The streets in Rome’s historic center are paved with beautiful “Sampietrini”, that date back hundreds of years. And are particularly problematic for tourists in wheelchairs.

Walking around Rome’s winding, narrow basalt-stone roads can take a toll on even the most avid of urban walkers – and it’s certainly no easier for differently abled tourists navigating a wheelchair amid the chaos.

The hard stone pavement, the crowds of people, the constant need to dodge traffic – it’s all part of the experience of getting around Rome, for better or for worse. But visiting Rome in a wheelchair shouldn’t be defined by the added inconveniences of inaccessibility. With good planning ahead of time and knowing what obstacles you might face to avoid surprises, your Roman Holiday can be just as pleasant as you’ve always dreamed.

Helpful information and services for traveling to Rome with a wheelchair

In all cases, memorize the number 060608 to call any time you need any form of information or assistance for tourists. Also their website serves as a helpful directory.

If you’re arriving and/or departing by train via Termini, contact Sala Blu a service offered by Trenitalia for tourists travelling with limited mobility. Train platforms are not accessible, so Sala Blu offers arrival and departure services for getting on and off the train, as well as help with booking tickets and locating accessible facilities. Click here to view a map of Termini Station, accessible restrooms, and Sala Blu.

For a wide variety of accessible tours in Rome, look into Sage Traveling, the “European Disabled Travel Experts”, which offers guided tours specifically for tourists in wheelchairs or with limited mobility.

Plan your days accordingly: Keep in mind that there are few public restrooms that are accessible, and even coffee bar or restaurant bathrooms are often very cramped or located downstairs in the basement. While museums usually have accessible bathrooms, consider planning your days so you have time to return to your accommodation.

What to know about visiting Rome with a wheelchair

Don’t be surprised if courteous Roman drivers have blocked sidewalks with their vehicles.

Cobblestone Streets & virtually no sidewalks in the center

Bring wider tires for your wheelchair as the more narrow ones can often get caught between the pavement stones and end up damaging your frame. Keep in mind too that even if the street has sidewalks, it’s likely that they are blocked by parked cars.

Hilly landscape: the nemesis of the wheelchair

In case you didn’t know, Rome sprawls out over 7 hills which can make moving around the city much more difficult. Whether you’re pushing yourself or have assistance, tackling some of Rome’s hills can make your experience a lot more exhausting. Consider taking a taxi to visit certain areas of the city.

Don’t count on public transportation. Take Taxis.

While some of Rome’s buses are accessible, not all of them are – and only certain lines. Taxis will be your best bet for getting around Rome’s city center, and aren’t too expensive (about €8-15 between most monuments)

Be sure the restaurant you’d like to visit is wheelchair accessible

During the warm summer months, many restaurants set up tables on the sidewalk or on the street, making it more convenient for dining. But many times you’ll read about a fabulous restaurant only to learn that there are a few steps at the entry or in the dining room. Certainly the restaurant staff will kindly help you, but if you’re uncomfortable with this you should call and ask about any steps or possible issues before hand.

Accessible Vacation Apartments in Rome

The Principe Amedeo apartment near Termini Station and Piazza Vittorio, features traditional Roman architectural elements, like arched doorways and terra cotta floor.

Fully accessible vacation apartments are hard to come by, since virtually all homes require at least a step or two and bathrooms are not large enough for a wheelchair. If you’re limited by such things then a vacation rental in Rome is not for you. But for guests with limited mobility but can manage a few steps and navigate tighter spaces, a vacation rental in Rome can be an extremely cultural and exciting experience.

All of the following apartments are either located on the ground level or are accessible by elevator, and indicate the number of stairs. In the center of Rome, nearly every single elevator is a unique situation, adapted for that space so none of them have a standard dimension and are often much smaller than those in more modern cities.

*ROMAC can provide wheelchair rental upon request! Contact us for pricing and availability.

Accessible Apartment near Termini Station

A stone’s throw from Termini Station and Piazza Vittorio, our Principe Amedeo vacation rental is located on the 5th floor, but easily accessed with a elevator (large interior but it has “winged” doors making the opening too narrow for a standard wheelchair), with just a very low threshold at the entrance to overcome.

Accessible Apartment near Piazza Navona

Our Coronari Apartment near Piazza Navona is located on the ground floor of the building, with a lovely interior courtyard and spacious living room. There is a lower level and a loft, both accessed by stairs, but there are bathrooms and bedrooms located on the ground floor.

Accessible apartments near Flaminio

Escape the chaos of being in the very center of the historic part of Rome and discover the peaceful residential neighborhood of Flaminio, an area of the city without cobblestone streets, wide sidewalks, fresh air and less traffic. Discover our MAXXI apartment near Stadio Olimpico and the Foro Italico, located on the 2nd floor accessible by elevator, with a few steps at the entrance leading to the lift.

Accessible apartment near the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps

Our Campo Marzio apartment is a spacious vacation rental near Piazza di Spagna that sprawls over 3 floors and can accommodate up to 14 guests in 6 bedrooms and 5 baths. While there’s no elevator, the ground floor features a bedroom with ensuite bath, kitchen, very spacious living room and dining room, and 2 extra baths, all accessible without any stairs.

The Condotti I & II vacation apartments near the Spanish Steps are both accessible by elevator but have a step or two at the entrance from the landing.

Accessible apartment near the Vatican

Our Vaticano holiday apartment near the Vatican Museums offers the perfect location to walk to Vatican City, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Vatican Museums all from your home away from home. Located on the 2nd floor with an elevator (with a step into the building and a few steps to reach the elevator), the apartment can accommodate up to 5 guests in its 1 bedroom and a spacious living room.

Accessible apartment near the Colosseum

For guests looking for a classic Roman experience should look into the Monti vacation apartment close to the Colosseum, in a neighborhood known as Monti – full of restaurants, shops, and nightlife. The apartment is located on an incline, and there is a step to enter the building and another to get to the entrance to the elevator giving access to the apartment on the 2nd floor.

Stay on Via Nazionale, one of the main arteries of the center of Rome in our Quirinale vacation rental. There is a very narrow elevator that gives access to the apartment on the 3rd floor.

Have you experienced Rome from a wheelchair or with limited mobility? Share your experience with us in the comments below!