The Best Day Trips from Rome
Planning a vacation to Rome? You’ve probably already researched the main attractions in the Eternal City. Today we want to suggest an additional option that can enrich your trip with new and interesting experiences.
We’re talking about places you can visit just outside Rome. You can reach them in a day, even using public transportation.
You might be thinking: I need to optimize my time in the city so I can also visit the surrounding areas. Exactly. And there’s no better way than organizing a tour with Rome in Golf Cart. This way you can see much more in less time, with less effort, and have more free time for other plans!
Here are some ideas about the most interesting places you can find near Rome.
The Classic Trip to Castelli Romani
Castelli Romani represents the classic destination for a Sunday outing, what Romans call a “gita fuori porta.” The Castelli aren’t actually castles. They’re hillside villages located about 20-30 kilometers from Rome.
Romans and tourists love them for their landscapes, wines, volcanic lakes, and genuine cuisine. You can easily reach these towns with dedicated regional trains or Cotral buses.
Here are some of the most famous Castelli Romani closest to the city:
Frascati
It’s the most famous of the Castelli Romani. People throughout Italy know it because it gives its name to the famous white wine. Here you can stroll through the historic center, among small squares and wine bars. You can admire historic villas with their magnificent gardens, such as Villa Aldobrandini.
Ariccia
It has an elegant center and a monumental bridge right at the entrance to the town. You can visit two works designed by the seventeenth-century sculptor and architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini: Palazzo Chigi and the church of Santa Maria Assunta. For many people, the real masterpiece is the typical “porchetta di Ariccia,” which is spit-roasted pork, seasoned and with crispy skin.
Nemi
It’s a true gem overlooking the volcanic lake of the same name. People also call it “the balcony over the Castelli Romani.” The Museum of Roman Ships houses the remains of two large boats from the Imperial era. Here too there’s a gastronomic excellence: wild strawberries. Small and tasty, locals use them for various culinary specialties.
Genzano
Genzano overlooks the other side of Lake Nemi. Its historic center preserves noble palaces and Baroque churches. The Infiorata del Corpus Domini is famous. During this religious festival, an entire street in the town transforms into a flower carpet two kilometers long. And what about food? The specialty here is typical wood-fired bread with a crunchy crust.
Castel Gandolfo
For four centuries Castel Gandolfo has hosted the summer residence of the Popes, the apostolic palace that dominates Lake Albano from above. The gardens and papal apartments are now open to visitors. Around the lake you can find beach clubs, restaurants with panoramic terraces, and paths for pleasant walks.
Tivoli and Its UNESCO Heritage Villas
Tivoli is located just 30 kilometers from Rome. This ancient city boasts three UNESCO sites in its territory. They attract visitors from all over the world. Emperors, pontiffs and cardinals loved this destination. You can also easily reach Tivoli from Rome with regional trains and Cotral buses.
Villa d’Este
Cardinal Ippolito II d’Este commissioned this masterpiece of Italian Renaissance gardens in the sixteenth century. It features over 500 fountains powered by an ingenious hydraulic system. The Fountain of the Organ produces music through moving water. The interiors of Villa d’Este also deserve a visit for their architecture and valuable frescoes.
Villa Adriana
Here we’re in the Imperial era, specifically the second century AD, when Emperor Hadrian had this residence built. It was practically his private refuge, a complex of about 120 hectares with over 30 buildings. Theaters, baths, libraries and temples reproduced the places the emperor saw during his travels. Today Villa Adriana is a fascinating journey through time, among what remains of that splendor and what this place lets you imagine.
Villa Gregoriana
The experience at Villa Gregoriana is mainly about nature. It’s a real small excursion among panoramic trails, caves, lush vegetation, waterways and a 120-meter-high waterfall. This incredible natural environment, practically next to the town center, owes its name to the important interventions carried out by Pope Gregory XVI in the early decades of the nineteenth century.
Some Practical Tips
In a single day it’s difficult to visit all three villas. Better to choose two, keeping in mind that Villa Adriana is located about 4 km from the city center and requires more time due to its size. Remember to wear comfortable shoes and a hat, and bring a water bottle, especially if it’s summer. Reserve some time for a walk in the center of Tivoli too.
Ostia Antica and the Roman Coast
That’s right, Rome has its own sea. Ostia Lido is actually part of Rome’s municipal territory, even though it’s 30 km from the capital. You can easily reach it with the metro’s line B and then with the Roma-Lido train. Before arriving at the coast, there’s an incredible place you absolutely must see: the archaeological remains of Ostia Antica.
Ostia Antica
It was the ancient port city, before the mouth of the Tiber River with its debris moved the coast several kilometers further west. The ruins of Ostia Antica extend over 150 hectares and include the remains of houses, baths, shops, temples and theaters.
It’s one of the largest and best-preserved archaeological areas in the world, a window into daily life in the Roman Empire. The Baths of Neptune still show floor mosaics of extraordinary beauty today. The Roman Theater is still used for summer performances.
The Village of Ostia Antica
A small medieval village stands next to the archaeological site. The castle of Pope Julius II della Rovere dominates the entrance with its massive towers. The walls enclose a few houses, a church and some small restaurants. The evocative atmosphere and characteristic appearance deserve a visit.
Ostia Lido
Now we finally arrive at the coast. Ostia Lido is the Romans’ sea, with beach clubs and a waterfront where you’ll find numerous fresh seafood restaurants. The Pineta di Castelfusano is also perfect for a regenerating walk in the greenery.
Other Interesting Destinations
Want to travel a bit further and maybe extend your day trip? Then you can go a little farther from Rome and make other pleasant discoveries.
Cerveteri and the Etruscan Necropolises
40 kilometers from Rome in the northwest direction, you’ll find the largest Etruscan necropolis in the Mediterranean. The Necropolis of Banditaccia is a UNESCO heritage site and hosts over a thousand tombs carved into tuff, a soft and crumbly rock. These funeral works reveal many secrets of the pre-Roman civilization. The National Cerite Museum in the historic center houses burial goods and the famous crater of Euphronios, a decorated vase from the sixth century BC. You can reach Cerveteri from Rome by public transport (regional trains or Cotral buses) in about 45 minutes.
Viterbo, the City of the Popes
Viterbo is 80 kilometers from Rome and you can reach it in about two hours by train. It’s one of the best-preserved medieval centers in Lazio. The San Pellegrino quarter is a real leap back in time. The Palazzo dei Papi hosted five conclaves (papal elections) in the thirteenth century.
Bomarzo and the Park of Monsters
30 minutes by bus from Viterbo there’s a place you can’t imagine until you see it. In Bomarzo you’ll find the Sacred Grove, also called the Park of Monsters. It’s a unique Renaissance garden in the world, populated by enormous stone sculptures representing fantastic beings, monstrous creatures, surreal creations and esoteric symbols.
Plan Your Day Trip Well
As you can see, just outside Rome you can find and admire treasures waiting to be discovered. Each trip enriches your experience from a historical, cultural, naturalistic and gastronomic point of view. The important thing is to leave nothing to chance: plan your trips carefully considering transportation times for the outbound and return journey.
Leave early in the morning to make the most of the day. Bring water, sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes.
If you want to visit attractions, check online for updated schedules and ticket costs, any discounts and free days. And when you can, buy your tickets online to save precious time.
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