Last updated on February 22nd, 2022
There’s no question that the city of Rome and all of its must-see sights could keep a curious traveler occupied and enthralled for weeks. But if you’re looking for a breather in the middle of your Roman holiday, Italy’s awesome public transport makes day trips from Rome an easy choice that can add so much richness to your trip.
Hop a train, and in less than two hours, you can reach some of Italy’s most famous sites and take in some of its most breathtaking scenery. Then, you hop back on and can be back at your Rome-base in time for a delicious dinner and passeggiata.
What could be better?
I’m a certified Rome Travel Expert and Itinerary Planner. And, these are 12 of my favorite easy-to-reach day trip sights and destinations:
Disclosure: There are some tour affiliate links below and I may receive compensation if you book through them (at no additional cost to you). This did not influence inclusion – these are tours I’ve vetted and truly recommend.
POMPEII (with Naples and Amalfi Coast option)
It’s difficult to imagine how a bustling city of 20,000 people could disappear in a day. The sheer shock of that moment is part of the eerie attraction of Pompeii.
Even though its demise was horrific, the way the city was destroyed also preserved in real time the life of Romans 2,000 years ago, making it a riveting archeological treasure trove and one of the most popular day trips from Rome. Walk the streets, see the temples, and visit the Forum Granary, where you can see the plaster casts of residents who were stilled in time by the eruption.
It’s important to note that many of the artifacts recovered from Pompeii are housed in nearby Naples at the Naples Archaeological Museum. So it’s well worth the time to tour both the ruins at Pompeii and the incredible art at the museum (not to mention all the wonderful sights there are to take in on a day trip to Naples!).
Related Post: 3 Ways to Day Trip from Pompeii to Rome
Cassie’s Tip: When we work together on your custom itinerary, so many things become possible! How does a day trip to the Amalfi Coast sound? Or, let’s get you on this full-day tour, where you can explore both Pompeii and the picture-perfect village of Positano on the Amalfi Coast!
TIVOLI
An easy 18 miles east of Rome, the medieval hill town of Tivoli offers a feast for the senses and a perfect escape from the press and noise of the big city, making it one of the most restorative day trips from Rome.
In fact, Tivoli is where the First-Century Roman emperor Hadrian went when he wanted to escape the (political) noise of Rome. He built a palatial retreat, Hadrian’s Villa, that reflected his interests and the scope of his empire, filling the 300 acres with re-creations of famous structures from around the world. Today, you can see the ruins and meander through the lush grounds.
If you want to immerse yourself in a spectacular garden experience, there’s nothing like the Villa d’Este. Initially built in the 1550s as a luxurious residence for the then-famous (and eventually exiled) Cardinal Ippolito d’Este, the villa’s grounds feature burbling pools, waterfalls, huge fountains, and incredible natural landscaping, all set into the steep and majestic hillside.
And if it’s nature and hiking you’re craving, Tivoli offers an idyllic getaway at Villa Gregoriana Park. This steep, lush, and lovely park offers walking trails that climb and descend past waterfalls, gigantic ancient trees, the Aniene River valley, and pockets of wilderness.
Related Post: How to Plan a Day Trip to Hadrian’s Villa in Tivoli
CASTEL GANDOLFO
Have you ever wondered what the Pope does on vacation? Well, wonder no more!
Castel Gandolfo, a gorgeous lakeside town (which is technically an extension of the Vatican and not under the jurisdiction of Italy), offers a fascinating glimpse into where popes past have gone to escape the summer heat for the last 400 years.
Pope Francis found he wasn’t using the vast estate for himself and chose to open it up as a museum. So now, at the papal palace itself, in addition to tootling around the opulent Barberini Gardens, you can peek into the pope’s private chapel and bedroom, which were previously closed off to the public.
This tour offers not only an informative guide around the residence — it also allows time to explore the impossibly beautiful town, and offers flexible return train tickets so you can come back whenever you’re ready.
OSTIA ANTICA & THE APPIAN WAY
While technically a part of Rome, these two not-to-be-missed day trips from Rome still require a full day away from the city center, and are well worth the side trip!
Ostia Antica is possibly one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Western world. Many people prefer it to Pompeii, both because of how much remains intact, and because it is often less crowded and quieter than Pompeii. Strolling the streets, being able to walk into apartments, and even read the menu at a tavern used by ancient Romans, it’s not hard to envision what life would have been like in this bustling harbor town of 60,000 people. The amphitheater is still in use to this day!
In what is truly a marvel of engineering, the Appian Way rightly earned its nickname as the Queen of Roads. Stretching for more than 430 miles, it offered the straightest, smoothest route into and out of Rome — all dug and laid by hand more than 2,300 years ago. Perfect for a bike ride or a walk, you can follow the Roman section of the Appian Way and take in the ruins, fascinating labyrinthine catacombs, public baths, and mausoleums of the ancient world.
Planning a trip to Rome? Join the Rome Travel Tips & Itinerary Planning Facebook Group where you’ll find more advice and tips for making the most out of your trip to the Eternal City.
ORVIETO, VITERBO, AND FLORENCE
All three of these cities offer more than enough for a longer weekend getaway — but if you are pressed for time, with a custom-designed itinerary, you can absolutely craft a well-planned visit to any of these day trips from Rome.
Orvieto is just 1.5 hours away by train. Set dramatically on volcanic tuff, this cliffside village offers a marvelous view of the rolling Umbrian hills. Visit the magnificent duomo, tour the papal residence, sample the region’s signature wine, or explore (with a guided tour only!) one of the 1,200 tunnels that wind underneath the city.
Like Orvieto, Viterbo was also the site of a papal residence. Just two hours away by train, it also boasts a beautiful gothic cathedral, renowned thermal springs, and a host of great traditional restaurants.
Florence, like Rome, could easily entice a traveler for days. But at just 2 hours away by high-speed train, you could technically see Michelangelo’s David, climb to the top of the rightfully-famous Duomo, walk along Ponte Vecchio, and be back in Rome in time for dinner. Phew!
Cassie’s Tip: Florence makes a great home base for day trips itself. In fact, if you have more time to spend, there are plenty of things to do in Florence after you’ve visited the big must-see sights.
PLAN YOUR DAY TRIPS FROM ROME
For those of us who live in the geographical vastness of the US, we tend to think of “neighboring” states as being hours and hours away. Part of the magic of more compact European countries is that so much is so close. With some strategic itinerary planning, you can explore new cities and regions in a day.
And when you work with me, I can arrange everything ahead of time — so all the stress is lifted, and you have more time to enjoy all that amazing Italy has to offer. If you’re interested, check out my Travel Services to see the different ways I can help and schedule a call with me to discuss!
Cassie Tetro
Itinerary Designer
& Certified Travel Expert
(Paris, London & Rome)
WHO AM I?
I’m Cassie Tetro, an Itinerary Designer and Certified Travel Expert for Paris, London, and Rome — my three favorite cities!
I help independent travelers like you save time and eliminate confusion with customized point-to-point itineraries crafted to your interests, preferences, travel pace, and style.
I take care of every aspect of your trip before you walk out your front door — tickets, reservations, tours, maps, transportation — so you can relax, soak in the magic, and enjoy a frustration-free vacation with a travel plan that’s as unique as you are.
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