Walking tours focused on the city’s Jewish life and food tours highlighting the neighborhood’s cuisine are excellent ways to discover the history and culture of this unique corner of Rome. You can also book a private tour of the area, allowing for customized experiences for those with limited mobility, food allergies, or other requirements or preferences. For even more insight into Jewish Rome, the synagogue’s museum has a curated collection of documents and artifacts related to local Jewish history.
In addition to its Jewish cultural sights, the Ghetto is home to a number of ancient ruins—the Portico of Octavia (Portico d’Ottavia or Porticus Octaviae) and the Theatre of Marcellus (Teatro di Marcello) are the most significant— and the iconicBocca della Verità (Mouth of Truth) marble mask at the Basilica of St. Mary in Cosmedin (Basilica di Santa Maria in Cosmedin), made famous in the Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck filmRoman Holiday.
Most small-group Jewish Ghetto tours are on foot or by bike, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
The Jewish Ghetto is located near Rome’s bustling Campo de’ Fiori outdoor market, and many group tours include visits to both.
The Jewish Ghetto is in Rione Sant’Angelo, directly across the Tiber River from the Trastevere neighborhood and not far from the Roman Forum. There are no metro stops near the Ghetto, but a number of city bus lines connect it with the train station and other parts of the city.
A Rome tour focused on the Jewish Ghetto is best scheduled when the neighborhood businesses are open; many close for the Sabbath from Friday at sunset to Saturday at sunset.
The Eternal City is known for its dozens of beautiful fountains, and one of the prettiest is the Turtle Fountain (Fontana delle Tartarughe) in the ghetto’s Piazza Mattei. Dating from the late Renaissance, this small fountain’s original dolphin decorations were replaced by turtles due to low water pressure, resulting in the endearing version we see today.
