visit tivoli from rome

From Rome to Tivoli: 5 Best Ways to Get There

Written by Barbara Radcliffe Rogers Updated Oct 21, 2021 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

In the Sabine Hills, about 33 kilometers east of central Rome, Tivoli makes a perfect day trip from the city, especially in the summer, when its elevation brings cooling breezes. That's why in the time of the Roman Empire, the emperors and nobility chose Tivoli as a location for their magnificent summer villas. Two of these are the main reason for visiting; today Villa Adriana (Hadrian's Villa) and the gardens of Villa d'Este are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites .

There are several ways of getting from Rome to Tivoli. Taking a tour is one of the simplest options, but you can also use public transport or drive. Plan your visit with our list of the best ways to get from Rome to Tivoli.

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From rome to tivoli by tour, from rome to tivoli by train, from rome to tivoli by bus, from rome to tivoli by car, from rome to tivoli by towncar or taxi.

For a completely carefree day with someone else doing the driving and taking you to each of the attractions, a tour can be the best answer. The Tivoli Day Trip from Rome: Hadrian's Villa and Villa d'Este takes you seamlessly from Rome to each of the two UNESCO sites, adding guided walking tours of each to be sure you don't miss the highlights. The group tour lasts about seven hours, during which you will learn about the history of these grand estates as you explore them.

If you prefer to spend more time in Rome, but still see Tivoli's villas, consider the shorter version of that trip, with the four-hour Hadrian's Villa and Villa d'Este Half-Day Trip from Rome . You'll have round-trip transport by air-conditioned coach from Rome and visit each of the two outstanding villas with a guide to learn about the buildings, the gardens, and their owners.

For a more custom-tailored experience, the From Rome to Tivoli Gardens with Guide and Tickets tour includes door-to-door transport for your party by private vehicle. Once in Tivoli, your driver will introduce you to your professional art historian guide , who will accompany you throughout your two-hour visit to each of the villas.

The Roma-Avezzano-Pescara regional (Regionale) line departs from Rome's Tiburtina rail station almost hourly (but with a curious gap between 9am and 11am). Check for trains marked for both Tivoli and Avezzano , as either will take you to Tivoli. You can get to Tiburtina station on Rome's Metro B (blue) line. It's a good idea to buy tickets in advance online. You can also get them in ticket machines or at a ticket counter in the station, but there might be lines at both during busy times.

The train takes between 45 and 75 minutes from Rome to Tivoli's Tiburtina Station , depending on the number of stops. The route by train is a very beautiful one as you climb into the wooded Sabine Hills. Once in Tivoli, you are about a 25-minute walk from the center of town and Villa d'Este, and about five minutes from Villa Gregoriana. The local C.A.T. bus line runs a regular route between the station, Villa D'Este, Villa Adriana, and Villa Gregoriana.

Blue COTRAL buses to Tivoli leave the terminal at Rome's Ponte Mammolo stop on Metro line B. It takes about an hour to get to Tivoli , depending on traffic. Departures are every 10 or 15 minutes, Monday through Saturday, less frequent on Sunday. Bus fares are quite cheap, but so are train fares, and the train makes fewer stops on the way. The bus takes you to the main square, where you can walk to Villa d'Este or catch the local shuttle to visit Villa Adriana.

The short drive from Rome to Tivoli takes only about 35 minutes under the best of conditions but can take twice that when the traffic is heavy. The fastest route is on the A24 , which you can reach from the Tangenziale Est/Circonvallazione Tiburtina in Rome. Follow A24 to Via Maremmana Inferiore/SP51a in Tivoli, taking the exit toward Tivoli.

There are multi-level public parking garages within a couple of blocks of the entrance to Villa d'Este, but they fill fast in busy seasons, and on-street parking is hard to find. If you are coming from Rome on a day trip, especially at the height of tourist season, it may be easier to take public transportation, especially if you are not accustomed to driving in Italy, which can be nerve-wracking.

Prices of rental cars in Rome vary widely, from mini models like the four-passenger Fiat 500 to larger more luxurious models. But whatever car you choose, be sure to reserve it well ahead of your trip, as availability of rental cars is expected to remain tight. It is also usually a good idea to reserve through a company with offices in your home country, such as AutoEurope in the United States. This way, should there be any problem with the reservation, you have someone who speaks your language to sort it out.

If you are heading north by car from Rome to Orvieto and Perugia , Tivoli is a good side trip on your way. Leave Tivoli heading west on the SR5 and join the E45 autostrada at Tivoli Terme.

To arrive and return on your own schedule and in the comfort and privacy of a roomy air-conditioned car without the stress of driving–or parking, private transport or taxis may be the best choice. They cost more, but offer considerably more luxury and flexibility, with door-to-door pickup and a professional driver . And for families or groups sharing the cost among several people, the cost per person becomes less. The rates of a private transport service and taxi service are similar, and you can expect to pay about '70 each way for either.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

Where to Go in Rome: PlanetWare has several articles to help you explore the tourist attractions of Rome , with guides to the Roman Forum , the Pantheon , the Colosseum, and Vatican City .

Where to Go from Rome: After visiting Tivoli, you may want to take more day trips from Rome. You can easily visit the tourist attractions in Naples , and the island of Capri is another possibility; our article From Rome to Capri: 5 Best Ways to Get There can help you plan your trip.

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Tivoli Day Trip from Rome – Visit Hadrian’s Villa & Villa d’Este

By Warren George

July 23, 2024

Wondering what a Tivoli day trip is all about?

The town of Tivoli, just outside of Rome, is a must-see spot.

Whether you're interested in ancient history, beautiful gardens, or if you're just looking to escape the crowds, there is something here for you.

Everything you need to know about taking a Tivoli day trip from Rome

Tivoli is a popular destination for tours and a great day trip from Rome .

I love the area, and have been visiting ever since my early trips to Rome over a decade ago!

The ancient Roman archeological site of Villa Adriana is my personal favorite place to visit, but the stunning fountains and gardens of Villa d'Este come a close second.

Close enough to Rome to make it one of the easier day trips to take, Tivoli has a lot to offer visitors.

To find out everything you need to know about Tivoli day trips, keep reading.

On this page we'll be covering:

Why visit Tivoli?

Where is tivoli in relation to rome, how to get from rome to tivoli.

• The best time to visit Tivoli
• Visiting Hadrian’s Villa (Villa Adriana) in Tivoli

Visiting Villa d’Este in Tivoli

• Other things to see in Tivoli

Where to eat and drink in Tivoli

Follow Elyssa in this YouTube video as she explores Hadrian's Villa and Villa d'Este on a fun day trip from Rome!

Is Tivoli worth visiting?

Absolutely!

Tivoli is home to not one, but two UNESCO World Heritage sites,  Hadrian’s Villa ( Villa Adriana in Italian) and Villa d’Este .

It is possible to visit both villas in the same day, either by yourself or as part of a guided tour.

Tivoli sits on the side of a large hill, from which natural freshwater springs flow.

This creates a series of waterfalls which are visible from the historic center and the surrounding local area.

Throughout Tivoli you’ll find numerous Roman ruins, and on the outskirts there are remains of ancient aqueducts, along with several hiking and cycling routes.

Tivoli is located 27km (as the crow flies) from the center of Rome.

Villa d'Este is in the center of the modern town, whereas Villa Adriana is located on the outskirts.

Getting to Tivoli from Rome couldn’t be easier.

You have a couple of options for a self-guided day trip:

Public transportation

The most direct route to the main sights of Tivoli from the center of Rome is to take the Metro Line B (blue line) to the Ponte Mammolo station, and then a bus .

When you step out of the Ponte Mammolo station, you will see a number of buses from a company called Cotral.

From here, you can take any of the buses marked as heading to Tivoli.

• One of the buses takes a more winding route, stopping around 300m from the entrance to Villa Adriana before heading into Tivoli. This bus runs much less frequently.
• The other bus routes are more direct - if you are visiting Hadrian's Villa you will need to get off at the stop on via Tiburtina and walk around 2km to reach the entrance.

There are also various trains that stop in Tivoli from the central Rome station of Termini, but the Tivoli train station is located at the bottom of the hill.

To reach the various sights, you will need to then take a local bus, or you can walk - it's around a 25 minute uphill walk.

The local bus also goes to Hadrian's Villa.

To drive to Tivoli from the center of Rome takes between 45 minutes and an hour, depending on where you set off from.

If you're heading to  Hadrian’s Villa  there is plentiful and cheap parking on site.

You need to pay for parking at the ticket office when you buy your tickets to the archaeological park, or redeem your pre-booked tickets if you booked on line tickets.

Driving to Villa d’Este  is a little more difficult as there is no official car park, but there are several options nearby.

You can park on one of the side streets nearby where you’ll need to pay at one of the machines along the sidewalks (pay close attention to the time frames and conditions) or in one of the official car parks listed below.

For the  historic center  of Tivoli in general if you’re wanting to see the waterfalls or other historical landmarks, I’d recommend parking in this carpark .

If you find that’s full (possible during the busier summer months), try one of these:

• Parcheggio della Panomarica
• Parcheggio Piazza Matteotti
• Parcheggio Lungo Aniene

Join a guided tour

The other option for your Tivoli day trip is to book a private tour.

You can opt for half day guided tours which typically cover one of the area's main sites, or a  joint experience that covers both Villa d’Este and Hadrian’s Villa , plus often other sites.

These type of tours have transfers to and from Rome included for a stress-free  day trip from Rome. 

If you're worried about navigating the public transport options or aren't comfortable driving yourself, I definitely feel that booking a tour is the best option.

Here are some of our recommended tours:

• Villa d'Este and Villa Adriana round trip from Rome with skip the line access and live guide at both sites
• Hadrian's Villa and Villa d'Este Tivoli day trip tour with optional lunch
• Small group tour of Villa Adriana and Villa d'Este plus time in Tivoli
• Full day tour of Villa d'Este and Hadrian's Villa with hotel pick-up
• Private Tivoli day trip from Rome with chauffeured transport
• Tivoli Gardens tour including Temple of the Sybil 

You can also book a package that includes entrance tickets and a driver to transport you but no guide if you prefer.

When is the best time to visit Tivoli?

Tivoli is a regular Italian town so can be visited at any point in the year.

If you are looking to visit Hadrian’s Villa , consider visiting in the spring or fall . 

During the summer the exposed nature of the site means the sun can be very hot, and during the winter the temperatures drop considerably and the chance of rain increases.

For Villa d’Este , you can visit from spring through autumn.

I love visiting in the summer as the layout of the gardens and fountains ensure the environment always feels cool!

I would not recommend visiting in the winter however as often the fountains are switched off for maintenance so you do not get to see these in action.

No matter what season you visit Rome, here are 4 essential things we recommend never leaving home without:

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Visiting Hadrian’s Villa (Villa Adriana)

What is hadrian's villa.

Welcome to the private home of ancient Roman emperor Hadrian!

This sprawling palace was one of the biggest ever constructed in the history of ancient Rome, and is considered now to be one of the most outstanding villas from the classical age.

Located in the Sabine Hills in the Roman countryside, Villa Adriana is approximately 25km from central Rome.

Despite this, for Emperor Hadrian it was much more than just a home, it was a meeting point where he could run the Roman empire away from the hustle and bustle of the Eternal City.

After the fall of the Western Roman empire in the fifth century CE the villa fell into disuse and was plundered for its valuable building materials and precious artworks.

While a lot of what was once here is lost forever, much also survives.

You can see this both on site and in the collections of famous museums around the world, including the Vatican Museums .

Some decorative elements were reused by Cardinal Ippolito d'Este to decorate Villa d'Este which I cover in the next section.

Accessibility

Hadrian's Villa is a giant open-air archaeological site with modern paths and roads throughout.

These paths and roads are easily traversable for anyone, including those with accessibility challenges, and it is possible to see a large amount of the park this way.

Unfortunately, due to the nature of the ancient ruins, not all the areas within the site are accessible to visitors with mobility restrictions.

Before visiting, I'd recommend contacting Villa Adriana (yourself, or via your tour guide) to discuss any accessibility requirements in advance.

Planning your visit

Hadrian’s Villa covers a HUGE area (200 acres to be exact), making the whole site 130 times the size of the White House!

Many of the key areas to visit are spaced out, so be prepared to walk.

To see the main sites you should allow 3 hours minimum during your day trip from Rome.

If you want to see absolutely everything, you should plan to spend at least 6 hours here.

If you are visiting in the summer, be sure to bring a hat and sun block as the site is very exposed.

Consider also timing your visit for the early morning before the sun gets too hot.

If visiting at any other time of the year,  bring a waterproof jacket and umbrella .

The  weather  in this area of Lazio is very changeable and the site very exposed to the elements.

Always bring plenty of water and something to eat for lunch as on-site refreshment options are limited.

There is a small café/kiosk but the opening hours are inconsistent.

You'll find endless green spaces with benches where you can rest and recharge, as well as water fountains are dotted around the park.

Ready to plan your trip?

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Tickets and opening hours

Tickets can be purchased online or at the ticket office on site. 

Booking in advance isn't generally required as it's such a large place, but it does allow you to skip the line if there is one.

For up to date opening hours and other information about visiting, check out the official website here .

Visitor welcome center

Before you start exploring, I recommended stepping into this little museum at the welcome center to view the to-scale model of the whole villa site.

Not only does it help orientate you, but it also helps to show the original grandeur and scale of Hadrian's Villa.

This is maybe the most iconic feature of Hadrian's Villa.

The Canopus was designed to replicate the river Nile in Egypt (hence the crocodile statues) which is where Hadrian's lover Antoninus died in a tragic accident.

This was Hadrian's personal and private space where he would come to remember his beloved.

Maritime theater

So called because of its circular shape and the presence of flowing water, this complex structure was another space thought to be used personally by Hadrian .

The Maritime theater comprised over thirty rooms, all of which would have been intricately decorated.

Located next to the Canopus, this museum houses a lot of the original statuary that was found at the site which hasn't been relocated to other museums around the world.

I particularly like getting up close with the crocodiles!

When visiting on a hot day it provides a welcome break from the sun, and you'll also find bathrooms nearby.

Temple of Venus

While not much remains of this temple, its outlying location makes it worth visiting as it helps to put the size of the site into context.

I also find the location of the Temple of Venus on the edges of the park and the surrounding views evocative and peaceful.

What is the Villa d'Este?

Welcome to the private villa and its beautiful gardens (and now resting place) of Cardinal Ippolito d'Este.

Cardinal d'Este began work in 1560, 11 years after he was appointed as governor of Tivoli in 1549, following an unsuccessful attempt to become Pope .

He would go on to make five bids for the papacy, none of which were successful!

Following his passion for antiquity, the cardinal removed a lot of the remaining statuary, ancient artworks and marble from Villa Adriana in order to construct and decorate his new home.

The primary construction took place over 9 years, during which time a lot of the terraced gardens, grottoes and fountains you see today were created.

In the subsequent centuries further elements were added by his descendants, and older parts renovated but for long periods the villa and gardens were abandoned.

After World War I the Italian state took control of the site and initiated a program of restoration, meaning this incredible place can be enjoyed today.

Villa d'Este features a vast open-air garden constructed on the side of a large hill.

Navigating the gardens is done via ramps and slopes, or stone staircases, which means they are not suitable for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility.

There is a golf cart route which allows people who would otherwise not be able to visit the gardens see some of the main features.

Take a look at the official site here for more details.

Visitors should allow at a minimum two to three hours to fully explore the gardens and fountains.

The best time of day to visit Villa d'Este is in the afternoon.

This is especially good in the summer as the shade from the gardens and moisture from the fountains ensures the paths are lovely and cool.

Bring water and snacks as there are very limited food options on site.

The gardens are very central however so there are plenty of places nearby to have a coffee, gelato or lunch before or after your visit.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the entrance along with audio guides.

What to see in the villa

Villa d'Este is an enclosed site, meaning it's easy to navigate and see everything here if you follow the signs and recommended itinerary. My personal highlights of any visit include:

You'll enter the contrary to how Cardinal d'Este designed.

Originally visitors would come to the base of the gardens and slowly make their way up the hill to his home, demonstrating to them his power and wealth.

When you enter now you have the opportunity to explore the Cardinal's private residence where you'll find ornately decorated rooms.

The Fountain of the Organ

This fountain is probably the most famous in the garden, as it is the oldest example of a hydraulic organ.

Via a complex and delicate system, water and air is piped through a hidden network and used to create musical notes and sounds.

Over the course of its life it has been repaired and upgraded several times, with the most recent renovation being in 2003, meaning its magical sounds could be heard once again after a long period of silence.

The Fountain of Neptune and Fish Ponds

This fountain is one of the more modern features of the garden, created in the 20th century to replace elements that had fallen into disrepair.

The fish ponds you can see here once served a practical purpose, providing the villas residents and staff with fish and other animals for food.

What else to see in Tivoli

If you find yourself with free time when in Tivoli, or are looking to explore further, considering visiting these sites and monuments.

These are just a selection of my favorites, as there is much more to be found:

• Villa Gregoriana , a large park where you can get close to Tivoli's famous waterfalls and explore ancient grottoes. It was commissioned by pope Gregory XVI in and today the Villa Gregoriana is looked after by the Fondo Ambiente Italiano, the National Trust of Italy.
• Sanctuary of Hercules Victor , a vast ancient Roman temple complex dedicated to Hercules with a theatre built in to the slope of the hills.
• Temple of Vesta and Temple of the Sybil (find out how to see these for free - continue reading!) on Tivoli's ancient acropolis - you can get a great view of these from Villa Gregoriana.
• Rocca Pia - this imposing castle in the centre of Tivoli was built by pope Pius II in 1461 to control the local area.

If you are visiting with a tour guide or private guide that provides transport from Rome, be sure to ask them to ask them to take you past the ruined ancient aqueducts on the outskirts of Tivoli.

For me, there is one place which is a must-visit for food and drinks in Tivoli; Ristorante Sibilla .

Perfect for a traditional Italian lunch and/or dinner and located only 10 minutes walk from Tivoli's main square (Piazza Garibaldi), this restaurant is renowned for its high quality, seasonal menu.

It has been the choice dining location for many of history's most famous figures, including Neil Armstrong, Yoko Ono and Princess Margaret of Great Britain.

