14 Things to Do in the Trastevere Neighbourhood

Trastevere doesn't have the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain or St. Peter's Square; in Trastevere you won't see palaces or luxury, but you will find narrow, colourful streets with a charm that will make you feel like you're in a Fellini film.

There are dozens of charming streets and a long list of restaurants to enjoy. That's why many tours of Rome include the Trastevere area in their itineraries. One of the best ways to explore the area is to take a gastronomic tour of Trastevere, Campo di Fiori and the Jewish quarter, where, in addition to discovering its streets and stories over three and a half hours with a maximum of 12 people, you can sample some of the most exquisite dishes.

About the cuisine in Trastevere

Gastronomy is an essential part of the tour, because it is an essential part of this particular neighbourhood of Rome. There you will taste some of the best pasta and pizza in the city. I'll make you suffer a little more and list the Italian specialities you will try during your visit:

This is the centre of social and cultural life in this neighbourhood, and the best way to learn about its history is to take a tour of Trastevere. It is also essential to visit at dusk, when it is lit up and becomes a meeting place. The square is named after the church that presides over it, and in the centre there is a fountain around whose steps dozens of young people gather every night and street performances are organised. The streets that lead to this square are where most of the neighbourhood's restaurants are located, with tables outside in the summer months.

A very fun way to explore this square is on a Segway. There are Segway tours of central Rome lasting up to two hours that take you to the most important places in the city and tell you the stories hidden in its streets, riding on this popular two-wheeled electric vehicle. By the way, they are very comfortable and easy to use. Give it a try!

Saint Cecilia is the patron saint of music, so it's not surprising that if you've decided to take a tour of Trastevere, your guide will take advantage of this stop to tell you a little about Italian music and, in particular, all the concerts you can see in this bohemian neighbourhood. They'll also tell you the chilling story of the sacrifice of this saint who was martyred in this very place.

This is where you will find a romantically decorated park full of fountains and statues. It reaches its splendour when the cherry trees bloom in spring and from here you can enjoy beautiful views of Rome stretching as far as the Gianicolo hill.

Also known as the "Jewish ghetto" without any negative connotations, I recommend booking a tour of Trastevere and the Jewish quarter so you can learn all about the history of the place, which is quite extensive. In this area, you will find points of interest such as the ruins of the Portico d'Ottavia and Rome's main synagogue, but the most important thing is the local specialities that you will try in its small restaurants. Their speciality is fried dishes.

This area is characterised by its huge open-air market with fresh fruit and vegetables every day. In the past, this enclave was full of medieval inns and Renaissance palaces such as the Palazzo Farnese and the Palazzo Spada. The inns are no longer there, but the palaces and mansions remain. In the centre of the square where the market is located, you will find a statue dedicated to the famous philosopher Giordano Bruno.

If you fall in love with this neighbourhood and everyday life in Rome, you can book a private tour of Trastevere for you and your travel companions. This option also lasts 3.5 hours (on foot), includes the Jewish quarter and Campo de Fiori, and, of course, is also organised as a gastronomic excursion.

The advantage? The intimate atmosphere you will create with the guide and the possibility of adapting the route and its timing according to what you are most interested in visiting in this neighbourhood. You can also get personalised restaurant recommendations that will come in handy during your visit.

Built in the 15th century to connect Trastevere with the centre of Rome, strolling across it at sunset is a comforting experience where you may also be surprised by musical performances.

Ana's Traveller Tip

If you want to take home a gastronomic souvenir, buy gourmet products in the shops near Piazza della Cinque Scole.

At the end of the Sisto bridge, you will find this square full of street artists and painters. An essential atmosphere for getting to know the essence of the Trastevere neighbourhood.

In case you didn't know, the aperitif is one of the most deeply rooted customs among young and old Italians. In the mid-afternoon, it's very common to see groups of Italians drinking a traditional spritz or beer while enjoying delicious snacks such as focaccia, salami, mini pizzas... And the best part? You pay for the drink and the "tapas" (or aperitif, as they call it) are on the house. Are you ready to give it a try?

It is located at the bottom of the Gianicolo and its terrace is also an excellent viewpoint. Don't miss the view of the circular temple of this convent from the bottom of its courtyard.

Porta Portese is located at the end of this street and is one of the entrances to the neighbourhood behind the wall that surrounds part of it. Through it, you will access the less touristy Trastevere, and if you go on Sunday morning, you will find one of the most popular flea markets in Rome.

Urban culture is very present in the Trastevere area, so you'll have the chance to see more than one interesting show in this neighbourhood. Best of all, at the end of the day in Piazza Santa Maria or Piazza Trilusa, you won't even have to pay an entrance fee because many (and very good) street artists gather in this neighbourhood.

