The little Monti rione (district) and the area around the Colosseum are extremely popular with tourists, and it's easy to understand why. The Colosseum is the most popular attraction in Rome, for one thing, and Monti is pretty much what every visitor dreams of when they imagine a charming Roman neighborhood: cobblestone streets, traditional restaurants and the ability to pretend for a moment you're not really in Italy's biggest and busiest city.
Monti means "mountains," a reference to three of Rome’s famous seven hills being within the original boundaries of the rione. It’s right in the heart of central Rome, making it a great home base for exploring the city - not only is this where you’ll find some of the city’s main attractions, it’s also well-connected by public transit to all the other sights on your must-see list. And even with all the people who flock to Monti and the Colosseum for sightseeing, shopping and dining, the area can still feel quaint. There are pretty streets ideal for strolling, with lots of little shops to browse in and osterie in which to linger over lunch.
The Flavian Amphitheater in Rome (more commonly known as the Colosseum) is the world’s largest amphitheater and Italy’s most popular attraction, visited by more than 7 million people each year. Construction began in 72 CE, and when work was finished the enormous arena could seat some 80,000 spectators. Today, you can explore the arena and some of the upper levels, along with parts of the underground area, where animals and gladiators were staged before being hoisted onto the arena floor in dramatic fashion.
Walk along the Via dei Fori Imperiali toward the massive Colosseum and, if you’re not paying attention, you might miss the ruins of Ancient Rome’s main street – because it’s not at eye level. The Roman Forum, the epicenter of the Roman Empire, sits below the modern ground level. Visit the Forum to walk among columns that once stood outside temples to Ancient Roman gods, see the impressively well-preserved Imperial Senate building and imagine the history the cobblestone streets have seen.
The most central of Rome’s famed "seven hills" is the Palatine, which overlooks the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. Roman emperors built their stately homes on the Palatine Hill (the hill’s name is where we get the word “palace”), and today the hilltop is essentially an open-air museum of palatial ruins. The largest is the Palace of Domitian, built on top of Nero’s palace, which subsequent emperors expanded over the years. Many of the artifacts removed during excavations are on display in the Palatine Museum, also on the Palatine Hill.
When you visit the Colosseum in Rome, you can’t miss the nearby Arch of Constantine. It was built in the early 4th century CE, and remains the largest Roman triumphal arch. Like all triumphal arches, this one commemorates a battle victory. In this case, it’s the battle that made Constantine the Roman emperor in 306 CE.
The Capitoline Hill sits at the opposite end of the Roman Forum from the Colosseum, and on top of the hill is the beautiful Piazza del Campidoglio, designed by Michelangelo. The view from this square overlooking the forum is postcard-worthy. The square itself is flanked on two sides by buildings that house most of the Capitoline Museums, and the statue of Marcus Aurelius on horseback in the center of the square is a replica – the 2nd century bronze original is in the museum.
The enormous Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Piazza dell’Esquilino is an important church for a few reasons. It’s one of only four major papal basilicas in Rome, it’s the location of Pope Francis’ tomb, and it’s the largest Marian church (dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary) in the city. Not only that, it’s recognized as the very first Marian church as the original church on the site was consecrated in the early 5th century. You can still see some 5th century mosaics in the basilica today. The pope observes the Feast of the Assumption of Mary on August 15 at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore every year.
The Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli, or Saint Peter in Chains, is a popular stop for visitors because of a Michelangelo statue of Moses that was intended for Pope Julius II’s tomb. It was meant to be one of more than 40 statues Michelangelo would carve for the tomb, but it’s the only one he finished. What’s more, Pope Julius II isn’t even buried in it. Michelangelo’s seated Moses has horns on its head, which wasn’t uncommon at the time and is now believed to be due to a mistranslation from Hebrew to Latin since it has nothing to do with the devil.
When Emperor Nero commissioned things to be built, he made sure they were truly monumental. The Domus Aurea, Latin for "Golden House," was an opulent palace complex designed for Nero that included not only residences but also gardens, a wooded area, and even an artificial lake. Much of the complex has long since been razed and built over (the Colosseum occupies the space the lake once did), but a forgotten Domus Aurea grotto was rediscovered in the late 15th century. Excavations have revealed some 150 rooms in varying states of decay, some of which are open to visitors.
Emperor Trajan’s triumph in the Dacian Wars is commemorated in a spiral relief working its way from bottom to top of Trajan’s Column, erected in 113 CE. The column stands nearly 100 feet tall in the middle of Trajan’s Forum, and originally had a statue of Trajan himself at the very top. (Today, it’s a statue of Saint Peter, added in the 16th century.) Trajan even had his ashes enclosed in the base of the column, so it serves as his tomb as well.
Built into the side of the Quirinal Hill and adjacent to Trajan’s Forum, Trajan’s Market consisted of five floors with a mix of shops (it’s sometimes called the world’s oldest shopping mall) and living quarters. The surviving structure is well-preserved and you can explore different levels today, including several shop spaces. Part of the semicircular market building now houses the Museum of the Imperial Fora.
This sweet little piazza in the heart of the Monti neighborhood is often full of people. It’s a popular meeting spot, and a convenient one as it’s a few paces from all the restaurants, cafes and bars Monti has to offer. There’s a charming fountain in the middle of the piazza that looks a bit like a tower of cake stands, and the Church of Santa Maria dei Monti on one side (which gives the piazza its name).
