🌍 Overview
Rome, the Eternal City, has become a hotspot for digital nomads in recent years, and for good reason. With its rich history, stunning architecture, and mouth-watering cuisine, Rome offers a unique blend of culture, lifestyle, and infrastructure that makes it an attractive destination for remote workers. As a digital nomad, you’ll find Rome’s cost of living to be relatively affordable, with a 1-bedroom apartment renting for around $822/month, and a meal at a local trattoria costing approximately $12.8. But what really draws nomads to Rome is the community - a thriving network of remote workers, entrepreneurs, and freelancers who call this city home.
Rome’s digital nomad scene is still in its early stages, with a digital nomad infrastructure score of 42/100, but it’s growing rapidly, with new coworking spaces and networking events popping up all the time. While the city’s infrastructure may not be as developed as some of its European counterparts, Rome’s unique charm and warm hospitality make it an irresistible destination for those looking to experience la dolce vita. As a digital nomad, you can expect to find a lively social scene, with plenty of opportunities to meet new people and make connections.
🏘️ Best Neighborhoods
Centro Storico (Historic Center)
The Centro Storico, or Historic Center, is the heart of Rome’s old town, and for good reason. This picturesque neighborhood is home to some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the Trevi Fountain. As a digital nomad, you’ll find that the Centro Storico is a great place to stay, with plenty of coworking spaces, cafes, and restaurants to choose from. However, be warned that this neighborhood can get quite crowded and noisy, especially during peak tourist season.
Typical monthly rent range: $1,200 - $1,800
Pros: central location, plenty of coworking spaces, lively social scene Cons: noisy, crowded, expensive
Notable streets or areas within the neighborhood: Via del Corso, Piazza Venezia, Via dei Fori Imperiali
Monti
The Monti neighborhood is a charming and up-and-coming area that’s quickly become a favorite among digital nomads. This hilltop neighborhood offers stunning views of the city, as well as a more relaxed and laid-back atmosphere than the Centro Storico. You’ll find plenty of cafes, restaurants, and shops to explore, as well as a growing number of coworking spaces and networking events.
Typical monthly rent range: $800 - $1,200
Pros: relaxed atmosphere, stunning views, plenty of coworking spaces Cons: can be quiet and deserted at night
Notable streets or areas within the neighborhood: Via dei Serpenti, Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta, Via Panetteria
Trastevere
Trastevere is one of Rome’s most iconic neighborhoods, known for its narrow streets, charming piazzas, and lively nightlife. As a digital nomad, you’ll find that Trastevere is a great place to stay, with plenty of coworking spaces, cafes, and restaurants to choose from. However, be warned that this neighborhood can get quite crowded and noisy, especially during peak tourist season.
Typical monthly rent range: $1,000 - $1,500
Pros: lively nightlife, plenty of coworking spaces, charming atmosphere Cons: noisy, crowded, expensive
Notable streets or areas within the neighborhood: Via della Lungaretta, Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere, Via San Francesco a Ripa
Prati
The Prati neighborhood is a more residential area that’s quickly become a favorite among digital nomads. This neighborhood is known for its wide streets, charming parks, and plenty of green spaces. You’ll find plenty of coworking spaces, cafes, and restaurants to choose from, as well as a more relaxed and laid-back atmosphere than some of the city’s more touristy areas.
Typical monthly rent range: $600 - $1,000
Pros: relaxed atmosphere, plenty of green spaces, affordable rent Cons: can be quiet and deserted at night
Notable streets or areas within the neighborhood: Via Cola di Rienzo, Piazza del Popolo, Via Nazionale
Digital Nomad Guide
Coworking Spaces
Some of the best coworking spaces in Rome include:
- Hub Rome: A modern coworking space with high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and a community of like-minded professionals. Approximate monthly rate: $200 - $300.
- The Hub: A coworking space with a focus on startup and entrepreneurship, offering high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and a community of innovators. Approximate monthly rate: $300 - $400.
- Nomad Space: A coworking space with a focus on digital nomads, offering high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and a community of remote workers. Approximate monthly rate: $250 - $350.
Internet Quality
Rome’s internet quality is generally good, with an average speed of 17 Mbps. However, fiber availability is still limited in some areas, so be sure to check with your landlord or coworking space before making a decision.
