Trastevere neighborhood

On the other side of the Tiber, Trastevere is a nice area, interesting both during the day with its picturesque alleys and shops, and in the evening for its animation, bars and small restaurants. Even if you only stay a few days in Rome, it’s worth a visit.
We present you on this page beautiful places to discover in the neighborhood, which can be divided into three parts: the central part around Santa Maria in Trastevere, which is the most lively; the part on the other side of Viale Trastevere eastward, which is quieter; and the Janiculum Hill westward.

Where is Trastevere

Ponte Sisto and alleys of Trastevere

Ponte Sisto

The charming Sisto Bridge is a good entry point into the neighborhood. It is pedestrian and connects the historic center to Trastevere, spanning the Tiber to lead to Piazza Trilusa. Here you can rest on the steps at the foot of the fountain, and sometimes listen to an artist practicing.
The alleys between Via del Moro, Via della Scala and Via di Santa Dorotea, are among the liveliest and most charming in the district, with small squares like Piazza di Sant’Egidio.

Botanic Garden and Villa Farnesina

Villa Farnesina

Northward, the Roman walls closed the neighborhood at the level of the current Porta Settimiana gate, completely rebuilt in the Middle Ages. Beyond is the Botanical Garden of the city, where you can take a nice walk on its 12 hectares decorated with plants, trees, bodies of water and exotic flowers at the foot of the Janiculum.
Further Villa Farnesina is one of the most interesting palaces in Rome for the frescoes of Raphael and his school which represent for many ancient myths.
It is close to Villa Corsini, another prestigious palace with its Museum of Ancient Art.

Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere

Santa-Maria in Trastevere

Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere is the heart of the district and a very pretty square, with its basilica which is one of the oldest and most beautiful in Rome. It has a pretty mosaic on facade, a Romanesque bell tower and a beautiful baroque portico. Inside, a warm golden light is diffused, the effect of reflections on the many golden decorations such as those of the old wooden coffered ceiling. Between its beautiful antique columns, the nave leads you to the superb Byzantine-style mosaics of the arch and apse, also gilded.
On the pretty square is also the interesting Fountain of Santa Maria in Trastevere, with its beautiful scrolls, carved by prestigious Roman artists.

→ Good accommodation sorted BY PRICE less than 800 meters from Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere (for 2 adults)
→ Good accommodation sorted BY DISTANCE from Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere

Piazza di San Callisto and Piazza di San Cosimato

Fontana della Botta

Just behind Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere, Piazza di San Callisto is a small and often lively square in the afternoon, for its popular little bar, near which musicians often come to play, and its famous restaurants. There are nice streets like the Via dell’Arco di San Callisto and not far at the beginning of the Via Cisterna is the curious Fontana della Botta (Barrel Fountain) which reminds us that the neighborhood lived from its wine merchants, which has not changed that much!
The Piazza di San Cosimato is a more popular square, where it is nice to sit, with the neighborhood children who come to play ball when the morning market is not held.

Via della Lungaretta

Piazza in Piscinula

Via della Lungaretta is a pretty straight street that crosses Trastevere from west to east, joining the other part of the district on the other side of the Viale Trastevere boulevard. It passes by the church of San Crisogono, once the Corsican church in Rome. It is located on the noisy avenue. By contrast, the tranquility of its interior inspires serenity, with beautiful antique columns, a superb cosmatesque pavement, and an intriguing old church in the basement, with fascinating pieces of marble, walls and various and scattered debris. Just across the viale, the Anguillara Palace counts among the most interesting medieval remains of the district. The street leads to Piazza in Piscinula, a pretty square surrounded by medieval houses, with a superb little church San Benedetto, well hidden behind an insignificant facade that does not look like.

From Santa-Cecilia to Porta Portese

Basilica Santa Cecilia

In this eastern part of Trastevere, the Basilica of Santa Cecilia is with Santa Maria the most remarkable religious building. It is a haven of peace preceded by a beautiful courtyard with its antique vase in the middle of the fountain. At the foot of the altar is a beautiful recumbent saint.
A little further south, the church of San Francesco a Ripa hides an ecstasy sculpted by Bernini, the Ecstasy of the Blessed Ludovica Albertoni, a sculpture from the 17th century which exudes a powerful emotion.

Ecstasy of Blessed Ludovica Albertoni

Porta Portese market is located in the south-east of Trastevere, behind the boundary that was marked by the Aurelian wall. It is the largest and busiest flea market in Rome, held on Sunday mornings. A fascinating and useful place for shopping. As with all places of this kind, beware of pickpockets!

Janiculum

Panorama over Rome from Janiculum

Janiculum Hill dominates Trastevere district at west, where around Piazza Garibaldi one enjoys a beautiful view of Rome. Here every day at noon is fired a cannon to white. Beware of ears!!
On the slopes are beautiful places, including the Spanish Academy which often opens its doors to visitors with exhibitions, and which also allows access to the Tempietto del Bramante, a small temple emblematic of Renaissance art considered a perfection of the genre, where Bramante was inspired by ancient art. It is located in the courtyard of the church San Pietro in Montorio.

Higher up the Fountain of Aqua Paola is a large and beautiful fountain of the early seventeenth century, with its large swimming pool, from which one also has a beautiful view of the city.
A little further west, past the Porta San Pancrazio with its museum about the Risorgimento, Villa Pamphilj is a beautiful and the largest public park in Rome.

Hotels and accommodation

Selection of hotels, rooms and apartments in Trastevere, sorted by price or by distance from Santa Maria in Trastevere.

• Good accommodations in Trastevere sorted BY PRICE, less than one kilometer from Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere (for 2 adults)
• Good and great accommodations in Trastevere, sorted by DISTANCE from Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere (for 2 adults)

Other photo gallery

Map

Our good addresses in Trastevere

Some pastries, bakeries, bars, cafes, pizzerias and restaurants in the Trastevere district.

Pastry, bakeries

Coffee and bars

Pizzerias and restaurants

Sliced pizza and street-food

Ice cream shops