Staying in an apartment between the Pantheon and Piazza Navona means you are not just visiting Rome—you are sleeping inside history itself. This is the “Centro Storico,” a labyrinth of cobblestone alleys, hidden courtyards, and Renaissance fountains that pulse with 2,000 years of life. While others take a taxi to see the sights, you simply step out of your front door.
When you stay in one of our homes in the historic center, you trade the tour-bus rush for the magic of “la dolce vita.” Here is how to live like a local in the heart of the world’s most beautiful neighborhood.
1. The 7 AM Coffee at the Pantheon
The Pantheon is magical, but at 2 PM it’s a crowded tourist hub. Do what the locals do: go at sunrise. Grab a coffee at Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè (a Roman institution since 1938) and walk to the Piazza della Rotonda before 8 AM. You will have the square—and the magnificent Pantheon—almost entirely to yourself. Watching the light hit the oculus is a spiritual experience.
2. Shop at the ‘Salumeria’, Not the Supermarket
The Centro Storico is home to some of the last great “botteghe” (artisan shops). Skip the mini-market and head to Salumeria Roscioli or Antica Norcineria Viola. Ask for “due etti di prosciutto” (200g of prosciutto) and a piece of “pecorino.” Grab a bottle of wine. This is the perfect, simple lunch to enjoy back at your apartment, feeling 100% Roman.
3. Discover the Hidden ‘Chiostro del Bramante’
Steps from the chaotic Piazza Navona is a haven of perfect Renaissance peace. The Chiostro del Bramante (Bramante’s Cloister) is a stunning courtyard attached to the Santa Maria della Pace church. It houses excellent art exhibits, but the real secret is the upstairs café. You can sip a cappuccino while looking down on the cloister’s perfect proportions—it’s one of the most beautiful, quiet views in Rome.
4. Find the ‘Speaking Statues’
Long before social media, Romans anonymously posted political satire and complaints on statues known as the “talking statues.” The most famous is Pasquino, located just behind Piazza Navona. It’s a battered ancient statue that, for centuries, was covered in witty, critical poems. It’s a true slice of “local” Roman history that 99% of tourists walk right past.
5. The Evening ‘Passeggiata’ on Via dei Coronari
When the sun sets, the tour buses leave, and the neighborhood becomes yours. Avoid the tourist-packed main streets and join the local passeggiata (evening stroll) on Via dei Coronari. This ancient street, once for sellers of rosary beads (“corone”), is now lined with antique shops and artisan boutiques. It’s impossibly romantic and leads you straight to the banks of the Tiber river for a view of Castel Sant’Angelo.
Ready to live inside history? Discover our collection of apartments in the heart of Rome’s Centro Storico.
