The 15 Best Things To See and Do in Monti, Rome

Planning your visit to Rome? Enlist the expert leadership of a local guide on one of these bookable tours in Italy’s historic capital city.

This square is located in the center of Monti and is very easily reachable from the Cavour metro stop on line B. Most vibrant during late evenings and weekends, the historical Piazza della Madonna dei Monti looks like it has been taken live from a frame of a classy Italian film. In its center you will see a beautiful fountain that dates back to the 16th century. It is on its steps where you are most likely to find the young Romans after sunset, drinking cocktails from plastic cups and chain-smoking cigarettes. The best way to enjoy the early evening atmosphere is with a beer in hand, along with a slice of pizza al taglio, for a make-shift Roman aperitivo. If wine is more your style, Ai Tre Scalini is a bustling wine bar on Via Panisperna

This local gelateria, located at Piazza degli Zingari, offers one of the best homemade ice-creams in Rome. It offers both traditional, typical ice-cream flavors and unique creations such as: basil, ginger and pineapple, Gorgonzola, cherry and beer, or egg and nuts, to name just a few. Even if you go for a typical flavor, like chocolate, you will have to choose from eight different options. For those of you who favor a lighter, healthier option, there is also a large selection of sorbet treats.

No trip to an Italian city is complete without a dollop of gelato and a slice of pizza. Get a true taste of Italy on one of these Rome food tours.

The Sunday market of the Monti quarter simply called Mercato Monti is located on via Leonina and offers a variety of vintage clothes (some of which are as unique as a silk kimono), accessories and jewelry, ranging from the local retailers to original craftsmen to world-known brands such as Vivienne Westwood or Jean Paul Gautier. This is where you can also find vinyl records and old cameras.

This church is a rare example of a building erected for a painting instead of the other way around. Commissioned by Pope Gregory XIII in the 16th century, Santa Maria ai Monti was designed by Giacomo della Porta and is a prime example of the European Baroque architecture. The artistic highlights inside the church are undoubtedly the frescoes on the dome which depict the four Evangelists and the painting at the altar entitled ‘Madonna with Child and St. Charles Borromeo’.

Libreria Caffé Bohemien is probably the most hip and artsy place in Monti. Decorated with unique, colorful furniture, paintings and vintage bookshelves, it offers the best selection of foreign beers and cocktails. No two rooms, and no two tables within a room, look the same here, and yet everything magically falls into place and creates an atmosphere of fantasy.

This funky vintage shop à la 1960s is a weekdays alternative to Mercato Monti. Here you may find cheap and mid-priced clothes, shoes and accessories, some of which are a second-hand, albeit not exclusively. Moreover, once a week Pulp Vintage gets brand new vintage designer pieces from famous brands, such as Gucci and Channel. Watch out for cute ties, beautiful sunglasses and colorful handbags.

Palazzo delle Esposizioni is a museum, exhibition venue and cultural center, worth checking out both because of its beautiful neoclassical architecture from 1883 and the things you can find inside. The current exhibition focuses on the work of American artist David LaChapelle – his most recent creations from 1995-2005 and 2006-2015. Inspired by Michelangelo’s huge painting on the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling, LaChapelle’s most recent ‘The Deluge’ is a pop artwork that evokes an emotional shock in the visitor. Other artworks are surrealistic creations evoking the images from films, art history, and of famous celebrities.

Another charming square in Monti is Piazza degli Zingari, ‘the square of the Gypsies’. This tiny, frozen-in-time square is one of the quietest parts of the quarter. The bikes parked here by the locals and the monumental plants make it look a bit like southern Italy. If you need a quiet break away from the nearby vibrant Piazza della Madonna dei Monti, stop here for lunch or a glass of wine in one of the newly-opened cafés.

The hip restaurant La Carbonara has been here since 1906 and probably offers the most traditional and authentic Italian cuisine around Monti. It is so casual that it allows you to write on the walls, so no wonder a lot of local artists and performers often meet here. Though it is difficult to choose from so many delicious options, we recommend artichokes and parmesan cheese shavings salad or buffalo’s milk mozzarella as appetizer, pistachio pasta or spaghetti carbonara as first course, and beef Straccetti with porcini mushrooms as second course.

Start your giro of Monti the Italian way with a cappuccino and cornetto at Er Baretto, a quaint little café on Via del Boschetto that specializes in latte art and serves some of the best coffee in the city. Then make your way up the street to peruse the dozens of hip boutiques in the neighborhood that sell everything from upcycled furniture and hand-made jewelry to vintage wares and local food products. Try Estremi for funky home designs, Perlei for colorful accessories and Rome-favorite Pifebo for cool vintage clothes (priced by the kilo). Recommended by Livia Hengel.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head over to Zia Rosetta for lunch. This hole-in-the-wall sandwich joint dishes out petit paninis, salads and juices for a tasty pit stop. Save some room for a cone of gelato at nearby Fatamorgana, a crowd pleaser for its creative flavors such as rose petals with black rice and banana with lime. Then it’s time to soak up some culture. Recommended by Livia Hengel.

Make your way up the steps of the Salita dei Borgia, a lovely ivy-laden staircase, to visit San Pietro in Vincoli. This fifth century basilica is home to Michelangelo’s Moses, a stunning statue in which Moses is depicted with horns on his head (apparently due to a mistranslation of Hebrew in the Bible in which the words ‘rays of light’ were interpreted as ‘horns’). Pope Julius II commissioned the statue for his tomb and it is the striking focal point of the colossal structure. Recommended by Livia Hengel.

After visiting San Pietro in Vincoli, take a leisurely stroll through the nearby Parco del Colle Oppio for your fill of greenery and to take in impressive views of the Colosseum. The park is a popular final stop on half-day tours of the city. Recommended by Livia Hengel.

Enjoy the best of Italian cuisine at La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali, a fourth-generation, family-run restaurant that executes dishes such as bucatini all’amatriciana and saltimbocca alla romana to perfection. It is renowned for its homey vibe and honest prices, so be sure to book well in advance because it’s popular. Recommended by Livia Hengel.

After dinner, Monti comes alive with young people out enjoying la movida Romana, Rome’s nightlife. An absolute favorite spot in the city is Black Market, a cozy hipster bar that has expertly crafted cocktails and plays an excellent selection of indie tunes until late. It also hosts local and international musicians in its back room during its intimate Unplugged in Monti sessions, making for a truly unique experience in the city. Recommended by Livia Hengel.