Choosing where to stay in Italy can feel overwhelming, especially when every city offers dozens of different neighbourhoods and hundreds of hotels. After road-tripping through Italy ourselves, I quickly realized that the best place to stay isn’t always the fanciest hotel. Location, parking, walkability and how long you have in each destination can make a huge difference.
I’ve broken down each stop from our 2-Week Italy Road Trip Itinerary into budget, mid-range and luxury options, along with the areas I recommend staying in and a few practical things to consider before booking. I’ll also share where we stayed along the way, what we paid, and whether I’d choose it again.
A quick note on prices: Budget, mid-range and luxury are relative to each destination. Hotel prices in Italy can vary significantly depending on the season and how far in advance you book, so always check current rates for your travel dates.
Quick Guide: Where to Stay in Italy
| Destination | Where I’d Stay | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Rome | Trastevere or near the Colosseum | Food, sightseeing & first-time visitors |
| Cinque Terre | Riomaggiore | Coastal views & exploring Cinque Terre |
| Milan | Near the Duomo | Short stays & sightseeing |
| Lake Como | Agriturismo or Bellagio | Countryside stays & lake views |
| Venice | Venice proper | Atmosphere & walking |
| Florence | Historic Centre | Sightseeing, food & walkability |
| Tuscany | San Gimignano countryside | Agriturismos, wineries & relaxation |
Following the same route as us? Start with my 2-Week Italy Road Trip Itinerary, which covers the complete route from Rome through Cinque Terre, Milan, Lake Como, Venice, Florence and Tuscany.
Where to Stay in Rome
Rome was the only city on our trip where we stayed in two completely different neighbourhoods, and I’m actually glad we did. Both offered very different experiences.
If I were staying in Rome for several days, I’d choose Trastevere again. If I only had a night or two and wanted to pack in as many of Rome’s major sights as possible, I’d stay closer to the Colosseum and historic centre.
Staying in Trastevere
Trastevere ended up being one of my favourite neighbourhoods in Rome. Its cobblestone streets are packed with restaurants, cafés and bars, but it feels much more residential than the areas immediately surrounding Rome’s major attractions.
We especially loved having so many great food options nearby. We were far enough away from the major tourist attractions that our evenings felt quieter and less touristy, while still being close enough that we could easily hop on a scooter and be sightseeing within minutes.
Our original accommodation is unfortunately no longer available, but these are the alternatives I’d consider.
- 💰 Budget: B&B Hotel Roma Trastevere – A straightforward option if you’d rather save your money for food and sightseeing. It’s toward the southern end of Trastevere rather than right in the atmospheric historic core, but has easy access to public transportation.
Best for: budget-conscious travellers who prioritize value and transportation. - ⭐ Mid-Range: Hotel Santa Maria – If I were booking Trastevere again, this is the kind of property I’d look at. It’s tucked inside a former convent and built around a courtyard, right in the heart of the neighbourhood.
Best for: couples and first-time visitors who want the full Trastevere experience. - ✨ Luxury: Donna Camilla Savelli – A historic Baroque convent near the quieter edge of Trastevere. You still have easy access to the neighbourhood’s restaurants and nightlife, but the property offers more of a retreat from the busy streets.
Best for: couples looking for a romantic and historic stay.
Would I stay in Trastevere again? Absolutely. If I returned to Rome tomorrow, Trastevere would probably be my first choice. I loved having restaurants and neighbourhood life right outside our door while being removed from the most tourist-heavy streets surrounding Rome’s major attractions.
Staying Near the Colosseum
For our second stay in Rome, we completely changed locations and stayed directly beside the Colosseum.
If sightseeing is your priority or you’re short on time, this area is incredibly convenient. You’re steps away from the Colosseum and Roman Forum and can easily walk to many of Rome’s other major attractions.
Where We Stayed: Colosseum Corner
We paid approximately $250 CAD per night, and I was pleasantly surprised by the size of our room, especially by European city standards.
