Narrow cozy alleys, clothes hanging on the line. The Trastevere neighborhood is exactly what you expect Rome to look like. But what makes Trastevere so special and unique? Keep reading to see why this is a neighborhood totally worth exploring on your Rome trip.
Where is Trastevere in Rome
The name Trastevere come from the Latin “trans Tiberim”, which means “beyond the Tiber river”.
The city of Rome, since ancient Roman times, developed on the other side of the river. If you look at the map, you will see that the Colosseum, Pantheon, the Forums, and other major landmarks of Rome are located on the other side of the river with respect to Trastevere.
Since ancient Roman times, Trastevere has always stayed separated from the rest of the city.
You need to imagine that back then there were not as many bridges as today, and some of them would charge tolls. These conditions contributed in making Trastevere a Rome neighborhood with a personality on its own.
In ancient Rome Trastevere was an area out of the city center, where foreign communities established, such as the Egyptian, Syrians, people from Asia Minor (modern Turkey) and the Jewish from the Jerusalem area. The Jewish community of Rome established in Trastevere at first, before moving to the area that today we call Jewish Ghetto. The Jewish community of Rome is the most ancient Jewish Community of Europe.
Today Trastevere is in a very central location. You can easily reach Trastevere by walking from the city center or by public transport.
What to see in Trastevere
Trastevere has so much to see and do.
Most tourists consider the Trastevere neighborhood the best area for food in Rome. Because of that, there are many touristy restaurants in this area. But even though Trastevere is top of mind to most tourists when thinking of food, very few know that you can actually discover so much in this neighborhood of Rome.
Trastevere, together with the area of the Historic Center, has been uninterruptedly inhabited since ancient Roman times until today. This means that in this neighborhood you can find all the “layers” of the “lasagna of history” of Rome. From ancient Rome, to Medieval times, to Renaissance and going forward, Trastevere has them all.
Not only. Trastevere is also the least excavated area of Rome, which means there is still so much to discover underground! That is why there are many beautiful archaeological sites that you can explore underground Trastevere. One of our favorites is the crypt below the church of Santa Cecilia, that we visit during the “Hidden gems of Trastevere” tour.
The Trastevere neighborhood has so many hidden gems, such as the Ancient Pharmacy run by the Friars, or the underground site beneath San Crisogono or the picturesque Vicolo dell’Atleta.
As well as the most famous landmarks of Santa Maria in Trastevere, Piazza Trilussa and Piazza San Callisto. These are the most lively and popular places in Trastevere.
Another beautiful thing you should do when in Trastevere, is to allow yourself to get lost in the neighborhood. Turn off your google map and follow the path of these beautiful and colorful alleys.
The two sides of Trastevere – local tip
Most of the Trastevere neighborhood consists in tiny little alleys. Except one big road, built after the unification of Italy, called viale Trastevere. This is the only big street you will find in Trastevere, and it divides the neighborhood in two halves. These two parts of the neighborhood are named after their most famous churches: the Santa-Cecilia-Trastevere and the Santa-Maria-Trastevere.
The Santa-Maria Trastevere
The Santa Maria Trastevere takes the name from the Santa Maria in Trastevere church. This part of the neighborhood is where all the guidebooks will take you. This is the most famous area of Trastevere. In the morning it feels like a village. You’ll find people soaking in the sun, old guys passionately playing cards outdoors in Piazza San Callisto. This area is always lively and crowded. But on the other hand it can also get quite touristy. This is where you’ll find bars and restaurants every few steps (impossible to starve in this area!).
The locals, especially the older generations that were born and raised here, suffer from the fact that their trusted shops are closing one after the other to make space for restaurants and bars for tourists.
This doesn’t mean this area is not worth visiting, this is something totally worth your time when in Rome. Just be aware that Trastevere’s older community is suffering from the effect of tourism.
The Santa-Cecilia-Trastevere
The other area instead, the Santa-Cecilia-Trastevere, is generally less-explored. This area is never crowded, even during the peak of the high season. And I can say that, because we do walking tours in this area of Trastevere almost daily.
It is such a relaxing and picturesque experience to walk through the alleys of this neighborhood. This area remained a little more authentic compared to the other Trastevere, and because of that here you can find lots of hidden gems that you wouldn’t expect to find so empty, such as the impressive Blessed Ludovica Albertoni in the church of San Francesco a Ripa.
This part of the neighborhood takes its name from the church of Santa Cecilia, who is the patron saint of music. Santa Cecilia has such an incredible and dramatic story, which took place right where the church is today. This story is usually one of the big highlights of our Hidden gems of Trastevere tour.
How to visit Trastevere
While Trastevere is a great neighborhood to get lost and wander, many of its hidden gems are quite difficult to find, if you don’t know where to go. And if you don’t take the time to look for them, you are missing out on the most unique experience you will remember of Rome.
Our best-seller walking tour Hidden gems of Trastevere with Tiber Island & Jewish district feels like a fairytale experience. It is a relaxing morning stroll in a quiet and uncrowded neighborhood of Rome, where we find hidden gems and incredible wonders so beautiful you would expect to find lines of crowds to see. But there are no lines, because not many people know about this beautiful itinerary. What our guests have been saying about this, is that it is a tour that feels.. “non-touristy“.
Here is what our wonderful guests have been saying about this tour 😊
Check out this tour here: Hidden gems of Trastevere with Tiber Island & Jewish Ghetto
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.
