Garbatella is an older style, yet increasingly modern neighbourhood in the Ostiense quarter in Rome, Italy, which now consists of approximately 45,000 people. Established in 1920 on the estate of Garbatella, the area was chosen mainly for its location beside the major basilica Saint Paul Outside the Walls. Each of Garbatella’s project units, or old sections of the neighbourhood’s first buildings, were placed together around communal public gardens, taking the idea from the English Garden city movement.

By 1930, Garbatella had the highest population density in Rome and continues to expand even today. Garbatella remains to be home to a vast variety of people, including Italian politician Giorgia Meloni. With its subtle beauty and quaint village charms, Garbatella’s comfortable, homely atmosphere will make you forget how close you are to the capital of Italy.

Garbatella in Rome - one of the highlights of 11 Most Popular Neighbourhoods in Rome (Read all about Rome here)

What are the highlights of Garbatella in Rome?

On your way to the area’s historic theatre is a beautiful mural of Garbatella as an art deco lady, close to other unique street designs. The Teatro Palladium performs regularly in Garbatella, now maintained by the Roma Tre University. Near the district of Testaccio, The Church of St. Francis Xavier still stands, imposing and magnificently intricate.

Garbatella’s sloping paths often lead to signs of its past naval history, whether in its architectural designs or open, relaxing air. Piazza Brin is the main, original square of the area, built for workers to live in while constructing a river harbour connected to Ostia. The broad square of Piazza Sauli contains an immediately eye-catching church along with an eagle-adorned school with a tower with a striking iron roof at its centre. Piazza Giovanni de Triota hosts a few restaurants and a cafe, all pleasant and distinctly local.

Where to eat and drink in Garbatella in Rome?

Garbatella has a fair amount of lovely Italian restaurants and cafes situated in the area, with numerous vegetarian-friendly options available. For Italian and Mediterranean seafood, restaurants Osteria dei Pazzi and One Sense offer all you could want and more. A farmer’s market in the square occasionally offers fresh produce to sample, a high-quality value for the exceptional experience.

Tanto pe’ magna’, Li scalini de Marisa and L’acino brillo are trattorias that offer traditional Roman dishes. Mattarello Garbatella and I Tre Fratelli also offer pizza. I Tre Fratelli includes international dishes on their menu of Roman cuisine. Garbatella’s local eateries also amplify their sense of community, with an emphasis on social and cultural connections in their style and attention to detail as well as with their servings.

What else is good to know about Garbatella in Rome?

Garbatella is outside the center of Rome. The easiest way to get to Garbatella is to take Garbatella line B of the Rome metro. Buses such as 23, 715 and 716 will also get you to the area. Parking is on the streets. The recommended time to visit is the late afternoon and into the evening, as Garbatella has excellent authentic Roman dishes and its scenic views are all the more poetic at sunset.

By Via Cristoforo Colombo in Garbatella lies an important center of government, the meetinghouse of the Regional Council of the Lazio region. Outside but near Garbatella are the ancient Baths of Caracalla, Appian Way, the catacombs and the districts of Aventino, Testaccio and Trastevere.

Garbatella in Rome

Dirección: Roma RM, Italy