Mixing ancient Roman ruins, renaissance art and contemporary Italian cuisine, Rome is an unmissable destination in Southern Europe. The city is crowded, dirty and noisy, but it’s also full of charming side streets to explore and ancient ruins that will set your imagination on fire.

There are hundreds of cheap youth hostels in Rome offering shared accommodation for backpackers, solo travellers and budget-conscious travellers. You can also find more upscale options in the form of boutique hostels and B&B’s that offer private rooms and give you a chance to escape after a day of sightseeing.

Youth hostels in Rome aren’t just a place to put your head. Some of the best hostels in Rome have their own rooftop terraces and private gardens where you can make some new friends on a warm summer evening. If you prefer to party, there’s also a great selection of hostels that put on regular social events at the bar, offer free welcome shots and organise pub crawls around the city.

Are you looking for price, proximity or peace of mind? The Termini District has the best selection of cheap, youth accommodation in the city, and as the name suggests, it’s extremely close to the Roma Termini railway station, which makes it easy to get in and out of the city as part of a longer trip.

If you’re more concerned with being in the heart of the action and having easy access to all of the best tourist attractions, then you’ll want to consider The Historical Centre. Finally, there’s the Trastevere Neighbourhood, which offers a slice of tranquillity in the city. You’ll pay slightly more to stay in the area, but it also gives you access to a selection of Rome's best cheap restaurants and wine bars.

For something a little different, why not spend the afternoon people watching from the Spanish Steps? You could also spend some time exploring the lanes and piazzas of Trastevere, or one of more than 2000 fountains dotted around the city. That includes the exquisite Trevi Fountain, which is filled with nearly 3000 euros every day – which goes to food and social programs around the world.

The Metro in Rome consists of only two lines, so it’s worth getting familiar with the buses if you want to avoid walking everywhere in the city. You can buy tickets from newsstands, tobacco shops and automated ticket vending machines at most Metro stations and a few larger bus stops.