Rome - Travel Guide to Trastevere Quarter

My Trastevere:

If you want to feel like a Roman then stay a few nights across the Tiber River in Trastevere. This neighborhood was once considered the outskirts of Rome, though the locals that live here will tell you proudly that they are the real Romans. Wandering the area's narrow alleys your heels clack musically on cobblestones worn smooth by centuries of horse's hooves and human feet. Buildings in terracotta and mustard tones glow warm in a constant sunset. Ivy encircles windows framed by wooden shutters and flower boxes. Washing blows gently in the breeze.
At meal times you can inhale the sizzling smells of traditional Roman fare from the many trattorias or inhale the espresso aroma that extends around corners from the small cafes frequented by locals and tourists alike. Just a short stroll across the bridge from Rome's majestic monuments, Trastevere is the perfect place to glimpse a bit of the old world while still enjoying the lifestyle of today's Romans.

Trastevere Attractions: Top 10 to see and do

1. Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere
2. Porta Portese Flea Market
3. Get lost amongst the narrow Medieval alleys
4. Gianicolo Hill
5. Church of San Pietro in Montorio
6. Browse the artisans' stands on Piazza Sant'Egidio
7. Church of Santa Cecilia
8. Botanic Gardens
9. Church of San Francesco a Ripa
10. Rome Museum in Trastevere

How to arrive at Trastevere

Trastevere is a suburb on the western bank of the Tiber River, south of the Vatican City. Once in Rome it can be reached by car or public transport.

By Plane: Trastevere can be reached from either Leonardo Da Vinci Airport - Fiumicino or Ciampino Airport.
By Car: Once in Rome head for Viale di Trastevere on the western bank of the Tiber River.
Bus: H from Termini Train Station for six stops,
Tram: Take tram number 8 from Largo Argentina or the number 3 tram from the Colosseum.
On Foot: Enjoy a walk across the Tiber River, taking either the Ponte Sisto or Ponte Garibaldi from the center of Rome. You can also walk across from the Tiberina Island.

Events at Trastevere

Mid June - Late September
L'Isola del Cinema Film Festival is an open air film festival held in the unique and intimate venue of Isola Tiberina, an island in the middle of the Tiber River between Trastevere and Rome's centro storico. Italian and international films are featured, with special mini-festivals highlighting films from certain countries and sponsored by the respective embassies. As well as the films, the island and the banks of the river are lined with bars, cafès and a variety of market stalls. It's the perfect place to spend a summer evening watching the stars, both on screen and above.

Mid August - Mid September
What better place to hold a poetry reading than in front of the Gianicolo Fountain. Also known as the Giardino della Fontana dell'Acqua Paola in the summer it is transformed into a natural backdrop for the Fontanone Summer, a prose, dance and music review. Various events are held here throughout the summer months and performance times vary.

Trastevere's Typical Food

It's said that all Roman dishes originate in Trastevere and if you want to eat traditional Roman fare the trattorias here will definitely satisfy.

Abbacchio alla Scotta Dito – Roasted Lamb Ribs
These are roasted lamb's ribs that as the name suggests will burn your fingers. They're often served with crispy roast potatoes and sautéed broccoletti and are best washed down with a few glasses of house red wine.

Coda alla Vaccinara - Oxtail Stew
Today almost every Roman household has its own recipe for this stew, named after the vaccinaro a once customary payment of the entrails, hide, and tail of the animal given to butchers. The butchers developed a recipe for turning the tail into a delicacy – par boiling it with celery, carrots and herbs, then simmering with tomatoes, wine and a soffritto of garlic, onions, prosciutto and bacon. It is often seasoned with cloves, bay leaves, cinnamon, nutmeg and black pepper. The meat should separate easily from the bones and it usually tastes sweet and sour, sometimes due to the addition of raisins, candied fruit or even dark chocolate. Traditionally coda all vaccinara is served as a soup, or used as a rich sauce to go with fettuccine.

Roman Style Tripe
Tripe, yes tripe. Romans certainly love their tripe and you'll often see them tucking into a huge plateful of this local delicacy. The tripe is cleaned and slow boiled with vinegar for over an hour until tender. It's then simmered in a tomato sauce and served with bread to soak up the juices.

Grattachecca - Shaved Ice
Once the weather starts to get warmer the grattachecca stalls begin to spring up along the banks of the River Tiber. After a day of walking around Rome you'll be well refreshed after slurping the ice, freshly hand shaved from a big block and flavoured with the sticky, sweet fruit syrup of your choice. Almost as enjoyable as the cool ice on a hot day are the colourful characters that own the grattachecca stalls.

Trastevere's Typical Products

Trastevere is often described as Bohemian and following this theme many artisans have moved into the area. While no particular product bares the Trastevere stamp, locals often shop here when they're looking for something with a more alternative flavour. There are handmade shoe shops, one-of-a-kind boutiques, jewellery stalls and art galleries. You'll also have fun hunting through the many antique shops or searching for a bargain at the Porta Portese market on a Sunday where you can find anything from the latest fashions to second hand items - all at reasonable prices.

See Rome in all her glory
For a spectacular view of Rome, head up to Mount Janiculum (Gianicolo). As you look out across the terracotta tiled roofs you can play 'spot the domes' that dot the urban panorama. Piazza Venezia and Castel Sant'Angelo stand out and on a clear day you might get a glimpse of snow on top of the Colli Albani, the hills around Rome. On your way up stop to take your breath at the church of San Pietro in Montorio, built on the site where Saint Peter is believed to have been crucified. The church's cloister is well worth a visit and inside you'll also be able to admire Bramante's Tempietto.