Trastevere and the Gianicolo: a walk in Rome

Medieval lanes of Trastevere, a Raphael villa and a climb to the Gianicolo terrace for the widest view of the centre.

Best time: Late afternoon, ending on the Gianicolo at sunset

The route, stop by stop

1
Ponte Sisto
Pedestrian bridge from the centre; 5 min.
2
Villa Farnesina
Raphael's Galatea; 45 min (check opening days).
A Renaissance banker's villa with Raphael's Triumph of Galatea and the Loggia of Cupid and Psyche frescoes, usually with only a handful of visitors.
3
Santa Maria in Trastevere
Apse mosaics; 15 min.
One of Rome's oldest churches, with 12th-century gold apse mosaics and Cavallini's 13th-century Life of the Virgin panels.
4
Otaleg
Gelato stop; 10 min.
Marco Radicioni's gelateria (the name is gelato backwards) with seasonal and savoury-leaning flavours; on both Katie Parla's and Puntarella Rossa's lists.
5
San Pietro in Montorio and Bramante's Tempietto
Uphill; Tempietto in the courtyard; 15 min.
6
Fontana dell'Acqua Paola
Monumental 1612 fountain with a city view; 10 min.
7
Piazza Garibaldi (Gianicolo terrace)
Panorama of domes; noon cannon fires daily; 15 min.