A neighborhood to live, between history and flavor

Testaccio doesn't have the grand monuments of the city center, but it has a powerful character and some surprising stops, spanning archaeology, markets, and contemporary art. Here's what to see.

The Monte dei Cocci

The neighborhood's hidden marvel is the Monte dei Cocci (Monte Testaccio, the "Hill of Shards"): an artificial hill roughly 35 metri high, built entirely from fragments of Roman amphorae (the testae, which gave the district its name). It's all that remains of ancient Rome's great river port, where oil and goods arrived. A place unlike any other in the world, today ringed by the bars of the city's nightlife scene. We've devoted a separate guide to it: the Monte dei Cocci.

The Mercato di Testaccio

The beating heart of the neighborhood is the Mercato di Testaccio (Testaccio Market), a modern covered market where stalls of fruit, vegetables, meat, and fish sit alongside the famous street food kiosks. It's the perfect spot to taste Roman cuisine in its most relaxed form (supplì, sandwiches, trapizzino) and stock up on local specialties. We cover it in our guide on where to eat in Testaccio.

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The former Mattatoio and MACRO

Testaccio grew up around the great Mattatoio (the former slaughterhouse, the city's old abattoir), an imposing complex of late-19th-century industrial archaeology. Now decommissioned, it has become a cultural hub: it houses MACRO Testaccio (a contemporary art museum, with exhibitions and events), the Faculty of Architecture, and exhibition spaces. It's a fascinating example of reusing an industrial site.

The Pyramid and the Non-Catholic Cemetery

On the edge of the neighborhood, toward Porta San Paolo, you'll find two unmissable stops (each covered in a separate guide):

  • The Pyramid of Cestius, a genuine Egyptian-style pyramid on Roman soil.
  • The Non-Catholic Cemetery, with the graves of the poets Keats and Shelley and its famous cats.

The nightlife

After dark, Testaccio comes alive: bars, clubs, and restaurants cluster around the Monte dei Cocci, in one of the liveliest corners of Roman nightlife, popular above all with locals. A different, more playful side of the neighborhood.

How to plan your visit

In 1-2 hours you'll see the best of it:

  1. The Mercato di Testaccio (in the morning, for the street food)
  2. The Monte dei Cocci
  3. The former Mattatoio and MACRO
  4. The Pyramid and the Non-Catholic Cemetery (on the edges)

Frequently asked questions

What is there to see in Testaccio? The Monte dei Cocci, the Mercato di Testaccio, the former Mattatoio (now MACRO), and, on the edges, the Pyramid of Cestius and the Non-Catholic Cemetery.

What is the Monte dei Cocci? An artificial hill roughly 35 metri high made of fragments of Roman amphorae, all that remains of ancient Rome's river port. Unique in the world.

What is MACRO Testaccio? The contemporary art museum carved out of the former Mattatoio, with exhibitions and events: a prime example of repurposing the neighborhood's industrial archaeology.

Is Testaccio good in the evening? Yes: a lively nightlife scene clusters around the Monte dei Cocci, with bars and restaurants favored by locals.

How much time do you need to see everything? About 1-2 hours for the main stops; longer with lunch or dinner in the trattorias and a visit to MACRO.

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Article #458 · Category: Districts · Updated: May 2026