When you arrive you'll see what else also makes this restaurant special; from its outdoor terrace you can marvel up-close at the ancient ruins of the Temple of Vesta and Temple of the Sybil.

If that wasn't enough, looking the other way you'll be treated to incredible views of Tivoli's famous waterfalls and a special view of this beautiful town.

If you are on a guided tour of Tivoli and don't have time to visit Ristorante Sibilla, I'd recommend making a separate day trip from Rome to Tivoli just to eat here and take in the views!

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• Travel Guides
• May 13, 2024
• City in a Day

One day trip to Tivoli from Rome. How to get there and what to see.

• What to see in Tivoli
• How to get from Rome to Tivoli on your own

Surprisingly, even though Tivoli is at the top of the «where to go from Rome for a day» lists in almost all guidebooks, there is very little information about the city itself. The scant information is limited to the fact that:

• Tivoli used to be called Tibur and is older than Rome — it was founded in the 13th century BC.
• In Latin times, Tibur competed with Rome for influence in the region, but was nevertheless conquered by the Romans in the 1st century BC, and subsequently came under Papal rule.
• The breathtaking scenery and mild climate have always attracted the nobility and bohemians: Horace, Maecenas, Catullus lived here, the Roman Emperor Augustus turned the town into a fashionable vacation spot for the Roman aristocracy, and the Emperor Hadrian built a huge villa, the largest of the surviving ones, which Unesco calls the best example of an imperial country villa of the Roman era.
• Over time, the name Tibur was transformed into Tibori, Tiboli and finally Tivoli, but the inhabitants of the town are more often referred to today as Tiburtians.

The list of attractions in Tivoli also goes from one guidebook to another: Hadrian’s Villa, the castle of Pope Pius II (1458—1461), Villa d’Este (XVI century) and Gregorian Villa (XIX century). To see the 3 villas and the historical center of Tivoli, it is recommended to book 2 full days or a  comprehensive tour : all villas are quite large, and they are scattered far from each other. We didn’t have so much time, and we came to Tivoli only for the sake of Villa d’Este, as the most spectacular urban object, a masterpiece of Renaissance garden architecture, a forerunner and prototype of Versailles, Peterhof and many other European gardens.

Tivoli stands on the river Aniene (Aniene or Anio, in Italian Aniene). This mountainous river with its verdant banks forms waterfalls that can be seen 5 minutes from the train station. And there are many waterfalls here. Today, the river is curbed, its course has been changed, the river is quite calm within the city limits, and the waterfalls, which once destroyed the banks and grottoes, are now taken outside the city. But back in the XIX century, the temper of the turbulent mountain river killed many Tiburtians in a devastating flood.

What has made Tivoli so attractive to prominent people throughout the ages is clear as soon as you approach the town: such picturesque scenery, clean air and so close to the center of Italian political life of all times, there is probably no other place like it. This magnificent scenery opens up almost everywhere from the city. Probably the best view of the campagna di Roma is from the terrace at piazza Garibaldi.

What to see in Tivoli

September Tivoli greeted us with a heavy, cloudy sky. However, already on the approaches to the town, when the train took us past a waterfall that was completely unexpected and perhaps that is why it was so amazing for us, it became clear that it is not only Villa d’Este that is worthy of attention here. This waterfall it is at the Villa Grigoriana, which we had not planned to visit.

Judging from the map, to pass close to the Villa Gregoriana and the Temple of Vesta, we had to turn right from the railroad station and walk to a bridge with inspiring views of the waterfall, but we didn’t get to town until around 3pm and didn’t have time to experiment.

When we arrived at the train station, we turned left and went straight into the city. The historical center of the town is typical Italian: old houses, flowers at the doors and on the walls, cobbled narrow streets. Even the unkept walls do not spoil the impression of the «playfulness» of the town. Incredibly cozy, quiet, peaceful. Even if you have only a half-hour walk at your disposal.

Tivoli was heavily damaged during World War II, and now the town bears the marks of many different times. There are antique columns built into the houses of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, with 18th- and 19th-century superstructures rising above them; there’s a perfectly preserved Gothic house, a dozen Catholic churches from different periods, and a cute, playful historic center.

All of this is mixed with modern art. Right opposite the exit from the Villa d’Este there is an ugly bust in a puddle, which was supposed to be a fountain, and on Piazza Garibaldi in 2007 they erected the Arco dei Padri Costituenti (Arch of the Founding Fathers). Its author is the famous Italian sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro, the author of the balloon in the Vatican Gardens. Behind the arch the massive towers of the castle of Pope Pius II, more often called Rocca Pia, are visible. You can walk there too, if time permits.

Villa d’Este

The villa was built by Cardinal Ippolito II d’Este, son of Lucrezia Borgia and grandson of Pope Alexander VI. The wealthy cardinal patronized artists and collected antiquities, and he retired to Tivoli after his defeat at the papal conclave, when the papal tiara went to his rival.

The entrance to the villa is from the side of the church of Santa Maria Maggiore. During the Cardinal’s time, this entrance was the emergency entrance, and guests entered the park at the bottom and climbed up, looking at the villa from below.

The villa is a former monastery building, which the Cardinal enlarged with loggias and decorated with frescoes. The villa is now almost empty, but the original frescoes have been preserved in good condition.

The most interesting, the main treasure of the villa is its park. As art historians say, the peculiarity of this park for that time is the involvement and participation of the viewer: all the beauty and harmony of 51 fountains with hundreds of cascades and pools could not be covered in one glance, the garden opened to the visitor gradually, from the lower terraces to the upper ones, where they crowned the villa itself. The villa and its park were built on the model of the Villa Hadrian’s Villa, which had been discovered shortly before — the excavations were carried out by the same architect Pirro Ligorio, who built the Villa d’Este, and he also transferred from the imperial villa statues and decorations to the Cardinal’s Villa. The scale and plan of the complex can be seen in an engraving from the late 16th century.

Everything in the gardens obeys the idea of metamorphosis: plants are stones and stones are plants, and at the center of everything is water transformed into sound. A musical fountain that works without pumps, solely by gravity, is a masterpiece of hydraulic engineering. Such constructions are rare even now, and in Renaissance times no one had ever seen such a thing.

How to get from Rome to Tivoli on your own

Tivoli is a small town 24 km northeast of Rome, with a population of about 60,000. The road connecting it to Rome is still called Via Tiburtina. It is also the name of the second most important train station in Rome: it is from Roma Tiburtina that most trains to Tivoli depart.

From Rome to Tivoli by train

The electric train, or treno regionale, is the most comfortable way to get to and from Tivoli. It runs about once an hour, most departing from Roma Tiburtina, but the cars are comfortable, spacious and there is no risk of traffic jams. There are a few flights a day from Roma Termini station as well, but the number is constantly changing, and on the day of our trip the morning train left too early for us.

Be careful: the trains to Tivoli leave from the outermost platforms Est 1 — Est 3, the signs to them are not clear enough.

You can buy tickets for the train at the Trenitalia ticket machines at the station. Pay attention to the train number on the timetable: Tivoli is not the final station for all trains, some trains go to Pescara and they leave from a neighboring platform.

• Schedule and ticket price of  Trenitalia regional trains
• Ticket for the train: from 2.6 €. Don’t forget to stamp your ticket at the station before boarding the train, otherwise you will be fined .
• Travel time: 36—70 minutes

The electric train comes to the station, which is on the outskirts of the city. It takes about 20 minutes to walk to the historical center. Don’t get the stations mixed up: the Bagni Di Tivoli station is a bit earlier on the way. You should go there only if your goal is Tivoli thermal springs and SPA-hotels standing on them. There are no attractions here.

From Rome to Tivoli by bus

Another option to get to Tivoli is the bus. It leaves every 20 minutes from Ponte Mammolo station, which can be reached by metro: blue line towards Rebibbia, get off at Ponte Mammolo station. Ask for bus tickets at the nearest pizzeria and at the newspaper and tobacco kiosk. The journey takes between 30 minutes and 1.5 hours depending on the day of the week and time of day. According to reviews, the bus can cause traffic jams on the busy Via Tiburtina highway, and buses are used by locals, so there is a chance of standing and elbowing.

• Check the schedule on the Cotral website
• The ticket must be validated on the bus next to the driver.

The bus will take you directly to piazza Garibaldi. This is not the final stop, but it is the closest to both Pope Pius II’s castle and Villa d’Este.

To prepare for a trip to Tivoli:

• Tivoli’s main tourist site
• The commune’s website
• Villa Gregoriana
• Villa Adriana
• Online ticket booking for Villas d’Este, Grigorian and Hadrian’s Villas
• Trenitalia regional train schedule and ticket prices
• Cotral bus timetable
• All options to get to Tivoli

One-day trip to Tivoli from Rome

Written by: Kate Zusmann

Tivoli is a town with a long history, including the famous Hadrian Villa (Villa Adriana), Villa d’Este, villa Grigoriana, remains of Roman aqueducts, a medieval castle, and several beautiful churches. It is one of the best options for a day trip from Rome that will not leave anyone indifferent.

What do You Need to Know before Traveling to Tivoli

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Both Villa d’Este and Villa Adriana are full of beautiful places. One surprises with its charming fountains, impressive arts, and views of Rome, while another is the historical gem that initially consisted of 35 marble buildings on more than 200 hectares.

Villa d’Este

The Villa d’Este in Tivoli, with its palace and garden, is one of the most remarkable and comprehensive illustrations of Renaissance culture at its most refined. Its innovative design and architectural components (fountains, ornamental basins, etc.) make this a unique example of an Italian 16th-century garden. The Villa d’Este, one of the first “Giardini delle meraviglie,” was an early model for European gardens.

Villa d’Este belonged to Cardinal Ippolito II d’Este, who was a great connoisseur of art. The project’s development to reconstruct the Villa began in 1550; however, the cardinal approved the final version only 10 years later. The author of the project was Pirro Ligorio, an architect and expert in his field who had previously been in the service of the papal court and had worked on such masterpieces as Bomarzo’s Monster Garden (Parco dei Mostri) and the papal palace in the Vatican (Casino di Pio IV in the Vatican). His greatest masterpiece, however, was the Villa d’Este.

The villa’s luxurious design emphasized its status as a cultural center. The interior decoration of the castle began in 1563, and by the time of the death of the cardinal (1572) was almost completed.

The renovation of the park began in 1605 by Ippolito’s successor, Alessandro d’Este, who hired the great architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini for this purpose. Unfortunately, in the 18th century, due to the lack of proper care, the Villa fell into a deplorable state: the water supply that fed the numerous fountains was outdated, and the statues and decorative buildings began to crumble.

The estate passed into the possession of Franz Habsburger. Later,  right before the First World War, the new owner of the Villa became Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Finally, at the end of hostilities, the state nationalized the Villa. The last restoration was carried out after the end of World War II.

How to get to villa d’Este on your own?

Entrance fees are:

• €13 for an adult €2 for a reduced ticket Children under 18 are free.

You can purchase tickets on the official website 

Opening hours

The main Villa d’Este building is open from 08:45 – 19:45 every day except Monday when it opens at 14:00. You can access Tivoli Gardens from 08:30, but the gardens close at different times during the year:

• January: 16:45 February: 17:15 March: 18:00 April: 19:15 May-August: 19:30 September: 19:00 October: 18:15 (or from 17:15 when winter-time begins) November and December: 16:45

Hadrian’s Villa

The Hadrian’s Villa (Villa Adriana) is a magnificent complex of ancient structures built in the second century AD in Tivoli by Hadrian , the Roman emperor. It unites the most acceptable characteristics of Egyptian, Greek, and classical Roman architecture.

Villa Adriana was built because Hadrian, dissatisfied with the palace on Palatine Hill , wanted a place to escape. Several successors inhabited it after his death but finally fell out of use and were left in ruins, then stolen.

A copy of a sanctuary close to Alexandria is one of the Villa’s key highlights. It is a large pool surrounded by columns and adorned with caryatid statues.

Also, a building known as the Maritime Theatre, a circular pool surrounded by columns with an island in the middle, is situated among the libraries, restrooms, guest houses, gardens, fountains, and ponds. There is a small Roman villa on the island.

How to get to Hadrian’s Villa on your own?

• €12 for an adult €2 for a reduced ticket Citizens of Tivoli and neighboring municipalities: €6 Children under 18 are free.
• From February 28th to March 26th: From Monday to Sunday, Villa Adriana is open from 08.30 to 18.30
• Mouseia from 10.00 to 17.30
• The ticket office and the entrance close an hour and a half earlier
• From March 27th to September 18th: From Monday to Sunday, Villa Adriana is open from 08.15 to 19.30
• Mouseia from 10.00 to 18.30
• August 11th: Opening of the site with extended hours from 8:15 to 22:00 (villa exit 11:30 pm)
• CLOSING: January 1st and December 25th, except for extraordinary openings based on the MiC project

The Temple of Vesta

One of the most significant buildings in the old acropolis of Tivoli is the Temple of Vesta. It is close to the Sibyl Temple. The Ponte Gregoriano provides access to the temple through a gate (bridge). The most well-known structure in ancient Tibur dates to the first century BC.

It was likely dedicated to Tiburon, the hero who gave the city its name, or perhaps to Vesta, the goddess of the hearth whose cult was conducted by the Vestals. The temple, with its beautiful round shape, looks out over spectacular views. Italian and international artists and wealthy aristocrats who used their wealth to commission paintings have made the Temple of Vesta their most popular subject over the years.

How to get to the Temple of Vesta on your own?

Villa gregoriana.

Villa Gregoriana, a gorgeous natural park close to Rome, is a complex of wooded gardens, pathways, waterfalls, and flora that stretches to the foot of the ancient acropolis. When 19th-century artists and aristocrats visited the old city of Tibur as part of their “grand tour,” they had to see this magnificent, untouched location, which Pope Gregory XVI had commissioned sometime around 1834.

The Fondo Ambiente Italiano, often known as FAI (the Italian Environmental Fund), is in charge of protecting and managing the entire area surrounding the Villa. It is regarded as one of a kind in the world since it is a location where the remarkable beauty of the surrounding landscape coexists with the priceless marble and old villa ruins of Publius Manlius Vopisco.

Both the Grottoes of Neptune or Grottoes of the Sirens, river-eroded caves, and the Great Waterfall are world-famous highlights of Villa Gregoriana. The Gregorian Bridge, an extraordinary building, commissioned by Pope Gregory XVI and connects the park to Tivoli’s old town center, is located next to the remarkable Villa. The historic acropolis and the Aniene valley may be seen well from the bridge.

How to get to Villa Gregoriana on your own?

• €8 for an adult €3 for a reduced ticket Citizens of Tivoli and neighboring municipalities: €2.5 Children under 18 are free
• From Tuesday to Sunday (March, November, and December): 10 am to 4 pm; the last admission at 3 pm.
• From Tuesday to Sunday (April to October): 10 am to 6.30 pm; the last admission at 5.30 pm.

Our partners organize one-day group tours to Villa Adriana and Villa d’Este from Rome. The duration is about 7 hours, and you explore both villas with a professional tour guide.

Experience and review

The tour starts from the area near the Colosseum, so it is very convenient to get there from any part of the city. First, you head to Villa Adriana from Rome, where you spend about 1.5-2 hours, and then, by lunchtime, you arrive at the historical center of Tivoli.

The feature I liked is that you have free time to explore Tivoli and have lunch in one of the local restaurants without being in a hurry. After the lunch break, the group meets near the entrance to Villa d’Este to start an adventure to one of the most worldwide known villas. Do not worry; you will have enough time to take beautiful photos and buy souvenirs .

Here’s the link to the group tour I’ve visited

Private tour to Tivoli from Rome

If you want to visit the main attractions of Tivoli in the most comfortable way, then the best choice is a private tour with a professional guide . You will be picked up directly from your hotel in Rome , taken to Tivoli, and told exciting stories and interesting facts.

The tour costs 400 to 700 euros, depending on the duration and number of people. For details, please send an inquiry via this contact form .

How to get from Rome to Tivoli on your own?

There are several ways to get from Rome to Tivoli on your own. The fastest, cheapest, and easiest way to get to Tivoli is by train.

The FL2 Trenitalia regional trains to Tivoli depart approximately every hour from Roma Tiburtina and Roma Termini. You can also take any train headed to Avezzano. The average price per ticket is 2.60-3 euros one-way. This is the cheapest and most convenient way to reach Tivoli in 47-70 minutes (depending on the train).

Based on my experience, the most convenient time is 09:03 from Roma Termini; the journey time is 47 minutes.

• Read about how to buy tickets on Trenitalia trains in Italy .

At the Ponte Mammolo stop on Rome’s Metro line B, blue COTRAL buses depart for Tivoli. Depending on traffic, the trip to Tivoli takes around an hour. Monday through Saturday, departures are every 10 to 15 minutes; Sunday departures are less frequent.

By private transfer

A private transfer is the most comfortable and secure way to Tivoli. You can book a car on our website, rome4.us .

Where to eat in Tivoli?

Tivoli has 3 of my favorite restaurants where you can find both traditional Italian dishes and typical dishes from the Lazio region:

• Adress: Via della Sibilla, 42, 00019 Tivoli

Sibilla restaurant is a unique gastronomical experience along with incredible views of Tivoli. This is a perfect place for a beautiful date, wedding celebration, family lunch or dinner, or just for a meeting with friends. There are vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options on the menu. Must visit!

Osteria La Briciola

• Adress: Via Scuole Rurali, 1, 00019 Tivoli 

Osteria la Briciola is one of the top seafood restaurants in Tivoli. If you are looking for a combination of excellent service, high-quality food, and beautiful views – this place is for you. There are vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options on the menu. Also, don’t forget to try their desserts!

Ristorante Viva l’Oste

• Adress: Via Santa Sinferusa, 6, 00019 Tivoli

Viva l’Oste is a charming restaurant near the entrance to villa d’Este. It is a family-run place with “menu of the day” options, which make its dishes unique and fresh. Among dishes are local delicacies, traditional Roman dishes, homemade pasta and desserts,  and sometimes unusual receipts worth a try.

I hope my tips help you plan your trip to Tivoli from Rome. Of course, you can always ask questions in the comments or ask for an individual consultation .

