I lived in Rome for a year right after the borders opened again in 2021, and well, if you’re looking for the best day trips from Rome to Florence, Pompeii, Vulci or Tivoli, you’re going to be served.
While Rome is located in Lazio (Latium in English and Latin), there are lots of beautiful towns in Tuscany, Umbria, and Campania just a few hours away where you can have a friends’ day trip or a romantic few days.
Architecture and ruins in Rome might be a great thing (as much as street food and cheap eats, really!), but when you take a short day trip from Rome, you’ll find different types of architecture, colors, and even culture.
22 Best Day Trips from Rome from Pompeii to Vulci
I’ve had the opportunity to visit plenty of the beautiful towns near Rome I’ll mention in this guide, and hopefully, you’ll love them just as much.
Living in Rome made me the happiest person on Earth for about a year, and nothing says that I won’t be moving back there on the first occasion I have.
There are oh-so-many easy day trips to take from Rome, so many surrounding beautiful towns, cities, and villages that honestly, even a full year is not enough to take how much of a stunner Italy is.
In any case, whether you’re looking for the best day trips from Rome by train, car, or even by ferry, you’ll find them all here!
Really Easy Day Trips from Rome in Lazio
Best Day Trips from Rome: Ostia Antica
I’ve spent many days roasting in the sun at Ostia Lido, which is one of the closest beaches near Rome – and it costs a mere €3 round-trip since you’re using the metro to get there!
But if you’re looking for something unreal, something supernatural, even, one of the best day trips from Rome is one to Ostia Antica.
Later in this guide, we will talk about Pompeii (how could we not?!), but if you’ve been looking for ruins in Rome, then Ostia Antica is your first destination.
I’ve always been a lover of ruins and old churches, which is why Pompeii is one of my favorite places on Earth. You’ve got amazing examples of Antique Rome at Ostia Antica, from the House of Diana to mosaics and paved alleyways.
All in all, Ostia Antica is a place you’ll relish, and make sure you put on sunscreen before you visit, as the sun tends to hit the pavement really hard in that kind of spot.
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Easy Day Trips from Rome: Tivoli
One of the most beautiful cities near Rome is Tivoli – I used to live really close, in Corcolle, and I loved visiting Tivoli again, again and again.
Anyone looking for the easiest day trips from Rome by train should definitely take a look at Tivoli: not only can you get some of the best food around at La Fraschetta da Neno, but there are three amazing villas to visit there.
Why is this one of the best day trips from Rome in my opinion – and that of many others who have been to Tivoli?
Well, Tivoli is famous for its two UNESCO World Heritage sites; Villa d’Este and Hadrian’s Villa. The ruins at Hadrian’s Villa are unlike any you’ve ever seen – nothing like the usual ruins in Rome, much more picturesque for real.
As for Villa d’Este, it’s one of my favorite places to visit in Italy, simply because the land is grand, there are sculptures at every corner, well-curated gardens, fountains, and quite everything you might wish for just two steps away from the center of Tivoli.
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Best Day Trips from Rome: Bomarzo
One of the most unique day trips from Rome is Bomarzo, with the famous Parco dei Mostri (Park of Monsters).
If you’re looking for a day trip that’s a little out of the ordinary, Bomarzo is the place to be. The Park of Monsters is a true work of art, filled with fairytale-like, whimsical, and sometimes even frightening stone sculptures.
As an artist at heart, there’s nothing I love more than finding sculptures out in the open; it doesn’t matter whether we’re talking about the Quartiere Coppedè in Rome and its stunning architecture, or the sculptures of the Park of Monsters.
All you have to do to get there is hop on a train, and you’ll honestly not regret it – pack up a little picnic, and wander around the park to discover all the hidden sculptures scattered about!
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Best Day Trips from Rome Italy: Vulci
The first time I went to Vulci was about two years ago, and I was amazed to see how pure nature looked there. That’s probably one of the lesser-known day trips from Rome you’ll see in this guide, to be honest.
Vulci is known for its archaeological site, and indeed, you should visit it – it only costs a handful of euros, and it’s a sight worth experiencing.
Actually, I am of the opinion that anyone who has visited Pompeii and loved it will love Vulci.
If you can get close to the caves nearby and spot the bridge you can see in the picture above, you’ll understand why I think Vulci is one of the most beautiful towns near Rome.
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Best Day Trips from Rome by Train: Roccantica
I’ve been to Roccantica a couple of times, and to be honest if you’re looking for the best towns to go hiking around Rome, Roccantica is it.
