Just North of the Vatican lies this quieter area, often dubbed Rome’s white-collar neighborhood. As you walk the tree-line streets and admire the architecture, you’re sure to notice that this neighborhood has a different feel than the city center. Along the wide streets lined with shops and cafes, high schoolers meet to get coffee before class and older couples walk hand in hand to the grocery store. After school, Piazza Cavour fills up with families hanging out in the grass and kids riding scooters or kicking around a soccer ball. This residential neighborhood is a nice change of pace from the highly-trafficked areas of Rome.
Things to Do in Prati
Two of Prati’s best features are its architecture and shopping. One of the must-see architectural highlights is the Palace of Justice, home to the Supreme Court of Cassation and the Judicial Public Library. Find a bench in Piazza Cavour and take some time to relax, admire the grand architectural detail of this building, and do some people watching. Another highlight is just four blocks away, Via Cola di Rienzo.This shopping street is Prati’s version of Via del Corso, minus the tourists. With a 
mix of international and Italian brands, there is a lot to see in just a few blocks. Be sure to stop by Castroni and take in its floor to ceiling shelves packed with foods from all over the world. After shopping and taking in the neighborhood’s charm, catch the 913 bus up to the National Institute of Astrophysics. The hill this observatory sits on has one of the most beautiful views of Rome. Now the unmissable site in the Prati neighborhood is of course, the Vatican Museum! Thousands of people come to the Vatican Museum every year to see the famous paintings and the best way to see it is skipping the queues with early entrance.
What to Eat in Prati
While you are wandering around and exploring, you are bound to come across countless cafes, restaurants, and gelaterie. Prati has a wide variety of 
eating options. You can take a seat at a chalkboard menu Italian restaurant and eat with the locals, or stop at that pizzeria on the corner. For something other than Italian, there’s an all-you-can-eat sushi spot and multiple burger restaurants. When your sweet tooth is calling don’t worry about what time it is—make your way to the 24-hour bakery just up the street from the Ottaviano metro stop. Even the dining scene is a nice change of pace from the city center and its restaurants trying to herd you in to take a seat.
Prati’s Nightlife
Since Prati is such a residential area, the night life scene is fairly new. Now you can find a variety of wine bars and pubs. Some restaurants, like Napul’è, 
have live music on the weekends. If music is what you are looking for, you can check out the Alexanderplatz Jazz Club, just about four blocks away from the Ottaviano metro stop. You can also experience Italian cinema at the theater just off of Piazza Cavour. You won’t find a bustling bar scene like in Trastevere, but something characteristic to what Prati always has to offer: a fun, relaxed night out.
When the crowds and tour groups in the city center start to overwhelm, Prati’s shaded streets are the perfect place to cool off and relax. After visiting the Vatican or Castel Sant’Angelo, take a few steps and leave the hectic, sight-seeing atmosphere for the calm pace of one of Rome’s neighborhoods that travelers tend to overlook. You might just find your new favorite gelato place or the best pasta dish yet. If anything, Prati is sure to provide a nice break from the hustle of the city center and let you experience the atmosphere of one of Rome’s residential neighborhoods.