Author: Kate Zusmann

I have lived in the Eternal City for the past 12 years. They say every angle of Rome has its history, and I'm here to tell you about the most intriguing historical facts and city legends. :)

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Visitor’s Guide to Villa d’Este in Tivoli, a Magical Day Trip From Rome

Here’s my complete guide to visiting the UNESCO-listed site of Villa d’Este in Tivoli Italy.

Villa d’Este is the lush and watery country estate and gardens of a Catholic cardinal. It makes the perfect day trip escape from Rome, just a half hour away.

The sumptuous late Renaissance estate is reconfigured into a mountainside. It’s a dramatic fusion of architecture and landscape. It’s a playground of whimsy, topped with a frescoed villa.

Built into a cliff, Villa d’Este’s terraced gardens are one of Europe’s most beautiful green spaces.

There are waterfall fountains, ornate staircases, spiky cypress trees. The gentle murmur of water iseverywhere. Statues of ancient deities complete the enchanting tableaux.

If you’ve had your fill of Rome’s urban intensity and adoring tourists, pretty and playful Tivoli is a delicious escape. No other garden has such spectacular waterworks and theatrics.

You can trade the cacophony of Rome for mossy grottos and water lilies. If you have a soft spot for sparkling fountains, Villa d’Este is a must visit town in Italy .

Cardinal Ippolito d’Este

Villa d’Este was the passion project of a cardinal whose papal ambitions were thwarted, Cardinal Ippolito d’Este. Ippolito was born to a wealthy family. As was the case with the Doria Pamphilj family, nepotism was an immense help on the road to success.

Ippolito’s parents were the notorious Lucrezia Borgia (the daughter of the equally notorious Pope Alexander VI) and Alfonso d’Este. He had a fast-tracked ecclesiastic career and became cardinal at age 30.

In 1550, however, the ambitious cardinal’s greatest hopes were dashed when he failed to become pope. As a consolation prize, the conclave winner, Julius III, appointed Ippolito governor of Tivoli. He gifted him a small villa that was a former convent to soothe the cardinal’s disappointment.

But the spartan governor’s palace didn’t suit a man used to luxury who lived like a secular prince.

So Ippolito decided to build a grandiose pleasure palace. He wanted a garden villa worthy of “one of the wealthiest ecclesiastics of the sixteenth century.”

History of Villa d’Este

Ippolito hired the famous architect Pirro Ligorio and a raft of craftsman and painters.

His builders expropriated and tore down part of the former Franciscan monastery to clear the site. They diverted the Aniene River to provide water for the lavish gardens and fountains.

Ippolito decorated the villa with stunning frescos, with religious, mythological, and historical themes.

He created fountains galore — tiny drinking fountains, reflecting pools, and a fountain that played organ music. The stunning result was the world’s most beautiful and most imitated Italian Renaissance garden.

Ippolito’s guests arrive in small carriages, gazing at the magnificent villa from below. They would proceed through the gardens, each terrace revealing a different jardins des merveilles , or garden of miracles. The gardens were used to stage lavish parties.

But part of Villa D’Este’s beauty came at the expense of the nearby Hadrian’s Villa , just 5 minutes away. Ligorio was conveniently excavating Hadrian’s Villa while he worked on Villa d’Este. Ippolito had his architect carry off marble, mosaics, and statuary from the abandoned 1st century villa.

Cardinal Ippolito died in 1572, after being expelled from the church by Pope Paul IV. He was convicted of simony, the white collar sin of lining one’s pockets by selling church roles and sacred relics.

Villa d’Este was bequeathed to the d’Este family. Ippolito’s successors enriched the villa with new fountains, including one by the famous Baroque sculptor, Gianlorenzo Bernini .

It eventually passed into the Hapsburgs’ greedy hands. After the peace treaty of WWI, Villa d’Este became the property of the Italian state.

With enormous upkeep expenses, the villa fell into disrepair. Eventually, it was fully restored, beginning in 1851. In the 1920s, Villa d’Este was opened to the public. In 2001, it became a designated UNESCO site.

Guide To Villa D’Este: What To See

There are so many things to see at Villa d’Este on the palace and garden grounds.

The villa itself is a bit of an empty shell, with the furnishings and decor long gone. But most of the vibrant frescos and painted ceilings remain. (Some were destroyed during WWII.)

The frescos are superb, depicting scenes from Roman history, mythology, and religion. They were painted by the best artists of the late Renaissance and Mannerist period, including Duranti Alberti, Girolamo Muziano, Flaminio Bollinger, Emilio Moretti, and Frederico Zuccari among others.

1. The Upper Palace

You enter the villa via a side entrance. A double stairway leads you to the upper floor. This floor served as the private apartments of Cardinal Ippolito.

The most interesting rooms are the Throne Room, the bedroom, the private study, and the chapel. Another five rooms off to the right complete the upper palace.

2. The Lower Level | Noble Apartment

The lower level served as the guest quarters. The highly decorated rooms are connected by a corridor called the Manica Lunga.

It’s topped with a barrel vault covered with beautiful 16th century 3D mosaics, making it feel like you’re in a rose garden. The rooms on this level are each decorated with a specific theme, connected to nature, mythology, and water.

You enter directly into the most distinguished room, the Central Room, also known as the Hall of the Fountain. The entire vault is decorated with frescos and boasts a beautiful mosaic fountain.

The mosaic fountain is encrusted with pieces of glass, seashells and precious stones, and crowned by the omnipresent white eagle of the d’Este family.

The central painting is based on a Raphael fresco from the Villa Farnesina in Rome’s Trastevere neighborhood. This was the room where Cardinal Ippolito entertained guests or held concerts.

The First Hall is dedicated to the founding of Tivoli, depicting the legendary origins of the town. The Hall of Hercules depicts the labors of Hercules, who was considered the founder of the d’Este family.

The Hall of Moses features a fresco depicting Moses striking a rock to create water for the people of Israel. This was an allusion to the cardinal, who had brought water to the Villa gardens by making channels through the rock.

There are many other rooms. It would take forever to describe them. And the most fabulous part of the tour awaits outside.

3. The Garden and Fountains

Off the Central Room a small loggia offer the first dramatic views of the main event — one of the world’s most beautiful landscaped gardens. They were designed and built by Pirro Ligorio over 17 years.

A double stairway leads you down to this bucolic retreat. Set over 35,000 square meters, it will blow you away.

Try to allot sufficient time so that your visit isn’t rushed. Ideally, you’ll have a leisurely revel amidst the thundering fountains, placid pools, grottos, waterfalls, and natural beauty.

The 50 large fountains and 250 water jets are all gravity powered, a miracle of Renaissance plumbing.

The garden is a combination of terraces and slopes. There’s one central longitudinal axis and five transverse axes.

Paths link the fountains together. The total effect is reminiscent of the beautiful gardens of the Royal Alcazar in Seville .

The central axis leads down to the Bicchierone Fountain. Bicchierone means large drinking glass.

Built in 1661, the monumental stone fountain was designed by legendary Baroque sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini . The fine lines of the fountain dramatically represent a chalice held up by a giant seashell.

From the Bicchierone Fountain, turn left and you’ll see the Rometta Fountain. This fountain is a fantastical miniature recreation of important Roman buildings and symbols.

It was designed by architect Ligorio, possibly with assistance from Ippolito. It’s reached by a small bridge spanning a curving canal.

There’s a small scale model of Tiber Island in Rome in the shape of a boat in the basin. At the center of the island is a statue of Victorious Rome , sculpted by Pietro Lamotte, and the Roman She Wolf nursing the twins Romulus and Remus. (The original She Wolf sculpture is in Rome’s Capitoline Museums .)

Some original parts of the Rometta ensemble — including the Colosseum, Pantheon, and Arch of Titus — were demolished by the passage of time.

At the center of the Villa d’Este gardens lies the beautiful Fountain of the Dragons. It’s a true gem incorporating the best of art, architecture, and sculpture.

This fountain was also designed by Ligorio, who created two harmonious staircases to embrace the vivacious fountain. Four moss covered dragons, meant to be frightening, spout rockets of water though open mouths.

The fountain is also known as the Fountain of the Girandola, which means rotating waterworks. Recently restored, the fountain spouts mighty jets of water skyward in a complicated pattern.

Then, stroll along the enchanting Avenue of the Hundred Fountains, which leads from the Rometta Fountain to the Fountain of Ovato. Allegorically, the avenue represents the Aniene River, which runs from Tivoli to Rome.

The path is lined with sculptures gushing and gurgling water. Above them, you’ll see other sculptures of lilies, obelisks, boats, and eagles.

As mentioned above, the eagles belong to the coat of arms of the d’Este family. The marble wall, now corroded by time, was originally carved with episodes from Ovid’s Metamorphoses .

The Fountain of Ovato, or Oval Fountain, is also known as the Fountain of Tivoli. It’s perhaps the loveliest and most elegant fountain at the villa.

This magnificent Baroque fountain takes its name from its oval shape. At the back, a semi circle of pilasters hold bases from which water flows. The statue of Pegasus appears about to soar. You’ll also see the Sibyl of Tibur holding the hand of her son.

The fountain is bordered by a grotto like half moon terrace with a marble balustrade. The water basin below is lined with a semi circulate nymphaeum.

In the niches are statues of nymphs holding vases with flowing water. The bottom of the basin is covered in colorful ceramic lilies and the d’Este coat of arms.

At the end of the lane bordering the fish pond is the Fountain of Neptune, right under the Fountain of the Organ. In terms of impressive water displays, this fountain is likely the grandest in the villa.

And it’s the newest. It was built in the 1920s by Attillio Rossi, then curator of the Villa d’Este.

Twelve strong jets hurl water skyward at different heights, some reaching 45 feet. The lower basin calms the frothy waters to suit the adjacent fish ponds.

In the middle, there’s a bust of Neptune. But it’s hard to actually see the bust with the veils of water and mist.

Then, walk up the stairs to inspect the amazing Fountain of the Organ, a stunning engineering achievement created by Frenchmen Claude Venard. The fountain has a hydraulic system consisting of 144 pipes controlled by a water powered pin roller.

This water driven mechanism recreated the sounds of an organ. Legend holds that, when Pope Gregory XII visited the villa, he couldn’t believe his ears. He insisted on a tour of the fountain interior to ensure there weren’t musicians inside.

As befitting its Baroque era creation, the facade is extravagantly decorated. You’ll see seashells, coats of arms, stucco panels depicting mythological themes, winged victories, etc. A d’Este eagle with outstretched wings is perched at the top of the tympanum.

In 2003, the fountain was repaired and its ability to play “music” restored. Now, it plays for four minutes every two hours.

As you stroll through the rest of bucolic gardens, you’ll come on other interesting fountains, gargoyles, and grottos. There are plenty of nooks and crannies to explore.

I was quite taken with the Fountain of Diana of Ephesus. Diana is the goddess of wood and wildlife and protector of women. The many breasts are a symbol of fertility and childbirth.

The Grotto of Diana is also quite lovely. Four statues once adorned the cave — 2 amazons, Minerva, and Diana. They were subsequently acquired by Pope Gregory XIII, who then donated them to the Capitoline Museums in Rome.

The Mete fountains are also in the lower garden, in the middle of two flower beds. They are large circular boulders one atop another covered with moss. They are a symbol of the sweating cone fountain in Rome, which sweated rather than jetted water.

Practical Guide & Tips for Visiting Villa d’Este

Address : Piazza Trento 5, Tivoli, Italy

How to get to Villa d’Este:

It’s an easy 30 minute drive by car. By train, catch a direct train on the Roma-Pescara Line from Rome’s Tiburtina station to Tivoli. It takes about a half hour.

Then, you take a shuttle bus to the town center. Signs point you to the entrance on Piazza Trento. There’s a local bus that shuttles between Villa d’Este and Hadian’s Villa. If you don’t want to arrange your own transport, the easiest thing to do is book a guided day tour .

Hours : Open Tues through Sun 9:00 am to 1 hour before sunset. Since hours vary by season, be sure to check the website when planning your day trip.

Enty fee : 13 euros. Click here to book a skip the line ticket.

When Is the Best Time To Go : Spring is the prettiest time to visit Villa d’Este. You’ll be wowed by the wisteria and jacaranda blooming. But fall is pretty too, with showy yellow and red colors.

Pro tip : Be forewarned, there’s a lot of steep stairs to climb up and down. Plan on spending half a day here, taking in all the delights without rushing.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to Villa d’Este. If you’re planning a trip top Rome, you may enjoy these other Rome travel guides:

• 8 ways to spend 1 day in Rome
• 3 day itinerary for Rome
• 5 day itinerary for Rome
• Hidden gems in Rome
• Best museums in Rome
• Archaeological sites in Rome
• Guide to the Borghese Gallery
• Guide to Palatine Hill
• Guide to the Roman Forum
• Guide to the Colosseum
• Walking tour of central Rome

If you’d like to visit Villa d’Este in Tivoli, pin it for later.

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Last Updated on January 25, 2023 by Leslie Livingston

• 🇮🇹 Explore Italy on Foot

Day Trip from Rome to Tivoli

Are you planning a trip to Rome?

Just add another couple of days to your itinerary and enjoy a visit to the picturesque area surrounding the Italian capital! You’ll find plenty of beautiful historic places just a few kilometres away from Rome. Among the not-to-be-missed destinations, there’s one place that really stands out: the town of Tivoli with its amazing Villas!

How to get to Tivoli from Rome?

By car If you have already planned to rent a car to drive around the entire Lazio Region, that’s the perfect way to reach Tivoli quickly and easily. You’ll get there in about 40 minutes from Rome’s city centre. Just take the motorway A24 or choose Tiburtina or Prenestina road.  Pay attention to rush hours, especially during weekdays: you might find yourself in a big traffic jam! In Tivoli, you can leave your car in a free parking in Lunganiene Giuseppe Impastato or in Viale Cassiano.

By bus Cotral Company has a direct line connecting Rome to Tivoli. Buses leave from the metro station Ponte Mammolo (blue line B). There are frequent rides and the journey takes about 50 minutes. Tickets are really cheap too (about 2 euro). This option has the same disadvantage of the previous solution: a lot of traffic during rush hours.

By train To avoid traffic jams you can choose to travel by train. The journey takes 1 hour and the ticket costs about 3 euro. Trains to Tivoli leave from Roma Tiburtina station, but there are frequent delays on this line.

What to see in Tivoli?

Tivoli is a nice town located on the Tiburtini mountains, just 30 Km away from Rome. Its foundation dates back to 1215 B.C. and its fame is due to local sulphurous waters and to its amazing Villas, which are part of the UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Tivoli has always been an international tourist destination: it was even part of the so-called Grand Tour. It was a trip to Europe lasting several months that young noblemen used to take during the XVIIth and the XVIIIth centuries. Its aim was letting young men see the most important historic monuments and the most beautiful places around Europe. Several stops of the Grand Tour included Italian destinations, as evidence of the great importance and prestige of Italian art and culture throughout the centuries.

Villa D’Este

A place full of history and a garden with a magical and timeless atmosphere

If you love architecture and you’re especially into Renaissance art, this is the right place for you. Together with Villa Adriana, this palace is part of UNESCO’s World Heritage List. This magnificent building, which looks more like a royal palace than like a proper villa, was conceived by Cardinal Ippolito II d’Este around the half of the XVI century.

The huge Italian-style garden is an integral part of the complex and it is a real masterpiece, which inspired several European architects in subsequent years. Its beauty is largely due both to its great variety of plants and its many fountains, terraces, artificial caves and statues scattered everywhere. This garden offers many panoramic views and it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Central Italy. One of the most popular spots of the garden is the avenue with the so-called “One-Hundred Fountains”: several marble masks and statues pouring water along a 100m long tree-lined path. If you like fountains, search for the Ovato Fountain, the Organ Fountain and the Neptune Fountain too.

Unfortunately, Cardinal Ippolito didn’t enjoy his mansion for a long time, since he died a few months after the end of the construction works.

Address P.za Trento, 5, 00019 Tivoli RM, Italy

Opening hours Tuesday-Sunday from 8.45 a.m. to 7.45 p.m. and Monday from 2 p.m. to 6.45 p.m. Please note that opening times may vary depending on the season ( more info here )

Website h ttps://villae.cultura.gov.it/en/opening-time-and-tickets/

Cost 13 euro – free for kids under 18 y.o. Online Tickets

Villa Adriana

Majestic ruins reminding of the splendor of the Imperial period

Villa Adriana is another symbol of Tivoli and it is much older than Villa D’Este. It was built by the Emperor Adriano between 118 and 138 A.C. It has an area of 1 square kilometre and it could fit in well in the Fori Imperiali area in the centre of Rome.

Adriano chose this place because of its closeness to the natural spring of sulphurous water called Acque Albule. The entire complex is an evidence of the wealth and prestige of the Emperor and the outdoor parts are the most impressive ones. Don’t miss the garden with a central pool, the Canopo (that is a water basin adorned with statues and the reconstruction of the Serapide temple of the Egyptian city of Canopo) and the private thermal baths of the royal family and its guests.

During your visit, you’ll probably bump into the so-called Maritime Theatre: it was Adriano’s favourite place to meditate or simply relax surrounded by peace and silence. It is a nice building located in the middle of a canal that could only be reached by a hand-actioned drawbridge.

Address Largo Marguerite Yourcenar, 1, 00010 Tivoli RM, Italy

Opening hours Every day: 8.15am – 7.30pm Please note that opening times may vary depending on the season ( more info here )

Cost 12 euro – free for kids under 18 y.o. Online Tickets

🚩 If you are planning to stay overnight, don’t miss the chance to visit these two Villas late in the evening: special openings are scheduled during the summer months (until 11.30 p.m.) and several cultural events and shows are hosted inside the parks. .wp-block-gutenbee-testimonial.block-3b5423-c85f-43 .gutenbee-testimonial-avatar img { width: 150px; } .wp-block-gutenbee-testimonial.block-3b5423-c85f-43 .wp-block-testimonial-content-wrapper { font-size: 17px; } .wp-block-gutenbee-testimonial.block-3b5423-c85f-43 .gutenbee-block-testimonial__citation { font-size: 17px; } .wp-block-gutenbee-testimonial.block-3b5423-c85f-43 .gutenbee-block-testimonial__info { font-size: 15px; }

If you still have some time for your visit to Tivoli, you can also visit these historic sites:

Villa gregoriana park.

