Why Rome is the Ultimate Solo Travel Destination in 2025
By
Niamh Walsh
on
23rd May 2025
In 2025, Rome invites solo travellers to experience its timeless charm with the added allure of the Jubilee Year – offering rare access to sacred sites and a quieter, more intimate journey through the Eternal City.
Rome in 2025 feels like a city holding its breath. The new Pope, Leo XVI, has just stepped into the spotlight, casting a fresh light on an ancient stage. For those travelling solo, this year offers a rare kind of stillness amid the usual bustle.
Walk Rome’s streets alone and you’ll find the city doesn’t mind. It whispers history in every corner – emperors and artists, saints and rebels – making solitude feel less like loneliness and more like company. This year, the Jubilee adds a new layer. The Holy Doors at St Peter’s Basilica have swung open, and crossing their threshold feels like stepping into a story that’s been waiting for you.
Beyond the Vatican’s spiritual heart, Rome is full of intimate moments perfectly suited to solo travellers. Mornings can be spent with Bernini’s sculptures or Caravaggio’s paintings, afternoons wandering the peaceful lanes of the Jewish Ghetto or climbing Janiculum Hill for picturesque views. Evenings find you in neighbourhood trattorias where a glass of wine and a bowl of cacio e pepe are company enough.
The Jubilee also means special exhibitions, concerts and less crowded paths through the Vatican Museums. Arrive early to hear the faint Gregorian chants echoing from the basilica, a reminder that in this city, history and the present moment are inseparable.
Where to Stay
For a touch of cinematic flair, consider Hotel de la Ville situated atop the Spanish Steps. The hotel, which dates back to the 18th century and became part of the Rocco Forte collection in 2019, perfectly combines historic grandeur with modern sophistication.
The design draws inspiration from the Grand Tour era, when European nobles visited Rome to absorb its cultural heritage. With interiors by architect Tommaso Ziffer and design director Olga Polizzi, the hotel features hand-selected vintage furnishings, Italian-made tapestries, and artisanal touches that evoke the spirit of the period. The courtyard, designed by George Carter, is a tranquil escape, featuring geometric lines, obelisks and romantic lighting.
Hotel de la Ville offers 104 rooms and suites, each blending luxurious 18th-century-inspired furnishings with contemporary comforts. Spacious rooms come with panoramic views of Rome’s skyline, including the Dome of St Peter’s, and bathrooms lined with Sicilian plant based products from Irene Forte Skincare. Rooms are equipped with smart TVs, free WiFi, tea and coffee sets, in-room bars and universal charging stations. A 24-hour room service and concierge service cater to every need, from early check-ins to bespoke transfers.
Dining is a highlight, with the Michelin-starred Imàgo restaurant offering exquisite Italian cuisine and panoramic city views and the rooftop terrace is the perfect spot for a pre-dinner aperitif or late-night drink. With its central location, you’ll be just a short walk from the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Via Condotti’s luxury boutiques, yet the hotel remains an oasis of calm amidst the bustle of Rome.
For those seeking a quieter form of luxury, the Bvlgari Hotel Roma, which opened in 2023, offers a welcome retreat. Tucked behind the Mausoleum of Augustus, this hotel is a study in Roman elegance and modern minimalism. Inside, travertine, bronze and silk-lined walls create an atmosphere of soothing calm, while the design strikes a perfect balance between classic Roman luxury and contemporary refinement.
The hotel’s subterranean spa is an indulgence, with treatments that focus on relaxation and rejuvenation in a serene, private space. The rooftop terrace, complete with a pool and bar, provides stunning views of the city, offering the perfect spot to unwind after a day of sightseeing. For those who prefer seclusion, the hotel offers room service and private dining options, allowing guests to enjoy a peaceful meal in chic, minimalist surroundings.
Located just a short walk from Piazza del Popolo, the Roman Forum and the bustling Via del Corso, the Bvlgari Hotel Roma offers the best of both worlds -- a tranquil, luxurious base from which to explore Rome’s many cultural and historical landmarks. With a staff that excels at anticipating your needs, the hotel ensures that your time in the city is both restful and enriching.
Dining Alone
Rome embraces solo dining without fuss. Long lunches and late dinners are the norm, so sitting at a trattoria with a book or your thoughts feels completely natural. For something special, book a table at Il Giardino Ristorante, the rooftop restaurant at Hotel Eden, where sunset views frame refined Italian dishes and attentive service.
Or head to Trastevere, where simple spots like Da Enzo al 29 or Cesare al Casaletto offer no-nonsense Roman classics and a chance to share a table with locals over fried artichokes and house wine.
On Your Own Time
One of Rome’s gifts to solo travellers is the freedom to move at your own pace. Spend hours with Bernini’s statues at the Galleria Borghese, wander the vast Baths of Caracalla, or pause for a gelato – pistachio and fennel at Fatamorgana is a favourite – before following your instincts down quiet side streets.
Recent pedestrian zones around the Roman Forum and Piazza Venezia make it easier to explore on foot, and with the Jubilee drawing visitors from around the world, you’ll find others walking similar paths – sometimes exchanging a smile, other times content to walk silently side by side.
The Soul of the City
Perhaps the true reason Rome is the ultimate solo travel destination in 2025 is this: it makes you feel like you belong, without asking you to perform. It’s a city of layers – of faith and doubt, opulence and decay, noise and silence. Travelling alone here doesn’t feel lonely. It feels Roman.
And in a year when doors are opening – literal and metaphorical – it’s a beautiful time to walk through them.
For further inspiration, the Jubilee calendar of events can be found on the official Vatican website. For stays at Hotel de la Ville, Bulgari Hotel, or to book a table at Hotel Eden’s rooftop restaurant, advance reservations are recommended, particularly during peak seasons.
In 2025, Rome invites solo travellers to experience its timeless charm with the added allure of the Jubilee Year – offering rare access to sacred sites and a quieter, more intimate journey through the Eternal City.
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