When coming to Italy, a good option to see different parts of the country is to keep a base in one place, and take day trips out to smaller towns. This can get you diverse experiences, take you off the beaten path, and save the hassle of travelling between too many places in a short time.
Rome is a great place to base yourself – it’s pretty central and has good rail links all over the country. While the far North and South of Italy may be too far for a day out, there’s still plenty of places that are within easy, quick reach. Here’s our suggestions for five easy day trips from Rome.
Would you like the opportunity to take a day trip to see some of these places? Contact Us and we can help plan you the perfect trip to experience Italy your way.
Orvieto
Orvieto is one of the highlights of Umbria, and a perfect destination for a relaxing but cultural day trip. Perched on a rocky outcrop, the town occupies a commanding position over the surrounding land, and offers stunning views across the Umbrian countryside.
The main highlight is undoubtedly the incredible Duomo, with its beautifully intricate facade. Inside, the Chapel of San Brizio has incredible frescoes by Luca Signorelli, which are said to have inspired Michelangelo for his ‘Last Judgement’ in the Sistine Chapel.
Other things to do include exploring the underground Etruscan tunnels, checking out some wonderful medieval churches, and sampling the local Orvieto DOC wine.
The direct train from Roma Termini takes just over 1 hour and costs €7.80 each way (www.trenitalia.com). Once you arrive at Orvieto station, cross the street and take the funicular for the 5 minute ride to the top.
Sperlonga
If you’re looking for beautiful coastal views and a nice beach, Sperlonga is a great place to visit for a day. This is often where the Romans go to get away from Rome, and so why not follow the lead of those in the know?
The old town area of Sperlonga is a wonderful little maze of winding, narrow streets and lovely little piazzas. There’s some great restaurants and cafes, and intriguing stores to browse around. After this, it’s time for the beach. There is a free public section, but like most Italian beaches, for the majority of the beach you need to pay. However, it’s only €13, and you get a sunshade, plus food and drinks brought straight to you (though you need to pay for them), so it can definitely be worth it.
Another attraction is the grotto of the Emperor Tiberius. Tiberius built his villa here to take advantage of the beauty of the area, and had a beautiful grotto for entertaining guests. It was decorated with incredible statues, which are now on display in the museum by the grotto.
To get to Sperlonga, take the train from Roma Termini to Forli, which takes just over an hour and costs €6.90 each way (www.trenitalia.com). From the station at Forli, take a bus for 15 minutes to Sperlonga. The first bus stop is in the more modern part of the town, but the second is in the picturesque historic area.
Tivoli
Tivoli is a very small town, and yet is home to two UNESCO Heritage Sites. Just 19 miles from Rome, it has been a popular place for Romans to visit since ancient times, when it was known for it’s good water and beautiful views. Now it is mainly visited for its two famous villas.
Villa Adriana is the remains of the villa of the Emperor Hadrian, and is a great example of the luxury in which the Emperors lived. This included a pool, a grotto, and a private island in the middle of an artificial lake, where the Emperor could escape to contemplate.
During the Renaissance, others had the idea of building their own villas in the pretty area of Tivoli, and Villa D’Este is the most impressive. Built in the 1560s by Cardinal Ippolito D’Este, it showcases the wealth of the Renaissance elite. With its beautiful gardens and profusion of fabulous fountains, as well as sculpture looted from Hadrian’s villa, it’s definitely worth a visit.
The actual town of Tivoli is worth spending some time in as well, with nice medieval streets and piazzas, and – if you still have time – visit the Villa Gregoriana for some fabulous gardens and a beautiful waterfall.
The train from Rome to Tivoli takes 1 hour and only costs €2.60 each way (www.trenitalia.com). To get to Hadrian’s Villa from the town, take the local bus 4 or 4X from Largo Garibaldi.
Castelli Romani
The Castelli Romani are a collection of towns in the foothills of the Alban Hills, just outside of Rome. They became popular during the Renaissance as summer retreats for the wealthy of Rome, and are still popular amongst Romans today.
If I had to pick one of the towns to visit, it would be Frascati. It’s a lovely, relaxing little town, perched on the hillside, where the people are welcoming and the streets are quiet. One of its big draws is the local wine, and the best way to experience it is to head to a fraschetta. This is a local cantina where you can bring your own food – buy a good porchetta sandwich from a place in town – and just order wine by the carafe. The perfect way to enjoy lunch in a traditional town.
Another good town to visit is Castel Gandolfo, which is where the Pope has had his summer residence since 1596. The views over Lake Albano are beautiful, and it is now possible to visit the Pope’s palace and gardens. The town itself is pretty, with small, winding streets, and is a lovely place to sit and have a nice lunch.
From Roma Termini, it takes 30 minutes by train to Frascati, and 40 minutes to Castel Gandolfo, with either journey costing €2.10 each way (www.trenitalia.com). Alternatively, on Saturdays during the Summer, it is possible to reach Castel Gandolfo from the Vatican as part of a full day Vatican experience.
Naples
Now, to be clear, I believe Naples deserves at least 2 or 3 days by itself if you want to experience it properly. However, if you don’t have the time, or just fancy a taster, it is entirely possible to visit as a day trip from Rome.
Naples gets a bad reputation at times. Some say it’s dirty, gritty, chaotic and confusing, but I say that’s unfair. The chaos is certainly true, but that’s part of what makes the city unique, and gives it its own special atmosphere. Naples has an energy that other Italian cities – especially the more ‘touristy’ ones – just can’t match. Plus, it’s beautiful.
Walk down the Spaccanapoli – the old street that cuts through the historic centre – and head down to Piazza del Plebiscito. Sitting here, or in any piazza in the city, is a great opportunity to just watch Naples go by – the children playing soccer in the piazza, the musicians entertaining the passers-by, and the strolling lovers hand in hand. Down by the waterfront you get an incredible view across the bay to Mount Vesuvius, as you also do from the Castel Nuovo (also known as Maschio Angioino).
One thing not to miss is the pizza. Naples is the home of pizza. With it’s thick crust and fresh tomatoes and mozzarella, you can’t go wrong with a true Neapolitan Margherita.
The fast train (Frecciarossa or Italo) from Roma Termini to Napoli Centrale only takes just over 1 hour, and the fares can be very reasonable if booked in advance – as low as €16.90 each way (www.trenitalia.com or www.italo.com – I prefer Italo).
If you’re looking to stay in Rome and would like to take a trip to any of these, or other places, then we can help. Whether it’s train tickets, a driver, a rental car, or a tour guide when you’re there, just let us know, and we’ll ensure you have the perfect day.
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