Heading to Rome this autumn? Monasteries offer safe, unexpected stays for solo women travellers
Visiting Rome alone can feel daunting — especially for women worried about safety. But this autumn, as the Eternal City gears up for its Jubilee celebrations and Christmas, an increasing number of solo female travellers are discovering an unusual secret to peace of mind: staying in monastery and convent guesthouses.
According to Johanna Jernberg from Monasteries.com, women travelling solo outnumber men by nearly two to one. Yet 88% still feel somewhat threatened when travelling alone in the UK or Europe. Rome, Europe’s second most visited city, may not immediately spring to mind as a safe solo destination. But recent data paints a different picture: ranked 23rd on The Economist’s Safe Cities Index, the Italian capital is safer than many popular tourist cities — including Dubai and New York.
The difference, it seems, lies in choice of accommodation. While many women feel safest in holiday rentals or large hotels, there’s growing interest in monastery stays. These spaces — managed by religious orders — offer a quiet, welcoming environment and often come with curfews. That’s a trade-off some solo travellers embrace, appreciating the sense of security the routine offers.
Monasteries like Casa Margherita Teresa, run by the Convittrici del Bambin Gesù, sit a little off the beaten path but offer affordable rooms with private bathrooms and a chapel for guests seeking a spiritual retreat. Closer to the centre, La Casa Il Rosario, managed by the Dominican Sisters of Charity, combines historical charm with modern comforts like heating and air conditioning. Then there’s Domus Sessoriana — nestled within the ancient walls of the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme — where guests can experience a rare blend of sacred tradition and city life.
For many women, monasteries provide more than just a bed for the night. They offer a sense of community and calm — a welcome contrast to the anonymity and sometimes unsettling hustle of hotels or rentals.
With Rome hosting a swathe of cultural and religious events this year, solo travellers looking for something beyond the usual tourist fare might find the monastery stay a surprisingly fitting choice — both for safety and for a genuinely different experience.
And as the city lights up for the festive season, there’s something quietly reassuring in the rhythm of a convent’s curfew and the peace of ancient walls — perfect for anyone keen to explore Rome, on their own terms.
Feature image: La Casa Il Rosario is a centrally situated guesthouse in Rome run by the Dominican Sisters of Charity and well-suited for women travelling alone.
Elena Leo is the Arts & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.