Vibe on the street: alternative, lively, colourful and studenty.

Famous for: numerous cheap bars, restaurants and shops and one of the best areas for nightlife. Some modern art galleries, such as Pastificio Cerere. Home to the main university campus.

See overview of all areas

San Lorenzo is the neighbourhood immediately east of Termini train station. Developed in the late 1880s, San Lorenzo was predominantly a train workers neighbourhood and maintained a not-so-pleasant notoriety through the mid-1900s. In July 1943, Allied forces bombed San Lorenzo, which led to a redevelopment of the area in the 1950s. In the late 20th century, San Lorenzo became a mecca for artists, due to its lower rents, as well as galleries. San Lorenzo is proud home to La Sapienza, one of Italys oldest universities, which gives the neighbourhood its present vibe as both student and hipster.

Orientation

San Lorenzo is the traditional student area immediately east of Esquilinos Termini Station train tracks. Via Regina Elena and Via del Verano are its eastern border, while Viale Pretoriano and Via di Porta Labicana are its western border. Circonvallazione Tiburtina frames its southern end, whereas the Policlinico hospital marks the end of the northern area of San Lorenzo. The areas main landmarks include La Sapienza, Italys largest and one of its oldest universities and Basilica of San Lorenzo Fuori delle Mura. The basilica is located at the neighbourhoods eastern border and is gateway to Verrano Cemetery, also known as Campo Verrano. The ancient 3rd-century AD wall runs along San Lorenzos western border and is an excellence logistical reference. Via Tiburtina cuts through the area from west to east, almost dividing the neighbourhood in half. Esquilino (west), Castro Pretorio (northwest), North and East frame the San Lorenzo neighbourhood. Whereas Esquilino is the hub for Romes central train station Termini, counterpart Castro Pretorio is a centre for short-term lodging. The large East and North areas are more generic suburbs.

Know your neighbours

Much like neighbourhoods Castro Pretorio and Appia Nuova, San Lorenzo is filled with local-owned shops, businesses, restaurants, cafés and clubs. It is the university district, so its atmosphere is friendly and informal - this is a great asset in getting to know your neighbours. You will find ongoing conversations at any hour of the day and night, so just jump in with a Roman Che sta a fa (whats going on), and see where it takes you.

Shopping options

There are several local shops to suit all needs (groceries, gifts, clothing, home wares) throughout the entire San Lorenzo area. The best directional indication would be to focus on the streets south of Via Tiburtina. For the determined one-stop shopper, head to nearby Termini Station. It has a vast selection of shops (and restaurants) in its ground and underground levels. Shops include well-known names such as department store UPIM, Bore bookstore, Benetton, Calzedonia and Nike.

Getting around

San Lorenzo has quite efficient connections to all areas of Rome via tram, bus and even metro. Its proximity to Termini station also facilitates these connections. Useful bus lines include: 71, 163, 492 and 495, which connect the area to Prati, Centre, Appia Nuova, and Termini and Tiburtina stations. Trams 3 and 19 run through the neighbourhood and connect to Vaticano, Villa Borghese, Coliseum, Testaccio and Trastevere. The nearest metro stop is Castro Pretorio, metro Line B (Blue), in neighbouring Castro Pretorio. Line B has stops at Termini and Tiburtina stations, Cavour (Monti), Colosseo, Aventine and Piramide (Ostiense). Line B also intersects Line A at Termini, making swift connections to Piazza di Spagna and Vatican.
San Lorenzo has an engaging social and cultural scene, due in part to its history as a student district. La Sapienza has the largest student body in Europe with over 100,000 enrolled students coming from Rome, Italy and other European countries. This multi-cultural student population has created a vibrant daytime and evening atmosphere and encouraged a recent rise in cultural events.

Nearby sights

Not to be missed is the Mura Aureliane, the ancient 3rd-century walls that run along the western border of the area. Throughout the centuries, Romans have inhabited the walls here, making unique and interesting architectural feats in the walls. In fact, in the bottom corner bordering Esquilino is Porta Maggiore, with its monument to aqueducts. Another ancient monument worthy of a photo is Sepolcro at Largo Talamo - a tiny rectangular mausoleum with small dome.

On the eastern edge of San Lorenzo is The Basilica San Lorenzo fuori delle Mura, one of Romes four most important head churches and entrance to the large cemetery Verrano. A walk through Verrano is always interesting as there are several beautiful Victorian-era tombs and mausoleums of note. San Lorenzos background as a train workers neighbourhood and student district means that the neighbourhood has only recently developed as a trendy place whose two preferred hangouts are Pastificio Cerere (an artist exhibition space) and SAID chocolate factory.

Eating out

San Lorenzo has many great places for dining out. Some of the areas best eateries include Tram Tram (a trattoria), Pinsa e Buoi (focusing on meats), Formula 1 (pizzeria) and SAID - the chocolate factory with excellent hot chocolate, of course. Pastificcio Cerere has recently opened a restaurant within its artsy complex. In general, the entire area has a great selection of food stands, cafés, restaurants and bars.

Nightlife

As a student hub, San Lorenzo has a name as a good place to go in the evenings. It has a wide variety of bars, clubs and discos to suit all tastes. Your best bet is to head to Piazza dellImmacolata. Its surrounding streets are practically lined with bars and pubs, known as locali. You could probably stay within a 200-metre radius the entire evening and never run out of things to do. Felt and San Lorenzo Caffe are faithful neighbourhood haunts.
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