The biggest highlight, though, was the rooftop access. Having a rooftop overlooking the Colosseum was pretty hard to beat.
What we loved:
- Rooftop access with an incredible view of the Colosseum
- Clean, surprisingly spacious room
- Walking distance to many of Rome’s major sights
- Fantastic location if you only have a short amount of time in Rome
The downside: This area was noticeably louder at night than Trastevere, which isn’t surprising considering how central it is.
I’d happily recommend staying here if sightseeing and convenience are your priorities. For a longer Rome stay, though, I’d personally choose Trastevere.
Road-tripping through Italy? Rome is one place where I recommend parking your car and forgetting about it. Read my Driving in Italy: Everything You Need to Know Before Your Road Trip guide before arriving.
Where to Stay in Cinque Terre
There are five villages to choose from in Cinque Terre, but we based ourselves in Riomaggiore, and I’d happily choose it again.
I loved its colourful harbour, narrow streets and especially the quieter mornings before the day-trippers arrived. Staying overnight in Cinque Terre gives you a completely different experience than visiting on a day trip.
Other places to consider:
- 💰 Budget: Hotel Due Gemelli – Located outside the centre of Riomaggiore rather than directly in the harbour, but it offers parking, which is a significant advantage if you’re road-tripping through Italy.
Best for: travellers prioritizing price and parking. - ⭐ Mid-Range: Alla Marina Affittacamere – Right by Riomaggiore’s little harbour and only a few minutes from the train station, with sea views available from some rooms.
Best for: couples who want to be right in Riomaggiore and explore Cinque Terre by train and foot. - ✨ Luxury: Terre Prime Suite – This was our choice, and I’d recommend it if you’re looking to splurge on this part of the trip.
Where We Stayed: Terre Prime Suite
We stayed at Terre Prime Suite, and this was definitely one of our luxury stays.
The suite had a private hot tub and steam sauna, which was an amazing way to relax after spending the day exploring Cinque Terre. The view overlooking the colourful town made the stay even more memorable.
Parking in Riomaggiore can be tricky. We were travelling with a rental car, but thankfully our host helped us find a parking lot and arrange payment.
What we loved:
- Private hot tub
- Steam sauna
- Beautiful views over Riomaggiore
- Quiet place to unwind after exploring
If you’re splurging somewhere along the route, Cinque Terre is a pretty great place to do it.
Where to Stay in Milan
If you’re only spending one night in Milan like we did, I’d prioritize location over almost everything else.
Staying near the historic centre means you can park once and explore Milan on foot. We got incredibly lucky with a last-minute hotel that had a direct view of the Duomo from our window. Unfortunately, that property is no longer available, but I’d absolutely choose this area again.
My picks:
- 💰 Budget: Hotel Rio – It’s hard to beat this location for a more affordable stay in central Milan. Hotel Rio is just steps from the Duomo, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and Duomo Metro station, making it especially convenient if you only have a day or two in the city. The rooms are fairly simple, but breakfast is included and the location is the real selling point.
Best for: travellers who want to spend less without sacrificing a central location. - ⭐ Mid-Range: Hotel Dei Cavalieri Milano Duomo – Located around Piazza Missori, this four-star hotel is only about a 3-minute walk from Piazza del Duomo. It offers more space and amenities than the budget option while still keeping you right in the historic centre, plus there’s a rooftop restaurant and terrace.
Best for: couples and short stays where you want a balance of location, comfort and amenities. - ✨ Luxury: Rosa Grand Milano – Right in central Milan and an excellent alternative to the hotel we stayed at. Best for: short stays, couples and travellers who want to be right in the middle of Milan.
Our Experience in Milan
We got an amazing last-minute deal on a hotel with views of the Duomo right outside our window. Unfortunately, the property is no longer available, but waking up to that view was easily the highlight of our accommodation in Milan.
Rosa Grand Milano would be my pick for a similar centrally located luxury experience.
