Find the Best Things to Do in Prati
By Nicole Arriaga
Rome Local Expert
About Prati
Photo courtesy of www.alexanderplatz.it
The Prati neighborhood offers a quieter and calmer alternative for tourists looking to be well-connected to the sights of Rome without being stuck in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the city. It is an affluent residential neighborhood that has the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica practically at its doorstep. Because of its close proximity to the Pope’s residence, it also happens to be one of the safest neighborhoods to be in. Aside from convenience, Prati is filled with great authentic Roman trattorie and great bars and pubs where one can go and listen to some live music.
See & Do
What's so convenient about this neighborhood is that it's literally within walking distance from Vatican City. Tourists find it easy to stay here as its truly a walkable neighborhood. Whether you plan on heading to the Pope's Mass or Blessing on Sunday and Wednesday mornings or visiting St. Peter's Basilica, these popular sights are just minutes away. Planning a day to spend at the Vatican Museums to see some of the finest art work in the world as well as the Sistine Chapel never got easier. There are two metro stops conveniently located in the Prati area that will connect you with the Vatican Museums: Ottaviano and Cipro.
Eat
Whoever said that all of the good restaurants could only be found in the centro storico, was sadly mistaken. In the Prati neighborhood, there are a slew of good home cooked meals to be had at mom-and-pop like trattorie and pizzerie. A major hit among locals and tourists is Hostaria Dino e Toni. They're famous for their large portions and always keep the food coming. While they have a menu, it's best to just trust Dino (the owner) on what he recommends, which is typically an antipasto della casa, two small tastings of pizza and beer or wine. Believe, you'll walk out of there with both a happy wallet and stomch. Another famous little posticino, is called Cacio e Pepe. As the name suggests, it's best known for its tonarelli Cacio e Pepe and also does a divine carbonara. Among the locals, this little restaurant is also nicknamed the 'Posta' because the outdoor seating area is literally in front of the post office.
Party
Unbenownst to many tourists, the Prati area is thriving with pubs and bars. But not just any types of bars. There are all sorts of pubs where one can go and listen to live music playing. From rock cover band music to swing, blues and jazz, there's a place for everyone's taste in music. The most popular in the area and in Rome for that matter, is Alexanderplatz. It's actually the most famous jazz lounge and the locale manages to draw in some pretty big internationally known names on the jazz scene. Another lively place is Fonclea. This birreria hosts a different band with different music every single night. From Beatles and Jimmy Hendrix cover band music and even country and gospel can all be listened here.
Stay
The quality of hotels in the Prati area is certainly top notch. Unlike in the center of Rome where late night revellers can be noisy, the Prati area is consistently quiet and peaceful. It's definitely a comfortable area for tourists to get a good night's sleep. One doesn't necessarily have to stay at a hotel in the center to catch a glimpse of million dollar views. For an absolutely stunning bird's eye view of the cupola of St. Peter's Dome, there's no better place than from the rooftop restaurant at the Atlante Star Hotel. Indeed, the backdrop is so stunning, that the hotel has become a popular place for weddings. For a comfortable and cozy place to stay that feels like home, Residence Candia is your place. The accommodations here range from small hotel rooms to large apartments. What's nice is that all of the rooms and apartments are equipped with kitchen amenities and a refrigerator for those nights that you don't feel like cooking. From time to time, the owner of the hotel also throws in little extras for his guests like exclusive visits to the Vatican Gardens, Papal Mass tickets and other perks.
Shop
The Prati area has a fantastic array of shops for travelers to do a little retail therapy. Two famous shopping streets in the area are Via Ottaviano and Via Cola di Rienzo. Up and down Via Ottaviano, you can find all sorts of women's clothing stores and shops specializing in accessories. Whether you're looking for Italian handmade leather boots, a purse, jeans or even gourmet coffee from Castroni, you're bound to find it here on Via Cola di Rienzo. Not too far from Via Cola di Rienzo, in Piazza Cavour, there's the fabulous Enoteca Costantini where you can pick up a fine bottle of Brunello di Montalcino or Morellino di Scansano for your friends and family back home. Lastly, this neighborhood is famous for its mercato all'aperto. The most famous in Rome, the Mercato Trionfale is located in the heart of Prati. Here you can buy freshest fruits, vegetables, meats and cheeses with over 200 stalls to choose from.