Get lost in Trastevere, the most charming neighborhood in Rome

Walking through Rome is rediscovering history and going back to Roman times through its ruins. It is also enjoying its buildings, streets, squares and especially its fountains.

But there is also a very different neighborhood and in which we can move to the medieval charm of what Rome was. This is the Trastevere District, the only place in Rome that survived medieval times and today retains a bohemian atmosphere that makes it a charming neighborhood.

You could even do a gastronomic tour of Trastevere that you will hardly forget.

What to see in Trastevere

Even the way to get to Trastevere has its charm.

To do this we must cross the Tiber River by one of the bridges that surround the Tiber Island.

We can also cross it thanks to the Fabricio Bridge, the oldest bridge in Rome that preserves its original structure, and see the Church of San Bartolomeo, a 10th-century church that was built on the ruins of the Temple of Aesculapius, the God of Medicine.

On the Tiber Island we also have the Hospital of the Hospitaller Order of Saint John of God.

Finally arriving in Trastevere, the best thing to do is get lost in its narrow streets and enjoy the charm of one of the most atmospheric neighborhoods in the city.

And after getting lost and strolling through the winding streets with their restaurants, curious shops and medieval churches, it is obligatory to reach the square where the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere is located and rest next to its fountain while having an ice cream or simply enjoying the atmosphere.

In Trastevere we also find wonders such as the Church of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere or San Francisco a Ripa, which are well worth a visit. And if you go on a Sunday morning you can haggle at the famous Porta Portesse flea market.

Do not miss the Villa Farnesina either, a Renaissance villa that stands out for the paintings by Raphael that we can find inside.

And if you have time, do not forget to climb the Gianocolo, a hill from which you can get wonderful views of the city of Rome and whose buildings have been declared a World Heritage Site.

Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere

Located in the square of the same name, the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere is the main point of interest in the neighborhood.

It was built in the 3rd century and has undergone various reforms over the centuries, despite retaining its medieval appearance.

The basilica is as beautiful inside as it is outside. From the outside we can highlight its mosaics and its high bell tower from the 12th century that characterizes it.

Its interior is made up of three naves where the beautiful wooden ceiling stands out, as well as the paintings that decorate the walls and chapels, including the Altemps Chapel.

It is a beautiful baroque chapel where the Virgen de la Clemencia is found, dating from the 6th century. Above the apse we find a golden mosaic from which visitors will not be able to take their eyes off.

The Statue of Saint Anthony is another famous point of interest inside the basilica as it is said to have the power to grant wishes, so there are usually quite a few people around asking for them, waiting for them to be granted.