Testaccio
Testaccio
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The area
Neighbourhood: Testaccio
Put the house music on replay and you have Testaccio, an ancient Roman port and former working class neighbourhood where the bass is set to high almost every night of the week. Its collection of discoteche (nightclubs), street parties, and crowded restaurants give it its well-deserved party reputation. During the daytime, Testaccio is more easy listening than club hit, the area is full of locally owned small businesses and has one of the city's larger produce markets.
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7,248 within 5 kms
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2,527 within 10 kms
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
175 reviews
Excellent
69
Very good
79
Average
16
Poor
7
Terrible
4
dapper777
Monaco68,540 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
Testaccio is a dynamic, trendy district of Rome that develops around the Monte dei Cocci, a hill created from the accumulation of discarded Roman amphorae. The caves, once used as warehouses, now house crowded bars and nightclubs, as well as traditional and innovative trattorias.
Many menus offer specialties based on offal and intrails, a clear reference to the former slaughterhouse (Mattatoio), which is in the area, and which now houses two pavilions of the Macro Modern Art Museum located near Porta Pia, in the Salario-Nomentano district of Rome.
In the lively local market it is possible to buy fresh agricultural produce and street food.
The Testaccio district is one of the most popular areas of Rome and boasts a very ancient history.
In Ancient Rome, merchant ships coming from markets throughout the Mediterranean docked on the banks of the Tiber. As evidence of every trade and transaction, some broken shards of amphora ("head" in Latin) remained there. Thus a real pile of over 35 meters of fragments and shards was created. It was soon referred to as Mons Testaceus, or "Monte dei Cocci": this is the origin of the name of the district which today, while retaining its popular character, has the most imaginative nuances of the capital.
There are many monuments, churches, squares, buldings and spaces dedicated to culture and art in this area that are certainly worth a visit.
.The main things to see in Testaccio.are: the Pyramid of Cestius, Porta San Paolo , the Non-Catholic Cemetery, the Monte dei Cocci, the New Testaccio Market, the church of Santa Maria Liberatrice and its square with its garden, the former slaughterhouse (Mattatoio) and Piazza Testaccio with its beautiful Fountain of Amphorae.
Monte dei Cocci is a hill created by piling up the shards and fragments of amphorae and terracottas brought by Roman ships and destroyed: perfectly preserved. The mountain is accessible on foot, but only with a tourist guide.
Recommended.
Many menus offer specialties based on offal and intrails, a clear reference to the former slaughterhouse (Mattatoio), which is in the area, and which now houses two pavilions of the Macro Modern Art Museum located near Porta Pia, in the Salario-Nomentano district of Rome.
In the lively local market it is possible to buy fresh agricultural produce and street food.
The Testaccio district is one of the most popular areas of Rome and boasts a very ancient history.
In Ancient Rome, merchant ships coming from markets throughout the Mediterranean docked on the banks of the Tiber. As evidence of every trade and transaction, some broken shards of amphora ("head" in Latin) remained there. Thus a real pile of over 35 meters of fragments and shards was created. It was soon referred to as Mons Testaceus, or "Monte dei Cocci": this is the origin of the name of the district which today, while retaining its popular character, has the most imaginative nuances of the capital.
There are many monuments, churches, squares, buldings and spaces dedicated to culture and art in this area that are certainly worth a visit.
.The main things to see in Testaccio.are: the Pyramid of Cestius, Porta San Paolo , the Non-Catholic Cemetery, the Monte dei Cocci, the New Testaccio Market, the church of Santa Maria Liberatrice and its square with its garden, the former slaughterhouse (Mattatoio) and Piazza Testaccio with its beautiful Fountain of Amphorae.
Monte dei Cocci is a hill created by piling up the shards and fragments of amphorae and terracottas brought by Roman ships and destroyed: perfectly preserved. The mountain is accessible on foot, but only with a tourist guide.
Recommended.
Written 30 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ViewsAndReviews
Porto, Portugal1,167 contributions
May 2022 • Solo
I accepted a Housesit and hit the jackpot, discovering the community for the first time after many visits to Rome. It’s full of families, life, parks, and food! The options for excellent food abound there, from the outdoor market to local bars to have that Aperol Spritz each day. It’s less touristy than most areas, and truly feels like a community. Bus options abound and it’s a decent walk to the Trastevere train station as well. Can’t say enough! Loved every moment and didn’t want to leave.