Immerse yourself in a relaxing natural environment

If you feel like spending some time surrounded by a beautiful natural landscape, come here and enjoy a sunny day strolling in the park and taking pictures. You’ll find waterfalls, caves and nice shady paths.

Address Largo Sant’Angelo, 1, 00019 Tivoli RM, Italy

Opening hours Every day: 10.00am – 5.30pm Please note that opening times may vary depending on the season ( more info here )

Website https://fondoambiente.it/parco-villa-gregoriana-eng/

Cost 10 euro – free for kids under 18 y.o. Online Tickets

A real castle in the heart of the town

Just a few steps from the modern part of Tivoli, you’ll find a Renaissance castle with its 4 majestic towers. Take a guided tour to discover its history and hidden secrets.

Address Vicolo Barchetto, 00019 Tivoli RM, Italy

Opening hours Only on Saturday and Sunday (just for guided tours)

Website https://www.visittivoli.eu/edifici-storici/rocca-pia

Acropolis of Tivoli

A legendary archaeological site

Here you’ll have the chance to visit the ruins of Vesta Temple and Sybille Temple. This spot is also perfect to admire Villa Gregoriana Park from above.

Address Via della Sibilla

Your itinerary for the perfect one-day trip to Tivoli

• Departure from Rome by bus towards 9 a.m. Buses are the best option in terms of price and duration of the journey. For more information about timetables and stops read here https://servizi.cotralspa.it/Orari
• Arrival in Tivoli towards 10 a.m. Get off at Villa Adriana stop (just 300 m from the main entrance).
• Spend a couple of hours visiting Villa Adriana.
• Lunch nearby (ex: Pizzeria La Pergola in via Rosolina 2 or Bonadea restaurant in via Rosolina 100).
• To reach Villa D’Este, you can catch Cotral bus again in the opposite direction and get off at Piazza Garibaldi stop (about 200 m from the main entrance).
• Spend a couple of hours visiting Villa D’Este.
• Before heading back to Rome, you can also make a short stop at Villa Gregoriana Park and rest surrounded by nature. To reach the park you just need to take a 10minutes’ walk from Villa D’Este.

Best period for your trip to Tivoli?

May and June to enjoy warm and sunny weather and avoid summer’s hot days and crowds of tourists. Late Spring is also the ideal period to enjoy the gardens at their best.

Recommended daytrip from Rome: How to get to Tivoli

• May 23, 2018
• Landmarks , Rome 101

Rome is the perfect starting point for a number of daytrips that will allow you to discover some of Italy’s most important attractions as well as some of the country’s hidden gems.

The sheer number of high speed trains leaving from Rome is a guarantee that you can reach a number of destinations and make it back by end of day, but the very extensive regional train network is worth mentioning too , as it allows you to get to many more notable must-sees.

How to reach Tivoli

The FL2 regional train stopping in Tivoli, for instance, will get you in no time from Rome to some of the most astounding UNESCO heritage sites not actually in the Eternal City: Villa d’Este and Hadrian’s Villa .

Trains depart approximately every hour (make sure you also look for trains headed to Avezzano: they’ll stop at Tivoli, too!) from the train hub at Roma Tiburtina, one short subway ride away from Roma Termini. Roma Termini itself offers a service to Tivoli, however this is limited to the early mornings, to accommodate a large number of commuters. Therefore, it is not recommended!

Once in Tivoli, you can walk some 10 minutes to Villa D’Este, right in the middle of Tivoli itself, or you will complete your journey to Hadrian’s Villa by boarding a local bus.

One more site worth mentioning is Villa Gregoriana , whose entrance is a mere five minutes walk from the Tivoli train station: if you’ve got time we recommend not skipping this beautiful garden.

For those only wanting to visit Hadrian’s Villa, a convenient bus service operated by the COTRAL company will depart from the parking at the Ponte Mammolo subway stop in Rome and leave you a short distance from the archaelogical site.

Need a driver to get you to Tivoli? We’ve got you!

Whatever your choice, your ride will take about one hour. We recommend buying a one-day pass (the BIRG ticket or “biglietto regionale giornaliero due zone”) to make the most out of your day and have the convenience of boarding either bus or train (do remember to stamp your ticket when beginning your trip!).

And for those of you overwhelmed by the mass transit system, at From Home to Rome we can recommend an alternative solution in the form of a private van taking you to the sites. Our trusted partners at Gianni Conti Car Service can offer you a tried and true option with extremely competitive prices: make sure you book your driver today by calling our office or by asking us directly when you check in!

And what about a guide?

If you’re planning to get to Tivoli and wish someone could show you around, check the availability of our trusted partner Chiara Mataloni at Born and Bred in Rome : a certified guide, an expert in archaeology and history,  she will offer a 15% discount on the price of the tour if you’re one of our clients.

Looking for more options? Make sure you check this guided tour offered by Viator, which includes traveling to Tivoli by coach!

• FL2 regional train
• Villa Adriana
• Villa D'Este
• Villa Gregoriana

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Rome to Tivoli Day Trip: Your Ultimate Guide

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, but all content is based off our own opinions and experiences. We may receive a commission from purchases made through the links enclosed at no additional cost to you!

If you are looking for a quick escape from the city to experience a small, historic town, look no further than Tivoli. This town is a hidden gem and the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of Rome. With options for nature, gardens, architecture, and history, it’s not one to miss. Here is everything you need to know to plan the ultimate Rome to Tivoli day trip!

Table of Contents

History of Tivoli

Like Rome, the city of Tivoli has a rich history. Settlement in the Tivoli area dates back to 13th century BC when the city went by its previous name, Tibur.

In the Roman age, Tibur allied with the Gauls, a group of Celtic people, but the Romans defeated and absorbed Tibur. In 90 BC, the city acquired Roman citizenship. It became embellished with Roman Villas belonging to emperors, poets, and other notable figures. In that same era, the city also acquired its modern name, Tivoli, and got destroyed as a result of the Gothic War.

In the Middle Ages, Tivoli rivaled Rome for control over central Lazio but fell under papal control. The Renaissance era brought popes and cardinals to the city to erect buildings and further construction of villas. Tivoli acted as a summer retreat for the wealthy and was positioned on a major trading route making it an important settlement throughout history

How to get from Rome to Tivoli

Tivoli is located only 30 kilometers (19 miles) from Rome, making it the perfect day trip. Unless you have your own vehicle, the best way to get from Rome to Tivoli is either by train or bus. A train departs from Rome’s Tiburtina rail station almost hourly for about an hour-long journey.

You can expect a similar journey length when taking the Blue COTRAL bus. The bus departs from Rome’s Ponte Mammolo stop on Metro line B. You can get tickets for less than €5 with either of these options. My preference is the train for the beautiful scenery, and I find it more comfortable!

What to do in Tivoli

Upon arriving in Tivoli, you have several options of activities to choose from, but I would select a couple if you are only there for a day. I visited Tivoli on two separate occasions and discovered these three attractions as the best options and well-worth the visit:

Villa Gregoriana

If you are looking for nature, check out Villa Gregoriana. Villa Gregoriana is a hidden gem of nature with lush landscapes and waterfalls. Get your walking shoes ready for this unpaved trail that makes your forget you are right outside a huge metropolitan city.

History: Pope Gregory XVI commissioned Villa Gregoriana around 1834. How to get there from the bus/train station: 5 minute walk Hours: From Tuesday to Sunday; (March, November and December: 10 am to 4 pm); (April to October: 10 am to 6.30 pm) Ticket prices: Adults €8.00 Children €3.00 Website: https://www.fondoambiente.it/luoghi/parco-villa-gregoriana

Villa D’Este

If you are looking for beautiful gardens, visit Villa D’Este. This landmark is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site list and for good reason! This villa is richly decorated with fresco paintings but is known for the extravagant gardens and ancient fountains.

History: Cardinal Ippolito II D’Este, a former governor of Tivoli, commissioned Villa D’Este. The work started in 1550 but lasted for about 20 years. How to get there from the bus/train station: 13 minute walk towards the center of the city Hours: Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM – 7:45 PM; closing time of the gardens varies depending on the month (ranges from 4:45 PM – 7:30 PM) Ticket prices: standard ticket €12.00 Website: https://www.levillae.com/en/the-locations/villa-deste/

Villa Adriana

If you are looking for historic ruins, visit Villa Adriana (or Hadrian’s Villa). This landmark is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the best kept, most visited archaeological sites in Italy.

History: Roman Emperor Hadrian built Villa Adriana at the foot of the Tiburtine Hills between 118 and 138 AD. How to get there from the bus/train station: From the Tivoli station take the CAT bus n.4 for 11 stops, getting off at the Villa Adriana stop. The bus stop is 300 meters from the villa entrance. Hours: Monday to Sunday: opening time 8:30 AM; closing time is dependent on the month (ranges from 5:00pm – 7:30pm) Ticket prices: standard ticket €10.00 Website: https://www.levillae.com/en/the-locations/villa-adriana/

Where to eat in Tivoli

Take a break between any of these activities to grab a bite! For a great atmosphere and delicious food, my recommendation is the popular Ristorante Sibilla . It is the oldest restaurant in Tivoli. Located next to Villa Gregoriana, it’s ideal to grab lunch after visiting the villa or dinner right before catching the bus/train back to Rome.

Other dining options include Restaurant and Pizzeria Il Ciocco, Ristorante “La Quercia”, Taverna Quintilia, Parco dei Laghi Reali, Ristorante Il Borghetto, or Ristorante 5 Statue.

Where to stay in Tivoli

While this is an easy day trip from Rome, there are some accommodations available if you want to experience Tivoli for multiple days. There aren’t many hotels in the center of the city, but B&Bs provide a great alternative!

Tivoli acts as the perfect escape from the city. I was stunned at the beauty of it and the fact that I never heard about it before doing in-depth research. If you have the time, don’t miss this destination!

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This Mountain Town in Italy Has Beautiful Views, Charming Piazzas, and Tasty Food — and It's Just Outside Rome

Tivoli makes for a perfect day trip from Rome.

Just about 20 miles from the center of Rome, the small mountaintop town of Tivoli overlooks the whole of the Roman basin. From the promenade at Giardini Garibaldi, near the entrance to the center of town, you can take in a view of Rome in its entirety, with the famous St. Peter's Basilica poking out of the horizon like a small cake topper, the Tyrrhenian beach town of Ostia, and the small port city of Civitavecchia deeper in the distance.

Barely 40 minutes by train from Rome's Termini station and just a few minutes longer by bus, Tivoli — home to 55,000 year-round residents — has long attracted day trippers who come to see its manicured gardens at Villa d'Este , the rough-hewn remnants of Villa Gregoriana , the stoic castle of Rocca Pia , and the ancient Hadrian's Villa.

The mini metropolis is something of a hot spot for these villas as, for centuries, Tivoli offered a respite from Rome's stultifying summertime heat. It was here, up in the mountains that surround the Eternal City, that the Roman elite sought cooler climates.

Of course, Tivoli can still get brutally hot on a midsummer's day, which is when the streets empty, the shops mostly shutter, and the town enjoys a slumber for a few hours. Some shops and cafes remain open to cater to the tourists up from Rome, and thanks to them, you can enjoy an afternoon Aperol spritz . One-part Aperol, one-part prosecco, with a dash of club soda and a slice of orange, this refreshing cocktail is a staple of an Italian summer.

Beyond its few well-known attractions, Tivoli is a homey, working-class city full of friendly locals (who are known as Tiburtini, due to Via Tiburtina, the arterial road that has connected Tivoli to Rome for centuries), delicious restaurants, and, of course, more than its fair share of gelaterias.

Whether it's at the daily farmers market at Piazza Plebiscito, where area farmers serve up their hauls of the freshest produce, or the local playground at Giardini Garibaldi, Tivoli offers travelers a chance to experience life in Italy at a more relaxed pace, far from the hustle and bustle of downtown Rome's touristy destinations .

But like many Italian towns and cities, Tivoli bursts to life once the sun goes down. It's after dark that the town's ancient, labyrinth streets come alive, with its myriad restaurants, cafes, and coffee shops packed with locals, and its piazzas buzzing with an evening energy that the daytime doesn't capture. It's a vibe that's amplified in the summer, long after the blazing Roman sun has sunk below the horizon and the heat has dissipated for the evening.

It's impossible to find a meal that's less than breathtaking, but the seafood risotto at La Fornarina is especially spectacular. Be sure to wait for an outdoor table, which is tucked into one of Tivoli's seemingly endless piazzas. With walls rising high on all sides of the square, an alfresco evening meal at La Fornarina feels like a secret hidden from the rest of the world, a million miles away from Rome, which is really just down the mountainside, eternally waiting for your return.

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How To Spend A Perfect Day In Tivoli

• March 4, 2021

Tivoli is one of the most popular day trips from Rome thanks to its proximity to the capital and its two UNESCO World Heritage sites: Villa d’Este and Villa Adriana. Nestled in the Sabine Hills and famed for its healing springs, the town became a popular residential and resort area when wealthy ancient Romans like Hadrian, Maecenas, and Augustus began building villas in the countryside. Popes and cardinals followed suit during the Renaissance and Tivoli became an essential stop for intellectuals traveling throughout Italy on the Grand Tour in the 18th century.

Today, Tivoli is recognized for its rich cultural heritage, numerous garden villas, and beautiful scenery. Here’s what to see, do and eat in a day.

The Villas of Tivoli

Villa adriana.

Villa Adriana was built during the 2nd century AD by the Roman emperor Hadrian. Designed as an “ideal city,” the villa incorporates elements from across the Mediterranean region. This includes a mix of ancient Greek, Roman, and Egyptian architecture. The archeological park is a large palatial complex with reflective pools, ancient theaters, and residential buildings. The impressive vaulted bath structures are interspersed by gardens, lawns, and luscious fountains.

Together with Villa d’Este, Villa Adriana is considered to be a remarkable feat of engineering. This is due to its abundant use of water and its integration of manmade elements. Villa Adriana is an evocative setting that influenced many artists of the 19th and 20th centuries. It is definitely worth visiting with a guide to fully appreciate the significance of this important site.

Villa d’Este

Villa d’Este was considered remarkably innovative during the 16th century due to its network of fountains, pools, and basins. It still astounds visitors to this day, as it is one of the best examples of Italian Renaissance garden architecture. The villa includes an impressive network of “51 fountains and nymphaeums, 398 spouts, 364 water jets, 64 waterfalls, and 220 basins fed by 875 meters of canals, channels, and cascades working entirely by the force of gravity, without pumps” ( source ).

Cardinal Ippolito II d’Este of Ferrara commissioned the gardens of Villa d’Este after he became governor of Tivoli. Pirro Ligorio, the leading classical scholar of the time, carried out the designs. Ligorio carefully studied the nearby Villa Adriana and sought to create something that would exceed the fame of its predecessor. Cardinal Ippolito even went as far as removing marble statues from Emperor Hadrian’s villa to decorate Villa d’Este.

The villa features panoramic gardens set upon two levels, a long alley with a canal and 100 fountains. You can even visit the cardinal’s apartment with its richly-decorated halls, frescoed ceilings and gorgeous views of the countryside.

Villa Gregoriana

Although Villa Gregoriana has not achieved UNESCO status like its neighbors, this park is a true verdant oasis in the heart of Tivoli. Villa Gregoriana was established by Pope Gregory XVI in the early 19th century and is home to the Cascata Grande (Italy’s second-highest waterfall). The park is located along the transumanza path which saw shepherds migrate from southern Italy to the north during the changing seasons. It’s also home to the 1st century Roman Temple of Vesta which sits atop the acropolis overlooking the waterfall. Today, Villa Gregoriana is managed by the Fondo Ambiente Italiano, the National Trust of Italy.

The Best Restaurants In Tivoli

Ristorante sibilla.

While you’re in Tivoli, you can’t miss the chance to dine at the 300-year-old Ristorante Sibilla . This picturesque dining spot is located at the foot of the Acropolis of Tivoli near Villa Gregoriana. The restaurant has attracted notable personalities throughout the years, including King Frederick William III of Prussia, Princess Margaret, Yoko Ono, and Lance Armstrong.

The dishes focus seasonal Italian recipes with a contemporary spin as well as excellent seafood. Sibilla serves delicious risotto, cacio e pepe, and ravioli stuffed with buffalo mozzarella. Their delicious sea bass carpaccio is served with fresh passionfruit and grilled lamb served atop an artichoke cream.

La Fornarina

Located inside a medieval palazzo in Tivoli’s Piazza delle Erbe, La Fornarina is a trendy restaurant and pizzeria beloved by locals. Acclaimed pizzaiolo Duilio Girotto consults on the pizza menu, which includes classic and gourmet varieties — and leavened for 72 hours! Here you can also find calzoni and “I Fornaretti” pizza sandwiches stuffed with local ingredients like porchetta di Ariccia. The rest of the menu is tantalizing as well. Look out for tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms and gorgonzola, or seafood ravioli with clams and crispy zucchini blossoms.

Tivoli spelled backward — and a play on “I love it”– Ilovit is an artisanal cafe and bakery founded by two women. Ilovit serves coffee, cakes, and smoothies, and is a great place for breakfast. As well as a taste of their signature tiramisu, which is perfect for any time of the day. Here you’ll find the classic coffee and chocolate combo, along with creative varieties like passionfruit, pistachio, strawberry, and more. Ilovit’s special occasion and birthday cakes are delicious as well if you happen to stay in town for a while.

The Best Hotels In Tivoli

Residenze gregoriane.

Residenze Gregoriane is a plush hotel set in a 15th-century mansion decorated with beautiful mosaics, frescoes, and courtyards. This hotel boasts 3 opulent suites located right near Villa Gregoriana. While you’re here, treat yourself to a spa treatment in the property’s ancient Roman baths, and enjoy a drink on its atmospheric outdoor terrace.

Torre Sant’Antonio

Torre Sant’Antonio is a charming bed & breakfast set within an ancient tower. The tower has two bright, contemporary bedrooms outfitted with thoughtful, historic furnishings. This gorgeous site is located in a quiet piazza in the center of town, guaranteeing peace and privacy to guests.

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Post written by: Livia Hengel

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Visiting Villa d’Este in Tivoli

Built more than 400 years ago, this villa in the Italian town of Tivoli is one of the finest examples of renaissance architecture and gardens in the world.

Written by Michael Turtle

Michael Turtle is the founder of Time Travel Turtle. A journalist for more than 20 years, he's been travelling the world since 2011.

