Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Rome: Our Members' Neighborhoods Explored

Anya
3 days ago
3 min read

Updated: 23 hours ago

Rome is made up of layers of history, of architecture, and identity. While landmarks like the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain might be the images on postcards, it's the neighborhoods just beyond the tourist core where the city’s real rhythm plays out. Whether you're a remote worker settling in, a curious traveler staying longer, or just someone searching for the best espresso without a line of selfie sticks, this guide is for you.

So get ready to explore three incredible local neighborhoods that absolutely deserve your attention! Each one has its own unique vibe, community spirit, and that unmistakable Roman charm. Just like the saying goes, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do!"

Garbatella

Best for: Architecture lovers, film nostalgia, and village vibes in the city

Few places feel as cinematic as Garbatella. With its curved staircases, pastel facades, and murals, this neighborhood has been the backdrop for Italian cinema since the '50s, and it still feels like a perfectly kept secret (see the Cesare Battisti School, for instance).

Originally built as a garden suburb in the 1920s, Garbatella was designed to blend urban functionality with community space. What remains is a calm district full of courtyards, quiet piazzas, and families who’ve lived here for generations. Stop for a coffee at La Fornarina or walk through the lotti (housing complexes) to experience Rome at a different frequency: slower, warmer, and deeply rooted.

🌟Local tip: Take a delightful break with a tasty Pistachio gelato at Gelato Baciato; we guarantee it will quickly become one of your favorites! Cultural center Moby Dick and Palladium Theatre are also areas of significant interest.

A mural in Garbatella neighbourhood in Rome

Pigneto

Best for: Creative cafés, street art walks, and late-night conversations

This is the neighborhood I've been fortunate to call home for a while now. Once overlooked, now unmistakably on the radar of Rome’s alternative scene, Pigneto is a district that continues to evolve without losing its edge. A mix of low-rise buildings, independent bookshops (hello Libreria Tuba and Uroboro!), and pop-up galleries, it’s where you might grab a craft beer next to a poetry reading or find a book themed speed-dating in a local shop.

During the day, Pigneto feels lived-in and slow-paced. Locals sip coffee outside bars like Zazie, Burroe Mezè or Fax Factory, and settle in with laptops at La Bottiglieria. By night, Isola Pedonale becomes a gathering place for friends meeting for an aperitivo or a low-key dinner for a delicious pasta at Dar Parucca. It’s not polished, and that’s part of its charm.

🌟Local tip: Explore Pignetismi for a slow tour of the neighborhood and beyond!

A mural of a woman in the Pigneto neighbourhood in Rome

Testaccio

Best for: Food lovers (hello food festivals!), market culture, and strong Roman identity

If there’s one neighborhood that holds the essence of Roman food culture, it’s Testaccio. Historically, a working-class district rooted in the city’s slaughterhouse industry, today it’s a place where tradition meets transformation. Testaccio isn’t trying to be trendy—it just is.

By day, stroll through Mercato Testaccio, a modern market with deep neighborhood ties where you can grab gourmet food from fresh food stalls. By night, head to old-school trattorias like the renowned Felice a Testaccio or tucked-away wine bar, Enoteca Bernabei Testaccio, for instance. The Mattatoio complex now hosts art exhibitions and events, adding a contemporary edge to the area’s legacy. Get ready for genuine authenticity, bold flavors, and an unmistakable Roman spirit bursting with festivals and cultural excitement, from cinema to theatre and beyond!

🌟Local tip: Our community members recommend Panna & Co on Via Marmorata as the best gelateria in the area. Noteworthy restaurants to visit are Piatto Romano, Il Grittino, and Pizzeria Remo.

Piazza Testaccio, omonimous piazza of the neighbourhood in Rome

Rome doesn’t just live in monuments, but it breathes in neighborhoods, so each of these areas invites you to experience the city in a more grounded and personal way.

Planning to move here or just curious to connect with others exploring these same streets? Join us in Let's Meet in Rome! Slack community and share your favorite local finds.