TRASTEVERE

Trastevere one of the bustling places of Rome was once a working-class neighborhood. Famous for its vibrant nightlife, Trastevere is known for its old-world cobbled streets, ocher palaces, ivy-clad façade, bohemian atmosphere, and amazing restaurants. This maze of backstreet alleyways is endlessly picturesque and mainly car-free, yet after dark, crowds swarm to its upscale eateries, pubs, boutiques, and craft shops. 

The 13th rione of Rome, Trastevere is a part of Municipio I with river Tiber on the west side, Vatican city on the south side and rione Borgo on the north side. Trastevere is one of the historic region of Italy which has been in existence from 400-500 BC and has witnessed several wars and conflicts. 

Trastevere is popular for its beautiful buildings and compact lanes. It is one of those ironies of Rome which has attracted more international tourists than national tourists. The colorful walls of the various buildings of the rione house some of the oldest shops and cafes in the city. Trastevere is very popular as it is located very close to the places of Vatican City and the Colosseum.

Trastevere has risen to immense popularity in recent years. Locals and citizens from all around the country visit the rione and often hop in the vintage shops and restaurants. For tourists who are looking for the perfect place to stay in Rome, the hotels in Trastevere are the best. Not only the location is perfect but also the facilities and prices are best for tourists. Trastevere is a perfect place to wander, stay and eat in the city. 

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Highlights

• Stroll through the narrow streets and labyrinthine lanes of Trastevere to learn some astonishing and well-kept secrets of the city and get a true sense of what it was like in ancient Rome
• Get impressed by the various regions and styles of different centuries as you walk through. The streets have maintained a special, genuine charm nearly unaltered. 
• Browse the boutiques, emporiums, and artisan stores, meet up with friends for a great night out, for a wholesome experience
• Chill out with your loved ones and relish some local food at the numerous restaurants, pizzerias, and trattorias. 
• Head over to The Basilica Santa Maria in Trastevere to know more about its mediaeval character and capture stunning views of its authentic mosaics.

How To Reach

The nearest airport to Trastevere rione is Rome Ciampino which is 14 km from the Trastevere. You can opt for the following means of transport to reach Trastevere from Rome Ciampino Airport. 

By Taxi: There is a taxi service available just outside the Ciampino Airport. You can hire a taxi to reach Trastevere. It costs around 30-35 Euros and takes 20 to 25 minutes. 

By Tram: Tram services are very popular in Rome and they move around all the corners of the city. Trams are available near the airport. 

By Bus: Buses run from Rome Ciampino Airport to Trastevere. They have a long route though and take around 40 minutes.

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Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit Trastevere is in the evening because the climate would be cool and there would be a lesser rush in the various shops and cafes. Also, the various buildings light up late in the evening making the rione a more beautiful place to visit and also making it more picturesque.

The best months to visit Trastevere April to June and September to November. The temperature and the average humidity is perfect in these months making the overall climate very suitable. Make sure that you visit Rome in April because it hosts the Independence Day parade on 25th April. Also, in late June and November, the city hosts various fun carnivals and other exciting events.

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Other Essential Information

Location: Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome, Italy (River Tiber on the west, Vatican City on the south, Borgo on the north)

Distance from Nearest Airport:  Rome Ciampino is the nearest airport to Trastevere and it is 14 km from Trastevere. 

Timings: 10.30 AM to 5 PM and it takes around 3 hours to visit all the places in Trastevere. 

History of Trastevere

Rome is considered one of the oldest cities on the planet and Trastevere is one of the oldest places in the city. The history of Trastevere dates back to Rome’s Regal Period (750 to 510 BC) when the area around Trastevere was in control of the Etruscans civilization. They had their people living in and around the area and controlled major parts of the locality. They built a bridge over the river Tiber which was the main connection to the main city and Trastevere. 

In the later years of the 6th century BC, more and more immigrants from eastern Europe mainly the Jews and Syrians started to settle around the river Tiber. Later in 1st Century BC, the Roman leader and military head Augustus divided the city of Rome into 14 regions and Trastevere was the XIVth region. Later, the place became an important site for the Judish people as the maximum number of inhabitants in the locality were Jews. Also, they constructed the very first synagogue in Trastevere. 

More and more people came to settle around Trastevere as it was close to the river Tiber. The buildings and narrow streets of the area were built later between the 14th and the 16th century. Sixtus IV laid the foundation of most of the buildings. The modern-day boundaries of rione Trastevere were set up by Benedict XIV in 1744. 

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Best Trastevere Restaurants

Italy is a country which is very popular for its food and gastronomy. In Trastevere, one can eat anything and everything. There are various luxurious as well as cheap eats available that will leave your taste buds in awe. Below mentioned are some of the best restaurants and cafes in Trastevere. 

