After visiting the Colosseum, you might also want to explore the surrounding areas. But most of all, after visiting the most iconic landmark of Rome in a touristy situation, you might want to relax and enjoy the local vibes of a Roman neighborhood. Easy to reach and truly enjoyable, the Monti district is the hipster neighborhood of Rome. It mixes trendy bars and boutiques with the ancient vibe, while being much less touristy than other areas in the center of Rome. Here’s a walking itinerary of Monti, Rome starting at the Colosseum.
Also check out our 3-day itinerary to help you plan your Rome trip wisely 😉
Via Baccina
From the Colosseum, walk towards via dei Fori Imperiali. While enjoying the beautiful views over the Imperial Forums, walk to via Baccina. In this little street you’ll find some of the most beautiful views of Rome.
Piazza della Madonna dei Monti
This little square and the streets around it, are a popular hang out for aperitivo. Locals meet here in the late afternoon and evening for a drink and social life. There are tons of nice little bars and restaurants of all kinds. Some of them have tables mostly outdoors, some others are also art galleries. Another option is also to get a drink and casually sit on the steps of the fountain, as many locals do.
Check out our Super Local Street Food Tour with Breakfast to learn more about food and local eating habits in Rome.
Salita dei Borgia (Borgia Steps)
This staircase, the building, its balcony with the ivy creates such an evocative atmosphere. This in ancient Rome was called Vicus Sceleratus (wicked alley). Because according to the legend, one of the kings of Rome, Servio Tullio, was run over with a chariot by her daughter Tullia, who married the evil Tarquinius Superbus, who became his successor to the throne. Ancient family dramas!
San Pietro in Vincoli (Saint Peter in Chains)
This is an early Christian church from the 300s-400s. One of the most ancient churches of Rome and something we absolutely recommend doing on a walking itinerary starting at the Colosseum.
Below the altar you’ll find the very chains that held St Peter prisoner in Jerusalem and in Rome, in the Mamertine prison. Tradition says that the empress Eudossia, gave the chains that held St Peter prisoner in Jerusalem to the Pope. The Pope already had the chains that held St Peter prisoner in Rome. He put them next to each other, and miraculously the chains fused together to become one!
What makes this church famous is the monument right next to the altar: the Moses of Michelangelo. This is the funerary monument of Pope Julius II, that the pope commissioned to Michelangelo in 1505.
If you love exploring the most ancient churches of Rome and, most of all, their underground crypts, you might want to have a look at our Hidden Gems of Trastevere tour: we get access from the nuns to the crypt of one of the most famous saints of Rome, right where all her dramatic story took place!
Via dei Serpenti
Translated is the “street of the snakes” due to the fact that in the 1500s the statue of Laoocon was found here. Laoocon was a prophet of the city of Troy that predicted the Trojan horse was going to be trouble in the city, and the gods sent snakes to stop him and kill him. That’s why the street of the snakes. The statue is today in the Vatican museums.
Santa Pudenziana
Santa Pudenziana is among the most ancient churches of Rome. It was built on top of the Titulus Pudenti, which means the House of Pudente. Pudente was a Christian senator of Rome who turned this house into a cult place. According to the tradition, this house is super important because this is where St. Peter in person stayed while in Rome. And also where Saint Peter baptized Pudente’s daughters, Pudenziana and Prassede.
These two sisters, during the Christian persecutions, dedicated their lives to take care of the Christians who were condemned to death. This activity costed their lives because they were martyred as well.
This church was built in the fifth century on top of the thermal baths of Novazio. Novazio was the brother of Prassede and Pudenziana.
In fact, below the church, there are actually ruins, which are not always available to visit.
The Church of Santa Pudenziana holds the most ancient mosaic in a Christian church, which is on the apse.
This is a true gem that many tourists miss when they come to Rome.
In the middle, we have Christ on the throne surrounded by the apostles. And if you look carefully on the left and on the right, there are two ladies who are standing with a yellow veil. These are Prassede and Pudenziana.
Santa Prassede
This is something that you can’t absolutely miss on a Rome walking itinerary starting at the Colosseum.
This is the church dedicated to Pudenziana’s sister: Prassede. Santa Prassede and Pudenziana did something that made them iconic.
They took care of the Christians that were condemned to death for being Christians in ancient Rome.
According to the tradition, they used to rinse the blood of the martyred Christians with sponges.
And then they would squeeze and rinse those sponges into a well.
In this church, there is a mark of the exact point where that well used to be. You can see it in the central nave, a big porphyry red disk. This marks the very place where that well used to be. This is where Prassede used to squeeze the sponge, to release the blood from the sponge inside this well.
That became the symbol, the iconography of what Prassede and Pudenziana were doing.
But the ultimate treasure inside this church is in the left nave: the Chapel of San Zenone.
Pasquale I, the pope that built this church, also included this chapel on the side, the Chapel of San Zenone, and dedicated it to his mother, Theodora.
He wanted to give a funeral monument to his mother. The white urn over the entrance is the urn of San Zenone. That’s where his remains are.
When you enter inside, it is just incredible! This little chapel is a true jewel. It’s entirely covered with mosaic. Mosaic in golden color and in other vibrant colors.
Want to explore more?
This is a walking itinerary for those who don’t want to confine themselves in the ordinary tourist attractions in Rome, and that would be a pity not to start while you’re by the Colosseum. The Roman neighborhoods are a cradle of stories and hidden gems. And they are just as interesting and exciting as the big landmarks.
Check out our walking tours in small groups where you get to explore that side of Rome that most tourists don’t get to see!
Our tours are not packed, not rushed, and not stuck in tourist spots — because this is how we’d show Rome to a close friend. You can learn more about how our Rome tours work or the best Rome tours.