Michael Turtle is the founder of Time Travel Turtle and has been travelling full time for a decade.

Updated: May 14, 2024

Visiting Villa d'Este and Tivoli Gardens

The interior design of Villa d'Este in Tivoli is beautiful, considered one of the finest examples of Italian Renaissance, and one of the reasons this is a World Heritage Site.

But the highlight is the landscaping around the villa, known as Tivoli Gardens, decorated with fountains and stunning artworks. And a visit to Villa d'Este and Tivoli Gardens is an easy day trip from Rome.

• What you'll find inside Villa d'Este
• Everything you want to know about Tivoli Gardens and its fountains
• Some tips for the best tours to Villa d'Este
• Details about visiting Tivoli Gardens and Villa d'Este from Rome

It’s not too hard to imagine what kind of man Ippolito II d’Este would have been. Born into a wealthy and influential Italian family in 1509, he was a lover of the finest things.

Although he was made Archbishop of Milan when he was nine years old (the title was hereditary then), he saw the church as an instrument to be used to gain even more power.

Vows of celibacy weren’t his thing. He would bring in musicians, prostitutes, feasts and wine to impress the people who needed impressing.

When he was made the governor of Tivoli, he arrived in the town about 20 kilometres from Rome and did not like the look of the home that had been assigned to him.

And so, in the style appropriate for someone who kept peacocks as pets, he decided to build Villa d’Este – a new and much grander residence, not far from where the Roman emperor Hadrian had built his pleasure palace (taking many marbles and statues from the ancient site to decorate his new one!).

Nobody argued at the time when Ippolito II d’Este decided to dramatically modify the monastery he had been given in Tivoli – he was, after all, the grandson of a pope.

And you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who would argue today, because his creation of the Villa d’Este and its Tivoli Gardens is one of the most magnificent examples of renaissance architecture and landscaping in the world.

While Villa d’Este is smaller than the nearby Hadrian’s Villa , and it was constructed about 1400 years later, the two palatial homes do have something in common – they are both World Heritage Sites.

Before I tell you more about Villa d’Este and its gardens, it’s just worth mentioning that visiting Tivoli and seeing both World Heritage Sites is a wonderful day trip from Rome.

There’s a very good and affordable tour covering both places that I would recommend, or a few more options here if you’re looking for something else:

Although you’ll learn more about the site when you’re here, let’s have a look at what you’ll find when you visit Villa d’Este in Tivoli.

Inside Villa d’Este

The large villa is spread over two levels with grand rooms with unique designs.

The paintings on the walls and ceilings of the rooms make them feel more like cubes of art than practical spaces, but they were used back in the 16th century for both living and entertaining.

Most of the artworks have been described as ‘secular allegories’, which is probably quite suitable for a man who seemed to give his own interpretation to the role of the church.

Although Ippolito II d’Este became a cardinal (and almost pope), it was much more to do with lavish gifts he sent to European dignitaries than for selfless service to religion.

The Apartments of the Cardinal

You enter Villa d’Este from a piazza and onto the top floor of the building. It’s now known as the Apartments of the Cardinal, because it was the personal living area of Ippolito II d’Este.

The large salon is the first room and could used for receptions. From there, you’ll go through to an antechamber, decorated with personifications of virtue, before you reach the cardinal’s bedroom… where it’s likely things were not so virtuous.

The bedroom’s walls were once covered with leather painted with gold and silver but, like much of this upper level, those decorations have now gone. The ceiling, though, is wooden and gilded with painted imagery including the Este crest.

Connected to the bedroom are a small library and chapel.

They are decorated with frescoes that mix Ancient roman motifs with traditional Christian symbols – perhaps a nod to his background and the pieces of Hadrian’s Villa that were used to decorated the new estate.

Looking out the windows from the Apartments of the Cardinal, you get a stunning view down to the gardens and across the green countryside around Tivoli.

The Noble Floor

Going down a set of circular stone stairs, you’ll reach the Noble Floor, a series of about ten ornately decorated rooms coming off a long corridor.

Each room has walls and ceilings painted with frescoes, with other adornments like mosaics and stucco. There’s a different theme for each room, most related to nature, water, and mythology or religion.

For example, one of the first rooms you’ll come into is the Hall of Glory, which has the illusion of windows, tapestries, and sculptures painted onto the walls. There are allegorical depictions of the seasons and virtues.

The largest room you’ll see here is the Hall of the Fountain, named because it has a small fountain in the wall at one end.

It was used as a reception hall to greeet people who had just arrived through the garden (the main entry back then), but it could also be used for concerts and other events.

The frescoes on the wall show the gardens of Villa d’Este and an image of Ippolito’s villa in Rome.

At the far end of the Noble Floor are a series of rooms, each decorated with a different story.

For instance, there’s the Hall of Noah, which you can see in this photo, with a central image of Noah making an agreement with God shortly after the ark landed on Mount Ararat.

Even for visitors to Villa d’Este who have come mainly for the gardens, the rooms of the villa are worth a bit of time and each one has so many different layers to uncover.

Tivoli Gardens

There’s no denying that it’s the gardens of Villa d’Este, also known as Tivoli Gardens, which are the most lavish part of the compound.

From the villa, stairs and paths lead down to the garden along five main corridors. At one side, the garden is elevated by a cliff-like fountain. The effect is that the whole space feels a bit like an amphitheatre.

Throughout the garden area are immaculately manicured hedges and trees, colourful flower gardens, stone statues and fountains.

It’s designed so different parts have different atmospheres, with areas to relax in the sun or the shade, with a view or without one.

There are small private areas where you could sit in peace and read a book, for instance, but much of Tivoli Gardens was intended to be used for large functions, and there are space for games, performances, and even fireworks.

The fountains themselves are works of genius and were all designed to use gravity and hydraulics to move the water through them. Even today, all but two large jets are still operated without electronics or motors.

Although there are quite a few fountains in Tivoli Gardens, I’m going to mention a few to look out for:

The Fountain of the Organ

One of the most famous parts of Tivoli Gardens is the Fountain of the Organ, which has a complicated mechanism inside that uses water to operate instruments like pipes and trumpets. The music it creates is coordinated with the jets of water that are produced.

When it was built in 1571, most people had never seen anything like it before and it was a highlight of many guests’ visit to the villa.

The organ inside the fountain has been replaced since its original installation and it now has 144 pipes. It is still used these days and there are performances every two hours from 10:30 in the morning.

The Fountain of Neptune

Below the Fountain of the Organ is the Fountain of Neptune, which uses the water that flows down from the upper construction.

It was actually built in the 1930s to replace a 17th-century rocky cascade that had been neglected and needed to be replaced. It gets its name from the torso of a statue of Neptune that is in a grotto behind the main waterfall.

With its water jets of different heights, it creates a lively centrepiece at the end of the promenade of fish tanks that cut through the garden.

The Oval Fountain

The Oval Fountain was one of the first fountains built in Tivoli Gardens and was used for people to hang out on hot days, because the sprays of water cooled the air.

The focus is the large stone basin in the centre that creates a veil of falling water, but there are also smaller jets coming out of vases being held by statues of sea nymphs.

The artificial mountain behind the fountain is supposed to represent the landscape of the region, and it has three grottoes with water pouring out.

The Hundred Fountains

It’s hard to miss the Hundred Fountains because they stretch across the length of a pathway close to the side of the main villa building. There are actually about 300 spouts with water coming from thee canals at different heights.

The original fountains had more decorations, including small boats in one of the canals. What you can see now are spouts in the shapes of lilies, eagles, and obelisks.

As you explore the gardens, you’ll see at least six more fountains of different sizes. Each one of them has a story and you’ll be able to learn even more about what they represent if you go on a guided tour of Tivoli Gardens.

Ippolito II d’Este may have been an extravagant man who presumably made as many enemies as he did friends – but he has left us with a stunning legacy of which he should be proud.

Tours to Villa d’Este and Tivoli Gardens

As I walk down from the fountains at the top, with the villa above me on the left and an emptiness ahead that looks out over the suburbs of Tivoli, I can only imagine how it was to be here more than 400 years ago when the villa first came into existence.

The parties which must have been held here, the important people who must have come to visit, the amazement of everyone when they beheld this masterpiece for the first time.

It is possible to visit Villa d’Este independently, and I’ve got some information in a moment about how to get to Tivoli from Rome by public transport, for instance.

But there’s so much to see here, and so many interesting stories about the parties and other exuberances that took place, you’ll get a lot more from a guide.

Most tours leave from Rome and most of the combine Villa d’Este and Hadrian’s Villa , which makes sense because they’re two of the most significant sites near Rome (and are different enough that it doesn’t get boring to do them both on the same day.

The logistics of getting between the two sites (which are about 5 kilometres apart) can also be a bit of a hassle, so doing a tour that covers them both in much easier.

To do a day trip from Rome to see both Hadrian’s Villa and Villa d’Este, there’s a very good and affordable tour here that I would recommend.

Or, there are some other good options that you may suit your circumstances better:

Whichever you choose, I would recommend a trip that includes both Hadrian’s Villa and Villa d’Este.

Visiting Villa d’Este and Tivoli Gardens

Over the years the villa did fall into a state of disrepair but it was eventually taken over by the Italian Government in 1920. Since then they’ve worked to restore and maintain it and make it available to everyone.

It’s certainly worth doing a day trip from Rome to Tivoli to see Villa d’Este. The villa and the attached Tivoli Gardens are in the centre of town and easy to reach by direct train from Rome.

However, be warned that Hadrian’s Villa is about five kilometres away – if you want to see it too, it might make sense to use the Metro between there and Rome.

I would recommend about two hours to see Villa d’Este and Tivoli Gardens. You can rush through if you need to, because the site doesn’t take up that much space, but there are so many little details to see – and they are what make it so special.

Where is Villa d’Este in Tivoli?

Villa d’Este is in the centre of Tivoli at Piazza Trento, 5. The entranceway looks quite simple but don’t be fooled – it opens out to the impressive villa and garden once you’re inside.

How do you get to Villa d’Este in Tivoli?

The quickest way to Villa d’Este from Rome is to catch a direct train to Tivoli station from Termini or Tiburtina. The site is just a short stroll from there. Alternatively, you can catch the Metro Line B to Ponte Mammolo and then get the bus marked to Tivoli.

When is Villa d’Este open?

The main Villa d’Este building is open from 08:30 – 19:45 every day except Monday, when it opens at 14:00 instead. You can access Tivoli Gardens from 08:30 but the gardens close at different times during the year: January, November and December: 16:45 February: 17:15 March: 18:00 (with the summer time 19:00) April: 19:15 May – August: 19:30 September: 19:00 October: 18:15 (with the winter time 17:15)

How much does it cost to visit Villa d’Este?

Entrance fees are €15 for an adult, €2 for a reduced ticket. Children under 18 are free. You can buy tickets in advance here to skip the line, but I’m not sure it’s worth the extra expense. You can also get a combined ticket for Villa d’Este, Hadrian’s Villa, the Sanctuary of Hercules Victor, and Mensa Ponderaria for €28.

More information

You can find out more information at Villa d’Este’s official website .

Visiting Ville d’Este is an easy day trip from Rome or a good stopping point for journeys to the east of the capital. It is definitely worth the trip.

You can also combine it with a visit to Hadrian’s Villa in Tivoli and, remember, this tour will take the hassle out of all the logistics .

If you’re travelling independently, you may also like to stay the night in Tivoli which, although relatively small, is a lovely town with some great restaurants that are not too crowded in the evening.

THE BEST ACCOMMODATION IN TIVOLI

Although you can visit as a day trip from Rome, there’s enough to see to make a lovely overnight stay in Tivoli.

There aren’t really any hostels in town, but you’ll find good rates at La Giada .

I think Cristallo Relais is a wonderful little hotel with excellent value for money.

For a rustic villa atmosphere, have a look at the charming Casale Colleoni .

And for an incredible historic hotel, Residenze Gregoriane is a very special experience.

This site is on the UNESCO World Heritage List ! I'm on a mission to visit as many World Heritage Sites as I can. Only about 800 more to go... eek!

10 thoughts on “Visiting Villa d’Este in Tivoli”

Wow. I’ve never seems gardens like that before! Absolutely insane. Another villa to add to my list… 🙂

Thanks for sharing!

Oh, you’ve got to go! The gardens are insane. They’re even more spectacular when you realise all the fountains and water features are being powered by gravity!

Gorgeous! Without question, the property is beautiful and the engineering certainly inspires awe, as does the extraordinary and abundant art. I too find it difficult to imagine living in spaces so thoroughly detailed in artwork, though with that said, your images of the interior are extraordinary and I loved having the opportunity to do a virtual visual walk-through.

The interiors were stunning and when I was standing there looking at them, I was so glad I’d decided to visit. But then I went outside to see the gardens and was blown away – they were even more spectacular to see in person!

Villa d’Este, Tivoli – now this is a dreamy place! Why can’t I own such a place! LOL What unrealistic dreams I have this morning! Great post with great photos.

It’s so big you could share it with about 50 other people and you wouldn’t even know they were there… that makes it a bit more realistic, right? 🙂

I want painted walls & ceilings like that in my place, haha!

Just imagine how that would look! It’s pretty spectacular, isn’t it?

Beautiful! I’ve always wanted to visit the villa and gardens but never seem to make it there. It’s always the places closest to home we think we’ll get to but pass over for more faraway lands.

If you could do it as a weekend trip, you definitely should. It’s absolutely beautiful and is a little different to the usual Roman ruins and churches that seem to be the main sights around the country.

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Visit two UNESCO Sites in Tivoli, Italy – a day trip from Rome

Where else can you find magical gardens straight out of a fantasy novel then travel back in time to ancient Roman days to see how Emperors lived? Nowhere else but in Tivoli. Tivoli is home to the two UNESCO world heritage sites of Hadrian’s Villa and Villa d’Este. Located only an hour from Rome, you can easily take a day trip to Tivoli, Italy.

What to see while you are there

Hours and fees, villa d’este, apartment of the cardinal, the gardens, the oval fountain, the hundred fountains, the fountain of dragons, the fountain of the organ, the fountain of neptune, the rest of the gardens, hours and entry fee, how to get to tivoli, should you take a tour, take a day trip to tivoli, italy.

NOTE: Travel is not recommended at this time. These posts are here to serve as inspiration when we can explore again. Hey there – this post likely contains affiliate links, which means I earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase from them. This helps me earn a few dollars to run this website.

Tivoli is a mountainside town about 30 kilometres northeast of Rome, where historians have traced settlement in the area back to the 13th century BC.

As it is with Roman history, the exact nature of how and why this area was settled is shrouded in myth. But shortly after the town became under Roman rule, it became a resort destination famed for its beauty and good water. Romans built villas here; the most famous was Villa Adriana of the Roman Emperor Hadrian.

In the new millennia, the town fell under papal control and later in the 16th century AD, Villa d’Este was built for Cardinal Ippolito II d’Este.

Tivoli was a prosperous town beyond the fact that it is a stunning area and grew to fame due to its life as a vacation home for Rome’s wealthy and important people. Tivoli’s quarries produce travertine, which was used to build the majority of Rome’s monuments and important buildings.

Tivoli sits atop a hill, giving incredible views of the surrounding area and its hillsides are covered with olive groves and farmland. What it is most famous for are its gardens in the Villa d’Este. The fame inspired the naming of other sites such as the Jardin de Tivoli in Paris, France; Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark; Tivoli City Park in Slovenia; Tivoli Theatre in Aberdeen, Scotland; Tivoli Theatre in Washington, D.C. and numerous towns around the world.

Today, Tivoli offers fantastic views of the town, access to some of history’s most incredible places and a wonderful place to feel like you’ve escaped the hustle and bustle of Rome. A day trip to Tivoli, Italy is a perfect way to spend some time outside the city centre, in the hills surrounding Rome.

Hadrian’s Villa

Villa Adriana, or Hadrian’s Villa in English, is a vast archaeological complex and UNESCO world heritage site dating back to 2nd century AD.

As one of the many villas built for wealthy Romans back in the day, this one was the largest, built as a summer retreat for Roman Emperor Hadrian. He was responsible for also ordering the construction of Hadrian’s Wall, located in the United Kingdom as well as Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome.

The villa is incredibly large, three times larger than the footprint of the Vatican in Rome. It has several baths, pools, temples, fountains and more than 30 buildings in total. Hadrian basically ran his empire from here for a long time, since he disliked the Palatine Hill in Rome so much.

Hadrian’s Villa is a marvellous archaeological experience. Although a few of his successors used the villa during their time, it fell into disrepair as the Roman Empire did and was later rediscovered in the 15th century.

RELATED: What to see and do in Rome in three days

Because Hadrian was well-travelled, there is an infusion of culture and architecture from the Greeks, Egyptians and Romans. While they seem haphazardly placed among the landscape, there are four groups of buildings.

The first group includes the Greek theatre and is closest to the entrance.

The core group of buildings include the buildings for the Emperor and his court, such as the enchanting Maritime Theatre, Hall of the Philosophers, the libraries, the Golden Square, and the palace, which was the nucleus of the estate.

The third group includes the thermal baths, including the small and grand baths and the Heliocaminus baths. It’s so cool to see the ruin of these baths and picture how the royals of the day spent their lives.

The last group makes up the Canopus, one of the most eye-catching places of the estate, as well as more underground ruins and tunnels, including those of the staff quarters, called the Hall of the Hundred Rooms. The Canopus is a long pool that was surrounded by statues and columns as well as an artificial grotto dedicated to Neptune.

Villa Adriana is open from 8am to 5pm in the winter and 8am to 7:30pm in the summer. It costs 10 Euro to enter; however, most tours will include the entrance fee into the cost of a tour.

RELATED: 23 Mistakes to Avoid in Rome

The Villa d’Este is a pure masterpiece of renaissance gardens and fountains. It is like a magical place secluded from everything. I was highly convinced that I would end up in Narnia if I took a wrong turn in the gardens.

Cardinal Ippolito II d’Este owned the estate in 1550. He created this complex of fountains, grottos, water features and gardens after being snubbed for the Pope position. He was one of the wealthiest cardinals around, and he put a lot of money into this place.

