Testaccio

The Basics

If you’d like to sample the best food and wine Rome offers, follow the foodies to Testaccio! Discover the area’s insider gastro spots by joining a walking tour that features tastings of local buffalo mozzarella, street food, and pasta dishes. Guided walks through Testaccio explore great food shops and markets, wine cellars, and trattorias while your tour guide explains the rich culture and unique history of one of Rome’s oldest neighborhoods. If you need to rest your palette, visit the chic MACRO, or Museum of Contemporary Art of Rome (Museo d'Arte Contemporanea di Roma), housed in Testaccio’s former slaughterhouse; the recently restored Pyramid of Cestius; and the Protestant Cemetery (Cimitero dei protestanti), where John Keats is buried.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Testaccio food tours are an excellent way to engage kids in learning about the neighborhood’s history and culture through the lens of its historic cuisine.

• Private tours can be easily adapted for those with limited mobility, food allergies, or other special requirements.

• Most Rome food tours are on foot or by bike, so sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothing.

How to Get There

Testaccio is just south of Rome’s city center and across the Tiber River from the Trastevere neighborhood. Take the metro’s Line B to the Piramide station, located next to Porta San Paolo.

When to Get There

This bustling city neighborhood is alive all around the clock. A food-themed tour is best scheduled when the neighborhood market and shops are open, generally Monday through Saturday from 7am to 3:30pm.

Monte Testaccio

Testaccio sits along the eastern bank of the Tiber River and was home to shipyards during Ancient Roman times. Goods were transported into the city via the river and unloaded here, and the broken shipping containers—primarily clay amphorae of all sizes—were discarded in a mound that eventually became Testaccio Hill. Caves dug into the hillside for storage now host excellent nightclubs and restaurants, most famously Flavio al Velavevodetto.

Ways to explore

Discover the area’s insider gastro spots by joining a walking tour that includes tastings. Guided walks through Testaccio can take you to great food stores, markets, wine cellars, and trattorias while your tour guide explains the rich culture and unique history of the neighborhood. If you need to rest your palette, visit the chic Museum of Contemporary Art of Rome (MACRO), housed in Testaccio’s former slaughterhouse; the Carrara marble Pyramid of Caius Cestius, which dates from 12 BC; and the Protestant Cemetery of Rome (Cimitero Acattolico di Roma), where John Keats, Percey Shelly, and several other poets and artists are buried.

Accessibility

Much of the neighborhood is paved and wheelchair accessible.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Cash (not all market vendors accept cards), camera

What to wear

Comfortable walking shoes, modest clothing for the cemetery

Not allowed

Eating while walking is frowned upon in Rome, as is littering.

Amenities

Restrooms are available at the Santa Maria Liberatrice Piazza; otherwise, patrons can use the facilities at one of the area’s many cafés or restaurants.

Address

Testaccio is south of Rome’s city center and across the Tiber River from the Trastevere neighborhood.

Driving

Testaccio is approximately a 15-minute drive south of the city center, via Lungotevere Testaccio, which is located within Rome’s limited traffic zone (ZTL), restricting non-authorized vehicles. Hail a cab or book a rideshare instead of driving.

Public transportation

Take Metro Line B to Piramide Station, a 15-minute walk from the market. Alternatively, by tram, take Line 3, which connects Trastevere Station with Rome’s center. Several bus routes also pass by, stopping on the Via Marmorata.

Best times to visit

The market closes mid-afternoon, but visit in the morning for its freshest offerings.

Best days to visit

Weekdays are typically the quietest.

Best months to visit

Exploring Rome on foot is best in spring or fall (April/May or September/October), when the temperature is most comfortable.

Special events

The neighborhood’s Città dell’Altra Economia hosts events throughout the year, such as beer festivals and craft markets. The market occasionally stays open until midnight and features live music.