Getting to know Trastevere
Why you should consider staying in Trastevere on your next visit to Rome. Trastevere is one of Rome’s best neighborhoods and make a great location to base your next trip to Rome from. Let’s explore all of the reasons Trastevere should be on your short list of places to stay.
Location
Trastevere is located just across the Tiber river not too far from most of Rome’s main sites. It is located about 3 miles southwest of the Termini train station.
How to get there.
Getting to Trastevere is best done by taxi on your first visit. Once you are familiar with the area it soon becomes much easier to access by bus and by walking. The metro and train do not service the area well without considerable walking so it is best reached by taxi or bus.
Rome’s major sights
Trastevere is located within a miles of many of Rome’s most popular sites including Circus Maximus, the Pantheon, Trevi’s Fountain, Piazza Navona, the Jewish Ghetto, the Compidoglio, Piazza Venezia. It is located just over a mile to the Colosseum, The Vatican and the Spanish Steps. These days they have both electric bikes and scooters to make getting around much quicker.
Restaurants
If eating good Italian food is a high priority while visiting Rome, Trastevere will not disappoint. Trastevere is home to many of Rome’s most popular restaurants including Tonnarello, Nannarella, Otello, La Tavernella, Impiccetta and litereally hundreds of other choices. The restaurants of Trastevere cater to more Romans than tourists. In my opinion Trastevere offers Rome’s best restaurants, and at reasonable prices.
Is Trastevere Safe?
I personally feel Trastevere is a very safe area of Rome, even late at night. I have never felt uncomfortable about my safety. Sure there may be the occasional crime of opportunity such as pickpockets or stollen property but the chances of being involved in or witnessing a violet crime is almost zero.
Base your Trip from Trastevere
If it is your first time to Rome I feel the best place to base yourself from in Rome is the Torre Argentina / Campo dei Fiori area just north of Trastevere. It is a little more convenient to most of Rome’s major sites, making it easier the navigate on your first visit. Trastevere however is my number 2 pick for best location to base in Rome & my number 1 pick for returning visitors. If you are returning to visit Rome your priority of visiting the major sites is likely not as high and now it’s time to experience more of the Roman culture. Even if seeing the major sites is still a high priority, Trastevere is still close enough tha tyou will not have a problem seeing them