Top 20 Aventino, Rome vacation rentals & luxury serviced apartments

As one of the city's legendary seven hills, the Aventine plays a central role in the founding mythology of Rome. In ancient times it was a hive of activity – the home of foreign religious cults and dens of iniquity that caused consternation among the powers that be. Today it is a quiet residential neighbourhood full of sprawling mansions, historic churches and lovely gardens. There are no restaurants up here, so most of your neighbours will be retiring Romans making a retreat from the frenzy below. Distract yourself from the quest for food with the Basilica of Santa Sabina, a magical, fifth-century exercise in effortless architecture, and its adjacent orange gardens – full of kissing couples and winsome musicians. Further south brings you to the home of the Knights of Malta, with the famous keyhole that offers a hedgebound view of St Peter's. Head down the hill to find a cluster of ancient treasures – the remains of the Circus Maximus, the Bocca della Verità, Tiber Island, and a well-deserved panino.