Day Trips From Rome

Looking for Day Trips from Rome?

Whether you want to visit Ancient Roman ruins, go wine-tasting, check out beaches, gardens, or other must-see Italian cities, you are spoiled for choice!

michelangelo's david in florenceIt's easy to visit Florence as a day trip from Rome. It's only 1.5 hours away by train.

Day Trips From Rome - Where to Go?

Want to get out of Rome for the day? See something new and different?

Rome is blessed in its location near so many wonderful places you can easily visit for the day like:

the amphitheater at ostia anticaYou can visit spectacular ruins like this well-preserved amphitheater at Ostia Antica just outside Rome

Ancient Roman Ruins near Rome

We are spoiled for choice when it comes to Ancient Roman ruins inside Rome.

But it's also easy to visit some pretty amazing ruins outside the city. These make for excellent day trips from Rome.

You can go on your own, or with a tour.

I highly recommend taking a tour of any of the below sites.

In particular Pompeii and Ostia are vast, and there is so much to see. A good guide can really bring the place to life.

Pompeii

Without a doubt, Pompeii is one of the most popular day trips from Rome.

ruins of pompeii italyVisiting Pompeii makes an easy day trip from Rome. Photo credit - Jensens Wikimedia Commons

In 79 CE, the Roman city of Pompeii was shocked by the devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius, a volcano that spewed ash, hot lava and gases that plowed through the cities at its base, Pompeii and nearby Herculaneum, with such force and speed that people and animals were literally stopped in their tracks.

Today you can visit these cities, with their ancient victims frozen in time.

Why not go a little further and visit Sorrento at the same time?

When to go: Year-round, 7 days a week. Closed 1 January, 1 May,  25 December. Open from 9 AM - 5 PM November - March, and from 9 AM - 7 PM April - October.

Tickets: 16€ full price. Free on the first Sunday of each month. Buy your tickets in advance here.

How to get there: You can take a train from Rome Termini to Naples (I recommend the fast train, just over an hour one-way). From there, take the local Circumvesuviana train to Pompeii. These go about every 15 minutes, and take about 20 minutes to get to the ruins. You can also book a R/T shuttle Rome/Pompeii.

Tours:

Or you can just enjoy the stunning Amalfi Coast from the sea - spend a day exploring the various towns along this storied stretch of coastline.

Ostia Antica

Ostia was once one of the most important river ports of Ancient Rome. 

ostia antica just half an hour from romeThe ancient port city of Ostia Antica is an easy day trip from Rome

In the years during and after the decline of the Roman Empire, Ostia fell into disuse and was eventually abandoned. So it does not have the drama of Pompeii.

But it is one of the best-preserved ancient Roman cities, and it's only half an hour from Rome, making it one of the easiest day trips from Rome.

When to go: Year-round. The site is open Tuesday - Sunday (closed Mondays, December 25, January 1 and May 1.) They ARE open in August and on August 15 (unless it's a Monday.) From 8:30 - var. closing times. Visit the official website of Ostia Antica for more details.

How to get there: Take the blue line B metro to Piramide. From there, take the train Roma-Lido, and get off at Ostia Antica. The entrance to the ruins is about 5 minutes' walk from there.

Tickets: It's easy to purchase your tickets right at the site. There may be a short line but it moves quickly. Tickets are 8€. If you want to pre-book, you can do so on their website (above), paying an additional 1€ fee. The site is free for everyone on the first Sunday of ever month (unless it's one of the holiday dates above, in which case, check their website.)

Tours: Click here to book a small-group tour to Ostia Antica.

Hadrian's Villa

This site is for true ancient Rome lovers, or perhaps for admirers of Hadrian (the guy who was responsible for the Pantheon, Castel Sant'Angelo, and other things.)

hadrians villa not far from romeHadrian's Villa just outside Rome - photo by Saskia Balmaekers of Blog Ciao Tutti

The site is enormous and there is a lot of ground to cover.

It's also not easy to get to on your own.

The best suggestion I have for visiting Hadrian's Villa is by car, or with a tour.

