Visiting the Testaccio neighborhood, Rome

Why is visiting Testaccio a good idea?

Piazza Testaccio

@desireejanssen

Piazza Testaccio is not only one of the main piazzas it’s also one of the most cozy ones. With a couple of nice places around to have an aperitivo. Often the piazza benches are full with locals catching up with each other or watching their kids play

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Testaccio is a hidden gem inside the city of Rome that most visitors to the city don't even touch upon. They often visit the much more famous area of Trastevere, but Testaccio instead offers a unique experience beyond the tourist path. 

It has a rich history and an amazing food focus with the Testaccio market at its centre. Around the market there are many cool, authentic places to eat, like Pecorino, Angelina, La Tavernaccia and the famous Felice a Testaccio. 

Testaccio market

@desireejanssen

This market is full of amazing places to buy your produce from to cook at home OR you can decide to have a lovely lunch with something bought on the market like fried fish, pasta dishes, sandwiches and more

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Cultural things to see in Testaccio 

Of course there is the Piramide that you cannot miss, it’s the first thing you will see when you exit the Metro Piramide station. Visits are possible but only on the third and fourth Saturday and Sunday of the month. Tickets are around €5,50 pp. 

Pyramid of Caius Cestius

@desireejanssen

I love the way the piramide seems to slowly move over in the old walls built about three centuries later

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Another absolute favorite of mine is a visit to the Protestant Cemetery. This is where the famous poets Keats and Shelley are buried. Overall its a quiet, calm place to walk through to escape the city. 

Non-Catholic Cemetery

@desireejanssen

You can visit the cemetery respectfully from 9 to 5, except for Sunday when its open from 9 till 1. A donation to keep the grounds nice and clean is always appreciated

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Last but not least there is the Mattatoio, which is Rome's old slaughterhouse. To go to the Testaccio market from my house I need to always cross this section and its amazing. They are restoring the old abandoned spaces and turning them into spaces for contemporary exhibitions. During the summer there are also a lot of festivals organised in the outside area of the Mattatoio.   

Mattatoio

@desireejanssen

Most of the exhibitions organised are free of entry, so definitely worth walking in. I always go to their summer festivals where there is food and drinks and music outside.

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Ovvio since this is one of my favorite area's in Rome I will have more to say about where to eat, drink etc, but this will be in a next guide.