Rome is an incredible city with plenty to offer, but if you’ve already visited its famous landmarks and want to venture further, there are some excellent day trips within easy reach. From medieval towns and scenic lakes to bustling cities and UNESCO World Heritage sites, here are some of the best destinations that can be reached from Rome by public transport.
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This post highlights day trip destinations that I can personally vouch for, all within two hours of Rome. High-speed trains from Rome can take you farther to places like Venice or Milan, but you’ll lose around 6 hours travelling there and back when you can use that time to explore destinations much closer to the capital.
Visit Trenitalia (the main train operator in Italy) to compare train times and prices, and Italo for the best deals and discounts on train journeys. The earlier you book, the better the rates – and you might snag one of their special deals like 2-for-1 tickets. In my experience, Google Maps isn’t always accurate for Italian train schedules, so double-check the websites instead.
If you’d prefer more flexibility, consider renting a car. There are few things more fun than cruising around the beautiful Italian countryside in a cute little Fiat 500. The best rental car deals can be found at Discover Cars, which can be picked up from Rome city centre or one of the airports. Just be ready for Italy’s famously narrow, winding roads!
Frascati (30 mins)
Located in the nearby Albani hills, Frascati is a fantastic day trip from Rome. Frascati is best known as being one of Lazio’s wine producing region, so take advantage of this by popping into one of the many little enotecas found throughout the town for a crisp glass of vino bianco. So refreshing on a warm, sunny day!
If you’re a big wine lover then you may be interested in visiting a family-run vineyard. Tours usually include the chance to explore the vineyard’s wine cellar, sample locally-renowned wines and have lunch in a trattoria. Even if you don’t join a tour, you won’t struggle to find somewhere good to eat – the town centre is full of local restaurants. Make sure to also give yourself some time to stroll aimlessly around Frascati and explore Villa Aldobrandini, a stunning historic villa.
How to Get There: Take a train from Roma Termini to Frascati, Journey time is 30 minutes and tickets cost €2.10 each way.
Castel Gandolfo/Lake Albano (40 mins)
Castel Gandolfo is a picturesque town located about 25 kilometers southeast of Rome, overlooking Lake Albano. It’s one of my favourite places to escape the heat and chaos of Rome, and I’m not the only one who thinks so. Castel Gandolfo has been a favourite retreat for popes for centuries, with the Papal Palace serving as their summer residence. The palace and its beautifully maintained gardens are open to the public, and entrance tickets include an audio guide.
Other highlights in Castel Gandolfo include the ruins of the Roman Emperor Domitian’s villa, and the Collegiate Church of St. Thomas of Villanova, designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. After all that sightseeing, walk down to the lake to go swimming or rent a kayak. It’s also a popular spot for sailing and windsurfing. You can also combine a trip to Castel Gandolfo with a visit to nearby Ariccia, renowned for its mouthwatering porchetta and located just 30 minutes away.
How to Get There: Take a train from Roma Termini to Castel Gandolfo (about 45 minutes).
Tickets only cost €2.10 each way.
Tivoli (1hr)
Located about 30 kilometers northeast of Rome, Tivoli is a charming town known for its stunning, elaborate villas and rich history. Tivoli is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Villa Adriana (the sprawling retreat of Emperor Hadrian) and Villa d’Este (known for its magnificent fountains and gardens). You can wander through the spectacular villas and learn about their history, thanks to audio guides.
Visitors can also explore the ancient ruins of Villa Gregoriana (which has two gigantic waterfalls, caves, grottos and crumbling relics), Temple of Vesta and the Temple of Sibyl. These ruins are perched on hills with breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. There’s a lot to see in and around Tivoli and you have to pay to enter each site, so I’d prioritize three places you want to see the most to make sure your day trip isn’t too jam-packed and frantic.
How to Get There: Take the train from either Roma Tiburtina or Roma Termini (journey time ranges from 50 minutes to 1hr 10). Tickets cost around €3 each way.
Lake Bracciano (1hr)
Bracciano is a beautiful town located around an hour northwest of Rome, with photogenic cobblestone streets to stroll along. The town’s centrepiece is the Orsini-Odescalchi, a remarkably well-preserved 15th century castle. Visitors can explore the castle’s interior and enjoy breathtaking views of Bracciano and the surrounding countryside from its vantage points.
Bracciano is also home to Lago di Bracciano, one of Italy’s largest and most beautiful lakes. This volcanic lake, with its crystal-clear waters, is a great place for swimming, kayaking and taking boat tours to admire the scenery. For lunch, there are plenty of restaurants by the lake or in the town centre (many serving delicious fresh seafood) and my personal favourite is Ristorantino del Castello Ristorante Bracciano, which sits nestled in the shadow of the castle. For more tips on what to do in Bracciano, check out my guide Ultimate Day Trip to Lake Bracciano from Rome for First-Time Visitors.
How to Get There: Take a regional train from Roma Ostiense to Bracciano (around 1 hour) or from Roma Tiburtina (just under 1hr 30 minutes). Tickets cost €3.60 each way.
Anzio (1hr)
If you fancy a trip to a pretty seaside town that is steeped in history, look no further than Anzio. Built on the ancient Roman port city of Antium, Anzio has some really interesting archaeological sites like Villa Imperiale, the opulent palace of Emperor Nero. Impressive Roman artefacts can be found in the Archaeological Civic Museum in Villa Adele.
For those looking for some slightly more modern history, check out the Anzio Beachhead Museum (also in Villa Adele), which has an excellent collection of memorabilia from WWII, mainly focusing on the Allied landing in Anzio in 1944. After some sightseeing, head to the beach for a swim and sunbathing session. After all, there aren’t too many beaches in the world that are overlooked by the ruins of an ancient imperial palace.