Tours normally include the Tivoli Gardens in the Villa D'Este (below), also.

When to go: The site is open year-round. It's closed on May 1, December 25 and January 1. Opening time is 9am, and closing times vary according to the season. Visit Coopculture for details.

How to get there: The best way to get here is by car, or on a tour. If you want to come on your own, Metro blue line B to Ponte Mammolo. From there get a Cotral bus in the direction of Via Prenestina. Ask the driver when to get off. You will still have to walk over a kilometer. Getting back can be complicated, as the bus schedules do not seem to be precise or consistent.

Tickets: Full price 8€. Under 18 (everyone) - free.

Tours: Click here to book a day trip tour to Hadrian's Villa and Villa D'Este.

Must-visit Italian cities Near Rome

When visitors come to Italy, they often want to see more than they have time for.

This is understandable.

After all, we have more UNESCO heritage sites here than anyplace else in the world!

And with limited vacation time, it can sometimes make sense to visit some nearby cities as day trips from Rome, even if they all merit a longer visit.

Florence

Florence is only 1.5 hours from Rome by train, making it one of the easiest day trips from Rome.

view of the duomo in florenceVisiting Florence is one of the easiest day trips from Rome.

Even though Florence offers a wealth of things to see and do, it's also relatively small, compared to Rome, and you can certainly see a lot in one day. 

If you are looking for advice on all things Florence, don't miss my fabulous pal Georgette's blog:

Girl in Florence

When to go: Year-round. Like Rome, Florence will be less crowded (but darker and colder) in low season, i.e. the winter months. And like Rome, Florence swelters in the heat of July and August.

How to get there: The fast train is the easiest way to get go round-trip Rome-Florence. 

Tours: An organized tour is a great way to take the hassle out of planning, and make sure you see the highlights.

Naples

Naples is even closer to Rome than Florence, only an hour away by fast-train.

For many, visiting Naples means just stopping there to get to Capri, Sorrento or Pompeii.

But I love Naples and think it warrants a visit all on its own.

mount vesuvius as seen from naplesThis view of Mount Vesuvius is one reason Naples is one of my favorite day trips from Rome

I recommend coming to Naples with a tour, or having a plan for the day so you get the most out of it.

Click here to explore things to see and do in Naples.

When to go: Year-round. Naples gets pretty crowded in December, because a lot of Italians come from all over to soak up the Christmas ambiance here, in particular the street where all the Nativity Scene objects are made and sold, Via San Gregorio Armeno.

How to get there: Take the fast train from Rome to Naples. Do not drive!

Tours: Most Naples day trips from Rome include Pompeii. If you only want to visit Naples, and you want a tour, take the train down, and book a local tour in Naples.


The perfect 3-day itinerary in Rome

Trying to figure out how to organize your visit to Rome? I've got the perfect 3-day itinerary for first-time visitors (or those who have not been here in a while.) It works for a 2.5 day visit as well.

In my 3-day itinerary, you'll see all the major must-see Rome attractions like the Vatican, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps, Castel Sant'Angelo, and much more.

And if you have more time, or want suggestions for extra/other things to do, you'll find that there too.

Visit my page with the best 3-day itinerary in Rome for first-timers.


Venice

Is Venice an easy day trip from Rome?

Not at all.

But I get this question a lot, and it IS doable. 

iconic gondolas moored in veniceYou can only get this iconic view of gondolas like this in Venice. Photo credit - Gillian Longworth McGuire

The fast train takes about 3.5 hours to get from Rome to Venice, so a day trip means 7 hours of travel time.

I've never taken a day trip to Venice from Rome, but my pal Gillian has, and here's how she did it.

 🤙 Roaming in Rome? 📱

Get yourself an Italian eSIM for calls, messages and data when traveling here.

Save on data charges with plans from just 19€ from Holafly - our recommended eSIM provider!

Click here to get yours now and use code ROMEWISE to save 5%!

When to go: The quietest time is in winter (except for the Christmas and New Year holidays, and, of course, Carnival.) Venice can be really cold in winter, because it's right on the water. Most of the rest of the year is high season in Venice. Expect crowds.