If you want to get a different souvenir from your trip to Rome, Trastevere is the place to go. In addition to buying gourmet products in some of its shops, you can also enjoy crafts and small shops with unique items that you won't find in any other area of Rome.

Although it's not the most accessible place for a tourist visit to Rome, spending your last day there can be a perfect farewell to the Eternal City. Entering Trastevere is like entering a different Rome, and enjoying it during your last hours of travel, away from the tourist crowds, could be the perfect ending to your experience.

Ana's Traveller Tip

Don't miss the sunset from the Gianicolo hill. Then end the day with dinner in Trastevere and discover its nightlife.

How to get there

You can get there on foot by crossing the Sisto or Garibaldi bridges. If you are visiting the Vatican, the walk to Trastevere will only take 30 minutes. In any case, so you don't get tired walking (you'll have plenty of time to do that exploring its streets), you can also get there by bus H (which leaves from Termini station and passes through Piazza Venezia, among other places) or tram 8 (which leaves from Piazza Venezia).

Please note! Many tours, although they pass through Trastevere, do not depart directly from there, so be sure to check the meeting point address carefully. If you have any questions, you can write to your guide when booking the tour for further information, but don't worry, as the meeting points are usually easy to find.

Timetable

You can take the Trastevere tours at various times depending on the day of the week you choose. I recommend doing it in the mid-afternoon so that, when you finish, you can see the Trastevere neighbourhood at night. Keep in mind that if you take the tour on a Sunday, many shops in Rome will be closed.

Tour duration

The tour lasts three and a half hours and is a walking tour, but as it includes several stops to sample local cuisine, it is not as tiring as a tour of central Rome of the same duration might be. For me, the time flew by because the atmosphere is totally relaxed and there is a very relaxed atmosphere with the guide and fellow tour participants.

Where to eat

If, after all the tasting on the tour, you are still hungry at the end, you are in the best place in Rome for lunch or dinner. Any of the bars near Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere are worth a visit. Oh, and don't miss the ice cream parlours; they are also famous in this area and many of them have a long history.

If you are going to eat on your own, as you will have already discovered, the neighbourhood is known for its cuisine. It is one of the best areas in Rome to enjoy Italian food. Tip: avoid the tourist menu and let the staff recommend something. As for the portions, they tend to be quite generous, so one dish may be enough.

Another recommendation is not to shy away from dishes that seem "simple" or "typical": I can attest that a margarita pizza or a plate of pasta arrabiata in Rome will taste like nowhere else in the world.

Languages

The tour is available in several languages: Spanish, German, English and French.

Visiting Trastevere with children

The tour is perfectly suited for children. Just make sure they try everything so as not to waste the exquisite food included in the tour price.

Enjoy photography

The neighbourhood is one of the best places for taking calm, thoughtful photographs without the stress of the obligatory photo that can surround Rome's most crowded monuments. The further you venture into its streets, the more possibilities you will discover. Don't miss climbing the Gianicolo hill, where you will have wonderful views of Rome, especially at sunset.

If you've fallen in love with the cuisine of Trastevere, don't miss out on trying the restaurants in another of Rome's neighbourhoods that delights foodies: Testaccio. This neighbourhood is located on the opposite bank of the Trastevere and is also worth a visit, if only to discover its restaurants. Although less well known, some describe it as one of the most authentic neighbourhoods in Rome.

Visit the Vatican

Finally, if you are going to visit Trastevere in the afternoon, I recommend doing so after seeing the Vatican Museums in the morning for two reasons. The first is the proximity of both places (about a thirty-minute walk), which can be a perfect plan for spending the day.

The second is because, as you already know, the Vatican is a must-see in Rome, but it is also one of the busiest places. After the hustle and bustle of the museums or St. Peter's Basilica, enjoying the serenity of Trastevere will be a balm that will recharge your batteries for the rest of your visit to Rome. If you are interested in this option and would like to know more about how to organise your visit to the Vatican, you can read this other article on the best guided tours of the Vatican.

Take other guided tours of Rome

If, on the other hand, you prefer to take a more comprehensive tour of the city that does not focus solely on Trastevere, don't worry, because there is an endless array of guided tours of Rome on offer. In fact, there are so many that it can be overwhelming. I have put together this guide to the 11 best tours of Rome to help you choose the best option.

The best excursions from Rome

And finally, if by now you've fallen in love with Rome like I have, I recommend that you don't miss out on visiting the rest of Italy, as there are thousands of wonders to discover outside the Eternal City. Here's an article on the 9 best excursions from Rome to get you dreaming about all the trips you could take once you're there.