You’ve got a really small village, and since Roccantica is another hilltop town perched up high, you have lots of miles to hike upwards – if you love walking, you’re really, really going to enjoy it.
I remember spending days walking eight, nine, or ten hours around Rome, and visiting Roccantica is one of the strongest memories I have of hiking in Italy.
The San Leonardo Hermitage is the one thing you’re going to want to reach when you’re hiking in Roccantica – and it’s clearly one of the best hidden gems in Lazio if you want my opinion.
It’s perched up really, really high, and once you reach it, you’ll find an empty cave which will make you wonder how people have actually trodden this place before to break away from normal, everyday life.
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Best Day Trips from Rome by Train: Cerveteri
Just like Roccantica, I spent a few days walking around Cerveteri, which is home to some of the most important Etruscan tombs in Lazio (called the Etruscan Necropolis).
Wandering through Cerveteri is something unreal, which brings you a feeling I could not even start explaining.
It’s just something to do if you’re looking for the best day trips from Rome and love hiking, that’s all I can really say.
You’re surrounded by nature, you’re walking with your bottle of water, and you are even able to enter those now-empty tombs – the feeling really is ineffable, but one thing’s for sure: you have to visit Cerveteri.
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Best Day Trips from Rome by Train: Viterbo
I’ve been to Viterbo a handful of times, as I used to go hiking around Rome a lot when I lived there, and that small town is surrounded by really pure, really lively nature.
That’s probably one of the most authentic Italian towns ever, and you can access it by train from Rome quite easily.
The thing is, since Rome is more of a bustling town compared to all the small villages around, taking an actual day trip from Rome will really help you relax and broaden your mind and your knowledge.
A trip to Viterbo from Rome would include visiting the Terme dei Papi (the Baths of the Pops), which are basically hot springs adorned with spa facilities.
But beyond the hot springs, you also have in Viterbo typically medieval streets, paved and colorful, as well as the Papal Palace, jawdropping churches and beautiful fountains.
Yes indeed, Viterbo makes for one of the best day trips from Rome.
It doesn’t cost much either, and you can start with breakfast or stop for a tramezzino or a delicious Roman pizza while you’re there.
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Best Day Trips from Rome: Lake Bracciano
There are many beautiful lakes around Rome, and one of my favorites is Lake Bracciano – it’s located quite close, really, and it’s worth a sight.
I spent a few afternoons there, going to Lake Bracciano (Lago di Bracciano in Italian) to enjoy the view of the water and swans swimming freely in front of us.
I know that a lot of you might want to know about the best beaches near Rome, and I will write about this later on, but just know that if you’re a water lover like I am, you’re going to want to check out the lakes as well.
You have picturesque towns all around Lake Bracciano, and if you’d actually want a more coastal town, you can also check out either Santa Marinella (a must-visit!) or Sabaudia.
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Best Day Trips from Rome: Civita di Bagnoregio
Everyone who visits Rome should take a day to get to Civita di Bagnoregio – if you like nature and architecture, that’s an unmissable destination for you.
Like Viterbo and Vulci, it’s one of the best day trips from Rome by train simply because it just takes a few hours to go, and you can be back in Rome in the evening.
Narrow streets, a hilltop town, a scenic landscape – Civita di Bagnoregio looks untouched, fantastic, and unreal.
And indeed, it’s one of the smallest towns around Rome. Despite its small size, you’ll find lots of instagrammable places in Civita di Bagnoregio, from medieval towers to Renaissance palaces.
Of course, you cannot miss either breakfast, lunch, or even just a coffee moment there – it just seems mandatory to really take the time to unwind when you’re there.
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Unusual Day Trips from Rome: Sabine Hills and Gardens of Ninfa
I have been to Latina a couple of times, and it’s pretty easy to reach from Rome – a couple of hours by train tops. You’ll probably have to take another train or a bus to get to the Gardens of Ninfa (Giardini di Ninfa), but honestly, even in the heat of the Roman summer, you’ll want to go. Trust.
The Gardens of Ninfa are located quite close to the Sabine Hills, which hosts everything from lush nature to medieval castles, dreamy places you’ll also want to check out when you’re around Latina.
But indeed, the highlight of the area is the Gardens of Ninfa, none other than an abandoned medieval town. It was turned into a botanical garden, and it looks straight out of a fairytale.
There are instagrammable places at every corner there, from waterfalls to ruins, and it’s honestly, honestly, oh-so-honestly, one of the best day trips from Rome you could ever take.
