Post-Industrial, Creative Rome

South of the historic center, along Via Ostiense, stretches one of Rome's most surprising and "alternative" neighbourhoods: Ostiense. Once an industrial zone, today it's a buzzing district of street art, bars, museums and industrial archaeology, dominated by the silhouette of the famous Gazometro (the gasometer). This is the Rome that wins over anyone looking beyond the city of classical monuments: creative, young and forever evolving, yet steeped in history.

From Industrial Zone to Trendy District

Ostiense emerged between the 19th and 20th centuries as Rome's manufacturing hub, home to Centrale Montemartini, the wholesale markets, the Gazometro and the warehouses lining the Tiber and the railway. As the factories shut down, the neighbourhood reinvented itself: vast industrial spaces became museums, bars and galleries, and the walls filled with murals. Today Ostiense is one of the beating hearts of Rome's nightlife and youth culture.

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What to See

  • The street art of Ostiense, with its large-scale signature murals.
  • The Gazometro, the giant gasometer that has become the district's symbol.
  • Centrale Montemartini, a museum housed in a former power plant.
  • The Basilica di San Paolo fuori le Mura and the Pyramid of Cestius, on the edge of the neighbourhood.

We go deeper in our guide to what to see in Ostiense and in the article devoted to the street art of Ostiense.

Dining and Nightlife

Ostiense is also famous for its nightlife and its food scene, from repurposed markets to bars set inside old industrial spaces. We cover it all in our guide to where to eat and go out in Ostiense.

How to Get There

The district is well served by Metro Line B (Piramide, Garbatella and San Paolo stops) and by the Metromare. You'll find all the details in our guide on how to get to Ostiense.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Ostiense district? A neighbourhood south of central Rome, a former industrial zone now reinvented as a district of street art, bars, museums and nightlife, symbolized by the Gazometro.

What is there to see in Ostiense? The street art and its large murals, the Gazometro, Centrale Montemartini, and on the edges the Basilica di San Paolo fuori le Mura and the Pyramid of Cestius.

Why is it famous for street art? Because the walls of its former factories and buildings have become canvases for large-scale signature murals, making Ostiense one of Italy's capitals of urban art.

Is it a touristy district? Less so than the center: this is a more authentic Rome, creative and young, loved by anyone seeking a different side of the city and a lively nightlife.

How do you get there? By Metro Line B (Piramide, Garbatella, San Paolo) and the Metromare. With a private driver you skip the parking headaches, handy at the end of the night too.

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Article #549 · Category: Districts · Updated: May 2026