Whilst planning your trip to Rome, you must have come across the neighbourhood of Trastevere. It is often referred to as the heart of Rome. But is this much talked about area worth visiting?
With its salmon pink, buttery yellow and cream-colored walls, trailing trellises and twinkling lights, Trastevere is one of the most charming and picturesque spaces to be found in Rome. It gets its richness through surprising historical roots. It is crammed with squares, churches, quaint restaurants, a botanical garden and more. Read on for a full guide on how to get a taste of Trastevere!
Trastevere pronunciation
We won’t dent that Italian can be a complex and confusing language to get a hold on. We don’t blame visitors for having trouble with pronouncing our words.
In fact, there is a running joke that even Italians don’t really know how to speak Italian… we sometimes change our rules along the way!
Trastevere is pronounced in the following manner: Tras-teh-ve-ray’.
There is not hard ‘t’ sound in our pronunciation.
The word originates from Latin –trans Tiberim– and translates as ‘beyond the river’. This is because the neighbourhood lies on the banks of the Tiber river (the Italian word for river is tevere, which is in the name), opposite from the historic centre of Rome.
Why is Trastevere famous?
Trastevere is yearned for, because of its undeniable bohemian atmosphere. It oozes charm from every nook and cranny of its cobblestoned streets, making it one of the most photographed areas in the city.
Historically, it was an area meant for the working class, ‘non-Roman’ and multi-cultural populations for eg. immigrants, foreigners, merchants, sailors and Jews. It didn’t represent as beautifully as it does now, but its old character has withheld the test of time.
Trastevere’s streets are incredibly lively, and perfect for people-watching! There are so many characters around:
- Troubadours, singing their melodies and entertaining crowds
- Circus acts, such as fire eaters
- A local jazz band that plays at the piazza of San Calisto at least once a week in the evenings
- Ladies selling sachets of lavender
- Jewellery vendors
- Painters, doing live paintings of the architecture
- Old Italian men, setting up tables on the streets to play poker and chess
Trastevere is home to some of the most iconic squares in Rome. In Italian, a square is called a piazza. These public spaces are made for some rest, relaxation, daydreaming, people-watching and communal meetings with your friends and families:
- Piazza di Santa Maria was built in the 3rd century and holds the famous church of Santa Maria. Saint Peter is said to have stayed in accommodation around this square.
- Piazza di San Calisto is an adjoining square. It hosts one of the oldest bars in the city called ‘San Calisto’ which has maintained its working class atmosphere through its operations and design.
- Piazza di San Cosimato is known for its local farmer’s market that sells incredible produce to the residents of the neighbourhood every morning, except for weekends.
- Piazza Trilussa overlooks the Tiber River and the famous bridge Ponte Sisto. It is known for the heaps of people who visit it to sit on the steps of its fountain and watch musicians and performers provide local entertainment.
Is it safe to walk to Trastevere?
Trastevere is potentially the safest neighbourhood in Rome to walk through at all times of the day.
This is because so many people visit it, making it the least isolated area of the city.
It houses an international school and some Italian academies, which means that it has a huge student culture. It is brimming with both international and local populations, making it a melting pot for serendipitous encounters!
The streets are narrow and very well lit. Restaurants and other establishments are open till late.
The safest areas of the neighbourhood are the piazzas, where there are large clusters of people.
We always suggest following your intuition in any area of Rome, to make choices that are the best for you.
Wear comfortable shoes whilst traversing around Trastevere. The cobblestones streets are not made for high heels… although you are bound to see a seasoned Italian fashionista strutting around in six inch stilettos!
Can you walk from Trastevere to the Colosseum?
Yes, you are in for a very scenic walk from Trastevere to the Colosseum! It takes approximately 30-4o minutes on foot, depending on your pace. Keep an eye out for statues, monuments and other delightful Roman details along the way.
Here is a suggested route for you to take:
- Exit Trastevere from Piazza Trilussa. Take the Ponte Sisto bridge to cross the Tiber river.
- Walk along the right side of the river to reach the Ponte Garibaldi bridge. You will see the Tiber Island floating on the river opposite to you.
- Take a left and walk straight to see Largo di Torre Argentina. Here you will see famous Roman ruins where Julius Caesar was murdered. These ruins now act as a cat sanctuary.
- Just ahead, through a narrow street you will reach the Pantheon.