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Off the Beaten Path Day Trips from Rome: Calcata
Another one of the best day trips from Rome, and one of the most unforgettable for me, was going to Calcata.
This tiny town perched on the side of a cliff looks like it’s going to collapse at any moment, and from any side of it, you have views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Calcata is a medieval village that resembles most of the cute villages around Rome, to be fair, and one of the things that really surprised me is how many cats were wandering around freely.
From picturesque artisan shops to hidden restaurants, the village packs a lot of punch, and losing yourself in the Calcata streets is sure to make for an amazing moment.
Given how small Calcata is, I would actually recommend visiting it for just a few hours as there isn’t much to do there aside from eating and shopping, but it’s still one of the most beautiful villages around Rome for anyone who loves nature.
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Best Day Trips from Rome: Castelli Romani
The Castelli Romani (Roman castles) are made up of several small towns around Rome, from Ariccia to Frascati. While I haven’t been to Ariccia, I have been to Frascati a couple of times, and it is indeed a really charming town.
There are some beautiful castles around Rome that you should absolutely visit, for instance, the Villa Aldobrandini in Frascati or the Chigi Palace in Ariccia.
Other towns, like Nemi, boast some of the most beautiful ruins in Italy, like those of the Temple of Diana in Nemi.
In my opinion, the Castelli Romani make for some of the best day trips from Rome, but just be aware you won’t be able to visit them all in one day.
If there’s one thing I can recommend, it’s visiting Castel Gandolfo, which is also part of the Castelli Romani – plus, there’s also a beautiful lake there where you can chill for a while before taking the train back to Rome.
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Best Day Trips from Rome Italy: Formia
I spent a half-day in Formia with my younger sister about two years ago, and really loved the vibe there – even if, let’s say it, there’s not much to do in Formia aside from eating, having coffee, and spending time at the beach.
However, it is one of the cheapest day trips from Rome, so if you’d like to discover a different, beautiful beach really close to Rome, just hop on the train.
If my memory serves me right, visiting Formia just cost about €10 round trip, or a bit less, and it really offered some beautiful sights all around, from architecture to artisan shops and even a small port.
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Best Day Trips from Rome in Campania
Best Day Trips from Rome: Pompeii
In total, I have visited Pompeii three times, and even if it’s located in Campania, which is much farther from Rome than the villages in Lazio I’ve mentioned before, it’s totally worth it.
What I usually do is book a train from Rome to Naples, spend one day in Naples, one day in Pompeii, and go back to Rome at night.
However, if you’re looking for the fastest and best day trips from Rome, you can indeed go from Rome to Naples and from Naples to Pompeii, and back to Rome in one day.
You’re going to be a wee bit tired at the end of the day, but visiting Pompeii is something you absolutely have to do.
When I first visited Pompeii, I thought there wouldn’t be anything to see, since the city was buried under ash after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
How wrong I was.
You can see the ruins of the houses, and grand amphitheaters, wander through narrow, paved streets, and you can even recognize which spots were meeting places, and which were shops.
The interesting thing is seeing the casts of the victims of the volcano’s eruption – they’re a bit hard to find, and I always get lost when I try to find them – as they really show you how fragile human life is.
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Best Day Trips from Rome by Ferry: Capri
Visiting Capri is yet another one of the best day trips from Rome, indeed, but I have to tell you that just like Pompeii, you’re going to be really tired at the end of the day.
To reach Capri, you have to take a ferry either from Sorrento or Naples, but it’s totally worth it – after all, it is one of the most beautiful beaches in Italy.
Crystal clear waters, fresh seafood, the Mediterranean Sea as far as the eye can see… That’s what I call some good vacation.
Do think of paying a visit to the Blue Grotto, as it’s an unforgettable sight, and really just relax and indulge in life’s finest gifts.
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Best Day Trips from Rome by Train: Naples
I’ve been to Naples three times, and while at first, I didn’t like it (it reminds me greatly of Morocco, where my father is from), I have in time fallen in love with this lively town.
After all, I am a huge lover of Neapolitan pizza, which I try to find in London every chance I get.
In Naples, you’ll find lots of cheap shops for makeup, clothes, and souvenirs, but also some of the best restaurants for seafood.
You have the beach at arm’s length, a clear view of Mount Vesuvius, and a huge historic neighborhood filled with winding streets and amazing street art.
It’s one of the easiest day trips from Rome, really, since it doesn’t even cost that much and only takes a couple of hours – and you can also go by bus, if you’re one of those brave people who don’t mind Flixbussing their way through life.