A visit to San Clemente offers a rare chance to travel back in time. The church at present-day ground level dates from the late 11th century, but the most interesting layers lie underground. The oldest structure on this site (which you can still see part of on a guided tour) was a private home probably built in the 1st century CE, part of which was used as a worship space for a secretive Roman religion called Mithraism around 200 CE. There is still an altar to Mithras in the space today. In the late 4th century CE, the earlier structures were filled in and the first basilica was built on the site. On a guided tour of the excavations, you can descend all the way from the 21st to the 1st century.
There are several buildings in Rome that make up the Capitoline Museums, but the main two are on opposite sides of the Piazza del Campidoglio on top of the Capitoline Hill. The collection housed in the Palazzo dei Conservatori and Palazzo Nuovo includes the famous 5th century BCE bronze statue of the wolf nursing Romulus and Remus and original bronze equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius (a replica is in the center of the piazza), as well as paintings by Caravaggio, Titian and Rubens.
Address: Piazza del Campidoglio 1, 00186 Rome
Website: https://www.museicapitolini.org/en
After a visit to see Trajan’s Column, walk to Trajan’s Market and you can explore the Museum of the Imperial Fora inside part of the old market building. The collection includes artifacts from the Forum of Trajan as well as the other Imperial Fora of Rome: Caesar, Augustus and Nerva. There is also a terrace in the museum section of the market that offers a great view over the market itself.
Address: Via Quattro Novembre 94, 00187 Rome
Website: https://www.mercatiditraiano.it/en
The building that once served as the stables for the Palazzo del Quirinale (where the Italian President lives) is now used as an event space and for special art and museum exhibitions. The museum sits on top of Quirinale Hill, so be sure to visit the terrace on the top floor for sweeping views over the city.
Address: Via XXIV Maggio 16, 00187 Rome
Website: https://scuderiequirinale.it/en/
Atop the Palatine Hill in Rome is the Palatine Museum (Antiquarium del Palatino in Italian), where you’ll find many of the artifacts that were removed during excavations of the Imperial palaces on the hill. There are paintings, statues and fresco fragments taken from different residences, as well as a 3rd century bit of carved graffiti.
Address: Via di San Gregorio 30, 00186 Rome
Website: https://colosseo.it/en/area/museums/the-museo-palatino/
The shops in Monti largely reflect the neighborhood’s bohemian vibe. You’ll see plenty of vintage clothing shops, numerous boutiques showcasing smaller local designers, artisan shops with handmade jewelry, and even some secondhand treasure troves. The main shopping streets are Via dei Serpenti, Via del Boschetto, and Via Urbana.
On weekends from September through June, be sure to make time to visit Mercato Monti Urban Market (Via Leonina 46). It’s part craft market, part flea market, and always a feast for the eyes. The vendors are constantly changing, so you never know what you’ll find, but you can expect things like vintage clothing and jewelry, collectibles, home decor and art.
Monti is a favorite neighborhood for foodies, with a variety of culinary offerings to suit any taste – and any budget.
There are several spots that are known for showcasing the dishes of the Lazio region, including La Taverna dei Monti, Broccoletti, Taverna Romana and Osteria Suburra. Urbana 47 takes it a step further – it’s a “zero kilometer” restaurant that uses only local ingredients, too. Taverna dei Fori Imperiali is fairly small, and popular with locals and visitors, so it can be hard to get a table (but it’s always worth checking).
Trieste Pizza is a neighborhood favorite for pizza, and they even have little "pizzetta" versions if you’re looking for a snack between meals. They make Abruzzo-style pizza, while Pizzeria Alle Carrette has a more typical Roman pizzeria menu of pizza, bruschetta and fritti. For quick and casual (or even take-away) pasta, visit al42 Street Food Gourmet.
Satisfy your sweet tooth at Fatamorgana, one of the city’s best places for gelato. Or visit Grezzo for a menu of pastries, chocolates and gelato that is entirely vegan and gluten-free.
These neighborhood favorites are just the beginning. When you stay with Italy Perfect, you’ll have access to our private Guest Portal, featuring detailed neighborhood and city guides with our top places to eat, shop and explore so you’ll feel at home in Rome from the moment you arrive.
There are a couple of small Italian grocery stores on Via Cavour in the heart of the Monti neighborhood, known as “alimentari.” These shops are often cramped, and the variety isn’t what you’d get in a big supermarket, but they usually have a little bit of everything.
If you’re looking for somewhat bigger supermarkets, there’s a Carrefour Express and PAM Panorama on Via Urbana.
There’s also an indoor food market, Mercato Rionale Monti on Via Baccina, where you’ll find stalls selling cheese, meat, fresh fruits and vegetables, and even some ready-made meals like sandwiches and fresh pasta.
Although Rome doesn’t have an intricate network of subway lines like Paris or New York, there are two Metro stops in the area. The Metro Blue Line B stops at the Colosseum, and the nearby Cavour stop is on the edge of the Monti neighborhood.
Line B serves Termini train station, where you can switch to Line A. Line C intersects with the Colosseum stop, too, making Monti about as well-connected to the rest of Rome’s Metro stops as is possible.
There are also dozens of bus stops in the area, particularly near the Colosseum and along Via Cavour and Via dei Fori Imperiali.
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