8 Things to Do in Rome's Trastevere Neighborhood

There's perhaps no better Roman neighborhood in which to get lost than Trastevere. Mostly laid out in the medieval era, its cobblestone streets are a picturesque warren of ochre-colored buildings, old doorways with antique doorknockers, arched passageways, flower-filled balconies and Rome's ubiquitous graffiti. It's hard to take a bad photo here.

One of the oldest churches in Rome, and one of the most beautiful, is the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere. The Basilica contains brilliant gold mosaics from the 1100s, and a nave held up by ancient columns pillaged from the Baths of Caracalla. Dedicated to a 3rd-century martyr, the nearby Church of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere is known for its elaborate crypt and a magnificent Baroque-era sculpture of the saint.

Like many neighborhoods in central Rome, Trastevere's wide piazzas are equivalent to living rooms–open spaces where locals gather to talk and where tourists can linger to soak up the ambiance. Piazza Trilussa, right on the river, often hosts concerts and performances. Piazza di San Calisto is popular with local families pushing strollers or teaching their kids to ride bikes. On a warm summer night, Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere, with the facade of its namesake church all aglow, is one of the most magical–and popular–spots in Rome.

Paper thin, crispy and fresh from a wood oven, there's nothing like pizza in Rome. Order a takeaway slice during the day from La Boccaccia or sit down for an evening meal at neighborhood favorites Dar Poeta, Ivo a Trastevere or Pizzeria ai Marmi. Remember that in Italy, pizzas are made for one — with the exception of children, all parties are expected to order their own pizza. Yes, you really can eat the whole thing!

Italy may be a country known for its wine, but the craft beer craze is in full swing here, especially in Rome and other big cities. Trastevere has a slew of great bars, mostly falling on the artsy, divey side. Favorite places to sample craft beer and mix with locals include Freni e Frizioni, Bir & Fud, Ma Che Siete Venuti a Fà and Big Star, which often hosts live music.

Trastevere is a neighborhood best explored on foot. In fact, walking is really the only way to see it. Several tour companies in Rome offer walking foodie tours, where you learn about Roman culinary traditions as you walk from eatery to eatery, sampling along the way. Recommended companies for Trastevere tours include The Roman Guy and Eating Italy. Noted food blogger Katie Parla frequently hosts neighborhood tours or, for something more high-end, check out the offerings from Context Travel.

Get away from the crowds and spend a few hours in one or more of Trastevere's museums. The Museum of Rome in Trastevere looks at city life in the 18th and 19th centuries, while the Villa Farnesina and Palazzo Corsini both present art in regal settings.

The base of the Janiculum Hill, or Gianicolo in Italian, abuts Trastevere's western edge. It was a site of rituals in the early days of Rome, then home to most of the city's flour mills. It also figured heavily in the 19th-century campaign for Italian unification. Today, the not-too-strenuous climb up the Janiculum offers some of the best views over the city, plus a chance to peek inside the gates of fancy villas, academies, and embassies.