Rome and Beyond. If you’ve planned a slightly longer stay in the Eternal City than average and are looking for destinations less traveled by the usual circuits and classic itineraries, then this article is just for you! In the following lines, we’ll present the three best day trips, at the end of which you can return to your hotel in the capital and enjoy dinner in one of the typical trattorias in the heart of Rome.
East, southeast, southwest. The surroundings worth visiting while staying in Rome are practically 360 degrees from the city center. Art, nature, history, architecture: these three destinations can offer visitors everything you’d expect from day trips.
Tivoli
Let’s start this road map from the destination located to the east, about 30 kilometers from the historic center: Tivoli. Known and appreciated for its magnificent villas and historic gardens, two places are must-sees in this town on the slopes of the Tiburtini mountains.
The first is Villa d’Este, a true masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance, admired and imitated worldwide for its terraced gardens and spectacular fountains that can be appreciated along the Villa’s itinerary. This enchanting place was built at the behest of Cardinal Ippolito II d’Este, disappointed for not having ascended to the pontifical throne. The ingenious system that allowed the operation of the many fountains in the Villa still surprises today: this system exploited the natural water pressure without the need for additional devices, which were instead used to create sound effects, chirping, and music.
The second is Villa Adriana, the sumptuous suburban residence of Emperor Hadrian. Palaces, theaters, bridges, baths, nymphaeums, statues, gardens, and water features: you will be absolutely amazed by the remains of what was once an absolute masterpiece in architectural and naturalistic terms. The Villa aims to be a celebration of Hadrian’s travels around the then-known world. In the Canopus, for example, earth, water, and human works meet in a truly suggestive atmosphere. It is an artificial valley with statues and columns with a canal in the center that evokes a branch of the Nile Delta.
During the visit to Villa d’Este, you can also admire the Imperial Palace with the Golden Square and the Winter Palace equipped with heating systems.
Castel Gandolfo
Located about 25 kilometers southeast of Rome, Castel Gandolfo is among the most beautiful villages in Italy, famous for being the official summer residence of the Popes, with its wonderful gardens and panoramic views of the homonymous Lake. With Pope Francis, the tradition of having various popes reside here during the warmer months has ceased: today the palace has opened its doors to visitors who can explore the masterpieces kept here. Once the visit to the Papal Residence is over, a tour of the historic center of the village is a must, rich in typical restaurants and bars where you can enjoy a snack. For the more adventurous, we also recommend a walk to the shores of the lake, where you can admire seventeenth-century villas of enormous charm.
Ostia Antica
We conclude this roadmap of the best day trips from Rome with the destination located furthest south, towards the sea. Located about 30 kilometers from the capital, Ostia Antica is a well-preserved ancient Roman port city. The excavations begun at the behest of Pope Pius VII in 1800 brought to light what we can consider one of the most important testimonies of an ancient imperial city. The name Ostia derives from the Latin Ostium, mouth, because right here the Tiber River ended by flowing into the Tyrrhenian Sea. This position allowed the small center to gain more and more importance, both commercially and militarily, as goods destined for Rome arrived from here. This extraordinary archaeological site offers visitors the opportunity to take a journey back in time and explore the ancient streets, temples, public baths, and theaters of the Roman city. Highlights include the Forum, the necropolis of Via Ostiense, the Baths of Neptune, the Theater, and the splendid intact mosaics of Neptune and Amphitrite in the Piazzale delle Corporazioni. Absolutely worth visiting is the thermopolium, the restaurants before literature of ancient Rome, where you can admire the counter, covered with colored marbles, where products were displayed, the kitchen, and the dining room decorated with mosaics. What strikes the most is the fresco used that illustrates the products and services offered by the inn: a primitive sign that shows how enlightened the Roman people were.
Conclusions
In conclusion, day trips from Rome offer a unique opportunity to discover historical facts, artistic masterpieces, and unseen natural landscapes compared to what is possible to visit within the urban boundaries of the Eternal City. With destinations like Tivoli, Castel Gandolfo, and Ostia Antica within reach, visitors can enrich their Roman experience with exciting adventures outside the city.
