While we live in Rome, we have visited a lot of towns and lakes around the city. If you are looking for a one day break or weekend tour, here is the list of what to see around Rome.

 

1.Tivoli, Villa d’Este. UNESCO heritage

30 km from Rome

Gorgeous Renaissance architecture from the 16th century with a little museum inside and a beautiful garden with many levels and fountains. Perfect for a hot day.

2.The Villa Adriana. UNESCO heritage

30 km from Rome

This site features various buildings constructed in the 2nd century BC by the Roman emperor Hadrian. It is only a few kilometres away from Villa d’Este in Tivoli, so you could nicely combine the two in a one-day tour.

3.Beaches

 The closest is 30km from centre of Rome and then you can go to North or South as far as you want

Beaches around Rome are not that great, but after a careful search, we found reasonable options reachable also by train (around 20 min from Rome). By the way, if you go to the beach from Rome by car at weekends in summer, it is highly likely you’ll have problems finding a parking place at the beach and get stuck in traffic jams on the way back to Rome. When I say traffic problems, I mean that it can take three hours to travel 30km. We take a train at peak weekends.

Ladispoli. A bit further away but a cleaner and more beautiful beach than the one in Ostia. Here you can find a good enough place to sit free of charge. From Rome, it is reachable in an hour by train.

Scilling. Quite a chic place with a private beach, restaurant and bar terrace on the beach. I like it because it feels clean compared to some of the places in Ostia that are free of charge.  The price is around 20 EUR per person for a beach chair with umbrella. It is conveniently only 30 min by train from Rome.

4.Ostia Antica

Ostia Antica was the ancient harbour (9th century BC) of Rome. Naturally, you cannot see a 2,900 year old town as it was. There is not much left of the houses, just ruins, though the structure, the roads between houses, the form of the houses, the theatre, and many frescoes and floor mosaics are still very well preserved.

I would consider it as a smaller version of Pompeii. At least for me, it is a similar experience to walking in those abandoned ancient cities.

There are still various concerts and events organised there. Isn’t it amazing to listen to live music in an original, open-air theatre almost 3,000 years old? Add stars, a plane passing by in the sky, and you could not ask for more epic surroundings for an event.

Please check HERE to see if there are any concerts organised during your stay.

5.Frascati

16 km from Rome.

Everybody has seen this name on Italian wine bottles. This little town is located near Rome and is easy to reach by train or car. Enjoy a walk and taste Frascati wine in its birthplace.  You can visit wineries or have a walk around the town.

6.Lake Albano

25 km from Rome.

Visit the cosy little towns of Marino and Castel Gandolfo, known as the summer villa of the Pope, located there at the top of the hill. It is a beautiful area in which to spend the whole day, even in winter. On hot days, don’t forget your swimsuit!

7.Nemi Town

This is a picturesque town 25 km from Rome. I find it very romantic, small but worth a few hours walk. It is famous for cultivating wild strawberries, which are present in every shop. Once you have some, share with a friend.

8.Waterfalls “Cascate delle Marmore”

100 km from Rome.

Beautiful place for a few hours walk. There is an entrance fee.

9.Parco di Veio and Isola Farnese 

30 km from Rome.

Another beautiful park with small waterfalls and a fabulous Roman restaurant. We celebrated Valentine’s Day once at this park.

10.Lago di Bracciano

55 km from Rome.

Quite famous for relaxing walks and bathing. Once you are there, visit the beautiful town of Anguillara.

11.Martignano Lake

45 km from Rome.

A little lake next to much bigger lake Bracciano. You can find lovely rural places to eat and various little beaches. This is the lake where we go to bathe in summer because there is one beach there for people with dogs. While dogs are banned from most beaches, there are special beaches and various lakes where a dog can have fun. The exact post where we go is HERE.

12.Cività di Bagnoregio

130 km from Rome.

Though it is a longer trip to do, it is a cherry on my list and absolutely worth the trip.

This town is also called a dead city because most people moved out and the rocky hill on which this little town is built is slowly collapsing. You can already see some houses just half of them left. However, it is a lively touristic place with little shops and restaurants. Even if just a few there are still people living there.

13.Sperlonga town 

135 km from Rome.

Another further away but the sweetest cherry from the list. I wanted to include it on my list because it is one of the most beautiful little towns I have ever seen in Italy. It is very old, white, and with cosy narrow streets. The town was erected at the top of a hill but with a beautiful sandy beach just underneath it.

14.Cascate di Saturnia

160 km from Rome.

To be honest, it looks better in photos to what it is, but anyway it is a unique place with hot springs and waterfalls. On one hand, it is interesting to bath for some hours, on the other hand, the road itself to get there through Tuscany hills is a pleasure.

15.Skiing resorts

110 km and more.

The order in my list does not mean anything. In winter, skiing resorts are in our top list where we escape during the weekends. There are at least five skiing resorts around Rome. We go to the furthest but the biggest Roccaraso skiing resort with 100 km and 60 all level slopes. It is great, I have no idea why Rome did not become the destination for “white winter holidays”. Maybe it is not the finest service, a language barrier can be an issue. Roccaraso is closer to Napoli, many people come from that area and though I understand Italian, I cannot understand their dialect either. I am not sure how it would be in English. Anyways, if you come here to ski and not to chat, it is a great skiing resort.

All five the closest to Rome skiing resorts:

1. Campo Felice 110 km,
2. Terminillo 110 km,
3. Ovindoli 130 km,
4. Campo Imperatore/ Gran Sasso 160 km,
5. Roccaraso 195 km.

Campo Felice is the closest and most popular in Rome. We do not go there, because Adriano misses black slopes. Campo Felice is much smaller to Roccaraso. In summer, when skiing season is over, it is nice to have a walk. Mountain roads are very much liked by bikers in summer as well.

 

Transport

Trains are the most convenient means of transport in Italy when you want to move from city to city or arrive at a particular town. For a tour around a specific area, a car is the best option. Want to save? Rent a car at the least touristic time. Last time, I rented a car in November for 5 EUR/day from Ciampino airport.

Tip! Buy full insurance for a rented car. The roads around Rome are not of the highest quality.

I wish you exciting trips around Rome!