You can also combine your visit to Anzio with a short journey up the coast to Nettuno (same train line as Rome-Anzio). Here, you will find a beautiful medieval village as well as a castle – Forte Sangallo – which can be explored for free.
How to Get There: Take the regional train from Roma Termini to Anzio (about 1 hr). Tickets are around €3.60 each way.
Naples (1.15hr)
The high-speed train between Rome and Naples makes this fantastic city possible as a day trip. Obviously an overnight stay would be best, but you will still be able to see and do a lot in a day. Explore Spaccanapoli (the heart of Naples’ historic centre), get lost in the Quartieri Spagnoli (Spanish Quarter), marvel at ancient artefacts from Pompeii in the National Archaeological Museum, and look out over the Bay of Naples with Mount Vesuvius looming in the distance.
While you’re in Naples, you’ve gotta try the world-famous Neapolitan pizza, along with other delicacies the city is known for. Check out my blog posts Naples, Italy: Top Attractions, Activities and Must-Try Food and Ultimate Naples Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors for ideas and inspiration.
While it’s possible to take a day trip from Rome to Pompeii, I would recommend against it. Pompeii is incredibly fascinating and deserves several hours to do it justice. Additionally, you’ll need to factor in the travel time to/from Naples. Instead, consider including it as part of a short stay in Naples.
How to Get There: Take a high-speed train from Roma Termini to Napoli Centrale (about 1h 15m). Ticket prices vary, with some very cheap prices possible if booked in advance.
Bomarzo and the Marmore Falls (1hr-1.5hr)
Unlike my other recommendations, these two locations are best reached by car. It is technically possible with public transport, but it would be really complicated. Nevertheless, I think they deserve a place on this list as they make for a really special day trip.
Located in the province of Viterbo, Bomarzo is a stereotypical, pretty old Italian hilltop town. Visitors mainly come here for the Sacro Bosco, (Sacred Forest, known as the Park of Monsters). Commissioned in 1500 by Prince Pier Francesco Orsini, in memory of his late wife Giulia Farnese, this surreal, spellbinding park is just outside the town. It’s both fun and relaxing wandering through the serene park, stumbling upon these impressive statues. Entry to the park costs €13.00.
Cascata delle Marmore (Marmore falls) is a gorgeous waterfall built by those clever Romans in the 3rd Century BC. At 165 meters, it is the highest man-made waterfall in Europe, and the second highest in the world! Very impressive indeed. The area around the waterfall is also very picturesque, with several paths of varying difficulty to hike. Bring some lunch with you for a picnic near the gushing falls. Entry to the park costs €12.00.
How to get there: By car it takes around 1 hour from Rome to Bomarzo (traffic and hotel location depending), and about 45 minutes from Bomarzo to the falls, then another 1 1/2 hours back to Rome.
Florence (1.5hr)
Florence – the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance – is one of Italy’s most beloved cities and for very good reason. Luckily, the high-speed rail makes it possible as a day trip from Rome, although I would recommend an overnight stay if you can squeeze it into your itinerary. If you’re just visiting for a day, check out Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia Gallery and other Renaissance masterpieces at the Uffizi Gallery, admire the spectacular Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (my favourite Duomo in Italy!) and enjoy the panoramic hilltop views from Piazzale Michelangelo.
How to Get There: Take a train from Roma Termini to Firenze S. M. Novella (1h 30m). Ticket prices range widely, but you can find relatively cheaply tickets if you book in advance.
Orvieto (1.5hrs)
(C) Images by Fausto Manasse / Gabriel Tovar
If you want to visit one of Italy’s iconic clifftop towns, then Orvieto in the region of Umbria is for you. In terms of attractions, the biggest draw is the majestic 14th-century Roman Catholic Orvieto Cathedral, with its stunning façade covered in mosaics and other ornate bas reliefs. The interior is no less magnificent, with beautiful frescoes covering the chapel walls.
There are plenty of other interesting things to do here though, like exploring beneath the city with a guided tour of the Orvieto Underground or looking down the imposing St. Patrick’s Well. There are also the ruins of a necropolis from the Estrucan civilization (the people who preceded the Romans). Orvieto is another of Italy’s many wine-producing regions, so be sure to try some local wines while here.
How to Get There: Take a train from Roma Termini to Orvieto (around 2hrs).Tickets are around €10 each way. Once there, take the cable car up to the town.
Bologna (2hr)
Bologna is one of my favourite places in Italy, and due to its relatively small size is a great place for a long day trip using the high speed train. The city’s centre is absolutely gorgeous, so enjoy weaving around its narrow medieval streets, walking under its famous porticoes, and marvelling at all the incredible buildings that can be found here. Some of the most notable landmarks include the Basilica di San Petronio, Cattedrale Metropolitana di San Pietro, the Two Towers and Santuario Madonna di San Luca. Check out my travel guide Essential Bologna Travel Guide: Top Things to See and Do for more sightseeing ideas.
Bologna is best known for its cuisine, with some of Italy’s most famous dishes originating from here. So treat yourself to some local dishes like tortellini in brodo, lasagna verde, and tagliatelle al ragu. The city is seriously a food lover’s paradise! For my tips on where to find the best dishes in Bologna, check out my guide on Where to Eat Like a Local in Bologna, Italy.
How to Get There: Take a high-speed train from Roma Termini to Bologna (2h). Ticket costs differ, and booking early can often secure the best deals.
I hope this post has given you lots of ideas about day trips from Rome, which offer a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the capital. With Italy’s affordable regional and high-speed trains, you can explore so much more while still being back in Rome for the evening. If you’ve done a day trip from Rome, where did you go and what were the highlights? Let me know in the comments!
Ciao for now
Izzie, the Curious Sparrow