How to get there: Take the fast train from Rome to Venice. I strongly urge you not to consider driving.

Tickets: If you want to see a specific museum or show, it's a good idea to purchase tickets in advance.

Tours: You can book a day trip to/from Rome, or book a local tour for when you arrive.

A great resource on Venice, written by a local, is Monica Cesarato's blog.

Bologna

Bologna has become one of my favorite day trips from Rome.

neptune bolognaThe Neptune statue of Bologna is one of its most picturesque icons. But Bologna offers so much more!

It's only 2 hours by train from Rome, so it's easy to get to.

And it's a lovely place to just walk around.

But there's more!

bologna canalBologna has a lot of water canals. Unlike Venice, the canals are under the city. This is the only canal in Bologna you can see, and you can spot it by visiting the "Finestrella di Via Piella".

Many people consider the region of Emilia-Romagna (where Bologna is) to be THE food capital of Italy (parma ham, Parmesan cheese, Baslamic vineger, tortellini, etc.)

As much as I love Roman food, I have to agree - one could die and go to heaven eating one's way through Bologna.

pasta in bolognaBologna is well known for its cuisine, in particular tortellini, and fettucine with "ragù", a meat sauce known outside of Italy as "Bolognese". Here is another local pasta, "gramigna", at Ristorante de Cesari.

It may not be one of the most famous day trips from Rome, but if you want something different, try Bologna.

You can pop up for the day, stroll under the beautiful porticoes, visit some churches, eat some life-changing pasta, climb the Asinelli tower, and come back to Rome.

Here's how I did it with Zoey Arielle:

Bologna is famous for its beautiful porticoes like this one.
I love the morning light as it casts shadows through Bologna's porticoes.

When to go: Winter is quietest but even year-round it's  generally less busy than some of Italy's other art cities.

How to get there: Take the fast train from Rome to BolognaI strongly urge you not to consider driving.

Tickets: If you want to see a specific museum or show, it's a good idea to purchase tickets in advance.

ToursYou can book a day trip to/from Rome, or book a local tour for when you arrive.

Disclosure: If you make a purchase through a link on this page, I may receive a small commission - at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my site!

Where to go wine-tasting on a Day Trip from Rome

You can certainly go wine-tasting IN Rome.

But if you want to make a day of it and get out to the countryside, there are lots of options, from staying in the Lazio region (where Rome is), to visiting Umbria or Tuscany, home to some excellent Italian wines.

Tuscany

Probably the most popular wine-tasting day trips from Rome are in Tuscany.

The region of Tuscany is just north-west of Lazio (Rome's region), and it's pretty easy to get to.

Day Trips from RomeTuscany. Among the most beautiful regions of our country. Rich of history, land of some of the country’s finest wines, and home to places included by UNESCO in the World Heritage List.

When to go: Wine tasting day trips from Rome to Tuscany typically go from March through November. The wineries function in winter, but there is less demand and so tours don't tend to run then.

How to get there: You could go by car, train or, on a guided tour. If you go by train, you should pick a place where you know you can go wine-tasting, like Montepulciano.

Tours: The easiest way to take any wine tasting day trips from Rome to Tuscany is with an organized tour.

I highly recommend this superb small-group day trip to Tuscany with Take Walks. You'll visit Pienza, one of the loveliest towns in Tuscany, see a castle, enjoy a country lunch on a farm, and go wine tasting at a local winery.

Frascati

rolling hills and vineyards in Frascati just outside RomeOne of the easiest wine-tasting day trips from Rome, Frascati is so close and yet seems worlds away. Photo credit - Michelle Aschbacher

Frascati is only half hour from Rome, but it's like entering another world.

A world of peace, quiet, elegance, and rolling hilltops . . . and wine.

The ancient Romans knew what they were doing when they built their summer homes here to beat the heat. 

When to go: Year-round. Frascati is a town where people live so it's always visitable. Wineries, however, may have limited hours and limited tours in low season (winter.)

