San Lorenzo

For the young, the trendy and the bargain-hunters
Word to the wise: Head to Via degli Ausoni for some of the most poignant and interesting street art in the city.

Seekers of great works of art are always well-advised to come to Rome, but dare to stray away from the galleries and you may find yourself in San Lorenzo, home to La Sapienza University, and famously boasting innovative street art, provocative stencilling and creative graffiti from wall to wall.
San Lorenzo is certainly not the glamorous face of Rome. Traditionally the working-class quarter, today it represents a slice of modern, inner-urban Italy. The hippies smoke like the stone-bake pizza ovens, and the kids go clubbing through the night. The dominance of the university means the area is a haven for Rome's students and young people, and a good place to find a cheaper beer or pizza.
Of course, this being Italy the quality of the food is not diminished, and San Lorenzo is always a great place to start looking for hotels offering good value for money.