Visit Trastevere in Rome

Whether you are visiting Rome for 3 days, 1 week, or just a few hours, exploring Trastevere is a must! Located just southwest of the Vatican near the historic center of Rome, the Trastevere neighborhood is one of the most charming areas in the Italian capital. Strolling through its vibrant and colorful narrow streets, you will make many discoveries and appreciate the famous Dolce Vita. In this article, I offer a comprehensive overview of the best things to do and see in Trastevere.

If you want to visit Trastevere in Rome with an expert guide, there are several ways to do it:

This square is the true heart of the Trastevere neighborhood. It is a large, vibrant, cobblestone square that serves as a meeting point for many locals and is surrounded by beautiful historical monuments such as the San Callisto Palace, which belongs to the Holy See. You will also see a beautiful octagonal fountain, which has been rebuilt several times throughout history but existed during the time of Emperor Augustus.

This square is named after the church located there, the Romanesque Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere. This magnificent religious building is one of the must-see attractions here, being one of the oldest churches in Rome, erected in the 12th century. It is impressive from the outside, with its grand portico and beautiful façade adorned with lovely statues and a large mosaic depicting the Virgin surrounded by ten lamp-bearers. Inside, you can see large Corinthian columns and capitals from the Baths of Caracalla, a grand wooden coffered ceiling, and magnificent mosaics.

The Church of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere was originally built in the 5th century to house the relics of Saint Cecilia of Rome, the patron saint of music. The church was built on the very site where her house once stood. You can access this church by crossing a pleasant little garden at the center of which is a fountain with a sculpture of a large antique vase. Inside, the decoration is stunning, with large frescoes and mosaics on the ceiling and imposing pillars adorned with gilding. Beneath the richly decorated altar, there is a marble statue representing Saint Cecilia in the position in which she was found when her coffin was opened in the 17th century. During your visit to the church, you can also explore the crypt and the remains of St. Cecilia's home.

This bridge, which crosses the Tiber, connects Piazza Trilussa in Trastevere to Via Giulia, one of the oldest streets in Rome, which allows access to the Vatican. Built at the request of Marcus Aurelius in the 3rd century, this bridge, which was largely devastated by a flood in 792, was rebuilt in the 15th century. With its 108 meters in length and four arches covered with travertine, the Ponte Sisto is part of the major historical buildings in the neighborhood. It is an excellent place to stop for a moment and admire the city or to watch the sunset.

Crossing the Ponte Sisto, you will arrive at Piazza Trilusa, one of the liveliest spots in Trastevere. Dedicated to the Roman poet Trilussa, this square is a gathering place for many street performers. It is also a popular spot for locals and tourists who wish to enjoy an aperitivo and sip a beer or a glass of Chianti from mid-afternoon. It remains very lively in the evening, as several cafés and bars are located all around.

In this square, there is a large 17th-century fountain that used to be on the other side of the Tiber: the Acqua Paola Fountain of Piazza Trilussa, or the Fountain of Ponte Sisto. There is also a monument featuring a large bronze statue of the poet Trilussa.

If you want to visit Trastevere in Rome, the botanical garden is a must-do activity! This garden is located to the west of the Old City on the slopes of the Janiculum, the hill of Trastevere, which I will talk about in more detail later. The Botanical Garden of Rome spans about 12 hectares, making it one of the largest in Italy.

It hosts an astonishing variety of plant species from around the world (over 3,000 in total). Palms, ferns, roses, bamboos, aromatic plants, and water plants, oaks, plane trees, orchids... you will discover beautiful plant specimens both outdoors and in greenhouses. It is divided into several zones, including a Mediterranean garden, a medicinal plants garden, a Japanese garden (with cherry trees that bloom in spring for Hanami), a rose garden, a tropical greenhouse, and a pond for aquatic plants.

The Janiculum is sometimes referred to as the eighth hill of Rome; it is named after the god Janus. Located in Trastevere overlooking the Botanical Garden of Rome, this hill is home to a park that is very popular with Romans and visitors. The park is dedicated to the memory of Giuseppe Garibaldi, as it is here that this great patriot fought against the invasion of the French army in 1849. A grand equestrian statue of Garibaldi stands proudly in the heart of the park, alongside busts of Garibaldi's officers.

In addition to being the perfect spot for a lovely walk and relaxing during a visit to the capital, the Janiculum Park is also one of the best places to enjoy a panoramic view of Rome. The hill rises about 85 meters above sea level, and at various points (notably next to the equestrian statue), the view is truly stunning. Every day at noon sharp, a cannon shot is fired from this hill in memory of the terrible battle of 1849.

The Janiculum Park is a pleasant, family-friendly place during the day, but it is also highly appreciated in the evening. You can also enjoy a beautiful sunset over the rooftops of Rome.

This Roman villa, surrounded by public parks, is located on the hill of Janiculum, just between the Trastevere neighborhood and the Monteverde neighborhood, in an area that in antiquity was dedicated to nymphs, the Roman female deities.

The Villa Sciarra may not be the most impressive villa in Rome, but it is undoubtedly one of the most charming. In the pathways of its gardens, which house a large number of exotic plant species and fruit trees, you can make astonishing discoveries and enjoy beautiful views of the Italian capital.

Villa Farnesina is located on via della Lungara; it was built in the early 16th century by Baldassarre Peruzzi for Pope Julius II's treasurer. It is one of the finest examples of Renaissance architecture in Rome and reflects the wealth of the city during that period of history. It remains one of the most prestigious places in the city today.

Its splendid interior decoration is the work of some of the major artists of the time, including Raphael, Giulio Romano, and Peruzzi. During your visit to Villa Farnesina, you will discover superb frescoes on the ground floor, including one that is among Raphael's most beautiful creations. On the upper floor, other surprises await you, including trompe-l'œil frescoes in the Hall of Perspectives.

Trastevere is a central neighborhood that can be easily reached on foot from the historic center of Rome.

If you prefer to use public transportation, the easiest way from the historic center is to start from Piazza Venezia (the square where the monument to Victor Emmanuel II is located) and take tram 8 to Trastevere station.

By bus from Termini station, you can reach it in just over 20 minutes by first taking bus 64 to the Plebiscito stop, and then bus 8 to the Trastevere stop.

If you are looking for where to sleep in the Trastevere neighborhood of Rome, B&B Il Boom should meet your expectations! Located in the heart of the neighborhood, this elegant historical building offers warm rooms with a well-furnished terrace. From the rooms, you can enjoy views of downtown or Villa Sciarra. By staying at this establishment, you will be just a 10-minute walk from the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere. Expect to pay at least 172 € for a night at the B&B.

SuitInn19 offers modern and spacious rooms in the heart of the vibrant Trastevere neighborhood. Equipped with a flat-screen TV, air conditioning, and an en-suite bathroom with a shower, double rooms start at 119 € per night. You will be a 7-minute walk from the Church of Santa Maria in Trastevere and the Porta Portese flea market. And if you wish to travel further in the city of Rome, tram number 8 stops right in front of the accommodation.

Trastevere is undoubtedly one of the places in Rome with the highest concentration of restaurants. Food is indeed one of the main attractions of the neighborhood, which is why culinary tours in Rome often bring you here.

If you are looking for where to eat good pizza in Rome, you will find many restaurants in Trastevere offering the best pasta in the city, as well as delicious pizzas! You will also find all kinds of local specialties such as cured meats or cheese. And for dessert, you can hunt for the best ice cream shops in Rome!