Written 26 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marc b
Old Romney, UK21 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Testaccio was recommended to me by a colleague as being somewhere to visit for some real Roman food. Unfortunately the restaurant that he recommended was not open which was situated on Via Galvani. We carried on walking and found another at the end of the road, Trattoria Pecorino. It didn't disappoint. We spoke no Italian and they spoke no English but we trusted that all would be OK. Well the food was simple Roman food and absolutely lovely.
Do not go to Rome without visiting the area, the market, its where the Romans go. Go to Via Galvani and Trattoria Pecorino you will not be sorry
Do not go to Rome without visiting the area, the market, its where the Romans go. Go to Via Galvani and Trattoria Pecorino you will not be sorry
Written 10 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Familytravelmaven
Milwaukee, WI940 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
We went to the Mercado Testaccio for lunch and it was a great experience. This is the market where the locals shop for vegetables, meat, fish and some clothing. There were many stalls with prepared foods as well. Highlights included Casa Marco for pizza with unique toppings, Mardi and Vai for warm brisket sandwiches, and stall 66 for the fried Roman Jewish artichokes. We visited this market on our 4th day in Rome so we had already seen the highlights of the city. The Testaccio market was a fun adventure!
Written 4 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Spanish Steps Apartment
Rome, Italy36,326 contributions
Mar 2022
Back in Testaccio yesterday afternoon and evening for street art, aperitivo, and dinner with friends. One of my favorite neighborhoods in Rome, and it never disappoints. Always wonderful to walk by the ancient Monte Testaccio and the Pyramid of Cestius.
Written 14 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lynndds
Sierra Madre, CA1,375 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
We have taken a taxi from our hotel to the market four times. We love to walk around and look at all the fresh produce offered & prepared foods too. We got 3 types of pizza slices, two glasses of wine and sat at a table in the central area. There is every type of food for sell plus stores selling kitchen utensil.
Written 27 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arvilla F
Dayton, OH783 contributions
Jun 2013 • Family
If you want to see another side of Rome, take the Metro to the Piramide stop, take a look at the pyramid (maybe after they are finished with the reconstruction) -- and walk toward the old, castle-like city walls. The neighborhood, in general, is way less touristy than the center of Rome, as to be expected, and maybe a little "rougher" -- but we never felt unsafe. If you walk (north) on Via Marmorata then turn left onto Via Galvani -- you'll walk maybe 1/2 mile (4-5 blocks) --- then you'll see a big parking garage on your right. Located BEHIND the garage is the fabulous Testaccio Market ... an "open-air" but semi-covered market just filled with all kinds of produce, breads, fish, household items, and gifts. The market is not immediately obvious because of the garage --- so just walk around behind it & you'll see the white structured "roof." Make sure you're there early (before 1300) to see the action! Before you leave Testaccio, you also must visit two beautiful cemeteries: the military cemetery and the non-Catholic foreigners cemetery. They are both easily found while walking back toward the old wall -- in fact, the old wall runs along behind both cemeteries. In the non-Catholic foreigners cemetery, you'll find the graves of English poet, John Keats and English poet, Percy Shelley -- very cool if you're an English teacher like me :) Also keep your camera handy for some great graffiti shots while walking through the neighborhoods!
Written 6 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
H1CAJ
Cookham, UK519 contributions
Oct 2013 • Couples
As an ex-resident of Rome, I was surprised to find on my most recent return (as a visitor) that the long established and hugely well-known (amongst good foodies) market at Testaccio, has moved (2-3 blocks away from it's original site which is being converted into a piazza).
Despite it's 'new fresh and more orderly appearance' most of the 'original' Testaccio market sellers have moved too and although some of the older 'locals' are unhappy, most seem to be getting used to the market's different environment (more 'open' areas and so less crowded and noisy).
A visit to Testaccio market is a sensory delight - whatever the season, one can find an array of produce (fresh and ready to eat/cook). The market (from a food perspective) sells all that Italy has to offer and from a non-food perspective, (smaller in size) has traders who sell everything from footwear to underwear!