How to get there: It's simple to take the train from Rome right to Frascati. Regional trains leave from Termini, cost about 2€, and take 30 minutes one way.

What to do: If you don't want to book an organized tour from Rome, check out this fantastic Frascati website by my pal Michelle Smith, who's lived in Frascati for years. She has a wealth of wine experiences listed on her site.

ToursOne of the things that makes Frascati one of the best day trips from Rome for wine-tasting is that you can even do this in half a day. Book a half-day wine-tasting and lunch tour from Rome to Frascati.

No matter what season you visit Rome, here are 4 things never to leave at home:

Disclosure: If you make a purchase through a link on this page, I may receive a small commission - at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my site!

Picturesque small towns you can visit from Rome

Maybe one of the reasons you are interested in day trips from Rome is to get out of the big city.

Rome is blessed in its proximity to other wonderful places to visit, not just the biggies like Pompeii and Florence.

Orvieto

Orvieto is one of the loveliest day trips from Rome.

An Etruscan era settlement turned into a medieval fortress and hideaway for Popes escaping sieges and sacks of Rome, this sweet Umbrian town makes a wonderful place to spend a fascinating day away from the hustle and bustle of the Eternal City.

orvieto from aboveA view of the Umbrian town of Orvieto from above

When to go: Year-round. The duomo (cathedral), the most important landmark in Orvieto, is open from November to February 7.30-13.00; March and October 7.30-18.30; From April to September 7.30-19.30.

How to get there: You can easily travel between Orvieto and Rome via train. There are no fast trains, only regional or intercity. Tickets run between 7-18€ one way. It's about 1 - 1.5 hrs away.

Tours: You can go on your own, and book a local tour. Or, you can book a day-trip tour from Rome. Some of these tours also include Assisi (below):

Assisi

I adore the Umbrian town of Assisi.

The birthplace of Saint Francis, it's got a magical, hushed feeling about it.

Sitting high on a hill (as most Umbrian towns do, since in medieval times this was the best way to spot your enemies approaching), you get stunning views of the valleys below, whether from the church or a restaurant or just from walking through the narrow winding streets.

Day Trips from RomeThe Basilic of St. Francis of Assisi is one of the top sites to visit. Photo credit - Roberto Ferrari from Campogalliano, Wikimedia

In my opinion, Assisi deserves at least a full day.

It's a little farther than some of the other day trips from Rome, but if you take a tour, you often combine this with a visit to Orvieto (above), making it logistically easier (even if you then get only a brief overview of Assisi.)

When to go: You can visit Assisi year-round. The basilica is open daily. For specific hours and events, visit their website.

How to get there: Take the train from Rome to Assisi. About 2 hours one way.

Tours: If you go on your own, you can book a local tour in Assisi. Or, you can book a day trip from Rome to Assisi.

ANZIO and NEttuno

Without a doubt, one of the most moving day trips from Rome is a visit to Anzio/Nettuno

the American cemetery at Nettuno on Memorial DayThe American cemetery at Nettuno on Memorial Day

In WWII, the allies landed on Anzio beach. It was one of the most important and one of the bloodiest battles of the war.

Today, Nettuno (so next-door to Anzio it's almost like a neighborhood even if it's actually a different town), is home to the American Cemetery for war dead.

It's a beautiful, peaceful place, and can be a meaningful visit for those with relatives who fought in the war. Or for anyone really.

You can also opt to book a full-day r/t day tour from Rome.

When to go: The cemetery is open to the public daily from 9am to 5pm, non-stop, except on December 25 and January 1. 

How to get there: Take the train from Rome to Nettuno (about an hour.) Walk about 15 minutes to the cemetery from there.

Tours: I have found one company, or rather one person who specializes in battlefield toursDr Danila Bracaglia. Otherwise, If you go on your own, once you are in the cemetery, there will be someone on site who will proudly show you around (free).

Bracciano

Bracciano is a small town on a lake, only about 20 miles north of Rome. 

Day Trips from RomeLake Bracciano is a lovely place to spend a day not far from Rome.

