"Mouth of Truth" from Roman Holiday, is it worth a visit

I can't tell you about the taxi situation because I walked over there. It is a sort of obscure area; I don't know where the nearest taxi rank would be. Perhaps you can find that information by Googling, or maybe your hotel will know.

There's now a fee to approach the Bocca della Verita, I think just a few euros. There was a line the day i went over there in Feb 2023. They were allowing people enough time to make a picture, but not to hang around as long as they wanted to. I'd expect to be in line for a while, maybe 15 to 30 minutes, though I guess it could be worse at peak periods. The church itself--Santa Maria in Cosmedin--has an intricate, geometrically patterned floor I found beautiful. I believe the church is free to enter. Perhaps lining up for the Bocca della Verita wouldn't seem so burdensome if one also took a few minutes to see the church. When I was there, no one else was doing that.

I don't know what hours the Bocca della Verita is accessible. There's now a sort of fence they can use to control access. According to my notes, the church is open daily 9:30 AM till 6:30 PM, with mass celebrated on Sunday at 11:00 AM; I can't guarantee those times are accurate.

It was out of the Way for us so we just visited the replica at the airport in Rome, lol.

I don't know where the nearest taxi rank would be.

Consider installing the FreeNow taxi app on you phone and setting up an account before you leave on your trip. It should enable you to summon a taxi to your current location.

Hi. Not been to mouth of truth but it's near to the circus maximus isn't it? So the route should to start there then Colosseum then alter of the fatherland (aka wedding cake) next Capitoline hill with view over the forum then its easy to walk to piazza Navona from there. Enjoy!

We would like to walk from the Colosseum to Altar of the Fatherland, Capitoline Hill, Mouth of the Truth. Then take a taxi back to Piazza Navona.

You've got the order right, starting at the the Coliseum. No, the "Mouth of Truth' is not really worth it. I've been there multiple times years ago, not that interesting unless perhaps you're a super Roman Holiday fan?? I would walk down the Roman Forum (preferably later in the day) & take the short cut on your left up to the Capitoline Museum, (you will see people walking up the hill). Unless you want to pay to ride lift to the top of the Wedding Cake (Altar of the Fatherland) for the view out over the Forum, I would skip going into it, just go to the much more interesting Capitoline Museum piazza. You can then turn left to see the view out overlooking the forum from the veranda, VERY worthwhile! (walking slightly downhill to your left between the 2 the museums to the viewpoint.) There is a taxi stand down the stairs of the Capitoline Museum to your right on the big square, it's moved a few times due to construction but it's there. That would get you back to Piazza Navona.

OR continue walking to the much more interesting gem across the road from the Mouth of Truth, Teatro Marcello, which you can then walk through to the gorgeous Porto Di Otavia, at the beginning of the Jewish Ghetto. But that's more walking. Stopping for dinner (except on Saturday after sundown) in the Jewish Ghetto would be fun, then ask the restaurant to call you a taxi. Enjoy!

If you are going to do your walk and are not tired, after the Mouth of Truth you can also add on the Aventine Keyhole which is not too far away although it's up another hill.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villa_del_Priorato_di_Malta

Thank you everyone for your reply, really appreciate it. We have decided to skip "Mouth of Truth" for this time. Love the suggestions on FreeNow app, the view from Capitoline Museum piazza, will report back after our trip in June.

Thanks again.

While I think the Mouth of Truth itself is a classic tourist trap, the church to which it is attached is one of the oldest in Rome, and contains the purported skull of Saint Valentine. It is also across the street from the Forum Boarum, the ancient cattle market, and that site contains two temples worth strolling by IMO. It's an easy walk along the Tiber River, just downstream from Trastevere and the Jewish Ghetto. Also near the Circus Maximus as has already been noted.

Thank you Ponygirl813, we will look into the places that you suggested.