1. Pizzeria di Marmi- One of the highly visited pizzerias in the locality, Pizzeria dei Marmi is one of the most popular eateries in the area. The eatery offers the best and most delicious Roman-style pizza with the best thin-crust pizzas. This pizzeria is always filled with guests in the evening so it is advisable to book your table in advance. 

Address: 53-59, Viale di Trastevere. 

Timings: 6.30 PM to 11 PM. 

2. Sette Oche in Altalena- With outside seating and the best pasta dishes in the locality, Sette Oche in Altalena is the ultimate restaurant in Trastevere. Some of the famous and mouth-watering vegetarian dishes in the restaurant are linguine al Limone (lemon and goats cheese), tonnarelli cacio e Pepe (cheese and pepper), and ravioli alla Norma (aubergine and tomato). 

Address: 36, Via dei Salumi, Trastevere. 

3. Zi’Mberto- Another popular restaurant with outside seating, ZiMbardo is a popular cafe. Serving some of the finest pasta’s in the locality, it is a prime cafe to eat while chilling.

Address: Piazza Della Malva, Trastevere. 

4. Rumi Bottega Organica- Rumi Bottega Organica is one of the cheap eats in the locality. It serves mostly vegetarian food with salads but some of the popular food items in the restaurant are pecorino muffin and lasagna with zucchini pumpkin and basil cream. 

Address: 133, Via di San Francesco a Ripa, Trastevere. 

5. Frene e Frizioni- One of the finest bars in the area, Frene e Frizioni is a popular hotspot. Serving some of the finest mocktails and vegetarian food, it is highly visited by tourists.

Address: 4/6, Via del Politeama, Trastevere.

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Tips for Visiting Trastevere

To enjoy your visit and have the best of your time in Trastevere, you need to know a few things about the place. Below mentioned are a few tips for visiting Trastevere. 

1. Visit Piazza San Cosimato in the evening as the locals organize outdoor film-watching every night. 

2. During the peak hours in the evening, in Piazza Santa Maria you will find some street performers showcasing their art and performances. 

3. Always keep a watch on your personal belongings as one may encounter a pickpocketer. 

4. If you visit Trastevere during the summer, make sure that you visit the seasonal bars on the side of the Ponte Sisto bridge. 

5. Tram no 8 is the fastest tram from Trastevere to reach the other side of the city. 

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Free Things to Do in Trastevere

The rione of Trastevere has a lot of things to do which do not cost a penny. Following are some of the free things to do in Trastevere. 

1. Piazza Trilussa- A popular piazza located on the banks of the river Tiber, Piazza Trilussa is one of the finest free things to do in Trastevere. This piazza is named after a famous Italian poet, Carlo Alberto Trilussa. The piazza has a pedestrian bridge which is very popular in the locality. In the very center of the piazza, one can find a beautiful monument that has the poem of the great Italian poet Trilussa. The piazza also has a beautiful fountain with stairs. 
2. Piazza di Santa Maria- Piazza di Santa Maria is the primary piazza in Trastevere. It houses the Basilica di Santa Maria, a beautiful church in Trastevere. This piazza is very popular among the locals and tourists as it is always filled with people who take a stroll and enjoy a drink and some street food. 
3. Basilica di Santa Cecilia-This Roman Catholic church is a marvelous wander in the streets and does photography- the church is located in Trastevere. The church is named after Saint Cecilia and is an architectural wonder in the locality. One can see the beautiful artwork of the church through its walls and pillars. 

Wander in the streets and do photography-Photography is always free! Trastevere is one of the most picturesque places in Rome. The small and narrow streets of Trastevere have many buildings and shops which are beautiful and worth capturing. Stroll in those narrow lanes and enjoy a day of photography in Trastevere. 

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Places to Visit near Trastevere

Trastevere is a very famous neighborhood in Rome and it is close to some of the most popular places in Rome. Mentioned below are some of the places to visit near Trastevere.

Colosseum- One of the seven wonders of the world, the Colosseum is one of the famous attractions in Rome. If you are planning to visit Trastevere, do not forget to visit the Colosseum. To avoid the queue and save time, it is advisable to buy your tickets in advance. 

Piazza Navona-The most beautiful Piazza in the city, Piazza Navona is home to some of the most beautiful and popular restaurants in the city. 

EUR- Benito Mussolini built EUR to mark the 20 years of Fascism in Italy. Today, it is a museum and an art gallery exhibiting the works of famous architects like Luigi Vietti, Luigi Piccinato, Marcello Piacentini, Giuseppe Pagano Pogatschnig, and Ettore Rossi.

The Appian Way- This is the road which gave birth to the proverb “All roads lead to Rome”. The historic Appian Way is embarked by some of the oldest catacombs, mausoleums, villas and tombs in the city. The old road and the foggy weather makes this street one of the most picturesque streets in Rome. 

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