Where to Stay in Lake Como
Rather than staying directly in one of Lake Como’s busy waterfront towns, we chose an agriturismo, and it ended up being one of my favourite types of accommodation in Italy.
Agriturismos are working farms or agricultural properties that offer guest accommodations. They’re a great option if you’re road-tripping because you can stay somewhere peaceful and experience a completely different side of Italy.
Other options to consider:
- 💰 Budget: Hotel Il Perlo, Bellagio – A hillside property offering beautiful Lake Como views while generally providing better value than the luxury waterfront hotels.
Best for: travellers who want the Bellagio experience without luxury lakefront prices. - ⭐ Mid-Range: Agriturismo Cascina Mirandola – This is where we stayed and was fantastic value at approximately $126 CAD per night.
Best for: road-trippers, food lovers and anyone wanting a quieter countryside experience. - ✨ Luxury: Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni – A historic five-star property directly on Lake Como with a private beach, pools and spa.
Best for: honeymoons, anniversaries and a true Lake Como splurge.
Where We Stayed: Agriturismo Cascina Mirandola
We stayed at Agriturismo Cascina Mirandola and paid approximately $126 CAD per night, making this one of the best-value stays of our entire trip.
The food was incredible, and I loved being out in the countryside rather than staying in the middle of another busy town.
The obvious trade-off is location. You’re outside the main towns, so having a car makes exploring Lake Como much easier. Shuttle services may also be available, so check with the property when booking.
What we loved:
- Incredible food
- Peaceful countryside setting
- Excellent value
- A completely different experience from our city hotels
For more about this style of accommodation, read Why Agriturismos Are the Best Way to Stay in Italy.
Where to Stay in Venice
If you can, stay in Venice itself.
Venice becomes a completely different place early in the morning and later in the evening when many day-trippers have left. Being able to walk out of your hotel and immediately wander the canals was part of what made our stay so memorable.
If you’re following our Italy road-trip route, park your rental car before entering Venice and explore entirely on foot and by vaporetto.
My picks:
- 💰 Budget: Hotel San Moisè – Just minutes from St. Mark’s Square and the Grand Canal, making it a comparatively affordable way to stay right in central Venice.
Best for: travellers who care more about location than luxury amenities. - ⭐ Mid-Range: Hotel Moresco – Located in Dorsoduro near Piazzale Roma and the Grand Canal. This is particularly convenient for road-trippers arriving after parking their car.
Best for: couples and travellers wanting a quieter base with easy access to central Venice. - ✨ Luxury: The Gritti Palace – One of Venice’s iconic Grand Canal hotels and where we stayed.
Best for: a special occasion or making your hotel part of the Venice experience.
Where We Stayed: The Gritti Palace
We stayed at The Gritti Palace, and it was easily one of the most memorable hotels of our trip.
The rooms are filled with traditional Venetian fabrics and details, paired with stunning floor-to-ceiling Venetian marble bathrooms. Everything about our stay felt special, from the beautiful Grand Canal location to the food, service and incredible attention to detail.
It is unquestionably a splurge. We were able to book our stay using points, and I’m very glad we did because the hotel felt like part of the Venice experience itself rather than simply somewhere to sleep.
For photos of our Deluxe King room, breakfast details and my honest verdict, read my Gritti Palace Venice Review.
Where to Stay in Florence
For a short stay in Florence, I’d choose somewhere within walking distance of the historic centre.
Florence is extremely walkable, so once we’d arrived and parked the rental car, we could leave it behind and explore the city entirely on foot.
My picks:
- 💰 Budget: Hotel Dalì – A simple property close to the Duomo and within walking distance of Piazza della Signoria, the Uffizi Gallery and Ponte Vecchio.
Best for: sightseers who prioritize location over hotel amenities. - ⭐ Mid-Range: Hotel Pendini – Located around Piazza della Repubblica in the historic centre, with breakfast included and easy walking access to Florence’s major sights.