Tivoli, known for its ravines, caves and waterfalls was the perfect backdrop for this extensive project. You get the feeling that this place emulated the mythical Hanging Gardens of Babylon with the towering green gardens and the artificial grottos, which the Renaissance was obsessed with.

What is so neat about this place is that an aqueduct and tunnel under the city feed all the fountains, similar to the engineering wisdom of the Romans.

At the Ville d’Este, you’ll notice over and over again the symbol of the eagle and fleur-de-lis. The Este family has origins in France, Spain and Germany, so many of the symbols are repeated throughout the estate.

What to see at the Villa d’Este

The first thing you’ll see in the villa is the courtyard, which holds the very first fountain, the Fountain of Venus, which is pretty well intact from the original construction centuries ago.

Here you’ll also see the beautiful mosaics and architecture of the time, a perfect welcome to the estate.

Before heading into the gardens, you’ll want to check out the impressive apartments of the Cardinal. The multi-floor building, which was home to Ippolito, is now a museum. But many of the frescos, painting and fountains inside are still intact. Some of the “halls” were dedicated to the Roman gods, like Hercules and Venus, while others depicted Biblical scenes like Noah and Moses.

In one of the rooms, there is a glass floor that shows the Roman and Medieval histories of this location. The foundations were discovered in the 1980s, indicating that this space was occupied by Romans and then by the Benedictine Covent, which was used by Ippolito and incorporated into the estate.

Finally, it’s time to see the gardens, aka what Tivoli and the estate were famous for, and it’s easy to see why. In total, the Villa d’Este includes 51 fountains, 398 spouts, and 64 waterfalls. This system is fed by hundreds of meters of canals all working entirely by the force of gravity.

It’s impressive to say the very least. Here are some of the fountains that you don’t want to miss.

The Oval Fountain is one of the first fountains you see. It’s a massive oval basin with a semi-circle wall surrounding it. In the middle sits Venus who pours water down a cascade that falls into another basin. Surrounding her are several water nymphs.

One of my favourite fountains is the Hundred Fountains. At the top are lilies that spray water into a basin that feeds into masked faces that spout water into another basin. I love that it’s covered in greenery, which reminds me of what the Hanging Gardens of Babylon would be if they existed today.

The Fountain of Dragons is hecking cool. It depicts the story of Hercules stealing golden apples that were protected by dragons.

It’s surrounded by staircases, whose bannisters are actually cascading waterfalls. In the middle of the pool are the four dragons and the main water feature, a vertical water jet that shoots several feet up.

One of the main features of the Villa d’Este is the Fountain of the Organ, and it’s probably the most famous too. It was made by a French fountain engineer, who invented the mechanism of the water organ. It was the first of its kind, which is pretty mind-blowing.

The organ was restored in 2003, which means the hundreds of pipes can play music for several minutes at a time. It’s an astounding feat of engineering and a magical experience.

One of the most impressive structures is the Fountain of Neptune, but it’s not an original fountain. It was added later in the 1900s to replace an unfinished rocky cascade.

After seeing those principal fountains, you’ll want to explore the rest of the grounds, where you’ll also find the Fountain of Rometta, the Fountain of Diana of Ephesus, the Mette fountains, the Fountain of the Proserpina, the Fountain of the Owl, and so many more.

The Villa d’Este is open from 8:30am to sunset every day except Mondays, where in the afternoon it opens free to Tivoli residents. It costs 10 Euro to enter; however, most tours will include the entrance fee into the cost of a tour.

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There are a number of ways to get to Tivoli if you want to go without a tour. A bus leaves every 4 hours from Rome Tiburtina station and takes you right into the heart of Tivoli. It costs about $3 to $5 CAD and takes about 45 minutes to an hour.

You can also take a regional train, which leaves hourly from the Rome Tiburtina station and takes you to the outskirts of the town. You’ll then have to walk or grab a taxi into town. It costs about $4 to $10 CAD.

Absolutely. I took a half-day tour that left from the heart of Rome, and we travelled by bus to both locations. We had a ton of time at each location, and our guide was incredible. She was so knowledgeable about the history of Tivoli and how each building was used. She even told us some hilarious stories of the people who lived at both villas.

I would have been lost without her guidance and information. I highly recommend going on a half day or a full day tour of Tivoli to see the two UNESCO world heritage sites of Villa Adriana and Villa d’Este

From the ruins of Roman Emperor Hadrian’s villa to the expansive estate of the Villa d’Este, a day trip to Tivoli, Italy is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of Rome. Take a trip to the countryside and travel back in time through centuries of Italian history and marvel at the picturesque setting that even the ancient Romans loved.

Olivia Rutt

Olivia Rutt is the travel writer and photographer behind My Wandering Voyage, a travel website helping working millennials find time to travel. She shares insight in trip planning, travel inspiration and photography tips. Olivia hails from southern Ontario, Canada where she works in the media industry between travels. Follow Olivia on Instagram where she shares her travel photos, or catch up with her on Facebook or Twitter.

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Tivoli Day Trip from Rome: Outstanding Villas

Explore a jaw-dropping ancient villa and a luxurious Renaissance palace on this spectacular day trip from Rome

Starts from 1895 €

(16 Reviews)

• tour overview
• tour description
• tour reviews

starting time 9.30

duration 7 hours including travel & lunch break

Tour Overview

If you’re looking to escape the bustling chaos of Rome for the day, then do as the Romans have done for centuries and head to the beautiful town of Tivoli, perched in the hills just 20 miles from the Eternal City. Boasting breathtaking views over the Roman countryside, Tivoli is world famous for its two wonderful historical villas. The awe-inspiring Hadrian’s Villa is the largest and best preserved villa of the ancient world, where the travel-loving emperor lived out his days in the lap of luxury surrounded by temples, baths and theatres. Nearby is the equally spectacular 16th-century Villa d’Este. An audacious Renaissance attempt to rival Hadrian’s Villa, its magnificent gardens and fountains give a unique insight into the refined culture of Italy’s golden age. So whether you love wandering around ancient ruins or prefer the opulent charms of Renaissance gardens, our special Tivoli tours the perfect day trip from the city!

• An expert English-speaking private guide
• Skip the Line tickets to the two villas
• Private car transportation from Rome and back

• Hadrian's Villa
• The Villa d'Este

Tour Description

A car, driver and guide will be waiting for you at your hotel to begin this private tour of Tivoli's Hadrian's Villa and the Villa D’Este. At the end of the tour you will be taken back to your hotel.

Explore the magnificent ruins of Hadrian’s Villa

Hadrian’s Villa is without question one of the most spectacular Roman ruins in the world: far more than just a house, the Villa is in reality a sprawling estate featuring a palace, theatres, expansive gardens, pools and fountains. When the emperor Hadrian wanted to escape from the heat and the political turmoil of Rome, he would retreat to his private villa in the countryside. But Hadrian’s villa wasn't merely a pleasurable summer retreat: preferring the calm of Tivoli to the noise and bustle of Rome, Hadrian ruled the Roman Empire from the villa in the later years of his reign.

The enormous complex of the villa was Hadrian’s fantasy project - a blend of architectural materials and styles inspired by his travels through the empire. On your private tour of Hadrian’s Villa you’ll explore buildings and gardens spread over an area twice the size of Pompeii. Along the way you'll learn about the life, career and artistic tastes of the emperor.

A day trip from Rome to Tivoli is the perfect opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of Roman history, while exploring the atmospheric ruins of Hadrian’s Villa . As you walk through the vast arcades and visit the Throne Room, your personal guide will explain Hadrian’s legacy as an emperor, from his military career to his art collection. More than five hundred pieces of statuary have been unearthed here over the centuries, and the art and architecture of the villa have inspired countless writers and artists. Exploring evocative sites such as the Private Library and the Maritime Theatre on your Tivoli day trip, you’ll be captivated by the unique atmosphere of the villa and its gardens. The famous Canopy is another highlight; this lake surrounded by arcades and statues is perhaps one of the most beautiful spots in all of Italy.

Your private guide will also discuss the personal life of Hadrian, including his famous doomed love affair with the young Antinous. Visiting Hadrian’s Villa on a private tour allows you to discover the human side of the emperor, creating a more complete picture of Hadrian. The explanations of your guide will also give you a deeper understanding of the historical events at the time, as they explain how Rome was able to dominate the world.

Discover the breathtaking beauty of Villa d’Este

A very different kind of villa is the next stop on your Tivoli private tour. A walk through the historic town centre takes us to Villa d’Este, a 16th century villa renowned for its extraordinary beauty. Villa d’Este was the creation of Cardinal Ippolito d’Este (son of the Duke of Ferrara and the infamous Lucrezia Borgia), who commissioned Pirro Ligorio, an architect and classical scholar, to design a new villa and gardens exceeding even the grandeur of Hadrian’s Villa.

A walk through the gardens of Villa d’Este gives us some idea of what Hadrian’s Villa must have been like at the height of its splendour. These extravagant gardens contain 500 fountains, creating a sense of luxury, wealth, and limitless imagination. On your walk through the shady gardens, your personal guide will explain how the cardinal’s vision became a reality. Visiting Villa d’Este will also give you a new perspective on Hadrian’s Villa, as you discover how Cardinal d’Este stole many statues and monuments from the archaeological site in order to decorate his own gardens.

On your Tivoli Day Trip from Rome you’ll also have the chance to explore the opulent rooms of Villa D’Este, which are decorated with magnificent frescoes. As you stroll through these spectacular rooms and admire the views from the Cardinal’s bedroom window, your guide will tell you about the public and private life of d’Este, a patron of the arts and lover of luxury who aspired to become pope.

Following in the footsteps of the emperor Hadrian and Cardinal d'Este, this day trip from Rome is the ideal way to escape the bustle of the city, enjoying the beauty and tranquillity of these beautiful villas and their gardens.

To learn more about Tivoli and it's wonderful historical villas, check out our  Insider Guide to Tivoli.

meeting point

Tour Reviews

5.0 (16 reviews)

We were lucky enough to have a private tour with Guia and our day was incredible. The villas in Tivoli are gorgeous and so incredible to see. Guia was a perfect guide! She easily adapted to our pace and told us such wonderful stories. She was easily one of our favorite guides of a 3 week Mediterranean trip full of private tours. I highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to have a very special day trip outside of Rome. From the ruins of Hadrian’s Villa and all of the stories there to the absolutely stunning views of the gardens in Villa d Este…it was purely a magical day for just the two of us with Guia as our wonderful guide. Lunch at Sibilla was delicious and just so beautiful. Just book this tour…you won’t regret it!! Memories from Tivoli to last a lifetime!

K O - Aug 21, 2023

We had a fantastic day exploring Villas in Tivoli with Brandon! A classical student of everything Greek and Latin, he made this tour fun and educational. Roman history came alive for all three of us (Grandma, Mom and daughter). While strolling the grounds of Hadrian’s expansive estate, Brandon gave us background on Hadrian, the emperors of Rome, architecture and so much more. Brandon picked a wonderful local restaurant where we lunched family style and relaxed before setting off to Villa D’Este. It was a very hot day in Rome and we felt lucky to escape to Tivoli where we walked in the footsteps of the ancients. Brandon is an excellent tour guide and photographer. He captured many memorable family photos on the tour. We highly recommend the tour and especially Brandon!

CP - Jul 31, 2023

1895 €

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Tivoli: A Memorable Day Trip from Rome

Day Trip from Rome or Staying Overnight?

If you choose to embark on a day trip from Rome, you’ll have ample time to explore Tivoli’s most prominent attractions. The well-connected train and bus routes make it convenient to reach Tivoli early in the morning and return to Rome in the evening. However, it can be a lot more convenient to book a day or a half-day trip from Rome!

Staying Overnight

Visiting tivoli as a day trip from rome.

When planning your trip to Tivoli from Rome, you have several transportation options to choose from, each offering its own advantages. Here’s a detailed breakdown of each method:

From Rome to Tivoli by Tour

If you prefer a completely carefree day with someone else doing the driving and guiding you to each of the attractions, a tour can be the best answer. The Tivoli Day Trip from Rome: Hadrian’s Villa and Villa d’Este takes you seamlessly from Rome to each of the two UNESCO sites, adding guided walking tours of each to ensure you don’t miss the highlights. The group tour lasts about seven hours, during which you will learn about the history of these grand estates as you explore them.

For those who’d like to spend more time in Rome but still see Tivoli’s villas, consider the shorter version of that trip, with the four-hour Hadrian’s Villa and Villa d’Este Half-Day Trip from Rome . This option provides round-trip transport by air-conditioned coach from Rome and includes guided visits to both outstanding villas. You’ll learn about the buildings, the gardens, and their owners.

For a more custom-tailored experience, the Rome to Tivoli Gardens with Guide and Tickets tour includes door-to-door transport for your party by private vehicle. Once in Tivoli, your driver will introduce you to your professional art historian guide, who will accompany you throughout your two-hour visit to each of the villas.

From Rome to Tivoli by Train

The Roma-Avezzano-Pescara regional (Regionale) line departs from Rome’s Tiburtina rail station almost hourly (with a curious gap between 9am and 11am). You should check for trains marked for both Tivoli and Avezzano, as either will take you to Tivoli. To get to Tiburtina station, you can take Rome’s Metro B (blue) line. It’s a good idea to buy tickets in advance online. You can also get them in ticket machines or at a ticket counter in the station, but there might be lines at both during busy times. The train journey takes between 45 and 75 minutes from Rome to Tivoli’s Tiburtina Station, depending on the number of stops. The route by train is particularly picturesque as you ascend into the wooded Sabine Hills. Once in Tivoli, you are about a 25-minute walk from the center of town and Villa d’Este, and about five minutes from Villa Gregoriana. The local C.A.T. bus line runs a regular route between the station, Villa D’Este, Villa Adriana, and Villa Gregoriana.

From Rome to Tivoli by Bus

Blue COTRAL buses to Tivoli leave the terminal at Rome’s Ponte Mammolo stop on Metro line B. It takes about an hour to get to Tivoli, depending on traffic. Departures are every 10 or 15 minutes, Monday through Saturday, and are less frequent on Sunday. Bus fares are quite cheap, but so are train fares, and the train makes fewer stops on the way. The bus takes you to the main square, where you can walk to Villa d’Este or catch the local shuttle to visit Villa Adriana.

From Rome to Tivoli by Car

The short drive from Rome to Tivoli takes only about 35 minutes under the best of conditions but can take twice that when traffic is heavy. The fastest route is on the A24, which you can reach from the Tangenziale Est/Circonvallazione Tiburtina in Rome. Follow A24 to Via Maremmana Inferiore/SP51a in Tivoli, taking the exit toward Tivoli. There are multi-level public parking garages within a couple of blocks of the entrance to Villa d’Este, but they fill up fast in busy seasons, and on-street parking is hard to find. If you are coming from Rome on a day trip, especially at the height of tourist season, it may be easier to take public transportation, especially if you are not accustomed to driving in Italy, which can be nerve-wracking.

The 3 Villas of Tivoli

Villa d’Este

Villa d’Este is a magnificent Renaissance villa situated in Tivoli, Italy. Built in the 16th century, it is renowned for its stunning gardens and remarkable fountains. The villa is a UNESCO World Heritage site and showcases the artistic and architectural achievements of the Italian Renaissance.

Villa d’Este is a prime example of Renaissance aesthetics and engineering prowess. It was commissioned by Cardinal Ippolito II d’Este and reflects the cultural and artistic achievements of the Renaissance era. The villa’s gardens and fountains are a testament to the period’s fascination with the interplay of water, sound, and architecture.

Visiting Villa d’Este provides a unique opportunity to experience the opulence and artistic excellence of the Italian Renaissance while being surrounded by the natural beauty of Tivoli’s landscape.

Key Features:

• Gardens and Terraces : Villa d’Este’s most striking feature is its extensive gardens and terraces. Designed by the architect Pirro Ligorio, these gardens are considered among the most beautiful in Italy. They feature a series of terraces adorned with meticulously maintained hedges, flowers, and ornamental trees.
• Intricate Fountains : The villa is famous for its elaborate fountains, which are ingeniously designed to create a symphony of water and sound. Notable fountains include the Fontana dell’Ovato, the Rometta Fountain, and the Fountain of Neptune.
• Architecture : The villa itself is a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture. Its interior boasts opulent frescoes, ornate ceilings, and beautifully decorated rooms that provide a glimpse into the Renaissance lifestyle.
• Water Organ : One of the unique features of Villa d’Este is the water organ, which uses water pressure to produce musical sounds. This innovative concept is a testament to the creativity of the Renaissance period.
• Panoramic Views : The villa’s elevated location offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and the town of Tivoli. It’s an excellent spot for taking in the picturesque landscape.

Villa Adriana (Hadrian’s Villa)

• Imperial Palaces : The villa boasts a series of palaces, each with its unique architectural style and purpose. The structures include the Palazzo Imperiale, the Maritime Theater, the Canopus, and the Serapeum.
• Greek and Egyptian Influences : Hadrian was an avid traveler and sought to incorporate elements of Greek and Egyptian architecture into his villa. This is evident in the various temples and monuments throughout the complex, such as the Greek-style Canopus and the Egyptian-themed Serapeum.
• Thermal Baths : The villa also features impressive thermal baths, reflecting the Romans’ appreciation for bathing and relaxation. The Grand Thermae, a large bathing complex, is a testament to the luxury enjoyed by the Roman elite.
• Exquisite Statuary : The villa was adorned with numerous sculptures, many of which are now on display in museums. The famous “Canopus Statue,” a marble statue of Antinous, is a highlight and exemplifies the artistic prowess of the time.

Villa Gregoriana

• Aniene River Gorge : The villa is situated in the rugged Aniene River Gorge, providing a dramatic backdrop for its scenic beauty. The gorge is characterized by steep cliffs and lush vegetation, making it an ideal setting for a natural park.
• Waterfalls : The highlight of Villa Gregoriana is its series of waterfalls, including the stunning Grand Waterfall. This majestic cascade plunges into the gorge, creating a powerful and mesmerizing spectacle. The interaction of water and rock formations is a testament to the forces of nature.
• Caves and Grottoes : The park features natural caves and grottoes, adding to its allure. Visitors can explore these geological formations and witness the intricate patterns carved by water over millennia.
• Walking Trails : Villa Gregoriana offers a network of well-maintained walking trails that allow visitors to explore the park at their own pace. These trails provide various vantage points from which to view the waterfalls and experience the natural beauty up close.

