Trastevere, with its cobblestone streets, vibrant atmosphere and rich history, has long been a favorite among travelers seeking an authentic Roman experience. But is it the right area for your stay in Rome? If you’re considering staying in Trastevere Rome, we collected the feedback of our guests that have joined our walking tours, and summarized it in this list of pros and cons to help you decide.
Pros of Staying in Trastevere
- Authentic Roman Atmosphere: Trastevere is renowned for its charming medieval streets, colorful buildings, and lively piazzas. Everything you imagine of Rome is the Trastevere neighborhood. Staying here can feel like you are in a beautiful village rather than in a big city.
- The food: in this neighborhood you can find a restaurant or bar every few steps. From traditional eateries to more modern cafes, you have plenty of great options to choose from in Trastevere. Provided that you avoid the touristy restaurants. Not all the restaurants here are authentic. Don’t just follow the stereotypical red checked table cloths and pasta served in a pan. Ask the locals for suggestions and check online reviews first.
- Nightlife: As the sun sets, Trastevere comes alive with bustling bars, live music venues, and vibrant street performances, making it a hub for nightlife enthusiasts.
- Historic attractions: Trastevere is mostly known for food and nightlife, but not many travelers are aware it also has so much to see and discover. Stunning medieval churches, ancient Rome ruins and lots of hidden gems hiding in the picturesque alleyways. Trastevere is also the least excavated area of Rome, which means there is so much history still underground to explore. Check out our Hidden gems of Trastevere tour with Tiber island & Jewish Ghetto
Cons of Staying in Trastevere
- Distance from Major Tourist Sites: Trastevere is a big neighborhood and very central. For those who expect to reach everything by foot, Trastevere can be either very close to the attractions or not. It depends on which end of the neighborhood you’re staying. For example, getting to the Pantheon could take you either a 15-minute walk, or a 30-minute walk. Generally, aim at staying closer to the river, because once you cross the river you’ll be right in the historic center. In any case, from Trastevere you can reach all the major sites with a short 10-15 taxi ride or public transport.
- Weekend Crowds: The area, especially around Piazza Trilussa, can become quite crowded during weekends and in the Summer, attracting both locals and tourists. This is great if you are looking for nightlife. But less great if you are looking for a relaxing atmosphere.
- Noise Levels: We had mixed feedback about this from our tour guests. The lively nightlife, while a perk for some, can lead to increased noise levels, which might be a concern for light sleepers. However this depends on the specific street your accommodation is. People that had problems with the noise were staying in an accommodation right above restaurants and bars. But the experience was completely different for those who stayed in a quiet backstreet with no bars and restaurants.
Conclusion
The Trastevere neighborhood is a great area for you to stay in Rome if you are looking to be immersed in a Roman-neighborhood atmosphere. To have the best time possible in Trastevere, consider the vicinity of bars and restaurants when searching for accommodations, research for restaurants to avoid the tourist traps and make sure you explore the endless wonders this neighborhood hides in its beautiful alleys.
You might also want to take a look at our best-selling tour Hidden gems of Trastevere with Tiber Island & Jewish Ghetto. It is a tour we designed ourselves with our love for the neighborhood and our customer’s feedback 😊
Our tours are not packed, not rushed, and not stuck in tourist spots — because this is how we’d show Rome to a close friend. You can learn more about how our Rome tours work, the best Rome tours or browse all our small-group tours to see the experiences currently available.
