10 Amazing Day Trips From Rome (2024)

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Tivoli

Just east of Rome, located on the Aniene River, you’ll find the town of Tivoli.

Set on top of a hill offering picturesque views all around, the town has two UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Hadrian’s Villa (a giant complex with lakes, fountains, baths, temples, and gardens) and Villa d’Este (a palace built in the 1550’s).

While there, you might also want to visit the Temple of Vesta and the Temple of Sybil.

Pompeii

Approximately 2.5 hours from Rome are the ancient ruins of Pompeii. Once a thriving ancient city, Pompeii held between 10,000 and 20,000 inhabitants.

On the morning of August 24, AD79 destruction hit the city as Mount Vesuvius blew it’s top and spewed molten ash into the atmosphere. After all was said and done, over 2000 people were buried under millions of tons of volcanic ash.

The entire city was covered, and just like that, there was nothing left of Pompeii. The town was excavated throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, and has become an extremely important archeological site due to the excellent state of preservation of the city.

Today you can visit Pompeii to witness some of what remains, as well as to get a glimpse into what life was like in ancient Italy.

Naples

Aside from Rome and Milan, Naples is the third largest city in Italy with a population of around one million people. The city is located on the west coast of Italy facing the Tyrrhenian Sea.

The recorded history of Naples dates back to 7th century BC and actually originated as a Greek settlement. It has since seen many fierce battles against civilizations attempting to gain power over the city and today the city is still enriched in its’ history.

Explore the many historical buildings, squares, and churches that define it including popular attractions like Piazza del Plebiscito, the Duomo Cathedral, the Castle dell’Ovo, and the Orto Botanical Gardens.

Vatican

Though the Vatican is only half a square kilometer, it’s religious powers are monumental. Also known as “Holy See”, the official residence of the Pope is only about 20 minutes from Rome and is a must see, even for those who are not religious.

As a political entity, Vatican city is governed by the Pope but the city has only been a sovereign state since 1929 when a treaty was established between the Catholic Church and the Kingdom of Italy.

Today the Vatican is an important religious landmark and is highly influential in the world of Catholicism with millions of visitors from around the world flocking there to say their prayers and engage in worship services.

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Vatican Visitors Guide

Orvieto

About an hour train ride from Rome, Orvieto is a small, flat hill town sat upon volcanic rock.

The history of Orvieto dates back to 9th Century BC when the town was considered to be very splendous and important. Archeologists have since found an area located below the cliffs known as "Fanum Voltumnae" that suggests the city of Orvieto may have once been a popular religious center for the Etruscan religion.

In the Middle Ages, Orvieto became a modern and functional city that represented prestige and beauty and today, it is an excellent place to visit to take a step back in time and explore life in ancient Italy.

While here, don’t forget to check out Rocca-Fortezza Albornoz, the Belvedere, Pozzo di San Patrizio, and the Orvieto underground caves and paths dating back over 2500 years.

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Ostia Antica

Located just 30 minutes from the Colosseum along the River Tiber is Ostia Antica. Once considered the harbour city of ancient Rome, it now stands in ruins as an ancient archeological site.

During the Roman Republic (509BC-27BC), Ostia Antica was Rome’s main seaport but as the Romans slowly began to depend on other ports, the city eventually began to lose it’s steam.

In the 4th century BC Ostia Antica was hit by malaria and what was once a city of over 100,000 people was quickly abandoned and forgotten. Today the town has been partly excavated, and is often considered a less crowded version of Pompeii.

Cinque Terre

Listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1997, Cinque Terre is home to some of the most beautiful and dramatic coastal landscapes in the world.

The name Cinque Terre translates into "Five Lands", which is quite fitting given that it is actually comprised of 5 small towns. While old castles, colourful houses, and small beaches are all popular attractions within the towns, the main attraction of Cinque Terre is the picturesque views and the sight of the villages themselves.

Each town is connected via hiking trail and there is virtually no transportation within. If you're visiting Cinque Terre you should be prepared to do a great deal of walking as there are alot of hills and stairs.

Florence

Rated as one of Europe's best cities, Florence provides visitors with a beautiful backdrop of rolling hills, stunning vineyards, and abundant farmlands.

A city that was originally formed as a military colony in the 1st century BCE, the history of Florence is evident all throughout the city in the form of ancient architecture, monuments, churches, and museums.

With that being said, Florence is best known for the people who made it what it is today. Many famous artists and names made Florence their stage, including Michelangelo, Brunelleschi, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Galileo. Today people visit Florence to evoke a sense of warmth, history, and romance in what is a city filled with charm and character.

Castelli Romani

Castelli Romani, located approximately 20km from Rome, is a collection of 13 small towns that date back to ancient times.

The towns are located within the Alban hills and are popular for their volcanic landscape and delicious wines. The area is best known for it's Papal Palace where many Popes go to spend their summers dating back to the 17th century.

Other must sees in Castelli Romani include the 16th Century Cathedral in Frascati, the ancient settlement of Tusculum, the picturesque town of Genzano, and the artistic treasure of Ariccia.

Pisa

We've all heard about the leaning tower of Pisa, and when in Rome, you can visit the world-renowned tower for yourself to take that obligatory selfie.

Located about 4 hours north from Rome, the leaning tower of Pisa is, surprise, surprise, in the city of Pisa. While the actual origins of Pisa are unknown, there are many hypotheses that the first settlements where Greek dating back to the 9th century.

After you've taken your selfie, make sure you take a climb to the top to get an entirely new perspective from above. Once finished in the tower, you'll also want to check out some other Pisa hotspots like the Piazza de Cavalieri, the Cathedral, and the Baptistery.

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