Embarking on a day trip from Rome to Tivoli unveils a tapestry of historical richness, architectural marvels, and natural beauty. From the grandeur of Hadrian’s Villa to the enchanting gardens of Villa d’Este, and the captivating allure of Villa Gregoriana, Tivoli offers a captivating journey through time and culture. Whether you choose a guided tour, opt for independent travel, or decide to extend your visit overnight while remembering that accommodation options in town are a bit limited, Tivoli makes for a delightful day trip from Rome. The lush landscapes, centuries-old architecture, and warm hospitality of this picturesque town offer a perfect complement to the vibrant energy of Rome. So, take a day, explore Tivoli, and immerse yourself in the rich history and captivating beauty that this Italian gem has to offer. Safe travels, and may your Tivoli adventure be filled with unforgettable moments.

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Day Trips from Rome

Villa adriana (tivoli).

Nowadays, an important Roman archaeological site, Villa Adriana was commissioned by the Emperor Hadrian as a retreat from his palace in the capital. 

Located just outside of Tivoli, Villa Adriana is a collection of classical buildings created in the second century under the orders of Emperor Hadrian. It was a “small town” consisting of palaces, fountains, and baths, as well as other structures that mimic various Greek and Egyptian architectural styles.

The construction of Villa Adriana came about due to the fact that Adriano was unhappy in the palace on Palatine Hill, and he created it as his place of retreat. After his death, it was used by various successors, but eventually fell into disuse and ended up in ruins, which were looted.

What to see in Villa Adriana

With an area of 120 hectares (296 acres), on which there are reconstructions of the emperor’s favorite Greek and Egyptian buildings, Villa Adriana is a great architectural treasure that requires several hours for a visit.

One of the most noteworthy parts of the villa, known as Canopus, is a copy of a sanctuary located near Alexandria. It's an enormous pool surrounded by columns and decorated with figures of the caryatids.

Among the libraries, bathrooms, guest houses, gardens, fountains, and ponds, stands a structure known as the Maritime Theatre, a circular pool surrounded by columns with an island in the middle. On the island, there is a small Roman villa.

The splendor of the past

Although during the 16th century, many of the statues and marble elements of Villa Adriana were looted to decorate the nearby Villa d'Este, you can still see how magnificent the villa was during its peak.

If you have time to take a day trip to Tivoli from Rome, we believe it's definitely worth visiting both Villa Adriana and Villa d’Este. If you have time, take the opportunity to have lunch at Tivoli!

Getting to Villa Adriana

There are several ways to get to Tivoli from Rome:

• Take a day trip : The easiest and most comfortable way to get to Tivoli from Rome is to take a day trip. This option includes hotel pickup, transport, an official English-speaking guide and entrance fees. The price of the excursion to Villa Adriana is € 119 ( US$ 131.90) per person and can be booked here:  Hadrian's Villa and Villa d'Este Day Trip .
• Bus: The buses that make the journey from Rome to Tivoli are from the Cotral company, and they depart from the Ponte Mammolo station ( Metro line B). The fare is  € 2 ( US$ 2.20) and the travel time is about 45 minutes.
• Rent a car: this option is a good one if you have it rented for more than just one day, if not, it's not worth it. You can rent a car in Rome by  clicking here .

Although it's possible to go by train from Rome to Villa Adriana, but we'd say it's not worthwhile. The trip is longer, about 1 hour depending on the train you take, although there are tickets from € 4 ( US$ 4.40).

If you are visiting Villa d'Este, there is a bus that connects both villas for € 1 ( US$ 1.10).

In Tivoli, 19 miles (30 km) from Rome

Daily: 8:15 am - 7:30 pm (can vary depending on the season) Closed: 1st January and 25th December

Adults: € 12 ( US$ 13.30) EU Citizens (aged 18 – 25): € 2 ( US$ 2.20) Free entry: first Sunday of the month, 25th April, 2nd June and 4th November

Hadrian's Villa and Villa d'Este Day Trip € 93.75 ( US$ 103.90)

Nearby places

Villa d'Este (Tivoli) (2.9 km) Rome Ciampino Airport (22 km) Rome Termini Railway Station (23.1 km) Basilica of St. John Lateran (23.1 km) Baths of Diocletian (23.3 km)

You may also be interested in

Although Rome is a city with enough things to see and do to keep you busy for months, even years, many travellers make time to visit some of the country's main attractions, such as Pompeii, Herculaneum or Tivoli. Rome is also relatively close to Florence, the centre of the Italian Renaissance.

Villa d'Este

Villa d’Este is a sumptuous Renaissance dwelling located in the outskirts of Rome. It stands out for its beautiful gardens and charmingly decorated rooms. 

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15  comments

Visiting Tivoli from Rome

By   Rick

August 19, 2013

Last week, while contemplating other themes that would readily lend themselves to my snarky commentary, a friend of mine asked me to write an article for a website that she manages called Italian Talks.  She explained that they’ve recently repurposed their content and have invited a few heavyweights in the travel blogging niche to become regular contributors.

They’ve attracted such well-known travel writers as Jeff Titelius from Euro Travelogue and Keith Jenkins, founder and publisher of   Velvet Escape (Yes, I’m thinking the same thing as you: How did Rick Zullo manage to finagle his way onto that roster?  It’s a good question, but one that I’m reluctant to ask too directly.  If they initiate any serious inquiry, it won’t take long for them to realize their colossal mistake.  Shhh…)

It was easy to pick a topic, since writing about Tivoli has been on my mind anyway.  Being the pigrone (translation: big, lazy slob) that I am, I saw this as a perfect opportunity to maximize my exposure while minimizing my effort by pairing it with the post that you’re presently skimming through.  But also because the town of Tivoli holds a bitter-sweet place in my heart.  Sweet because it’s where my wife and I went on our first date.  Bitter because, for some reason, this is the Questura I was assigned to when applying for my first Permesso di Soggiorno , requiring me to make about six futile visits there in the course of seven months.  Anyone who has read my previous blog posts on the subject has a pretty good idea how I feel.  “Bitter” only scratches the surface. Grrrr…

So yes, I know Tivoli much better than any other of the little villages around Rome, and there are several spots in the immediate area worth a close look.  There’s the Villa of Emperor Hadrian, who built a sprawling compound near Tivoli in the 2 nd century A.D., complete with palaces, pools, libraries, temples, and a theater.  Hadrian was an enthusiastic traveler and he drew inspiration from the many civilizations he encountered along his voyages, particularly Egypt and Greece.  These influences can be seen throughout the architecture of the remaining ruins.  Take a deep breath and you’ll smell the sulfurous odor of the natural hot springs ( terme ) nearby, which Hadrian and his fellow Romans believed had therapeutic qualities.  Nineteen centuries later, they’re still there and open for business.

On the outskirts of Tivoli is the park of Villa Gregoriana, which features two temples from the 2 nd and 3 rd centuries B.C.  Follow the path down into a plummeting gorge and enjoy the refreshing waterfalls at the bottom of the ravine.  When you arrive, you’ll discover the secret caves of Neptune and the Sirens—a cool refuge during the heat of August.

The crown jewel, however, is Villa D’Este where the sophisticated style of the late Renaissance transitions into the awkwardness of the mannerism era, and finally giving way to baroque exaggerations. This place has something for everyone, whether you’re a lover of art, architecture, history, landscape design, or just natural beauty.  Please check on my article this week on the Italian Talks website to read more about this incredible Villa and its even more incredible gardens.  Visiting Tivoli from Rome is easy–just a one hour train ride from the center of Rome to Tivoli station and then a short walk to both Villa D’Este and Villa Gregoriana.

Thanks again to Italian Talks for inviting me on board.  Their website is a fantastic source of information.  More than that, as their tagline says, it’s really a collection of “Italian stories by true lovers of Italy.”  I’m truly honored to be part of their team.

How to reach Villa D’Este Tivoli is easily reached by train from the center of Rome in about an hour.  Take the Roma-Pescara Line to Stazione Tivoli, and walk across the bridge to the center of town.  There are many street signs pointing the way to the villa. Address: Piazza Trento, 5, 00019 Tivoli, Province of Rome, Italy

Visiting the Villa and Gardens Visiting Hours are from 8:30 a.m. until one hour before sunset.  The villa is closed on Mondays as well as January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th. The Hydraulic Organ Fountain is active daily, from 10:30 a.m., every two hours.

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Fantastic introduction to Tivoli! I haven’t been there yet but would love to venture someday! Thanks for all the helpful tips as well! Most of all, thank you so much for your kind words in your opening paragraph! I am truly honored!

You’re most welcome, Jeff…happy travels!

Ciao Rick- I have never heard of the other blokes (note to self- must read more blogs)- but I am very glad I have heard of you. As ever love your style. Look forward to remembering to read your soggiorno story Dx

Thanks Debbie! And congrats on your acceptance into the journalism program. Tanti auguri!!

Really enjoy this quick tour. I watched A Roman Vacation with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck last night, and I thought how lovely it would be to visit Rome, now I will add Tivoli. Grazie

This is the best time of year in Rome, in my opinion. The weather is hot during the day, yes, but the nights are wonderful and there’s even a lull in the crowds. And when you want some air and open spaces, head up into the hills in Tivoli and enjoy a completely different atmosphere. Che bella, questa vita romana!

Thanks for your posts, Rick. We enjoy them and use them in our stays in Rome. This year it will be in Sept. though we even hate to leave the city when we are there every few years! For us it is a long trip from coastal CA.

I know what you mean! Tivoli is an easy trip, though, and well worth it if you have time. Then again, the city itself has plenty to you busy! Thanks for your comments, as always, Sabine. Ciao!

Great post, Rick. On my itinerary this September while in Rome. Do you know if the train will also take you further around the old imperial estates? Also, off the subject, but have you been to the Marino Grape Festival held the first Sunday in October? If so, would you recommend it?

Thanks for all you do…..a great job of keeping us all informed!!

Hi Susan! The easiest way to get to Tivoli is the Roma-Pescara line which goes east through Abruzzo all the way to the coast of Le Marche. As far as I know, there aren’t really any other stops along that line that would be on a typical tourist itinerary. As far as the Grape festival in Marino, I tried once, but got to the Termini station too late and the trains were all full. It gets crowded and my advice would be to leave in the morning, have a little walk or something, enjoy one of the great osterie in Marino (I HIGHLY suggest “Osteria de mi Nonno””). Then after a long lunch you can enjoy the festival before the peak crowds arrive. If you go, let me know about it!

I sure will….thanks for your ideas. The recommendations for Marino works perfectly. I heard that the main fountain in Marino pours red wine! Best I have a pitcher with me… Susan

A pitcher is a great idea…alla tua salute!

Thank you, Rick. This is very helpful and I hope to make Marino to witness the wine flow freely from the fountains. Let’s hope it doesn’t flow through the faucets of the homes this time!!

Hi Rick, Enjoyed your post and have now found another Italian lovers site to check out now and then. Italian Talks is now in my toolbar. I have been to Tivoli during several trips to Italy and love it. Even years ago did the night tour when I still had to travel in summer–which I don’t now. I have never made it into Villa Gregoriana, but that will have to stay an unfulfilled wish. No way I could get down there and up at my age. I enjoyed a private guided tour of Hadrian’s Villa and Villa d’ Este last January. Very expensive but so worth it to me. Thanks again for your interesting posts. A presto, Joan

Joan, as always, thanks for your comments. As many times as I’ve been to Tivoli/Villa D’Este, unfortunately I’ve never seen it at night, which I think would be beautiful. Yes, Villa Gregoriana is a hike at any age! But you can still see the temples at the top of the gorge. If I’m not wrong, one of them even serves as a (high-priced) wedding venue these days.

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Day Trip from Rome: Tivoli

Discover the Thermae, the Villas, the monuments in Tivoli

When visiting Rome a day trip to the surrounding towns and regions is a must. One such place that is well worth a slice of your travel time is Tivoli . Tivoli is a pristine mountain town shrouded in native bush, cascading waterfalls, exquisite gardens and historical sites.

Sitting in the Monti Tiburtini hills on the Aniene River, Tivoli enjoys a cooler climate and has been a resort town for Rome’s elite for centuries. With its fair share of historical sites to visit, breathtaking views over the valley and Roman Campagna , world class cuisine and luxury hotels, a day trip from Rome to Tivoli will make anyone a very happy traveller.

The main attractions in Tivoli are its historical villas and parks. Each one is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers its own unique glimpse of history. Nestled atop a terraced hillside in Tivoli , Villa D’Este is most famous for its magnificent fountains, waterfalls and beautifully maintained gardens.

Villa Adriana is a small trip out of Tivoli, but easily reached by public transport. Described as more of a small town rather than a villa, a visit to Villa Adriana walks you through ancient Roman ruins of marble pillars and building footprints, including the main palace ruins. Note that it can be quite physically exerting visiting this villa site, especially in the hot summer months. Click here to get  Villa D’Este and Villa Adriana private tour from Rome .

Finally one cannot see Tivoli without walking through Parco Villa Gregoriana , a park commissioned by the Pope in 1835 in an effort to rebuild the Aniene River bed after a devastating flood. The result is an expansive park abounding with greenery, manicured gardens, caves and cascading waterfalls.

How to Get There

It’s best to travel to Tivoli by train from Rome, which takes a short 1 hour trip for under £3. Tickets can be booked directly at the train station.

CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR TRAIN TICKET

CLICK HERE TO RENT A CAR

Where to Eat

But the historical villas are only part of the experience. If you’re looking to dine on arguably some of the best Italian cuisine you’ve ever tasted, then the restaurants of Tivoli are set to please. Established in 1720, Ristorante Sibilla Di La Mura Luigia is over 300 years old. Having been around for this long this restaurant knows good food and service and it does both impeccably well.The cuisine is authentic and flawless. Produce is both local and seasonal (our favorite is their ravioli). What’s more, the view here looks up at the two historical Roman villas and reaches out to surrounding waterfalls. Another great food option is Osteria la Briciola , a spot where you will find many locals dining. A small excursion out of Tivoli, 7 minutes by car, the restaurant happily arranges transportation if needed. The staff here are so good they’re worth congratulating and the traditional Italian cuisine is divine. Try the set menu option or the seafood and meat tastings.

Address: Via della Sibilla, 50, Tivoli RM, Italy

Phone: 0774 335281

Website: ristorantesibilla.com

Where to Stay

If you decide to stay overnight, booking accommodation in Tivoli is easy. We recommend using booking.com for the best deals. Victoria Terme Hotel is a top option. Located within Le Terme Di Roma spa park you’ll get to enjoy spa life on your stay. Or also try Hotel Torre Sant’Angelo where you’ll literally be staying in a medieval castle on the Tivoli hillside.

Victoria Terme Hotel

Address: Via Tiburtina Valeria

km 22,700 • 00011 Tivoli Terme

Phone: +39 0774 4088

Le Terme Di Roma

Address: Via Tiburtina Valeria, km 22,700, 00011 Tivoli Terme RM, Italy

Phone: +39 0774 408509

Hotel Torre Sant’Angelo

Address: Via Quintilio Varo, Tivoli RM, Italy

Phone: +39 0774 332533

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Full-day Tivoli Day Trip from Rome with Skip-the-Line Tickets

• Villa d'Este
• Hadrian's Villa

• Travel back in time to Hadrian's Villa, circa 2nd century AD, amongst other landmarks of this rich and famous countryside
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Tivoli Tour—Day Trip from Rome to Tivoli

The history of hadrian, the gardens of the villa d'este, please note.

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Home » Travel Guides » Italy » 15 Best Things to Do in Tivoli (Italy)

15 Best Things to Do in Tivoli (Italy)

Tivoli is a commune of the greater metropolitan area of Rome in the region of Lazio. Despite its small size and close proximity to the eternal city, Tivoli actually has a great range of fantastic attractions and sites and is a great place to visit. This commune was founded in Roman times and was an important settlement during the reign of Emperor Hadrian due to its strategic location on the River Aniene. During the Middle Ages, Tivoli came under the control of the Papal States and was fortified with a defensive network and city walls. At the time of the Renaissance, the magnificent Villa d’Este was constructed and the commune continued to prosper. Today, Tivoli has an economy based on its travertine quarries and tourism.

In terms of attractions, Tivoli has a superb selection of historical architecture such as the Rocca Pia, Villa d’Este and the San Lorenzo Cathedral. Furthermore, the commune benefits from a series of magnificent waterfalls, an ancient Roman Amphitheatre and a series of high-quality restaurants and bars. Due to its close proximity to Rome, Tivoli is a great location to take a day trip, or to be used as a base for exploring Lazio.

Let’s have a look at the best things to do in Tivoli :

1. Villa Adriana

Many people do not know, but to the immediate west of Tivoli you can find an immense complex that was created for the Roman Emperor Hadrian.

Covering an area of 120 hectares, this magnificent complex contains a myriad of well-preserved structures and offers superb insight into ancient Rome.

The Emperor used this villa as a retreat from Rome during the 2nd century AD and Tivoli was chosen due to its picturesque landscape.

Today you can find many beautiful buildings still standing such as the Grandi Terme, the Quadriportico, the Teatro Marittimo and the Piazza d’Oro.

Furthermore there is also a plethora of artefacts from the site such as mosaics, pottery and ceramics.

When visiting Tivoli, visiting the Villa Adriana is an absolute must!

2. Villa d’Este Gardens

These gardens are possibly the best known in Italy and represent the pinnacle of Italian landscape garden design.

Located in the western part of the town centre near the Duomo, the gardens are expansive and you could easily spend hours exploring the various different segmented areas.

Within the gardens you can find several beautiful fountains including the monumental Fontana di Nettuno, the Fontana di Tivoli and Le Centro Fontane – each fountain is adorned with sculptures and ornate decoration.

Additionally there is a series of landscaped gardens full of plants, trees and greenery.

This is a truly magical place to walk through and combined with the Villa d’Este Palace, is one of the top sites in Tivoli.

3. Villa d’Este Palace

The Villa d’Este was created during the 16th century under the instruction of Cardinal Ippolito d’Este.

Due to its location, the villa offers sublime views of the surrounding landscape and the gorgeous Villa d’Este Gardens.

Within the villa itself you can find a number of different rooms that have been restored and maintained in their original condition.

The detail and decoration found within these rooms is spectacular.

