Known as the city's “Garden Quarter,” you'd rarely find a place as full of botanical bliss as Garbatella in
Rome. Maybe Aventino comes close, but it's still not the same. Garbatella is designed to look and feel like a garden city in the Italian capital. Lush greenery and secret gardens abound in this lovely district, giving more color to the city's signature sand-washed neutrals. They also provide the perfect setting for truly indulging in the romance of Rome, especially with the area’s traditional trattorias and inner courtyards.. If you're up for a date in the city, escaping to Garbatella is your best bet.
Where is Garbatella in Rome
Garbatella is one of
Rome's central neighborhoods. It's located right smack in the middle of the city and is only a stone's throw away from the city center, Centro Storico. It's also near many of the city's central districts, namely Ostiense, Adreatino, Esquilino, Portuense, and Valco San Paolo, to name a few. Garbatella proximity to these places, which are also some of Rome's most popular neighborhoods, is a major part of why it's a famous area itself. Those who live in Garbatella don't have to travel long to get to the city's hottest spots.
Is Garbatella, Rome Safe?
Yes, it is. Not only is Garbatella generally considered safe, but it's also widely regarded as one of the safest neighborhoods in Rome. It's mostly because Garbatella is famous for its tranquil atmosphere. Despite its location near the center of the city, the neighborhood looks and feels like it's a small town in the Italian countryside instead. There are still a few hotspots that get a lot of traction here, but for the most part, Garbatella is a quiet neighborhood. At the same time, it also helps that
Rome's crime rates were never that high to begin with.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Camelia.boban
What's The Vibe in Garbatella in Rome?
As already mentioned, Garbatella stands out as one of the quieter neighborhoods in Rome. Famously referred to as Rome's “Garden Quarter,” you'll find more small parks and hidden gardens here than famous tourist attractions and bustling hotspots. It's this combination of humble residences and inner courtyards that make Garbatella more reminiscent of the
Italian countryside than the Italian capital. There are still a few parts of the district that catch tourists' attention, but they're few and far between. Overall, Garbatella is the perfect escape for a much-needed break that's still near the center of the city.
Is Garbatella, Rome Expensive?
What many would consider the best part about Garbatella, Rome is that it's not that expensive here.
Rome's living costs are fairly high and this still rings relatively true here, but you'll find that things are considerably more affordable here compared to the nearby central districts. For example, eating out in Garbatella would only cost you about €15.00 to €20.00 per meal. And since the neighborhood's culinary scene is mostly low-priced traditional trattorias, then you can afford to eat out regularly here. As for when you shop, you won't see a lot of pricey designer brands or luxury labels in Garbatella. It's mostly local boutiques and high-street brands here.
What to See in Garbatella, Rome
In many ways, Garbatella is Rome's best-kept secret. Since it doesn't have any of the city's iconic landmarks and top tourist attractions, it barely gets any attention from many tourists. But that's exactly what makes the place more magical. Garbetella still has a few must-see spots, namely the ornate Teatro Palladium or the more modern-looking Ponte Settimia Spezzichino, but they're far lesser known compared to the Trevi Fountain or the Colosseum. And they're already not too far from here as well. So for the most part, you'll want to explore Garbatella for its hidden gardens and inner courtyards. They're not necessarily the
best parks in Rome, but they're enchanting nonetheless.
Things to Do in Garbatella, Rome
What you can do in Garbatella in Rome is still pretty much the same as what you can do everywhere else. It's still a great place to eat out in traditional trattorias and visit the very few popular attractions here. With that said, arguably the best thing to do here is to slow down and soak in the romance of the neighborhood. Instead of zooming from one spot to another, take a stroll through Garbatella's narrow cobbled streets. If you're lucky to stumble upon any of the area's beloved small garden squares, take a break and absorb the botanical bliss you won't find anywhere else.
Best Restaurants in Garbatella, Rome
The best restaurants in Garbatella, Rome aren't exactly the most famous in the city, but each one is still a must-try. It's because a good many of them are no-nonsense traditional trattorias that serve the most authentic Roman and Italian dishes. They mostly stay true to the local flavors of the city, letting you taste Rome's true culinary excellence without all the bells and whistles. Tanto pè Magnà on Via Giustino de Jacobis and Stellina Garbatella near Piazza Augusto Albini are perfect examples of this. Are they
Rome's best Michelin-starred restaurants? No, but they don't need to be! They're still amazing places to eat you simply have to check out. Here are more of Garbatella's best restaurants.
- Casetta Rossa on Via Giovanni Battista Magnaghi
- Dal Bistroso on Via Antoniotto Usodimare
- Greco Romano on Via Guglielmo Calderini
- La Casetta Garbatella on Via Giacinto Pullino
- La Nuova Cantinetta on Via Basilio Brollo
- La Piccola Trattoria da Me on Via Rocco da Cesinale
- Ristoro degli Angeli on Via Luigi Orlando
- Stellina Garbatella near Piazza Augusto Albini
- Tanto pè Magnà on Via Giustino de Jacobis
- Trattoria Madre Garbatella on Via Francesco Orazio da Pennabilli
What to Know About Garbatella, Rome Apartments for Rent
Another part of why Garbatella is a relatively affordable neighborhood in Rome is its rent. The average rent here is from €1,100.00 to €2,300.00 per month, far lower compared to how much rent is in other parts of the city. Are these the lowest rental prices in the entire Italian capital? No. Garbatella is still a central district, after all. Paired with the fact that it also has some of the finest
luxury apartments to rent in Rome, it's never gonna be explicitly cheap here. Nevertheless, whether you rent a studio apartment or a multi-bedroom duplex, there's a good chance the rent will be more affordable than in the nearby central areas.
With its hidden gardens and inner courtyards, you'd be hard-pressed to find a place more romantic than Garbatella in Rome. It's no wonder this central neighborhood is a favorite among locals. It evokes an intimate beauty different from the rest of the city.
