Before turning to monuments and museums, you can start the day simply, with breakfast followed by a stroll among market stalls to choose something fresh for your meals.
It is a chance to get to know Rome beyond its busiest visitor routes, observing the daily habits of the people who live in its neighbourhoods.
In San Paolo, the day can begin in one of the local cafés, with an espresso or cappuccino and a cornetto. You can spend a few minutes at the counter or sit down and take your time before deciding what to do next. Starting without a rigid schedule also gives you the chance to look around and become familiar with the neighbourhood.
An interesting stop is the Ostiense neighbourhood market on Via Corinto, in the San Paolo district. The market is a mainstay for everyday shopping and opens Monday to Saturday, from early morning until early afternoon. On Tuesdays and Fridays, some stalls also stay open in the afternoon.
Among the stalls, you can look for fruit, vegetables and other food, choosing according to the season and what you would like to prepare. Shopping also becomes a way to discover products and ingredients you may not know or do not usually buy.
For visitors staying nearby, the market also offers a glimpse of neighbourhood life, away from the places most crowded with tourists.
Your purchases can suggest what to make for lunch: vegetables, cheese, fresh bread or ingredients for a pasta dish. Sometimes a few products are enough to put together a simple meal without having to find a restaurant every time.
Having a kitchen is very convenient. The Little Blue and Little Red holiday apartments on Via Timoteo are in the San Paolo district, a few minutes’ walk from Metro Line B.
Both have a living room with a kitchenette, a refrigerator, a microwave, a dishwasher and everything needed for cooking. You can alternate dinner out with a homemade lunch, or keep something in the fridge for breakfast the following day.
After breakfast and shopping, you can return to put your purchases away before heading out to explore the centre. With the ingredients for lunch or dinner ready, there is still time for museums and the day’s other stops, while enjoying Rome through the small habits of everyday life.
