The city of Rome is made up of 35 quartieri urbani (urban neighborhoods) divided into 22 rioni (districts). Its unique mosaic of diverse neighborhoods, both inside and outside the ancient Aurelian walls, represents the many facets of this modern Italian capital.
Here are 10 neighborhoods to explore in Rome, some of which are already popular with tourists and others less well known but worth a visit.
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Plaza de España / Tridente
Direction
Piazza di Spagna, 00187 Rome RM, ItalyGet directions
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The three streets that run from Piazza del Popolo make up the Trident, one of Rome’s most elegant areas, lined with designer boutiques (like the Fendi flagship store), five-star hotels, and expensive restaurants. The star attractions here are the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain, which are packed day and night. This is not a neighborhood to stay or visit if you want to get an insider taste of Rome, but you will likely end up here at some point, whether it’s to sit on those famous steps or toss a coin in the Trevi to guarantee a trip of return to Rome.
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Old Town
Direction
Municipality I, Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome, ItalyGet directions
The area known as Centro Storico is located on several different rioni , including Campo de ‘Fiori, the Pantheon, and Piazza Navona. Collectively, these are some of the oldest areas in Rome. Campo de ‘Fiori is famous for its flower market and outdoor food. The square is surrounded by touristy and expensive restaurants, and is abuzz every night of the week. The area around the iconic Pantheon is equally full of restaurants, as is the elegant Piazza Navona. While these are some of the more touristy parts of the city, there’s a reason everyone wants to be here: central location, plenty of attractions to check off any must-see list, and charming old streets full of characters.
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Monti
Situated within Rione I, Monti’s local vibe is what makes the city’s oldest neighborhood so classic Roman. Between the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and the Roman Forum, it features sloping hills, ivy-covered buildings, and wonderful views of the Colosseum from its southwest side.
A maze of steep alleys paved with ancient sampietrini cobblestones challenges even the most skilled high-heeled walker, and the streets pass by funky cafes, trendy restaurants, and mixed-use businesses (such as a free trade store, theater, bookstore). On warm nights, you will often find young people and families circling the fountain in the main square, Piazza della Madonna dei Monti.
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Trastevere
Direction
Trastevere, Rome, Ciudad Metropolitana de Rome, ItalyGet directions
Trastevere (Rione XIII), which means “across the Tevere” (or Tiber), is an especially popular destination for university students studying abroad. An easy walk from the historic center, cross the Tiber River at Ponte Garibaldi or Ponte Sisto. Here you will find one of the oldest churches in the city, the Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere, which sparkles with golden mosaics on the main square of the neighborhood.
Trastevere is located at the foot of the Janiculum (Gianicolo) Hill, which can be reached by taking a path that opens up to a set of stairs that lead to a terrace in front of the Fontana dell’Acqua Paola . This decorative marble fountain built in 1612 is where the opening scene of the Oscar-winning film, The Great Beauty , was filmed. From the terrace, enjoy expansive views of Rome’s cityscape, from the Pantheon dome to the massive Vittorio Emmanuele II monument to the Palatine and Capitoline hills in the distance. Keep going up to reach the largest park in Rome, Villa Pamphili.
Retrace your steps into the heart of the neighborhood with its concentration of bars, restaurants and artisan shops.
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Testaccio
Direction
Monte Testaccio, 00153 Rome, Ciudad Metropolitana de Rome, ItalyGet directions
Edgy Testaccio is in Rione XX, just south of the Aventine Hill. Running along the Tiber between Ponte Sublicio and north of Ponte dell’Industria, the neighborhood stretches east to the Pyramid of Cayo Cestio.
The city’s slaughterhouse district until the mid-1970s, many of Rome’s classic recipes such as coda alla vaccinara (oxtail stew) and trippa alla romana (tripe) were influenced by the butchery traditions of Testaccio. Foodies flock to the Testaccio Market, where you can get fresh produce and dine on gourmet street food. If it’s classic Roman pizza you’re craving, arguably the best can be had at Da Remo on Via Santa Maria Liberatrice.
Places not to be missed are the Pyramid of Cestia, which was recently opened to the public, and the Protestant Cemetery where non-Catholics are buried.
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Follow
The Italian word for ‘meadows’, fashionable Prati is located north of the historic center on the west side of the Tiber River in Rione XXII. It contains Castel Sant’Angelo, Vatican City, The Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Square.
This beautiful area is characterized by luxurious palaces and wide shady boulevards such as Via Cola di Rienzo, one of the most famous shopping streets in Rome. Other attractions include the pretty Piazza Cavour and the ornate Palace of Justice with its massive bronze rooftop sculpture of a chariot drawn by four horses.
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Aventine
Direction
Aventine Hill, 00153 Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome, ItalyGet directions
One of the greenest parts of the city with pretty tree-lined avenues of grand villas owned by wealthy Roman families, Aventino (Rione XII) sits on one of the city’s seven ancient hills.
Visit the Circus Maximus chariot track, the Bocca della Verita, and the nearby ruins of the Baths of Caracalla. You can also look through a keyhole at a unique view of the dome of St. Peter at the gate of the Knights of Malta’s Magisterial Villa. When it’s time to take a break from sightseeing, there is an orange garden just off Via di Santa Sabina with wonderful views of the Tiber.
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Saint John
Direction
00182 Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome, ItalyGet directions
Built in the Middle Ages, San Giovanni in Laterano was the first Christian basilica in Rome. The impressive church crowned with statues of Christ and the Apostles is located in the center of this quiet residential neighborhood in Rione XV .
With the advantage of being well served by public transport, San Giovanni is a 35-minute bus ride from the Via Appia Antica archaeological park and just a 20-minute walk from the Colosseum.
If shopping is a pleasure, Via Appia Nuova has department stores with international brands, such as Zara and H&M. The long boulevard is anchored in the middle by a traffic circle / park, Re di Roma, which has a metro station underneath.
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Pigneto
Direction
00176 Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome, ItalyGet directions
Pigneto ( Quartiere VII Prenestino Labicano) is located just outside the walls of Porta Maggiore, surrounded on three sides by Via Prenestina, Via Casilina and Via dell’Acqua. Seminar Italian film directors such as Roberto Rossellini ( Roma Citta ‘Aperta ) and Pier Paolo Pasolini ( Accattone ) filmed their neorealist films on these sandy streets, often using real-life residents as actors to authentically represent the roots of the working class of the neighborhood.
Once considered the outskirts of the capital, today this former slum has been transformed into a diverse community known for its creativity and open-mindedness. With a morning open-air market along Via del Pigneto, a pedestrianized street of ethnic shops, wonderful bars, and an incredible collection of street art, Pigneto remains a unique and vibrant place to visit.
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Saint Lawrence
Like Pigneto, this neighborhood requires venturing outside the walls of Aurelia. Between Termini and Tiburtina train stations, this progressive cultural center offers a window into the more youthful side of Rome. A favorite hangout for students from the nearby University of Sapienza, it is best known for its colorful murals, alternative music scene, and industrial architecture.
Public transport in Rome
