Testaccio Market
Just across the river from the famous Trastevere district lies Testaccio, a quiet and unassuming neighbourhood full of great places to eat and drink. Its biggest draw is its daily market, which has recently moved to a new location allowing it to accommodate its expanding popularity. You can find pretty much anything here, from clothes to home decor stalls, but the locals go just for the food – fresh veg, meat and fish are all readily available. Go at the weekend and have lunch – tons of stalls sell street food to die for; visit Mordi e Vai for delicious traditional Roman paninis and Casa Manco for pizza. Several kiosks also sell wine to help you wash it down.
San Lorenzo
The San Lorenzo neighbourhood is known for being the student-y part of town, situated next to the station and Rome’s largest university, Sapienza. A bohemian vibe, cheap drinks and great late-night bars make this a good place to head to after dark. Try Black Market for great cocktails in a cosy environment, and Soul Kitchen for Pugliese food on an outside terrace.
Gianicolo Hill
Although it isn’t officially counted and one of Rome’s seven hills, Gianicolo Hill still offers one of the best views of the city. Located a ten minute walk from Trastevere, visit at sunset and take a beer up with you. On the way back down, visit La Fontana dell’Acqua Paola, where the opening scene of La Grande Bellezza was filmed, for another fabulous view over the city.
Pigneto
A little further out of town and more difficult to reach than other neighbourhoods due to its lack of Metro services, Pigneto is still worth a visit. More multicultural than most zones in Rome, Pigneto feels more like Shoreditch or Dalston than a suburb of the Eternal City. Bars line the streets with prices much more budget friendly than those usually found – head to Mezzo for great cocktails and sharing food, and Cargo for live jazz music and well-crafted drinks.
Parco degli Acquedotti
When it gets hot in the summer, do as the Romans do and head to the nearest park. Whilst Parco degli Acquedotti may not be the nearest park for everyone, located in the south east of the city, its certainly one of the nicest.