My visit on this occasion followed a similar process to all many previous visits - I placed orders for deli produce (different meats and cheeses - all Italian and of the best quality, of course!) asked them to be packed 'Sotta Voitto' (vacuum sealed packages) and then I wandered the market to soak-up the atmosphere! Thereafter, I enjoyed a relaxing coffee (nowadays there's an onsite cafe which serves excellent coffee and panini etc.) before wandering back to pick-up and pay for my purchases which, because they've been vacuum packed, can be eaten at home during the weeks/months to come.
From a personal perspective, any visit to Rome would be incomplete if I was unable to fit Testaccio market into my schedule!!
Despite it's 'new fresh and more orderly appearance' most of the 'original' Testaccio market sellers have moved too and although some of the older 'locals' are unhappy, most seem to be getting used to the market's different environment (more 'open' areas and so less crowded and noisy).
A visit to Testaccio market is a sensory delight - whatever the season, one can find an array of produce (fresh and ready to eat/cook). The market (from a food perspective) sells all that Italy has to offer and from a non-food perspective, (smaller in size) has traders who sell everything from footwear to underwear!
My visit on this occasion followed a similar process to all many previous visits - I placed orders for deli produce (different meats and cheeses - all Italian and of the best quality, of course!) asked them to be packed 'Sotta Voitto' (vacuum sealed packages) and then I wandered the market to soak-up the atmosphere! Thereafter, I enjoyed a relaxing coffee (nowadays there's an onsite cafe which serves excellent coffee and panini etc.) before wandering back to pick-up and pay for my purchases which, because they've been vacuum packed, can be eaten at home during the weeks/months to come.
From a personal perspective, any visit to Rome would be incomplete if I was unable to fit Testaccio market into my schedule!!
Written 23 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AbdullahA77
Manchester, UK1 contribution
The area is empty at about 2:30 in the morning, and if you are waiting for a taxi, some rubbish guys will start boithering you to get in their car for a cheap price. Don't leave the club until you call a real taxi because those 5 guys alomost kidnapped me. A taxi appeared on the last second before they were gonna push me into their small car... Always carry with you a pnone number of a taxi company. The L'lebi club is nice especially in the roof if the weather is good.
Written 8 August 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The_Cavan_view
Irishman in London4 contributions
Testaccio is about 20 mins walk from the Boca Della Verita along the river, or 15 minutes from Trastevere across the river.
The north side of Testaccio has a great food market as well as nice park with childrens play area. There are also loads or restaurans which serve traditional Italian food to real Romans at normal prices (not tourist inflatted ones). My favourites are Remo's for pizza and the trattoria Dar Boccatino.
The south side of Testaccio is where the nightclubs are located, so if you are looking for something a bit livlier then keep heading south (another 10 - 15 minutes on foot).
The north side of Testaccio has a great food market as well as nice park with childrens play area. There are also loads or restaurans which serve traditional Italian food to real Romans at normal prices (not tourist inflatted ones). My favourites are Remo's for pizza and the trattoria Dar Boccatino.
The south side of Testaccio is where the nightclubs are located, so if you are looking for something a bit livlier then keep heading south (another 10 - 15 minutes on foot).
Written 21 October 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Several of you have mentioned a foodie tour with a guide called Francesco - which company is he with? There are several different ones here on TA.
Written 26 June 2018
He’s with Eating Italy Food Tours.
Enjoy!
Written 27 June 2018
We are good with public transportation and like to walk and "marinate" in cities. We are not interested in the nightlife. How safe would you say this area is for walking at night, and how convenient for coming and going into Ancient Rome?
Thanks
Written 7 July 2016
Is there a place in Testaccio Market to sit down and eat what you have purchased?
Written 22 July 2015
We took a walking and eating tour of seven places in Testaccio including the Market. We didn't sit there, but in addition to grocery items there was prepared food to eat so I would guess there was some seating.
Written 23 July 2015
Como puedo ir a las 23h de
a noche desde ciampino al trastevere? Cuanto cuesta un taxi? Junio 2015
☺
Written 25 May 2015
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