It's popular among Romans and tourists alike, for the quiet pretty lake, and for the very well-preserved medieval castle that you can visit, Castello Orsini-Odescalchi.

Bracciano makes for a lovely day trip or even half-day trip from Rome.

When to go: You can visit Bracciano year-round, but it's most pleasant in the spring-through-fall months.

How to get there: Take the train from Rome to Bracciano. It's about 1 hour away.

Tours:  Take a private full-day trip from Rome to the towns around the Bracciano lake, which includes a visit to the castle, lunch, and some other towns to boot. The Odeschalchi castle also makes for an excellent shore excursionBook a half-day lunch+castle visit day trip to Bracciano from Civitavecchia.

Cinque Terre

I have been surprised over the years to hear many people say they'd like to take a day trip from Rome to Cinque Terre.

This seemed just impossible to me. It's far and not easy to get there.

But if you really want to do it, it is possible.

Day Trips from RomeCinque Terre. Photo by Diana Simon of Browsing Italy.

When to go: You can visit Cinque Terre year-round. In low season (late November - early March), you will find limited services.

How to get thereIf you really want to try to get to Cinque Terre on your own as a day trip from Rome, you'll need to study the train schedules. First you need to take a train to La Spezia. From there, you'll have to get a local train or bus to one of the towns you want to visit.

Tours: There are currently no tours that take you to Cinque Terre from Rome as a day trip. For other Cinque Terre day trips and tours, click here.

Day trips from Rome - Where to see special gardens

We have some beautiful gardens in Rome.

But just outside of Rome are some unique, specially curated gardens that are a must for anyone who loves extraordinary landscaping, or for anyone looking for some greener, quieter day trips from Rome.

Tivoli

When people think of visiting Tivoli, it's usually to visit the Villa D'Este, a Renaissance nobleman's villa with one of the most stunning gardens in Italy. 

the gardens in the villa d'este in tivoliVisiting the town of Tivoli to see the Villa D'Este and its stunning gardens is one of the easiest and loveliest day trips from Rome

A UNESCO world heritage site, Villa D'Este and the gardens are just one of the wonderful things you can visit on a day trip to the town of Tivoli from Rome.

There is also the villa Gregoriana, and, if you are up for a delightful and not too-expensive meal, a lunch at the centuries old restaurant, Sibilla.

And, if you want to include the Villa Adriana (Hadrian's Villa), you can try for that too, although it's a bit out of the town and harder to get to.

When to go: While you can visit Villa D'Este year-round, it's most magical when the plants and flowers are in full bloom. The villa is closed Mondays, January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th.  If Monday is a holiday, the monument will remain open and the weekly closure will then be delayed until the following business day.  

How to get there: It's easy to get to the town of Tivoli and from there, to the villa. You can take a bus or train r/t from Tiburtina station in Rome. About 50 minutes.

Tours: Most tours that go as day trips from Rome to Tivoli include the Villa d'Este and also Hadrian's Villa. You may also be interested in a more in-depth tour of just the gardens at Tivoli.

Ninfa

Not far from Rome, the Gardens of Ninfa are an oasis of beauty and peace.

Once a Roman settlement, then a medieval village, the gardens today are almost bursting with plants and flowers from all over the world, in what they call "organized chaos."

the gardens at ninfaA Roman-era bridge and a medieval bridge are just two of the things that make the Gardens of Ninfa so special.

The ruins, the walkways, and the extraordinary and surprising beauty of this mix of species living in harmony all create an almost magical, hushed ambiance that seems to be another world away from Rome.

When to go: The Gardens of Ninfa are one of the most difficult day trips from Rome to organize. They are open on weekends only from April through November, but from July, they are only open once a month. You need to book long in advance as they limit the number of visitors, to protect the delicate environment.

How to get there: If you go on your own, take the train from Rome to Latina. From the Latina station, you can take a taxi (5 minutes), or a shuttle bus. The schedule is on their website.

