If you’re a fan of quaint historic towns, rolling hills dotted with vineyards, traditional trattorias, and inviting wine bars, look no further than Frascati.

Just 30 minutes from Rome, Frascati is the perfect day trip destination for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Italy’s capital city. The little town is simply overflowing with Italian charm, with its rustic trattorias, picturesque churches, elegant wine bars, and cosy, candle-lit tavernas.

Known as “the City of Wine”, its reputation as a wine tourism destination is steadily increasing, but on the whole, Frascati remains wonderfully under the radar so you won’t find it heaving with tourists.

In this guide, you’ll discover exactly what to do in Frascati in one day, where to drink the best local wine, where to eat, and where to stay if you decide to linger longer in the beautiful Castelli Romani region.

After all, as J. W. Goethe once said, “Frascati is a paradise” and once you arrive, you’ll see exactly what he meant.

Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. Your support helps me continue growing this blog and creating useful content. Thank you!

Where is Frascati?

Frascati is located around 20km southeast of Rome in the scenic Castelli Romani hills. It’s famous for its Frascati DOC white wine – light, dry, and refreshingly crisp – making it one of Italy’s most historic wine-producing towns.

Thanks to its elevated position, the town also offers sweeping views across vineyards and countryside stretching toward Rome.

Top Things to Do in Frascati

Explore Frascati’s Old Town

Frascati’s old town perfectly captures the charm of a traditional Italian village. Picture sloping, cobblestoned streets, narrow alleyways, townhouses washed in warm shades of yellow, amber, and terracotta, and elegant Renaissance bell towers rising above the rooftops. The historic centre is compact and easy to explore on foot, with shops, cafés, and landmarks all within a short stroll of one another.

Many of the winding streets open onto pretty piazzas, where shopkeepers chat with loyal customers and locals sip glasses of wine outside cosy tavernas. Don’t miss the early 14th-century Campanile of San Rocco, one of the town’s most recognisable landmarks, and Piazza San Pietro, which serves as Frascati’s lively social hub.

Visit the Cathedral and Baroque Churches

Like most historic Italian towns, Frascati boasts plenty of beautiful churches. The town’s main cathedral, Cattedrale di San Pietro, which dominates Piazza San Pietro, is well worth a visit. Dating back to the late 16th century, the interior has many of the classic features of an Italian church, but it is the striking two-tone Baroque façade that really stands out for me.

I also recommend visiting Chiesa di Santa Maria in Vivario and Chiesa del Gesù. Even if you’re not especially into churches, they’re worth stepping inside for the architecture and quiet atmosphere.

Visit a Winery in the Countryside

No visit to Frascati is complete without tasting wine straight from the source. The surrounding countryside is dotted with family-run vineyards offering tours and tastings. Some allow spontaneous visits, while others require advance booking.

On our last visit to Frascati, my husband and I went for a long walk into the countryside, stopping at random wineries that took our fancy. You can get a taxi if you’d prefer not to walk – some stretches of road didn’t have pavements so we walked close to the hedges, facing lots of oncoming traffic. A taxi or your own rental car would be the most comfortable, sensible choice! Buses apparently run through Frascati, but we couldn’t figure them out so decided to brave it on foot.

Here are two of my personal recommendations:

Giardino l’Olivella – We stumbled upon this lovely winery by chance, drawn in by its picturesque surroundings. We asked if we could sample some wine, and someone went and opened up the wine shop just for us and served us full glasses of white wine, a sparkling wine, and rosé, all without charge. How kind of them!

Cantine Santa Benedetta – We visited without a reservation and the friendly staff sprang into action when we said we wanted to try some wine. My husband and I paid around €40 each for an impromptu wine tasting in a beautiful dining room that we had all to ourselves. We got to try several incredibly tasty wines, ranging from crisp whites to rich and fruity reds, and were also served small plates with each drink.

These included fun and creative dishes like warm bread with the olive oil they produce, and jellies made from my all-time favourite cheese, pecorino, which I could have eaten by the handful. The enthusiastic, helpful sommelier spoke good English, although we took the opportunity to practise our Italian with him.

Join a Frascati Wine Tour

If you prefer something structured, booking a Frascati wine tour from Rome is an excellent idea.

Most tours include:

• Transport from Rome (or pick-up at Frascati train station)
• Vineyard visit
• Winemaking explanation
• Guided tasting
• Local food pairings

Some even combine wine tasting with pasta-making classes, e-bike vineyard tours, or private tours and tastings – ideal if you want something more interactive or exclusive.

Eat a Porchetta Sandwich

Frascati, together with nearby Ariccia, is famed for its irresistible porchetta sandwiches. This juicy roast pork, fragrant with garlic and herbs, is served in a bun that’s both crisp and soft. Porchetta sandwiches can be found all over Frascati, but the simple street stalls in Piazza del Mercato, or the small delis are the way to go. They’re easy to spot – just look out for a whole, glistening pig on display and the crowd of hungry locals.