- Go back to Largo di Torre Argentina and walk to your left to go to Piazza Venezia. Here you will find the National Monument to Victor Emmanuele II- it looks like a wedding cake!
- There is a route around this monument that leads you to the Roman Forum on your right.
- Along the stretch of the Roman Forum you will eventually see the magnificent Colosseum!
Make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and keep an eye out for vehicles whilst crossing main roads.
Trastevere hotels
With Trastevere being such a popular tourist destination, there are a lot of hotels to choose from in and around the area.
Here are some options for boutique hotels:
- Hotel Santa Maria
- Hotel Villa del Parco
- Hotel Villa Riari
Here are some more budget-friendly options to choose from:
- Trastevere Hotel
- Hotel Ottaviano
- B&B Trastevere
- The Carmen B&B
Staying in the area of Trastevere allows for you to make the most out of the spirited neighbourhood. It also keeps you in close proximity to the historic centre. Staying in Trastevere immerses one in authentic Roman life… you are bound to fall in love with Italy by being surrounded with such an atmosphere.
Trastevere restaurants
Do you want to taste the famous Roman carbonara, amatriciana and cacio e pepe pastas? Would you like to dig into true Roman-style pizza? Are you already craving the experience of sampling tiramisu, panna cotta and scoops of gelato?
There are so many dining options available in Trastevere, making it the perfect place to please your taste buds.
Some suggestions for traditional trattorias are:
- Trattoria Da Enzo al 29
- Trattoria Da Teo
- Trattoria Pizzeria Da Francesco
Some more up-scale modern restaurants include:
- Tonarello
- Glass Hostaria
- Bistrot 64
- Santo Palato
If you can, choose to dine outdoors at these establishments! There is always a beautiful ambiance present when dining on the streets of the neighbourhood. It adds to the experience of food culture in Rome.
Trastevere food tour
Trastevere is the perfect place to taste the delights of Italian-Roman cuisine! This is why Walks Inside Rome offers a variety of food tours in the neighbourhood.
These tours are a cocktail for the senses, as our enthusiastic guides know exactly where to take you, dousing you with food history and traditions along the way.
This way, you will understand the value and beauty of the food you are eating along the way.
Not only do our tours take you for drinks and make stops at various establishments for snacks or full course meals, but we can also combine cooking classes into your itineraries!
At our prestigious cooking school located near Piazza Navona you will learn how to make pizza or pasta, so that new cooking skills are another souvenir for you to take home!
Trastevere nightlife
Trastevere’s character is highlighted at night. Its sparkling lights lend it a romantic glow, and the murmur of conversation and music in every corner makes it come alive.
It is one of the best places in Rome to make friends- locals, expats, students and tourists all have the opportunity to mingle and make beautiful connections!
Although there are no reputable clubs for dancing located in Trastevere, the bars of the neighbourhood bring the entertainment through aperitivi and live music gigs.
Here are some top picks for bars in Trastevere:
- The aforementioned San Calisto
- Caffe del Cinque
- CULTO
- Pimm’s Good
- Delirium
To engage with Trastevere’s nightlife we suggest to hang out in piazzas, go bar hopping and keep an eye out for posters that indicate oncoming events and gigs in the area.
Trastevere and the nearby Jewish Ghetto
Just across the Tiber river and adjacent to Trastevere is Rome’s Jewish Ghetto.
This is considered to be one of the oldest spaces for Jewish community in all of Europe.
It is fascinating to discover for its rich yet bleak history. The Jewish Ghetto was known for overcrowding, poverty and forced conversions to Christianity.
In both small and big details one can see the preserved Jewish identity and spirit.
There is a synagogue and a museum present. The restaurants serve Jewish variations of dishes such as artichokes, ‘carciofi alla giudia’.
You will be able to spot gold cobblestones scattered around the streets of the area, which marked the names of the Jews that were killed in that area.
The Jewish Ghetto has well preserved its identity, and is now a coveted part of history. This area is visited for its cuisine and for historical walks, as those curated by Walks Inside Rome . It is easy to walk here from Trastevere, taking less than fifteen minutes to do so.
Conclusion
It is truly one of life’s luxuries to be able to dip our feet into the gorgeous atmosphere of Trastevere.
It gives one a true taste of Italy, and the traditions that are at the heart of our culture.
From hearty meals and intentional family time, to glitz and glamour for fancier nights out in the city, Trastevere caters to everyone.
There is no other neighbourhood in Rome that will give you a feel for community like this.
