About Trastevere Rome

Located right on the Tiber River, Trastevere is a Roman neighborhood that rises with the sun and parties with the moon. When the sun is shining, outdoor cafes and restaurants fill pathways flowing through mazes of beautifully worn buildings while locals gather to share an espresso or a glass of wine. As the sun sets and the moon rises, the outdoor cafes are replaced by popular bars and clubs while lively night-lifers fill the streets and piazzas with cheerful fervor.

Nightlife is probably one of the main things Trastevere is known for with its popular bars, clubs, and restaurants, however, Trastevere is also known for its healthy mix of both locals and tourists. This is because three major American Universities are located within this historically working-class neighborhood. This is perhaps, one of the only neighborhoods in Rome that there is such a large blend of locals and travelers.

Other intriguing highlights of Trastevere include:

  • Royalty has been spotted there. The Belgium Royal family was seen attending the wedding of Prince Amedeo Of Belgium at Basilica Santa Maria.
  • Julius Caesar’s garden villa, Horti Caesaris, where he entertained Cleopatra in 44 BC is located in Trastevere, right on the Tiber River.
  • American musicians/composers from the 1960s and 1970s group: Musica Elettronica Viva, Rederic Rzewski and Richard Teitelbaum, as well as Sergio Leone, the director of Spaghetti Westerns, and the famous actor, Alberto Sordi, called Trastevere home.
  • Trastevere has been the setting for many famous movies such as To Rome with Love, Only You, and James Bond: SPECTRE.

How to get to Trastevere Rome

How to get to Trastevere

Where is Trastevere located?

  • Fiumicino Airport: 60 minutes by cab without traffic. If you are traveling from Fiumicino airport, make sure to read our guidlines on exactly how to get from Fiumicino airport to Rome.
  • Termini Station: 30 minutes by public transit
  • The Colosseum: 25 minutes by public transit
  • The Vatican: 30 minutes by public transit

Public Transport to Trastevere

Have you ever gotten lost using the public transit in a big city? You’re definitely not alone! Don’t worry here is a comprehensive guide on how to get around Rome!

But here are some quick steps to follow on which public transport to take to Trastevere:

To begin, purchase tickets for all public transit in tobacco shops, newsagents, bars, or stationery and ticket machines. Your best option is to purchase the 100-minute pass (€1.50) that allows you to transfer to different public transits within a 100-minute time frame (bus, tram, metro).

In the summer months, buses and trams are very useful. However, they can get pretty crowded and can be very hot. If you are planning to go to a destination within walking distance, then walking would be a preferred option, but if you are heading towards a destination further away, buses or trams will be your most convenient option. There are also taxis available that can bring you to any destination for a higher price than the public transit options.

Bus #:

  • The Vatican, take buses 23 or 271 on Lungotevere (go to Piazza Trilussa and cross Ponte Sisto).
  • To Colosseo take buses 3 and 75 on Via Girolamo Induno.
  • To Roman Forum take bus 44 on Via Girolamo Induno.
  • To Janiculum Hill take bus 115.
  • To Fiumicino: bus 23 or 271 to Vatican, then take the Autostradale from the Vatican to Fiumicino.

Tram #:

  • To Fiumicino: Tram 8 towards Casaletto, get off at Staz.ne Trastevere, take a train from Roma Trastevere to Fiumicino.
  • To Largo Argentina and Piazza Venezia take tram 8 on Viale Trastevere.
  • Line 8 connects Trastevere to Torre Argentine
  • Line 3 connects Trastevere to Piazza Thorwaldsen

Metro #:

  • Metro A is the closest metro to Trastevere with a 40-minute walk to the closest station. Other forms of public transportation are recommended for Trastevere does not have any metro stations within the neighborhood.

Taxis:

  • Taxis can be found in Piazza Gioacchino Belli, Piazza Mastai, and Piazza Trilussa

Food in Trastevere

There is never a lack of places to eat in Trastevere. The winding streets and piazzas of Trastevere are full of popular restaurants with indoor and outdoor seating that tourists and locals alike all love. You’re sure to find excellent food wherever you wander. All you need to do is simply take a stroll through the streets and you’ll find anything from cheap take away to more expensively lavish restaurants. A few of these excellent restaurants include:

Glass Hostaria
Vicolo de’ Cinque, 58, Rome.

Glass Hostaria Trastevere restaurants

Located just steps from the Piazza Trilussa in the heart of Trastevere, this ultra-modern restaurant is the place to go if you’re looking for a night of extravagance. Their light and contemporary menu reflects their passion and skill while the restaurant itself boasts elegant designs pleasing to the eye.

Suppli Pizzeria
Via di S. Francesco a Ripa, 137, Rome.

Suppli Trastevere Pizza restaurant

Highly ranked by TripAdvisor, Suppli is the place to go for traditional Roman plates of pasta, pizza, and roasted chicken. They put their passion into all the ingredients for each plate and you can taste it! If you want to try unique and highly traditional Roman food, this is the place to go!

Brusco Lo Strabuono
Vicolo de’ Cinque, 22,Rome.

Brusco restaurant Trastevere

Newly opened, this is the first store of what will be a brushetterie chain. This restaurant boasts fast service that you can either take away or eat in. The menu features over twenty bruschetta options ranging from the Bismark: smeared sausage and fried egg to the Brutale with nduja, peppers, and provolone, so there is something for everyone to enjoy!

