As most travelers know, the city of Rome, Italy is the place to go to see such famous ancient attractions as the Pantheon, the Colosseum, and the Roman Forum. Thanks to the popularity of the city and the introduction of the Euro, travel in Europe is becoming more expensive. One great way to see the city of Rome on a budget is by taking advantage of Rome hostels. Hostels in Rome tend toward the small; for the most part youth hostels in Rome don’t feature the enormous 20 person dorms of some other cities. The advantage of the often smaller size of Rome hostels means you will often get personalized care, such as complimentary breakfast or towel and linen service.

If you visit Rome during the summer, you should be aware that air conditioning is still not the norm in Europe, and even the tourist sections of Rome are not an exception. Although a few Rome hostels may have air conditioning, be prepared to go without. For backpackers, this can actually be an advantage. Since not all hostels offer bedding, you will want to bring along a sheet or blanket to use. In the summer, you will never need to pack a sleeping back if backpacking through Rome.

While there are a number of excellent hostels in Rome, the Lilliput Hostel near the Colosseum is a great example of the amenities a small Rome hostel can offer. For less than 50 Euros a night, travelers have unlimited access to a computer in the common area with internet access, as well as a complimentary buffet-style breakfast in the morning and laundry service (coin operated). The Lilliput is also literally just a few short steps away from the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, making site-seeing trips on foot quite convenient. This Rome hostel also features 24 hour check-in services and does not have a curfew. Although hostels in some other cities do enforce a curfew, most travelers find that hostels in Rome only rarely do. An enforced curfew means that the owners lock the hostel at a certain hour, after which guests cannot come in.

Another great choice for youth hostels in Rome is the Pop Inn Hostel. The Pop Inn is particularly popular among young travelers, and offers the only 24 hour breakfast service in Rome. Though the Pop Inn does offer lockers, you need to have your own padlock in order to secure your items. For hostels such as this which have a 24 hour check-in service, it is a good idea to lock up your personal items while you are out traveling or are sleeping. Always keep your passport and money locked or, even better, in a flat money belt around your waist under your clothing. It is also good to have a copy of your passport with you in case your original is lost or stolen.

If you are looking for youth hostels in Rome which accommodate travelers looking for their own sleeping quarters, you might give the Papa Germano a try. This Rome hostel offers single and double rooms in addition to 4-person dorms. Breakfast and internet access is included in the price of your stay, which is under 60 Euros for a single room, and as low as 30 Euros for a spot in the 4-person dorm at this Rome hostel.