Trastevere or Colosseum area for first timer?

Hi Jamies421,
We just got back from 2 weeks in Italy. Stayed near the Pantheon at first then after a few road trips south came back for a week and stayed in Trastevere. I will say 100% we loved Trastevere so much better. More chilled vibe, many neighborhoods with outdoor afternoon aperitivo's and great small restaurants with fantastic food. There are still some super touristy areas there too but nowhere near the colosseum area craziness. We had so much fun wondering around the area and shops, gardens and parks. And also walked and taxied to the old city across the river no problem once in a while. Lots of Airbnb's and smaller hotels.
Good luck!

Thank you! This is so helpful to know. Where in Trastevere did you stay? It sounds perfect.

We just got back from Italy a couple weeks ago. We stayed right between Piazza Navona and Campo di Fiore, just across from Piazza di San Pantaleo. The area was touristy but it was really nice being so close to everything, about half way between the Colosseum and St. Peter’s. Good luck!

Ponte Sisto is in a pretty convenient area for access to Campo dei Fiori, Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. I would choose that location. Make sure the rental has good air conditioning, as Rome is brutal in summer.

Trastevere.
We stayed 6 nights here.
Highly recommended.
Either ponte. Ponte means bridge.

Rome in the summer is going to be hot and humid BUT it's still Rome! Both neighborhoods have great things to offer but also a few things to consider. Trastevere is one of my favorite places for dinner (especially Carlo Menta). The area around Santa Maria in Trastevere is loaded with nightlife that all 6 of you might enjoy (together or not). Via the Ponte Sisto you can easily get to Campo di Fiore, Piazza Navona, Pantheon and Vatican City (you don't need to cross the bridge actually but the walk is nicer). All those places are wonderful day or night. The Colosseum area is similar in that you are in the vicinity of food, drink, sites and crowds. Gotta tell you, I have not stayed in that area in my 18 visits to Rome. It's great during the day and maybe even in the evening when the Forum is lit in a very ghostly way. But the Piazza Navona area has consistently been my 'home in Rome.' VRBO has a fine selection of apartments there. For me, that area offers me almost everything by a comfortable walk (and I am not young). Trastevere adds another 10-15 minutes to the walk. Not sure I am much of a help for you. Let me make it even more difficult: I'm going in June. I saw apartments disappear from my search while I was still searching.

I have stayed many times in the Monti neighborhood and love it. I'm mostly interested in ancient Roman sites so it's an ideal location for visiting places like the Forum/Palatine Hill, Capitoline Hill, the Imperial Fori, Domus Aurea, etc. Best of all, it has great restaurants and charming, quiet side streets, perfect for wandering. And it's an easy walk from the train station.

Husband and I stayed in Trastevere in 2023 and loved it. Everything was walkable / bikeable (we rented e-bikes) and public transportation was convenient. We were out a lot at night and did not feel uneasy at all; we also had restaurants, bars, grocery stores, pharmacies all nearby.

Sorry I missed that you asked me a question on where we stayed in Trastevere - we stayed on the street of:
Vicola del Leopardo.
Great quiet street.

I stayed in Trastevere in 2023 and in 2024. Once time closer to Ponte Sisto and the other time closer to Ponte Garibaladi. Its basically the same area, its literally a 5 minute walk between. Id choose based on the rentals and which one you like better. Either way, its the most magical part of Rome. (my opinion).