Via Dei Serpenti

I just returned from my first trip to Europe and stayed on Monti (Santa Casa Sofia) in Rome for 5 days- I'm new to travel and was a solo female traveler and felt totally safe. There were plenty of restaurants/cafes and I could walk to most major sights.

Fabulous location!

Thank you for your responses. How would you compare this area to Travestere?

Both areas are lively. Via dei Serpenti is closer to the centrally-located sights, just a short walk to the Colosseum.

I just stayed at the B&B Suburbis, which is right at the southern end of Via dei Serpenti. I wouldn't particularly recommend that B&B, but if you're looking for an area that's very active in the evening, that certainly applies to Monti. You can take a good look for yourself using Google Maps Streetview. There's a convenient subway stop at Cavour, if you plan on visiting the places that the subway reaches.

But Trastevere is much more photogenic, imho, now that I've stayed in both areas, particularly the area of Trastevere around Piazza Trilussa and Piazza Sidney Sonnino. Either area will result in a lot walking on your part. Monti is hillier,fwiw. There is a very convenient tram from Trastevere that takes you near Piazza Venezia, a major bus hub in the city.

Speaking of public transit, if you're into smartphone apps, I highly recommend Muoversi a Roma, put out by ATAC, the transit system in Rome. You can switch it to English. It was really helpful to me as I sought to navigate the buses and Metro.

I lived on this street two summers, about 6-7 yrs ago. This was when the neighborhood was getting hipper. I'd much prefer to stay in Trastevere. However, Monti is really easy to access via the express bus, 40. Just exit off of Via Nazionale and go down the street. I did feel safe as a single female as well. I didn't really care for the neighborhood. Trastevere has a lot more character and history. It can be accessed via the #8 tram that gets you easily over the river to Largo Argentina. Monti is close to the metro blue line, which doesn't go to all of my fave places so I suggest the bus (40) up the hill. Hope this helps!

Thanks. At this point, I'm feeling a little nervous about going AirBnB even though I've already booked it. I feel like maybe I should use the hotel I booked near the Spanish steps and be in an environment which is more geared toward an American tourist who needs more guidance. I'm feeling so overwhelmed by everything. I'd lose the AirBnB service fee of $84 but at this point, I'm thinking maybe I'd be better off in a hotel.

Steve, trust that instinct. I can tell from this and your other posts that you will definitely benefit from having a front desk that you can go to for questions for your first time in Italy. The hotel can make reservations for you at museums and restaurants. IMHO, apartments are better for more experienced travelers.

Have a great time.

I agree with Michael. You will be a lot happier having someone available to give you advice on the spot. If you want a good street map of Rome, Streetwise is excellent (laminated so you can mark it up and erase it), but the typeface is small. Otherwise the hotel can give you a paper tourist-oriented map.

Thanks, everyone! I really appreciate your help.