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Discover Garbatella’s 6 best spots for your trip in Rome

From the classic Centrale Montemartini and Eataly, to lesser-known spots worth adding to your trip.

Prices & booking information
Opening hours & visit duration
Best time to visit
Location & practical information
Local tips for every spot

Centrale Montemartini

★ 4.7 · 5,653 reviews

Discover Centrale Montemartini, a decommissioned power station turned sculpture gallery south of central Rome. Wander among classical marble gods, portrait busts, mosaics, and grave goods set dramatically against blackened steam and diesel engines still fixed in place.

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Reasons to go

Built in 1912 as Rome's first municipal power plant, supplying electricity to the growing city
Ancient marble sculptures, mosaics and grave goods are displayed alongside the original steam and diesel engines, still fixed in place
Serves as an overflow gallery for the Capitoline Museums, housing pieces that don't fit in the main collection

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Typical visit

1h15

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Best time

morning, lunchtime, afternoon or early evening

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Walking intensity

Moderate walking

🛍️Shopping$$ · Mid-range

Eataly

★ 4.2 · 14,627 reviews

Explore Eataly, a multi-floor food emporium near Ostiense station. Wander pasta counters, butchers, and produce stalls, then grab lunch or pack up regional Italian products to take home.

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Reasons to go

Spread across multiple floors near Ostiense station, combining a grocery store, butcher, produce section, and several restaurants under one roof
The top floor is dedicated to hosting cooking classes
Part of the Eataly chain that showcases regional Italian products alongside pasta and butcher counters where food is made on-site

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Typical visit

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Best time

morning, lunchtime, afternoon, early evening, evening or late night

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Walking intensity

Moderate walking

🌙Nightlife$$ · Mid-range

Circolo Degli Illuminati

★ 3.6 · 2,145 reviews

Discover Circolo Degli Illuminati, one of Ostiense's biggest superclubs. Move between three themed rooms spinning house, pop, and retro classics, and join the weekend crowds queuing for Rome's liveliest dance floors.

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Reasons to go

Split into three separate rooms each playing a different genre, from house to pop to throwback classics.
One of the largest clubbing venues in Rome's Ostiense district, drawing sizable weekend crowds.

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Typical visit

2h30

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Best time

late night

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Walking intensity

Easy pace

☕Coffeebreak$ · Budget-friendly

Café Merenda

★ 4.4 · 858 reviews

Discover Café Merenda, a small standout on Via del Gazometro. Sit down for pastries reviewers rate among the best anywhere, paired with a flat white that tastes exactly as it should.

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Reasons to go

One reviewer ranked its pastries as the best they've encountered anywhere in the world
Located in Ostiense, away from Rome's typical tourist circuit
The flat white draws specific praise for tasting exactly as it should

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Typical visit

30 min

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Best time

early morning or morning

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Walking intensity

Easy pace

🚶NeighborhoodsFree

Garbatella

Explore Garbatella, Rome's 1920s garden suburb far from the tourist trail. Wander courtyard housing blocks and quiet piazzas, browse local markets, and see how everyday Romans actually live.

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Reasons to go

Built in the 1920s as a garden-city district, its housing is organised into 'lotti' — clusters of low blocks around shared courtyards rather than facing the street.
The layout deliberately breaks from Rome's street grid, giving the district a small-town, villagey feel unusual for the capital.

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Typical visit

1h15

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Best time

morning, lunchtime or afternoon

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Walking intensity

Active — lots of walking

🌙Nightlife$$ · Mid-range

Neo Club Roma

★ 4.4 · 220 reviews

Discover Neo Club Roma, a low-key nightlife spot tucked into the Ostiense district. Join Rome's student and Erasmus crowd for themed party nights, with décor and music that draw praise even when turnout varies.

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Typical visit

2h30

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Best time

late night

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Walking intensity

Moderate walking