Notable rooms include The Hall of the Hunt, the Hall of Glory, the Hall of Noah and the First Tribune Hall.

Each room is practically covered with beautiful artworks and as you pass through each hall, you are presented with a myriad of different stories and legends and depicted in great detail and colour.

4. Via delle Cascatelle

This walkway passes through some gorgeous parkland and allows visitors to see the magnificent waterfalls that cascade in the northern part of Tivoli.

If you walk from the Villa Gregoriana and towards the Via Quintilio Varo you can see the waterfalls and the town of Tivoli.

The path winds through some beautiful woods and is a pleasant place to hike during fine weather.

If you want to view the waterfalls from the top, there is a small path from Via Quintilio Varo – this path heads to the edge of the falls and from here you can see the cascades of water and hear the thunderous noise of the water.

5. Rocca Pia

The Rocca Pia is an ancient medieval fortress that was built during the 15th century.

This beautiful structure was constructed during the conflicts of the Guelph’s and Ghibellines and was built to strengthen the defense of Tivoli.

What makes this structure so intriguing is its fantastic symmetrical design and the fact that it stands in such good condition despite being over 500 years old.

Four crenulated guard towers surround the keep and the towers and ramparts both feature an arched under design.

Although entry is not permitted inside the Rocca Pia, this is still an important building in the heart of Tivoli.

6. Tivoli Cathedral

The Cathedral of Tivoli is the main religious building in the town and is also known as the Duomo of San Lorenzo Martire.

The structure that currently stands in Tivoli was constructed in the 12th century in a Romanesque style.

Although the exterior is quite plain, there is a large bell tower and the white washed walls have various inscriptions.

Inside the cathedral however is a different story – the main aisle contains some absolutely stunning decoration on the ceilings, arches and main altar.

Throughout the interior you can see a myriad of different paintings and frescos, and practically every part of the building contains some ornate decoration.

7. Villa Gregoriana

This romantic complex is nestled within the valley of the Aniene River and is a great place to walk through in the eastern part of Tivoli.

Commissioned by Pope Gregory XVI in the 19th century, the villa has a series of beautiful gardens, grottos and paths that wind through the landscape.

Notable features include the Siren’s Grotto, the Grotto of Neptune and of course the Grande Cascata – you can see this waterfall from the villa in all its glory, and the man-made passageways that directed its flow.

When visiting Tivoli, consider spending time exploring this villa and the surrounding natural area.

8. Chiesa di Sant’Andrea

This understated church is often overlooked in favour of Tivoli cathedral however it has some amazing decoration in its own right and is a true hidden gem.

If you head down from the Via Ponte Gregoriano towards the Via dei Sosii, you will eventually find the church on the Via Sant Andrea.

The exterior is quite underwhelming and features several marble statues and Latin inscriptions but the real treat is inside.

When entering the church you would not expect such opulent decoration – the ceiling is particularly interesting as it has a checkerboard design with many golden reliefs.

Furthermore, the marble columns of the main aisle have a beautiful swirl pattern, and the main altar is embellished with colourful frescos – don’t miss out on this little known treasure!

9. Tempio di Vesta

The Temple of Vesta commands a domineering position on the western arm of the Aniene valley and provides superb views across to the Villa Gregoriano and the Tivoli waterfalls.

Two temples actually sit in close proximity to each other – the Tempio di Vesta and the Temple of Sibilla; both are remnants of the cities Roman past.

The Temple of Vesta features a beautiful circular design with many grand columns, whilst the Temple of Sibilla now stands as a simple square structure.

At night the columns are lit up and the effect is highly impressive.

There is even a restaurant next to the Tempio di Vesta which provides outdoor seating next to this magnificent structure.

10. Bleso Amphitheatre

As mentioned previously, Tivoli has an ancient history that spans back to the Roman era – Emperor Hadrian once lived here.

Many structures remain from this time period and one such relic is the Roman Amphitheatre.

This fantastic building has only recently been re-opened to the public but it is now possible to walk through the remains and see what stands of this once glorious theatre.

Located conveniently next to the Rocca Pia and the Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi, the Amphitheatre is easily accessible and a great place to visit whilst walking through the centre of Tivoli – you can still see the original oval shape of the building together with some of the columns and walls.

11. Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi

In the southern part of the town centre of Tivoli you can find the immense Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi.

This square is a central point in the town and features some beautiful architecture including the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore and a large modernist sculptured arch that spans two pools in the centre of the Piazza.

Furthermore, to the southern end of the square you can find a beautiful garden and the Panoramica Di Tivoli – this viewing point looks out onto the surrounding countryside and sunsets here are absolutely breath-taking.

12. Enjoy a meal at the Ristorante Osteria la Briciola

Tivoli has a variety of first class restaurants and the Ristorante Osteria la Briciola is one of the top rated in the area.

This fine establishment is actually located just outside of the city in the small village of Bivio San Polo on the slopes of Monte Catillo.

Here you can enjoy a myriad of beautifully created and presented dishes including seafood and traditional Italian pasta.

Furthermore their dessert section is to die for and each selection tastes divine and looks stunning.

Many people comment on the restaurants attention to detail, the friendly nature of the staff and the beautiful setting.

13. Take a day trip to Rome

When stopping in Tivoli, you simply cannot pass up the chance to visit Rome.

Tivoli is literally 20km to the east of central Rome and has great transport links to the Eternal City.

Rome is renowned worldwide for its fantastic array of ancient architecture and gorgeous historical buildings.

Notable sites include the Colosseum, St. Peter’s Square, St. Peter’s Basilica, The Vatican, The Sistine Chapel, the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon.

This is just the beginning and Rome has so much more to offer than these well-known attractions.

Tivoli is a great base from which to explore Rome and travel into the centre.

14. Enjoy a drink at Flo’s cafe and bistro

Flo’s cafe and bistro is located on the Via Ponte Gregoriano; only a short walk from the magnificent waterfalls of Tivoli.

This establishment is a fantastic place to enjoy a quiet drink, but you can also tuck in to a hearty meal or a coffee.

The décor is upmarket and the ambience of the bistro bar is pleasant and inviting – if you can get an outside table you are granted with views of the Temple of Sibylla.

For those who enjoy a drink or two, you can choose from a range of craft beers, wines and spirits including many from the local area.

15. Riserva Naturale Monte Catillo

To the immediate north east of Tivoli you can find the Monte Catillo natural reserve.

This reserve is centred on Monte Catillo and has been designated a protected area since 1997. The reserve is mainly covered with luscious forest and it is possible to hike through this beautiful region and even climb to the summit of the mountain.

At the top of Monte Catillo there is a large steel cross that can be seen for miles around.

When hiking through the park you are presented with fantastic views of the surrounding landscape and it is even possible to see the waterfalls at Tivoli.

15 Best Things to Do in Tivoli (Italy):

• Villa Adriana
• Villa d’Este Gardens
• Villa d’Este Palace
• Via delle Cascatelle
• Tivoli Cathedral
• Villa Gregoriana
• Chiesa di Sant’Andrea
• Tempio di Vesta
• Bleso Amphitheatre
• Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi
• Enjoy a meal at the Ristorante Osteria la Briciola
• Take a day trip to Rome
• Enjoy a drink at Flo’s cafe and bistro
• Riserva Naturale Monte Catillo

The 11 best day trips out of Rome from ancient sites to Renaissance wonders

Dec 13, 2023 • 10 min read

From nearby ancient sites in the Lazio region to taking the fast train to amazing cities farther afield, here are some of the best day trips from Rome © Imgorthand / Getty Images

With so much to see in Rome , you’d be forgiven for never making it outside the city limits, but the wealth of attractions doesn’t end with the Colosseum or the Vatican. If you choose to explore the region of Lazio , of which Rome is the capital, you’ll be richly rewarded.

Between sprawling historic sites, outdoor attractions for all seasons and not-so-secret food and wine destinations, the area surrounding Rome might be just as fascinating as the city itself. Farther afield, Florence , Naples and Pompeii are all close enough to plan a day trip from Rome: they don’t call it the center of the world for nothing. 

Here are the very best places near Rome to visit on a day trip – and how to get there.

1. Explore the ancient ruins at Ostia Antica

Travel time: 30 mins

One of the easiest outings from Rome is a day trip to the Scavi Archeologici di Ostia Antica , the remarkably well-preserved ruins of ancient Rome’s seaport. Don’t miss the Terme di Nettuno, a 2nd-century baths complex with striking floor mosaics and a steeply stacked amphitheater in the heart of the ruins (used until the 4th century CE). You can also see the Thermopolium, an ancient cafe where you can make out traces of a menu frescoed on the wall. If the daily specials of a few millennia past don’t strike your fancy, Ristorante Monumento serves filling pastas and local seafood near the site’s main entrance.

How to get to Ostia Antica from Rome: Take the Ostia Lido train from Stazione San Paolo in Rome (next to Piramide metro station) and get off at Ostia Antica.

2. Visit an Etruscan City of the Dead in Cerveteri 

Travel time: 55 mins

The pre-Roman Etruscans left an indelible mark on the civilizations that followed, but much of their culture remains shrouded in mystery. However, one of the best-preserved Etruscan ruins is just outside of Rome at the Necropoli di Banditaccia in Cerveteri . A UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, this haunting necropolis located just outside the modern town is a veritable city of the dead with streets, squares and terraces of circular grass-topped tombs known as tumuli .

Once you’ve explored these, complete your Etruscan education at the Museo Nazionale Cerite back in the historic center. Nearby, Da Bibbo is a cut above your average osteria .

How to get to Cerveteri from Rome: Regular Cotral buses serve Cerveteri from Cornelia metro station. By car, the town is 28 miles (45km) north of Rome, off the A12 autostrada . The necropolis is a mile from the city center.

3. Make it a day at Pompeii 

Travel time:  2.5 hours

If you’re a history lover, head south to the Pompeii Archaeological Park at the foot of Mount Vesuvius, just south of Naples. Although you could spend a lifetime studying the remains of the city frozen in time, you can also see quite a bit of it in a day. Visit the Lupanare, the only remaining ancient Roman brothel, and the Stabian baths for a window into daily life in Pompeii. There are also beautifully preserved private residences like the Villa dei Misteri, whose painted walls depict Dionysian rituals. Speaking of which, archaeologists have just discovered a second fresco in Pompeii featuring mensa  flatbread, a precursor to pizza. Pompeii residents clearly took their snacks seriously!

How to get to Pompeii from Rome: There are frequent high-speed trains that leave Termini station for Naples. From there, take the Circumvesuviana train to the stop at Pompeii. Rumor has it that the high-speed train will link up directly to Pompeii in 2024, which would significantly reduce the journey, so if you’re planning for next year keep an eye out for updates.

4. Visit two World Heritage sites in one day at Tivoli

Travel time:  50 mins

For a tiny town, Tivoli has a lot to offer visitors looking for something a little different. Located a little over 15 miles east of Rome, it is an easy trip from the center to  Villa d’Este , a Renaissance residence high up in the hills. Once you’ve admired the florid Mannerist frescoes and extravagant garden fountains, treat yourself to something special at Ristorante Sibilla .  Next take a post-lunch walk down to Villa Adriana , the country estate that once belonged to Roman Emperor Hadrian. The spectacular grounds are filled with towering ruins that languish beneath gnarled olive trees and enormous umbrella pines. 

How to get to Tivoli from Rome: Tivoli is accessible by regular Cotral bus from Ponte Mammolo metro station and takes about 50 minutes. Another option is a train from Stazione Termini to Tivoli, which departs every 15 minutes. To get to Villa Adriana from Tivoli’s historic center, take local CAT bus number 4 or 4X from Largo Garibaldi.

5. Soak in thermal baths and meet monsters in Tuscia 

Travel time: 1.5 to 2 hours

Head due north of Rome to explore some of the best kept secrets in Italy, which most people miss as they duck in and out of the capital. Start your day exploring the Parco dei Mostri in Bomarzo, a 16th century sculpture garden populated by evocative structures that the first owner of the property commissioned to cope with the grief of losing his wife.   

Known as Tuscia, the northern Lazio area that borders Umbria and Tuscany is a great place to soak in thermal waters that flow naturally from the volcanic soil underneath. The Terme dei Papi was used as a private bath for the popes who briefly resided in Viterbo in the Middle Ages, and it's now a popular year-round site for health lovers. Once you’ve had a soak, take a stroll through the medieval San Pellegrino quarter of Viterbo and stop for a cocktail at the Magnamagna in Piazza della Morte. 

How to get to Tuscia from Rome: Viterbo is connected to Rome via train at Termini or Ostiense stations, and to access the Parco dei Mostri, get off at the Attigliano-Bomarzo station on the same line. If you’re driving, the A1 motorway is well connected to Viterbo and Bomarzo, or take the more scenic Cassia for a quieter ride. 

6. Take a hike in Monti Simbruini 

Travel time: 1 hour

If the seven hills of Rome don’t provide you with the adrenaline rush you’re looking for, head east to one of Italy’s finest national parks at Monti Simbruini . Close to Rome and accessible by public transport or car, Monti Simbruini has hundreds of kilometers of bike trails, walking itineraries and historical landmarks. Though it covers almost 30,000 hectares, the park is easy to navigate and is studded with small towns you can use as reference points or stops along the way. Admire rare species of flora and fauna and stop for a picnic in front of geological wonders like the Karst formations in Piano di Camposecco or Mola Vecchia. 

How to get to Monti Simbruini from Rome: The trip to Subiaco, one of the larger towns in the park, takes about an hour by car from the center of Rome and from there, visitors can explore the park at their leisure. All the towns of the park are connected to Rome via local Cotral buses. Consult the map on the Park’s website to plan your trip. 

7. Check out the Boho Borgo of Calcata

There is no shortage of beautiful, crumbling hill towns in Italy; there are, however, very few that can claim to have been saved by hippies. Located just outside of greater Rome, the historic center of Calcata was condemned by the local government in the 1930s for fear it would collapse. This prompted a mass exodus of residents and left the center abandoned until artists began to squat in the town in the 1960s. Over time the squatters purchased the homes, the government rescinded the order and residents began restoring the ancient buildings. Now it's a tiny but vibrant community with cafes, art galleries and enough stories to fill up a day. Soak it all up at the Latteria del Gatto Nero , a restaurant and cafe that’s been in operation since the early days of the hippie resettlement.  

How to get to Calcata from Rome: Calcata is an easy drive from Rome along the Cassia/SS2bis motorway and takes about an hour. 

8. See the Duomo and wander the medieval lanes of Orvieto

Travel time: 1.25 hours

Midway between Rome and Florence, the cliff-top town of Orvieto is a classic day trip for all the right reasons. Its handsome medieval lanes are a joy to explore and there are fabulous restaurants, shopping and panoramic views just about anywhere. What makes Oriveto such a singular destination, however, is its awe-inspiring cathedral, one of Italy's great Gothic churches. Spectacular inside and out, the zebra-striped Duomo features a mesmerizing facade and an astonishing fresco cycle by Luca Signorelli depicting the Giudizio Universale. Once you’ve visited the Duomo, take in all the views from atop the Torre del Moro. But that’s not all this city has to offer. Explore the Etruscan caves on the Orvieto Underground tour and marvel at the city they built practically by hand underneath the tuff stone. Book ahead at the tiny but mighty I Sette Consoli for one of their precious tables, and the finely edited menu of local dishes.

How to get to Orvieto from Rome: Regular trains serve Orvieto from Rome Termini (1 hour 15 minutes). By car, it’s just off the main north–south A1 autostrada .

9. See Renaissance masterpieces in Florence

Travel time: 1.5 hours

With Florence only an hour and a half away by fast train, the city can be visited in a day. You won’t have time for everything , but you’ll be able to squeeze in the headline sights  – especially if you’ve pre-booked museum tickets through Firenze Musei . From the train station walk down to Piazza del Duomo, home to a trio of celebrated sights: the Duomo with its distinctive red-tiled dome, the Giotto-designed campanile and the Battistero di San Giovanni.

From there, continue onto Piazza della Signoria, where you can visit Florence's lavish town hall, Palazzo Vecchio , and come face to face with Renaissance masterpieces at the Galleria degli Uffizi . To fuel your wanderings, stop for an innovative lunch at #Raw , a vegan concept started by Florence natives who returned home after traveling the world. However, tradition still reigns supreme at Gilli , one of the city’s historic cafes and worth the visit. 

How to get to Florence from Rome: Regular trains connect Rome Termini with Florence’s Stazione di Santa Maria Novella.

10. Castelli Romani is the perfect day trip destination for foodies

Travel time: 30 to 45 mins

A pretty pocket of vine-clad hills and volcanic lakes on Rome's southern doorstep, the Castelli Romani makes for a fabulous foodie trip. The area is most well known as the headquarters for porchetta , a deboned suckling pig that’s slathered in spices and fennel pollen and roasted to perfection. If you’re traveling toward the town of Ariccia on a Sunday, expect to see legions of hungry Romans stopped on the side of the road, waiting desperately for a suitably over-stuffed panino full of pork. Frascati, one of the most accessible towns of the Castelli Romani, makes it easy: feast on porchetta and local white wine at the Cantina Simonetti , one of several historic cellars in town. 

How to get to Castelli Romani from Rome: Direct trains serve Frascati and take about 30 minutes. Castel Gandolfo is on the Albano Laziale line, and the ride is about 45 minutes. Both leave from Termini station in Rome. 

11. Build your street food tour in Naples 

Travel time: 1 to 1.5 hours

As awe-inspiring as Rome might be, nowhere is quite like Naples – this city  is pure passion. And there’s no better way to experience it than to eat your way through town . Street food is a religion in Naples, so plan to start your day in the Pignasecca market in the center of the city where you’ll experience the full sensory overload that Naples is so well known to inspire. Keep going until you’re in the thick of the Quartiere Spagnolo , where you’ll smell food everywhere. Get ready to embrace the fry: pizza,  crocchè (potato croquettes), calamari, octopus or zucchini... everything is dipped in batter and fried until perfectly golden. Wash it all down with a legendary coffee from the equally legendary Caffe Gambrinus , and don’t forget a bag of sfogliatelle pastries for the train back to Rome. 

How to get to Naples from Rome: Naples and Rome are well connected via rail link including the Frecciarossa service.

This article was first published May 23, 2019 and updated Dec 13, 2023.

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