Lazio is Italy's most historically rich region, home to Rome — the Eternal City — as well as ancient ruins, medieval hilltowns, volcanic lakes, and a stunning Tyrrhenian coastline. From the Colosseum to the vineyards of the Castelli Romani and the thermal baths of Viterbo, Lazio offers an unparalleled blend of art, history, nature, and cuisine.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Tivoli: Villa d'Este and Hadrian's Villa
Tivoli is Lazio's finest day trip combining two UNESCO World Heritage Sites within 5km of each other. Villa d'Este's Renaissance terraced gardens contain 500 fountains and are among Italy's most spectacular. Nearby Hadrian's Villa was Emperor Hadrian's vast private retreat covering 120 hectares of ancient architecture.
Highlights: 500 fountains at Villa d'Este · Hadrian's Villa archaeological complex · Organ Fountain · Tivoli hilltop town lunch
Viterbo: Medieval City and Thermal Baths
One of Italy's best-preserved medieval cities, Viterbo's walled historic centre contains the remarkable 13th-century Papal Palace, the atmospheric San Pellegrino medieval quarter and excellent trattorias. Combine with a visit to the nearby Terme dei Papi thermal baths for a sulphurous soak.
Highlights: San Pellegrino medieval quarter · Palazzo dei Papi (Papal Palace) · Terme dei Papi thermal baths · Viterbo Cathedral
Ostia Antica: Rome's Ancient Port
Often called 'Rome's Pompeii without the crowds,' Ostia Antica is a vast and remarkably preserved ancient port city. Walk through 2,000-year-old streets, explore bathhouses with original mosaics, a complete Roman theatre, apartments (insulae), taverns (thermopolia) and temples.
Highlights: Original mosaic floors throughout the city · 3,000-seat Roman theatre · Baths of Neptune mosaics · Ancient commercial buildings and warehouses
Castelli Romani: Frascati Wine Country and Castel Gandolfo
The Castelli Romani hills form Rome's beloved wine country. Frascati is famous for its DOC white wine; Castel Gandolfo sits above Lake Albano with the papal summer palace now open to visitors; and Ariccia is where to eat Italy's most famous porchetta.
Highlights: Frascati DOC wine tasting · Castel Gandolfo papal villa and gardens · Lake Albano swimming in summer · Ariccia porchetta
Civita di Bagnoregio: The Dying City
One of Italy's most extraordinary and otherworldly sights — a medieval village of just a handful of permanent residents perched on an eroding volcanic tufa island, accessible only by a narrow pedestrian bridge spanning a vast canyon. It looks exactly like a Federico Fellini film set.
Highlights: Bridge crossing the canyon · Medieval streets of the dying village · Canyon and tufa landscape views · Local lunch in the village
Sperlonga Beaches and Tiberius' Villa
Lazio's most beautiful coastal village — a whitewashed clifftop town above golden beaches. Below the village are the ruins of Emperor Tiberius' seaside villa with a spectacular grotto banquet hall, now housing remarkable Greek sculptures in an archaeological museum.
Highlights: Sperlonga whitewashed village · Tiberius' Grotto archaeological museum · Golden sandy beaches · Fresh seafood lunch
Circeo National Park and Sabaudia
Lazio's only national park encompasses Monte Circeo's dramatic limestone promontory, coastal dunes, wetland lakes and a marine reserve. Hike to the summit for spectacular sea views, kayak on Lake Paola and swim in the protected marine reserve.
Highlights: Monte Circeo summit hike (541m) · Lake Paola kayaking · Sabaudia beaches · Marine reserve snorkelling
Bomarzo Monster Park and Northern Lazio
The surreal 16th-century Parco dei Mostri (Monster Park) in Bomarzo features enormous grotesque stone sculptures carved from living rock — a genuinely strange and wonderful place. Combine with nearby Viterbo or the Lago di Vico natural reserve.
Highlights: Parco dei Mostri stone monsters · Leaning house experience · Nearby Viterbo or Lake Vico · Scenic northern Lazio countryside
Palestrina: Ancient Sanctuary and Nile Mosaic
A hilltop town built on the terraces of the vast ancient Sanctuary of Fortuna Primigenia, one of Rome's most important religious complexes. The National Archaeological Museum inside the sanctuary houses the extraordinary 2nd-century BC Nile Mosaic, one of antiquity's finest and most detailed floor mosaics.
Highlights: Sanctuary of Fortuna Primigenia (ancient terraced temple) · Nile Mosaic (floor mosaic of Egypt) · Hilltop views over the Roman Campagna · Medieval town streets
Lake Bolsena and Etruscan Coast
Italy's largest volcanic crater lake, Bolsena is remarkably clean and warm for swimming. The medieval lakeside town has a beautiful castle, and nearby Tarquinia (in Lazio) houses the extraordinary Etruscan painted tombs — UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Highlights: Lake Bolsena swimming and boating · Bolsena medieval castle · Tarquinia Etruscan painted tombs · Local eel (capitone) and lake fish cuisine
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Tours
- Organised day tours from Rome from €40-100 include return transport, guide and often entry fees — convenient for Tivoli, Castelli Romani and Civita di Bagnoregio
- Private
- Private car hire with driver from €150-300/day — ideal for northern Lazio (Bomarzo, Viterbo, Lake Bolsena)
- Public
- Regional trains (Trenitalia) and COTRAL buses serve most destinations efficiently; tickets €3-15 return
- Rental
- Car rental from €40-80/day — essential for Circeo National Park, southern coast and exploring smaller villages
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Start early for summer day trips — most sites open 9AM and get crowded by 10:30AM
Book the regional train to Tivoli in advance (Trenitalia app) — busy on summer weekends
Combine Hadrian's Villa and Villa d'Este in Tivoli on one day — 5km apart, take a taxi between them
For Civita di Bagnoregio, check COTRAL bus timetables carefully — return buses can be infrequent
The Roma Pass (72h) is not valid for regional trains outside Rome — buy Trenitalia tickets separately