Important
Rome districts
Important
Rome districts
Neighborhoods of Rome
WHERE IS IT QUIET AND WHERE DOES THE PARTY GO ON AT NIGHT?
Rome is primarily known for its major attractions, like the Colosseum or St. Peter’s Basilica. However, anyone in Rome will quickly realize that there is more to discover!
Not only are the many lesser-known sights worth a visit, especially when the ‘big’ ones are overcrowded or fully booked, but there are also the neighborhoods of Rome that are worth exploring.
Sometimes, you don’t even need baroque fountains, fascinating churches, or ancient ruins. Life, the locals, and their daily routines take the spotlight here.
At Museos, we provide you with a brief overview of the characteristic neighborhoods of the city and reveal what makes them special.
We take you to other quarters than the Historical Center (Centro Storico), where you find all the big sights like Roman Forum and Pantheon. Or the Vatican City (Città del Vaticano), which can somehow also be counted to a neighborhood.
We list you all the other interessting neighborhoods alphabetically, not by popularity 😉
What you need
to know
- Rome is divided into 15 municipalities (municipi = city halls), which are relatively unimportant for tourists and primarily serve administrative purposes.
- Since 1926, there have been 35 quarters (quartieri) outside the city walls, which extend to the port. Even the district of Ostia by the sea is divided into three such quartieri.
- In the 14th century, Rome was divided into 'Rioni,' which remained valid until the 20th century.
- Although these 22 Rioni no longer have any administrative significance today, locals still use them to designate neighborhoods. Therefore, when we refer to neighborhoods, it generally involves a mix of Rioni, Quartieri, and the historic center.
some quarters
an alphabetical overview
EUR
find out more
GARBATELLA
find out more
Jewish Quarter
find out more
Monti
find out more
Prati
find out more
TESTACCIO
find out more
Trastevere
find out more
QUARTIERE COPPEDÈ
find out more
1. DISTRICT
EUR
This neighborhood stands out from classical Rome due to its fascist architecture. The district was built in 1938 on Mussolini’s orders.
In addition to the many office buildings and stark residential houses, the “Colosseo Quadrato” is also typical for this neighborhood! A large lake with a beautiful park makes the neighborhood green and pleasant. It invites you to spend the whole afternoon there, whether it’s to watch the ducks jump into the water, do yoga, or enjoy a little picnic.
You can read more about this special neighborhood here: The EUR.
2. district
Garbatella
The Garbatella district is relatively unknown to most weekend tourists, even though there is a subway stop (Line B) named after it.
Strolling through the streets here, you’ll discover, through the many gardens and small houses, that there are several “villages in the city” in Rome (not just Trastevere). There are markets with fresh fruits and vegetables and many market stalls selling stylish clothing. The neighborhood’s charming character makes it popular not only as a residential area, but also appealing to those who want to experience a quiet Rome.
If you want to learn more about markets, you can check this out!
3. District
Jewish Quarter
In 1555, the Jewish population was forced by Pope Paul IV to reside in a separate area enclosed by walls.
This “ghetto” initially had only two gates and was often flooded by the Tiber River due to its proximity. The number of people living in the ghetto increased, so there were five gates during the reign of Pope Sixtus V (late 16th century) and later, in the 19th century, there were nine gates.
The Jewish people had to live here under certain rules. They were strictly controlled in terms of whom they could befriend, where they could shop, to whom they could offer their medical services, or when they could leave the area. The ghetto was only dissolved in 1870! But also, in October 1943, one of the most terrible and largest Jewish roundups in history took place here. Today, memorial stumbling stones honor the deportees.
The restaurants serving typical Jewish cuisine make the Jewish Quarter a culinary specialty and bring a noticeable zest for life to the former ghetto!
4. district
Monti
Monti is a neighborhood, very close to the Colosseum (Cavour subway station), which is becoming more popular and vibrant with each year. If you’re looking for “vintage” you’ll find it here! We’re talking about clothing or jewelry. Here’s a shopping tip for you.
The many plants hanging on the colorful house facades, the street art, the small craft shops, as well as the trendy bars (with delicious aperitivi), make the neighborhood not only photogenic but also inviting for a leisurely stroll.
The neighborhood’s fountain is used as a popular meeting point by locals and tourists throughout the day.
5. district
Prati
As a residential area, the Prati district on the west bank of the Tiber, near the Castel Sant’Angelo and the Vatican Museums, is popular among the high-earning population. The apartments are typically located in elegant palaces, often with a small courtyard and a doorman – and for that, of course, you pay a certain price.
However, for short-term vacationers, Prati is still (or maybe even for this reason) recommended! In this neighborhood, there are great holiday rentals (I speak from experience… a dream Airbnb!)! The square in front of the Palazzo Cavour, with its many palm trees, creates a relaxed holiday atmosphere.
If you want to go shopping in Rome, this is also the right place! The fantastic shopping streets (between Via Cola di Rienzo and Viale Giulio Cesare) with small fashion boutiques make every shopping enthusiast happy!
6. district
Testaccio
In the vicinity of the Cestius Pyramid, located in the southern part of Rome, you’ll find the wonderful neighborhood of Testaccio, which is home to a market as well as many small restaurants and bars. While it’s relatively quiet during the day, you can encounter lively young people in the evenings.
The neighborhood is named after the hundreds of amphorae (clay jars) that were discarded here in antiquity. The shards formed a hill that is still visible today.
Testaccio is a popular residential area, as evidenced by children playing in the squares until nightfall while adults enjoy the bella vita. This is something you rarely see in the historic city center anymore…
7. district
Trastevere
In almost every travel guide, Trastevere is described as “the village within the city.” However, today it’s one of the hotspots in Rome, especially after dark.
Due to its many restaurants and bars, it can get quite crowded here in the evenings, and you may have to wait in line to get a table! As if there weren’t enough queues already in Rome. 😉
The neighborhood was once popular among artists and students because it offered affordable living. The narrow streets are closed to cars, with only a few mopeds, creating a unique atmosphere. Oh, and one more thing: when pronouncing it, emphasize the first syllable.
So, it’s TrAstever, not TrastevEre, which translates to “beyond the Tiber.”
8. district
Quartiere Coppedè
One neighborhood in Rome stands out from all the others due to its many Art Nouveau villas: Quartiere Coppedè. We owe this neighborhood, or rather, this work of art, to the Italian furniture designer and architect Gino Coppedè. He began building these houses in 1915.
In this district, you won’t find souvenir shops, ancient ruins, or anything else “typical” of what we usually associate with Rome. A stroll through Quartiere Coppedè is something truly special, even for people living in Rome, as it reveals an entirely different side of the city!
You can read more about this unique neighborhood here: Quartiere Coppedè.
Text and image rights: © Céline Mülich, 2023 – 2024
With the support of Susanne Vukan