Best for: first-time visitors looking for a central boutique stay. - ✨ Luxury: FH55 Hotel in Florence – Our choice, with beautiful rooms, excellent breakfast and incredible Duomo views. Best for: travellers who want their Florence accommodation to feel a little more special.
Where We Stayed: FH55 Hotel in Florence
We stayed at FH55 Hotel in Florence and paid approximately $350 CAD per night.
The location was excellent, breakfast was great and our room was beautiful, but the highlight for me was definitely the view of the Duomo. Having that view from our room made the stay feel much more special.
What we loved:
- Beautiful room
- Great breakfast
- Excellent location
- Incredible Duomo views
If you’re continuing into the countryside afterward, check out my 10 Unique Things to Do in Tuscany for ideas beyond Florence.
Where to Stay in Tuscany
If you’re road-tripping through Tuscany, I strongly recommend spending at least a night or two outside Florence.
We stayed near San Gimignano, which gave us the perfect combination of countryside relaxation and easy access to one of Tuscany’s most beautiful medieval towns.
My picks:
- 💰 Budget: Hotel Leon Bianco – Located directly on Piazza della Cisterna in San Gimignano.
Best for: travellers without a car or anyone who wants to walk straight out of their hotel and into town. - ⭐ Mid-Range: Hotel Sovestro – A countryside property close to San Gimignano with its own vineyards and a shuttle into town.
Best for: travellers who want countryside surroundings without feeling isolated. - ✨ Luxury: Mormoraia – A beautiful countryside retreat outside San Gimignano with a rustic spa and gorgeous grounds. This was our choice.
Best for: couples, relaxation and anyone wanting the classic Tuscan countryside experience.
Where We Stayed: Mormoraia
We stayed at Mormoraia just outside San Gimignano and paid approximately $236 CAD per night.
This was exactly what I pictured when I imagined staying in the Tuscan countryside.
The grounds were absolutely beautiful, but what really made the stay for me was the rustic spa retreat. After so many busy sightseeing days, having a slower afternoon to enjoy the property and spa was incredibly nice.
This is one place where I wouldn’t pack your itinerary too tightly. Give yourself time to actually enjoy where you’re staying.
What we loved:
- Beautiful Tuscan countryside setting
- Rustic spa
- Gorgeous grounds
- Close enough to explore San Gimignano
- Perfect for a slower day during a busy road trip
While you’re here, don’t miss my 10 Unique Things to Do in Tuscany and my Brolio Castle Gran Cru Tour Review if you’re looking to add a wine tour and tasting to the itinerary.
My Favourite Places We Stayed in Italy
After staying everywhere from countryside agriturismos to one of Venice’s most iconic luxury hotels, I don’t think there’s one type of accommodation that’s automatically “best” in Italy.
Part of the fun is mixing them.
- Best luxury experience: The Gritti Palace, Venice
- Best place to relax: Mormoraia, Tuscany
- Best value: Agriturismo Cascina Mirandola, Lake Como
- Best neighbourhood: Trastevere, Rome
- Best view: Terre Prime Suite, Riomaggiore
- Most convenient for sightseeing: Colosseum Corner, Rome
If I were planning the trip again, I’d do something very similar. Save money on some of the short city stops and use that budget to splurge on one or two memorable properties where you’ll actually have time to enjoy them.
Planning Your Italy Road Trip
If you’re still deciding where to go, start with my 2-Week Italy Road Trip Itinerary for the exact route we followed.
You may also find these guides helpful:
- Italy in November: What It’s Really Like
- Driving in Italy: Everything You Need to Know Before Your Road Trip
- Why Agriturismos Are the Best Way to Stay in Italy
- 10 Unique Things to Do in Tuscany
- Gritti Palace Venice Review
- Brolio Castle Gran Cru Tour Review
Whether you’re looking for a simple room in the middle of the city or a Tuscan agriturismo surrounded by vineyards, my biggest advice is to think about how you’ll actually be spending your time in each destination. For sightseeing-heavy stops, location usually wins. For slower parts of the trip, the hotel itself can become part of the experience.
