10 ESSENTIAL PLACES TO SEE IN TRASTEVERE

Send

This list of the best places to see in Trastevere It will help you to know all the corners of the most charming neighborhood in Rome.
Its bohemian air, the cobbled streets, the terraces with checkered tablecloths and the traditional ice cream parlors, we assure you that they will only be some of the things that will cause in you a love at first sight, difficult to forget. In addition, the Trastevere, with its location on the west bank of the Tiber River, is perfect to stay, being close to the main monuments of Rome.

Based on the month we spent living in Trastevere, during which we wrote this travel guide to Rome, we have made this list of those we believe are the 10 essential places to visit in Trastevere.

1. Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere

The Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere is the most important church and one of the places to see in Trastevere more beautiful.
Located in the heart of the neighborhood, in the famous and busy Plaza de Santa María in Trastevera, this building surprises the visitor with the golden mosaics of the facade and its bell tower. Inside there are 20 columns and pieces of marble from the Baths of Caracalla, in addition to another beautiful golden mosaic in the apse dome.
When leaving the church, in the center of the Plaza de Santa María, is one of the oldest fountains in Rome, where in the afternoon it is usual to see it full of people sitting enjoying the good atmosphere that always reigns in this square .

Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere

2. Tour and stroll through the streets of Trastevere

Getting lost in the cobbled streets, surrounded by historic buildings that have undergone few changes over the centuries, is one of the marvels offered by Trastevere. And it is that in these streets is the true essence of Rome, where sitting on one of its terraces to see the transfer of tourists and locals at all hours of the day, is a real pleasure.
There are several streets what to see in Trastevere more essential, although we do not have much time, we recommend you to visit the streets Via della Scala and Via della Lungaretta, which are the busiest. From these two streets that cross the entire tourist area of the neighborhood you can turn off by beautiful adjacent streets such as Vicolo del Cinque, Via del Moro, Vicolo del Bologna or Via dei Salumi, among many others.

Streets of Trastevere

3. Restaurants

In Trastevere, although it is a very touristy neighborhood, you will find some of the best restaurants to eat in Rome. During the month we lived on Via della Scala, we also had time to try many of the Trastevere's most recommended restaurants.
Taking into account our experience, we have selected the five that we liked the most.
- Da Enzo: Amatriciana pasta and cacio e pepe are a real delight. You have to go soon to avoid the line.
- Prosciutteria: The cheese, vegetable and sausage table is the best we've had in Rome.
- Grazia & Graziella: the gnocchi, the pasta with the carbanara, the carciofi alla giudia and the tiramisu, are from another world.
- Tonnarello: They serve one of the best cacio e pepe in the city and some good pizzas. At long hours long lines are formed.
- Give Poet: without a doubt, one of the best places to eat in Trastevere with the best pizza we tried in Rome.
A good option to try several typical dishes of Italian cuisine and its famous ice cream, together with an expert, is to book this gastronomic tour of the Trastevere neighborhood

Charming restaurants

4. Gianicolo Hill

The Gianicolo Hill is one of the best viewpoints of the city and another of the essential places to visit in Rome. From this small mountain of more than 80 meters you will have magnificent views of the center of Rome, where the Vittorio Emanuele II monument stands out.
Also on the hill you will also find several interesting monuments such as the Manfredi Lighthouse, the Fontana dell'Acqua Paola and the Garibaldi Monument.

We recommend you go up to the Gianicolo at sunset by the Trastevere and go down the Passeggiata del Gianicolo in the direction of the Vatican and during the tour, in addition to the views from the main terrace, stop at the various points that have good perspectives of the city.

Views from the Gianicolo viewpoint

5. Ponte Sisto, one of the best places to see in Trastevere

The Ponte Sisto allows you to cross the Tiber from Via del Pettinari to Piazza Trilussa in Trastevere. This beautiful stone bridge, which was built by Pope Sixtus IV between 1473 and 1479, is one of our places to see in Trastevere favorites.
In the afternoon and evening it is a good time to slowly cross the bridge, while enjoying the performances of one of the many musicians who settle in this area of the neighborhood.

Puente Sisto, one of the places to see in Trastevere

Our recommended hotel in Trastevere
Trastevere is one of the best areas to stay in the city and feel the Roman atmosphere. Our recommended accommodation in the neighborhood is Residenza San Calisto, located in a historic building in the most beautiful area of the neighborhood, a few meters from Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere. It has breakfast, friendly staff and a wide range of recommended restaurants and bars located a few meters away.
Another option is to stay in an apartment of AirBnb Airbnb, where you will have 35 euros discount if it is your first reservation, registering from this link

6. Basilica of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere

The Basilica of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere is our second favorite church in the neighborhood and another of the most beautiful places to visit in Trastevere.
This Roman church of the V century, is dedicated to Santa Cecilia, patron of the blind and outside the basilica you will find a beautiful courtyard with a central fountain although it is inside where his true jewel, the sculpture of the martyrdom of Santa Cecilia of 1600.
It is said that the sculpture was modeled on the body of the saint and presents evidence in the neck of her death by decapitation.

Basilica of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere

7. Piazza Trilusa

When you come from downtown, crossing the Ponte Sisto you will find La Piazza Trilusa that will give you the best welcome to the Trastevere neighborhood of Rome. This picturesque square, dedicated to the Roman poet Carlo Alberto Salustri, is dominated by the fountain of the hundred priests and on their steps, every afternoon, tourists sit down to rest and listen to good street performers.

Piazza Trilussa

8. Ice cream parlors

One of the best things to do in Rome is to try their delicious ice cream in one of the most traditional ice cream parlors in the neighborhood.
During our days by Trastevere we tried several of the most recommended and although the differences are not very large between them, in the end we opted for these two: Fior de Luna and Gelateria del Viale, in which the flavors of pistachio and nutella stand out.

Fior di Luna Ice Cream Shop

Recommended travel cards
Remember that in order not to pay commissions and always have the current change we recommend you use the N26 card to pay and the Bnext and Revolut cards to get money at the ATMs. They are the ones we use, They are free and will save you a lot.
You can find more information in this article about the best cards to travel without commissions.

9. Porta Porta

Porta Portese is one of the old entrance doors to the wall that surrounded the city and another of the places what to visit in Trastevere.
Although it is a bit far from the most famous area of the neighborhood, at the end of Via Portuense, we recommend you walk to discover the less touristy Trastevere.
Every Sunday from 7 in the morning until 1 at noon one of the most popular street or flea markets in Rome is installed.

Porta Portese, one of the places to visit in Trastevere

10. San Pietro in Montoro Church

The San Pietro in Montorio Church, located in the lower part of the Gianicolo, is another essential place to see in Trastevere.
This convent of Spanish Franciscan monks, has in its first courtyard its most interesting place where is the Bramante Tempietto, a small temple with a circular plan and Renaissance style.
You will also have excellent views of the eastern part of the city from the church terrace.