What to Do After Your Vatican or Colosseum Tour: Nearby Picks for the Rest of Your Day

After touring the Vatican, a 15- to 20-minute walk to Castel Sant’Angelo or a riverside stroll along the Tiber River makes for a peaceful way to continue your day.

Once you step out of the Vatican Museums or St. Peter’s Basilica, I suggest heading into the Vatican/Borgo neighborhood’s nearby spots. Castel Sant’Angelo, built in 139 AD as Emperor Hadrian’s mausoleum, now serves as a museum showcasing centuries of Roman history. From its terrace, you’ll catch sweeping views of the city’s rooftops and the river’s gentle curve. The entry fee is about EUR 15, and it opens daily from 9:00 to 19:30.

If you prefer something lighter, a walk along Lungotevere Castello, the tree-lined promenade beside the Tiber, brings you close to cafes and shaded green areas. The scent of freshly brewed espresso and the murmur of the river create a soothing contrast to the Vatican’s crowds. I often recommend grabbing a gelato here and watching boats drift by. For a cultural detour, Piazza Navona in the Parione district is reachable by a 25-minute walk or a short bus ride. There, Baroque fountains splash rhythmically amid street musicians and painters, filling the square with lively sounds and colour.

After a guided tour lasting 2 to 3 hours, many visitors ask me how to make the most of the rest of their day without doubling back. The Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica sit within Vatican City, close to the Vatican/Borgo neighborhood, while the Colosseum neighbors the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill in Centro Storico. Both zones connect well via public transit and provide a range of nearby sights, eateries, and pleasant strolls to round out your visit. For instance, from the Colosseum, you can reach the Roman Forum in 5 minutes on foot. From the Vatican, Castel Sant'Angelo lies just 15 minutes away by walking.

After the Colosseum, heading to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill is a natural next move, followed by a stroll to the nearby Monti neighborhood for food and shopping.

Your Colosseum ticket usually includes entry to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, so you can extend your visit across these ancient sites that once formed Rome’s political and social center. The combined ticket costs EUR 18 and is valid for two consecutive days, letting you pace yourself. I always tell visitors to save energy for the hills — the views and ruins are worth it.

Once you wrap up at the archaeological sites, Monti is just a 10-minute walk northeast. This neighborhood hums with local life: small restaurants, cozy wine bars, and artisan shops line its narrow streets. The scent of wood-fired pizza and roasting coffee beans fills the air. When I take friends here, I recommend trying a classic Roman pizza or grabbing a scoop of gelato from one of the nearby gelaterias. On weekends, Monti’s piazzas, like Piazza della Madonna dei Monti, host small markets where you can browse handmade crafts and souvenirs.

Both the Vatican and Colosseum neighborhoods feature restaurants serving traditional Roman dishes, with main courses typically priced between EUR 12 and 25.

Near the Vatican, Borgo Pio street is lined with trattorias and osterias where you can savor classics like cacio e pepe or saltimbocca alla romana. I’ve eaten on Borgo Pio many times, and the best places fill up quickly, so booking ahead is wise during busy seasons.

Around the Colosseum and in Monti, you can see pizzerias and enotecas offering local wines by the glass. For a more budget-conscious meal, look for restaurants with a "menu turistico" (fixed-price menu) costing about EUR 15-20, which usually includes a starter, main dish, and drink. I’d skip the spots right next to the landmarks, as prices tend to be higher and the food less satisfying.

Rome’s metro and bus network connect the Vatican and Colosseum areas efficiently to other neighborhoods, with single tickets priced at EUR 1.50 and valid for 100 minutes.

The Colosseum is served by Metro Line B at Colosseo station, while the Vatican is reachable via Metro Line A at Ottaviano-S. Pietro station. Bus lines 40 and 64 link the Vatican area to Termini station and the city center.

For convenience, I often recommend buying a daily public transport pass (BIT) for EUR 7, which grants unlimited rides on buses, trams, and metro for 24 hours. Walking between nearby attractions can be quicker than waiting for transport, especially in the historic center’s narrow streets. Taxis and ride-sharing are options but tend to be pricier and slower during rush hour.

After your main tour, quieter spots like the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin near the Colosseum and the Giardino degli Aranci near the Vatican provide a welcome break from crowds.

Santa Maria in Cosmedin, about a 20-minute walk from the Colosseum, houses the famous Mouth of Truth sculpture. The piazza outside is peaceful, and nearby cafes invite you to sip a cappuccino while locals go about their day. I find it a calming spot with a glimpse into medieval Rome.

Close to the Vatican, the Giardino degli Aranci (Orange Garden) on Aventine Hill is a small park with fragrant orange trees and panoramic views over Rome’s rooftops and domes. It is a short 15-minute walk from St. Peter’s Basilica and much quieter than more popular viewpoints. Nearby, the Aventino neighborhood features tranquil streets and the famous keyhole view through the Knights of Malta gate, a secret I always enjoy sharing with friends.

Expect to walk between 1 and 3 kilometers after your Vatican or Colosseum tour if you choose to visit nearby sights or neighborhoods on foot.

For example, the walk from the Vatican Museums to Castel Sant’Angelo covers about 1.2 km and takes roughly 15 minutes. From the Colosseum to Monti is around 800 meters, about a 10-minute stroll.

Comfortable shoes are essential. I’ve learned the hard way that Rome’s cobblestones can be tough on feet. Also, plan according to the weather and time of day. If walking is not your preference, short taxi rides or public transit can help reduce distances.

Visiting nearby attractions late in the afternoon, dining away from major landmarks, and using combined tickets help lower costs and dodge crowds.

The Vatican Museums tend to be busiest in the morning, so scheduling your visit for the afternoon often means quieter surroundings afterward. The Colosseum and Roman Forum also thin out later in the day.

For meals, I recommend avoiding restaurants right next to the Vatican or Colosseum where prices can spike. Instead, head to neighborhoods like Monti or Borgo for better value and atmosphere. Buying combined tickets for the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill saves money compared to separate entries. Lastly, booking tickets online in advance lets you skip long lines.