Top Things to Do in Ostiense: Explore Rome’s Industrial Neighbourhood
After my lovely Christmas break, I thought it was the perfect time to continue my series on the Neighbourhoods of Rome. This time, I’ll be exploring Ostiense, a dynamic area in the south of Rome, known for its fascinating mix of history, industrial architecture, and creative vibe. My friend once saw one of the Måneskin band members here, and if that doesn’t convince you this neighbourhood is cool, I don’t know what will.
In this blog post, I’ll share a brief history of Ostiense and highlight the must-visit spots that make this area such a hidden gem in Rome. By the end, I hope you’ll feel inspired to visit Ostiense during your time in Rome. I can’t wait to hear about your adventures!
A Brief History of Ostiense
The history of Ostiense dates back a long time. Its main road, the Via Ostiense, is one of the oldest in the city and was an important route in ancient Rome. The Via Ostiense connected the city to the sea, through the port of Ostia, and was fundamental for commercial trade in antiquity.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Ostiense transformed into an industrial district, with factories, warehouses, and the iconic Gasometer (a large container used to store gas) still standing today. This era gave the neighbourhood its gritty, working-class character. Over time, many industrial spaces were abandoned, but in recent decades, many have been transformed into cultural hubs, galleries, and trendy restaurants, making Ostiense a vibrant and creative area.
Tip: If you want to read some more about the history of Ostiense, you can click this link for the official tourist webpage!
Top Things to do in Ostiense:
Ostiense is quite a large neighbourhood, and there’s so much to see and do! You could easily spend the whole day exploring. If you’re only in Rome for two or three days, chances are you won’t have time to visit. But if you’re staying longer, I highly recommend checking it out! Here are some top things to do when visiting this iconic area of Rome.
Visit the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Ostiense
One thing you absolutely can’t miss when visiting Ostiense is a trip to the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. This stunning structure is one of the four papal basilicas in Rome and the second-largest basilica after St. Peter’s.
According to tradition, the basilica stands on the site where the Apostle Paul was buried, making it an important historical and religious landmark.
This basilica is my favourite in Rome, it’s just so beautiful, both inside and out. I do have a little embarrassing story though. When you enter, you have to scan your bag through one of those pop-up airport security booths. Since it’s such an important basilica, there are a lot of authorities around. Let’s just say I had an awkward conversation/discussion with a cute security guard about whether or not I had scissors in my bag. Spoiler: I did. (They were hidden, okay? And small, I totally forgot I had them, I’m just a girl!)
Anyway, definitely visit the basilica, it’s truly an amazing place.
Explore Garbatella
A short distance away (you can easily walk from the basilica), you’ll find Garbatella, a small neighbourhood with a very authentic atmosphere. Garbatella was born in the 1920s to house the workers of the Via Ostiense factories.
Garbatella feels like a small village within Rome, making it the perfect place for a walk. There’s a mix of architectural styles, communal courtyards, and small squares that give the area a charming vibe.
Like the rest of Ostiense, Garbatella is home to creative spaces, and there’s plenty of street art to discover too!
Admire Ostiense’s Unique Industrial Architecture
As you’ve probably gathered by now, Ostiense has a rich industrial past, and that history is still very much reflected in its architecture. I mentioned it earlier, but the Gasometer is an iconic landmark in the area, towering above the neighbourhood. In fact, there are three of them: two smaller ones built in 1910 and the largest, which stands an impressive 92 meters high, built in 1937.
If you walk along the main street, Via Ostiense, you’ll get a great sense of the area’s vibe, with its mix of warehouses and industrial buildings.
Tip: Another great example of industrial architecture is the ex-mattatoio (former slaughterhouse) in Testaccio. I’ve written a guide about the Testaccio neighbourhood, and it’s definitely worth checking out!
Discover Ostiense’s street art
Like the neighbourhood of Pigneto, Ostiense feels like an open-air art exhibition. I love getting lost in the area and discovering some of the most amazing pieces of street art. I’ve shared a few of my favourites in this blog post, but there’s still so much I haven’t seen. That’s one of the coolest things about Ostiense. You always discover something new every time you visit!
Visit Piramide: Ostiense’s Ancient Roman Pyramid
On the border of Ostiense, incorporated into the Aurelian city wall, is the Pyramid of Cestius, one of Rome’s more surprising sights. I honestly had no idea there was a pyramid in Rome before I started living here.
Standing 36.5 meters tall, the pyramid was built between 18 and 12 BC as a tomb for Gaius Cestius, a wealthy magistrate. It’s a fascinating reminder of Rome’s obsession with Egyptian culture after their conquest of Egypt in 30 BC. Interestingly, the Pyramid of Cestius wasn’t the only one in Rome. In the 1st century BC, there were two others, one where the twin churches of Piazza del Popolo are now, and another along Via della Conciliazione.
What I love about this pyramid is that from afar, it looks pretty tiny. But then, when you stand in front of it, you almost have to break your neck to view the top.
How to get to Ostiense
Now, last but not least, how to get to Ostiense. It actually depends on where you want to start your Ostiense journey, but it’s easy nonetheless. What I would recommend is taking the metro B (the blue line), and from there, you have options. You can either get off at the stop called Piramide (if you want to start at the Pyramid), the stop called Garbatella (if you want to explore Garbatella first), or the stop called Basilica S. Paolo (from where you can visit the Basilica). All three stops are located in Ostiense, which makes it really convenient to get around.
If you want more information about the public transport system in Rome, I’ve written a very convenient beginner's guide where you can find all the details you need!
As you may have gathered from this blog post, Ostiense is a neighbourhood in Rome filled with history, creativity, and a very dynamic atmosphere. I love exploring this area, and I hope this article has inspired you to visit this amazing place!
So, maybe next time you're in Rome, make sure Ostiense is on your list. Trust me, you won’t regret it!