Tickets: If you go on your own, you'll need to reserve tickets long in advance. 12€ for adults. Here is the official website. Whether you book on your own or through a tour company (below), you have to visit the gardens with a guide. It takes a little over an hour.

Papal Gardens at Castel Gandolfo

You can easily visit the Papal palace and gardens at Castel Gandolfo, the Pope's summer residence, only half an hour from Rome by train.

barberini papal gardens at castel gandolfoThe beautiful Barberini gardens at Castel Gandolfo make for an easy day trip close to Rome.

You can go on your own or take a tour from Rome.

Visit my dedicated page about the Pope's summer residence at Lake Albano near Rome.

Beaches near Rome

Rome is only about half an hour from the sea, and there are plenty of beaches within easy reach.

There are lots of beaches near Rome and these make for great day trips from Rome in summer, or really any time.

Here's my round-up of my favorite beaches near Rome, and how to get there.

Some are farther than others and easier to get to if you have a car (Sperlonga, Sabaudia), or if you book a tour (Capri.)

Ostia

Ostia is the closet beach to Rome, only about half an hour by train.

ostia beachOstia beach, easily reachable from Rome.

When to go: You can go to the beach at Ostia any time of year. There are always one or two restaurants open on the beach even in winter

How to get there: The easiest way to get to Ostia is by train. Take the metro B to piramide, and then change to the train going to Ostia (it's the same ticket as the metro, so you don't have to buy a new ticket.) Get off at Ostia Lido Centro. Ostia is the easiest of the beach day trips from Rome.


Here's how I took a day trip to Santa Marinella beach in winter:


Capri

If you want a special beach day trip from Rome, head to magical Capri.

capri is one of the most beautiful islands near RomeBelieve it or not, you can actually visit this beach on Capri, on a day trip from Rome! Photo credit - Gillian Longworth McGuire

Capri is really best enjoyed as an overnight visit, but it IS doable in a day.

My pal Gillian is a Capri expert. She goes to Capri often, and here's her post about 36 hours there. You can adjust for your day trip!

 🔐 Store your bags and luggage securely! 🧳

We're parterned with Radical Storage who have locations across Italy for you to keep your luggage safe before and after check-in, while on day trips and for everything else between 👌

Click here to book now and use code ROMEWISE to save 5%!

When to go: You can visit the island of Capri year-round. But October and mid-March, there are limited services available. This includes hotels, restaurants and even transport to/from the island.

How to get there: Take the high-speed train to Naples. From there, get a taxi to the dock. From there, you can take several different boats, from a high-speed hydrofoil to a slightly slower and larger ferry. Travel times between Naples and Capri are between 50-90 minutes depending on the boat you take. Or, you can take a speedboat and get there super fast!

Tours: Consider taking a full-day tour from Rome to Capri that takes the guessing about train + ferry schedules out of the picture.

Ponza

Want another option for beach day trips from Rome? I look to my friend Gillian as the expert on island day trips from Rome.

ponza beachesThe islands of Ponza are not far from Rome and an easy day trip. Photo credit - Gillian Longworth McGuire

Check out Ponza!

It's a small island group pretty close to Rome. You can have a relaxing quiet trip and cool off to boot!

When to go: As with any beach trip, you can visit year-round but expect limited services and things open in winter. And of course it is not beach weather until summer, but you can still go and enjoy the scenery.

How to get there: According to my pal Gillian, there are some limited options leaving from Rome. I suggest an easy tour instead:

Tours: There is a full-day tour to Ponza from Rome, which is the easiest way to go especially if you are on vacation and have limited time to deal with train and ferry schedules.



Want to save this to Pinterest? Pin it here!

pin dray trip1
pin dray trip

Get your 100% free Rome trip planner now!

Simply sign-up today for our free newsletter and get the Romewise Quick Start guide to Rome:

We are committed to respecting your data. Click for our Privacy Policy.


Comments? Questions? Suggestions?

Please come over to the private Romewise Facebook group and join in the conversation.

You will often find me there, happy to answer your questions / comments!

You will also meet other Rome lovers and experts, too.

What are you waiting for?

Come join in the fun!