartments, which tend to be cheaper than hotels.

You can expect more basic accommodation and less in the way of amenities, but accommodation will be clean and you will still be right in the heart of things.

There aren’t really any hostels near the Pantheon; those are generally closer to the Roma Termini train station if you’re looking for this type of accommodation.

Our Favorite Place to Stay Near the Pantheon

It would be impossible for us to have tried all the different accommodation options near the Pantheon.

However, between our own personal experiences and those of all the people we have given recommendations to over the years, it is undeniable that our favorite place to stay near the Pantheon is the Grand Hotel La Minerva.

Now rebranded as the Orient Express La Minerva after a major renovation project, everything about the hotel is spectacular.

The rooftop bar (open to the public) has one of my favorite views of the Pantheon and the next door church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva is a must-visit.

Ultimately, deciding where to stay near the Pantheon comes down to your personal preferences and budget, but the good news is that there really is something for everyone here.

---