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Best Day Trips from Rome in Tuscany
Easy Day Trips from Rome: Siena
I spent one day in Siena a few years ago, and if you’re looking for really cheap day trips from Rome, and kind of close to Florence, it’s a super cool city to explore.
What surprised me about Siena is that the town is almost completely red. Red brick everywhere, red, red, red.
If you’ve watched the Twilight movies, New Moon has part of the movie shot in Montepulciano, which is another beautiful town in Tuscany that boasts the same kind of architecture.
In Siena, you can visit the iconic Piazza del Campo, snap shots of medieval architecture, walk around town, and of course, enjoy the delicious Tuscan specialties in small restaurants dotted around town.
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Best Day Trips from Rome: Florence
I don’t know what I like most about Florence, really. I only visited one, but it’s one of the most elegant cities in Italy in my opinion.
It’s located just a few hours away from Rome, and Pisa and its leaning tower are also really close if you want to do that two birds one stone kind of thing which we all need to do when we want to save money for travel.
What you’re going to want to check out in Florence is the Uffizi Gallery, which features Botticelli’s ‘Birth of Venus’ and Michelangelo’s David (a copy of which can be found in one of the best museums in London, the V&A Museum).
You’re also going to want to pay a visit to the stunning Boboli Gardens, just behind the Pitti Palace, and of course… the Ponte Vecchio with its tiny colorful houses.
If you have time, take a bus to Villa Demidoff, just outside of the center of Florence, to have a stroll and see the beautiful Giant of the Apennines statue.
At the end of the day, before you go back to Rome, hop on the bus to Piazzale Michelangelo, where you can see the sun set and see street performers sing and play music.
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Day Trips from Rome in Umbria
Best Day Trips from Rome: Assisi
Assisi is one of the most spiritual towns around Rome, and it’s actually not too far from Rome.
We’re looking at one of the cutest hilltop towns near the capital, with views of the Umbrian countryside unlike what you might have seen before.
That’s one of the most unique experiences you could wish for, since, well, the Basilica of Saint Francis is one of the most important monuments for whoever is at least slightly religious.
Beyond religion, though, Assisi offers really stunning architecture and makes for the perfect town to wander through winding streets and taste delicious Umbrian cuisine.
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Best Day Trips from Rome: Perugia
I had a friend live in Perugia for about a year, but I honestly haven’t spent as much time as I would have wanted there. Perugia, like Assisi, offers that type of authentic Italian architecture you just feel good in.
Piazza IV Novembre is one of the hotspots of Perugia, since it seems to be where friends always meet up before having a drink or dinner.
Aside from that, and like many towns around Rome, Perugia also has Etruscan landmarks here and there.
The Etruscans were the people who lived in Italy before the Romans, and from Cerveteri to Vulci, you have remains of their culture everywhere.
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Best Day Trips from Rome: Narni
Narni is another hilltop town not too far from Rome, which seems to be all stone and nature.
Come here in the morning, get breakfast on a terrace, and dive into the history and culture of Narni by visiting the many medieval churches and historical buildings.
One of the most interesting things to do in Narni is to visit the Underground Narni, as well as the natural pools.
That’s a great mix of culture and nature, and honestly, it’s probably one of the most underrated, yet best day trips from Rome for whoever wants to really break away from the hustle and bustle of the Eternal City.
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Best Day Trips from Rome: Orvieto
Orvieto always makes me think of Assisi for some reason – maybe because of the Monastero di San Bernardino, an incredible monastery you can still visit to this day.
Orvieto offers some of the most beautiful views in Italy, but then again, I could say this about every single town and village I’ve mentioned here today.
From colorful buildings to the Gothic cathedral, from the undergrounds of Orvieto to the Well of St Patrick, there are lots of amazing things to do in Orvieto – really one of the best day trips from Rome for anyone interested in history and religion.
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22 Best Day Trips from Rome from Pompeii to Vulci
There you have them, all the best day trips from Rome, from Pompeii to Vulci, and from Viterbo to Ostia Antica!
Hopefully, you’ll have found lots of beautiful towns near Rome to visit while you’re in Italy. I’ve been to quite a few of these, from Viterbo to Ostia, Naples, Vulci, Pompeii, and Formia, and used to live right next door to Tivoli as well.
There are so many amazing easy day trips from Rome by train or by car you can do that it would definitely be a shame to simply remain in the Eternal City when you’re here!
Until next time!
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