Nomad Community Scene
The nomad community scene in Rome is thriving, with plenty of networking events, meetups, and coworking spaces to choose from. Some popular meetups include:
- Rome Digital Nomads: A meetup group for digital nomads, offering networking events, coworking spaces, and social activities.
- Nomad Meetups Rome: A meetup group for remote workers, offering networking events, coworking spaces, and social activities.
- Startup Rome: A meetup group for startups and entrepreneurs, offering networking events, coworking spaces, and social activities.
Cafes to Work From
Some of the best cafes to work from in Rome include:
- Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè: A cozy cafe with high-speed internet, power outlets, and a relaxed atmosphere. Approximate cost: $5 - $10.
- Caffè Sant’Angelo: A modern cafe with high-speed internet, power outlets, and a lively atmosphere. Approximate cost: $5 - $10.
- Caffè Greco: A historic cafe with high-speed internet, power outlets, and a charming atmosphere. Approximate cost: $5 - $10.
Visa Options
Rome is a popular destination for remote workers, and there are several visa options available. Some popular options include:
- Tourist visa: A short-term visa that allows you to stay in Italy for up to 90 days.
- Freelance visa: A long-term visa that allows you to work in Italy as a freelancer.
- Entrepreneur visa: A long-term visa that allows you to start a business in Italy.
Banking and Practical Setup Tips
Some practical tips for setting up your life in Rome include:
- Opening a bank account: You’ll need to open a bank account to receive your salary and pay your bills. Some popular banks in Rome include Intesa Sanpaolo, Unicredit, and BancoPosta.
- Getting a SIM card: You’ll need a SIM card to stay connected while you’re in Rome. Some popular carriers include TIM, Vodafone, and Wind.
- Finding accommodation: You can find accommodation through online platforms like Airbnb, or by working with a local real estate agent.
🎨 Culture & Vibe
Local Customs and Etiquette
Rome is a city with a rich history and culture, and there are several local customs and etiquette to keep in mind. Some examples include:
- Greeting: When greeting someone in Rome, it’s customary to kiss on both cheeks, and then shake hands.
- Table manners: When eating in Rome, it’s customary to keep your hands visible on the table, and to not leave your fork on the side of your plate.
- Time: Rome is a city that values time, and it’s customary to be on time for appointments and meetings.
Food Scene Highlights
Rome is famous for its food, and there are several must-try dishes to add to your list. Some highlights include:
- Carbonara: A rich and creamy pasta dish made with bacon, eggs, and parmesan cheese.
- Amatriciana: A spicy pasta dish made with guanciale, tomatoes, and pecorino romano cheese.
- Gelato: Rome is famous for its gelato, and you’ll find plenty of shops throughout the city serving up delicious flavors.
Nightlife and Social Scene
Rome’s nightlife scene is lively and varied, with something for everyone. Some popular areas include:
- Trastevere: A charming neighborhood with plenty of bars, clubs, and live music venues.
- Monti: A trendy neighborhood with plenty of cocktail bars and live music venues.
- Prati: A more residential area with plenty of upscale bars and restaurants.
Arts and Cultural Attractions
Rome is a city with a rich history and culture, and there are several arts and cultural attractions to explore. Some highlights include:
- The Vatican: A must-visit attraction that offers breathtaking architecture, art, and history.
- The Galleria Borghese: A museum that houses an impressive collection of Renaissance and Baroque art.
- The Roman Forum: A historic site that offers a glimpse into ancient Rome.
⭐ Highlights
- Visit the Colosseum, one of Rome’s most iconic landmarks.
- Explore the Vatican City, including the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica.
- Take a walk through the charming neighborhoods of Trastevere and Monti.
- Visit the Pantheon, one of Rome’s most impressive ancient buildings.
- Explore the Galleria Borghese, a museum that houses an impressive collection of Renaissance and Baroque art.
💡 Practical Tips
- Visa requirements: Check with the Italian embassy or consulate in your home country to see what visa requirements apply to you.
- Getting around: Rome has a comprehensive public transportation system, including buses, trams, and metro lines.
- Safety: As with any major city, be aware of your surroundings and keep an eye on your belongings.
- Language: While many Romans speak English, it’s still a good idea to learn some basic Italian phrases to help you navigate the city.
- Money: The official currency in Italy is the euro, and you’ll find plenty of ATMs and currency exchange offices throughout the city.
- Healthcare: Italy has a well-regarded healthcare system, and you can find plenty of medical facilities and services throughout the city.