Attractions in Trastevere

While Trastevere is located near most of Rome’s most popular sites, within Trastevere there are several must see attractions as well. Trastevere is a haven for those looking to experience authentic Italian life for you will be able to mix with many of the locals as they enjoy their day. To gain a truly valuable Italian experience, the sites below are a must for you to visit!

Santa Maria Basilica 

Santa Maria Trastevere

 

If you want to be able to experience a deeply religious site away from all the tourists, then look no further than Santa Maria Basilica. It is rumored that hidden behind the walls of this building is the site where pure oil flowed from the earth the day Christ was born. Interested? Then come and experience this beautiful 1,600-year-old church cloaked in the history and spirituality of Rome.

Piazza Santa Maria

Piazza Santa Maria Trastevere

Right outside the awe-inspiring Basilica of Santa Maria, is the popular Piazza Santa Maria. By day this piazza can only be described as a serene Italian scene with its beautiful 15th-century fountain and locals enjoying their day. By night, the serene atmosphere livens up with night-lifers coming out to enjoy the restaurants and bars flooding the piazza.

Piazza San Cosimato 

Piazza San Cosimato in Trastevere

To find the true heart of Trastevere, look no further. This famous piazza is home to the San Cosimato market, a historic food market for the locals. Take a walk around and you will witness how Italians spend their days without the constant buzz of tourists. Even get a little crazy and buy some of the well-known food from any of the stalls! Not feeling crazy? No worries, you can also take a pit stop and enjoy many of the amazing restaurants found in this piazza!

Janiculum Hill

Janiculum Hill Trastevere

Need to escape the hustle and bustle of the city in an oasis of tranquility? Here’s a little secret: go to the top of Janiculum Hill! As one of the highest hills in Rome, you will be far away from the busy city streets as well as have an uninterrupted view of the entire city. So, take the climb, you don’t want to miss out on this Christmas card photo op!

Nightlife in Trastevere

Nightlife in Trastevere, Rome

If there’s one area in Rome known for its nightlife, it would be Trastevere. Walk into any piazza or down any side streets within this neighborhood and you’ll find yourself mixed among locals and tourists all out to have a good time at the local bars and clubs. So, if you’re a bit of a party animal or just like to have a few cocktails with your partner, family, or your ladies or guys (don’t worry guys, you won’t have to drink those “girly drinks”, there’s also lots of places to get “manly” drinks too), then I suggest you take your party shoes down to Trastevere!

To put your party shoes to the best use, take a venture into these popular bars and areas:

Tiber Riverside bars

One of the biggest perks of Trastevere is its location right on the river Tiber. Take a stroll down to the river and witness it come alive with bars, restaurants, and carnival games. This summer time only perk offers everything from laid back bars and restaurants to have food and a quiet drink, to lively bars to whip out your dance moves!

Piazza Santa Maria

A great place to start your night, Piazza Santa Maria is a popular area for locals and tourists to hang out and have a couple of drinks. With several bars and restaurants, you’re sure to find food and drinks everyone will like!

Almalu Trastevere Bar

Depending on the night, this unique bar can be filled with people from all over the world dancing the night away or just a few night-lifers enjoying a cheap drink. No matter the crowd of the night, this bar is sure to provide a friendly atmosphere and a delicious drink at a great price!

Mr. Brown Bar

Possessing the highest rated mojito in Rome, this relaxed bar boasts delicious cocktails and cool vibes. With a staff known for their friendliness, you’re sure to have a fun night with your friends or even by yourself!

Top Three Hotels by TripAdvisor

For those staying in Trastevere for the first time or repeat visitors looking for a different place to stay, let this post be your guide. Trastevere is home to many hotels located all over the neighborhood, however, in recent years Airbnb has gained popularity among travelers. So, if you’re looking for a more authentic place to stay or don’t want to stay in a hotel, check out the Airbnbs in the area!

Trastevere is known for its nightlife and we all know that popular nightlife means noise, but don’t let that dissuade you from staying in this beautiful area. There are many places to stay where you can escape all the noise of city life. When searching for a place to stay, avoid hotels or Airbnbs near piazzas or that have windows facing the street, instead focus on locations on the small side-streets that wind all over the neighborhood. A few hotels known for providing a quiet place to stay include:

#1 Hotel Residenza San Calisto
Via dell’Arco di S. Calisto, 20, Rome

Hotel Residenza San Calisto Trastevere

Just a few steps from Piazza Santa Maria this small boutique hotel is located in a restored 18th-century building with original brick arches, wooden ceiling, and hand painted frescoes. Within this peaceful hotel, you’ll find beautiful and relaxing public areas and large, quiet, nonsmoking rooms, with breakfast served daily. Take a look at the Hotel Residenza San Calisto website to get a full list of amenities and perks!

#2 Historic House Relais Le Clarisse
Via Cardinale Merry del Val, 20, Rome

 Relais Le Clarisse in Trastevere

A restful haven for those seeking escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, this hidden treasure boasts a courtyard of lemon and olive and several different styles of rooms perfect for any individual needs. With quiet meals offered in the courtyard and all modern amenities, this hotel is perfect for a romantic breakaway, family holiday, or trip with friends!

#3 Hotel La Rovere
Vicolo di Sant’Onofrio,4 – 5, Rome.

Hotel La Rovere in Trastevere

Situated between Vatican and Trastevere, the Hotel La Rovere is a convenient walking distance from the Vatican, Castle St. Angelo, and all the perks of Trastevere. Perhaps the best benefit of this hotel is the modern design rooms mixed with classic styles that are also sound proof. Your eyes and ears will be in heaven when staying in this quiet and uniquely beautiful hotel!

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