Drink Like a Local in a Fraschetta

If you don’t have the time to visit a vineyard, don’t worry. Frascati has an abundance of wine shops and bars where you can sample some local tipples. These range from elegant enotecas (wine shops) which sell bottles of top-quality wines, to rustic tavernas (known locally as fraschette) which serve house wine for as little as €2 per glass.

I tend to opt for the latter, as they are very atmospheric – often located in stone cellars – and feel more rustic and, dare I say, authentic. You can find these all over Frascati down its narrow alleyways, but one I can recommend is La Cantina da Santino, a typical fraschetta where you can enjoy the family’s homemade wine.

Dine at a Traditional Trattoria

If you want something more substantial than munching a porchetta sandwich on the street, then why not try some Castelli Romani specialties at one of Frascati’s many trattorias? The town has an impressively high concentration of fantastic eateries for such a small place, but a couple of my favourites include:

• Osteria San Rocco Piacente – Located inside a rustic old building, this traditional trattoria serves up authentic local dishes like roast lamb cutlets and thick slabs of porchetta with rosemary and roast potatoes, as well as classic pasta dishes such as cacio e pepe and amatriciana. These can, of course, be accompanied by their homemade wine.
• Osteria Dell’Olmo – This small restaurant specializes in excellent taglieri misti (meat and cheese platters). Think juicy slices of porchetta, local salumi (Italian cured meats), creamy mozzarella and ricotta, as well as vibrant roasted vegetables. These platters are great for sharing, especially when washed down with a glass of crisp Frascati wine while dining al fresco.

Marvel at Villa Aldobrandini

Frascati is home to numerous luxurious villas, but the most recognisable is Villa Aldobrandini. Perched on the slopes of Mount Tuscolo, this grandiose, late 16th-century estate is one of the town’s most iconic landmarks.

Although the main building itself is closed to the public (it is a private residence, often used for events), visitors can still explore its gorgeous baroque gardens for a small fee. The highlights include ornate fountains, an elaborate water theatre and panoramic terraces which offer fantastic views of the valley and town. The public entrance to the gardens is on Via Cardinale Guglielmo Massaia.

Visit Nearby Castelli Romani Towns

Frascati is relatively small, meaning you may have some time during your day to visit other nearby towns, especially if you have your own vehicle. Some of the most popular spots in this area are:

• Ariccia – A small town famous for being the birthplace of traditional Porchetta di Ariccia
• Castel Gandolfo – A small lakeside town is where you can find the official summer residence of the Pope. The town itself is small and cute, and there are plenty of areas to relax along the shores of pretty Lake Albano.
• Marino – A tiny commune known for Sagra dell’Uva. This historic grape festival is held annually on the first Sunday of October to celebrate the local wine harvest, and is when wine literally flows from fountains instead of water!

How to Get to Frascati from Rome

The easiest and most convenient way to get to Frascati from Rome is by train. From Roma Termini, take a regional train on the Castelli Romani Line to Frascati station.

• Journey time: Approx. 30 minutes
• Price: Around €2–€3 each way
• Frequency: Trains run hourly. You can find the current timetables at Trenitalia.
• Tickets can be purchased online in advance, or at the station.

Where to Stay in Frascati

If you’d prefer to stay overnight rather than rush back to Rome, here are excellent accommodation options.

• Hotel Cacciani ($) – Central location with panoramic terrace views and an excellent restaurant. A solid, traditional choice in the heart of town.
• Villa Tuscolana Park Hotel ($) – Set inside a historic villa surrounded by gardens. Great if you want countryside vibes close to town.
• Casa Vacanze Carla ($$) – A spacious, well-equipped apartment in the heart of Frascati, with two bedrooms, a full kitchen, and a balcony.
• Nineteen House ($$) – A stylish B&B set in Frascati’s historic centre, offering modern, spotless rooms with elegant décor.

When to Visit Frascati

Frascati is a delight year‑round, but timing your trip with one of its lively festivals makes the experience even more memorable.

• In January, locals celebrate Sant’Antonio Abate, the patron saint of animals, with a procession and blessings in Piazza San Pietro.
• May brings the Festa dei Santi Patroni Filippo e Giacomo, marked by candle offerings and community gatherings.
• Perhaps the most atmospheric is San Giovanni Battista on June 23rd, known as the “night of the witches,” when the town fills with music, dancing, food stalls, and the famous lumacata – snail tasting in the square.

These events showcase Frascati’s traditions and warm hospitality, making late spring and early summer especially rewarding times to visit.

I hope this post has convinced you that Frascati is a destination worth adding to your Italian itinerary. For more travel ideas, take a look at my guide 10 Amazing Day Trips from Rome (& How to Get There) – each of these spots can be reached in under two hours from the city.

If you’ve been to Frascati, what was your favourite thing you did, saw or tasted there? Let me know in the comments!

Ciao for now,

Izzie, the Curious Sparrow