A village in the heart of Rome

South of the centre, near Ostiense and the Basilica di San Paolo fuori le Mura, lies one of Rome's most beloved and distinctive neighbourhoods: Garbatella. Born in the 1920s as a garden city for workers, it has held on to its soul as a warm, working-class village of "case a lotto" (lot houses), courtyards, staircases, little squares and arches. Far from the tourist trail, this is an authentic, photogenic Rome, where you can still feel a sense of community the rest of the city has largely lost.

A 1920s garden city

Garbatella was founded in 1920 on the English garden city model: low houses surrounded by greenery, designed to give working-class families a home with dignity. Its architecture, in the "barocchetto romano" (a playful Roman neo-Baroque) and Rationalist styles, lays the neighbourhood out in numbered lots, each with its own personality. The result is a one-of-a-kind piece of urban planning, now protected and dearly loved, and a backdrop for films and TV shows (such as I Cesaroni, an Italian TV series).

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What to see

  • The lots and the "case a lotto" (lot houses), the heart of the neighbourhood's urban design.
  • The "alberghi suburbani" (suburban hotels, i.e. public housing blocks), including the famous Albergo Rosso (the Red Hotel).
  • The squares, courtyards, staircases and distinctive arches.
  • The village feel and the photogenic corners around every turn.

We go deeper in our guide to what to see in Garbatella and in the article on Garbatella's architecture.

Eating in Garbatella

The neighbourhood is also loved for its genuine "osterie" (rustic eateries) and "trattorie" (family-run restaurants), where you can savour Roman cuisine among the locals. We cover it in our guide to where to eat in Garbatella.

How to get there

Garbatella is served by Metro Line B (Garbatella stop) and sits close to Ostiense and San Paolo. You'll find all the details in our guide to how to get to Garbatella.

Frequently asked questions

What is Garbatella? A working-class neighbourhood in southern Rome, born in the 1920s as a garden city for workers, famous for its "case a lotto" lot houses, its courtyards and its warm village atmosphere.

Why is it so loved? For its authentic, photogenic character, far from mass tourism: a real sense of community, evocative corners and a unique piece of urban planning that has served as a film and TV set.

What are the "case a lotto"? The homes laid out in numbered lots that are typical of Garbatella, built in the "barocchetto romano" and Rationalist styles, with shared courtyards and green spaces.

Is it a touristy neighbourhood? No, this is an authentic, residential Rome, and that's exactly why it captivates anyone looking for a different, genuine side of the city.

How do you get there? Take Metro Line B (Garbatella stop), close to Ostiense and San Paolo. With a private driver, you can forget all about parking.

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Article #559 · Category: Districts · Updated: May 2026