6 easy day trips from Rome

updated 12/30/2021

Do day trips from Rome because they're easy, let you escape summer heat and give you a bit of an antiquity break. They're also the chance to breathe country air or even visit the beach. Take a look at six of our best day trips from Rome here. The information in this article is taken from The Rough Guide to Italy your essential guide for visiting Italy.

Tivoli - one of the easiest day trips from Rome

Tivoli sits on the Aniene River close to Rome and it's a favourite weekend escape for Romans. Follow their lead and spend a day touring the stunning Tivoli Villas which are famous for good reason.

Leave plenty of time to explore spectacular Villa d'Este for its Mannerist frescoes and glorious gardens. And Villa Gregoriana is best known for its dramatic grounds which include Roman temples, waterfalls, forests and impressive natural caves.

Villa d'Este is one of the favourite day trips from Rome by train © Marco Rubino/Shutterstock

Villa Adriana - the Roman Empire's largest villa

Villa Adriana dates back to 135AD and sits just outside Tivoli. It was largest villa in the Roman Empire and originally constructed as a retirement home for Emperor Hadrian.

The villa's details were reportedly inspired by Hadrian's world travels, so don't be surprised to see influences from Athens or references to Alexandria as you wander round. You may want more than a day to explore, so think about staying at Casale Colleoni in Tivoli.

Ostia - alternative day trips to Pompeii from Rome

Lido di Ostia is Rome's seaside resort and justifiably popular for its nightlife. But it has another claim to fame, Ostia Antica, the extraordinary Port of Ostia excavations which are often compared to Pompeii in terms of the quality of their preservation.

This exceptional historic site was discovered encased in Tiber mud and is now considered to be one of the world's finest examples of an ancient Roman town. So it's complex and fascinating and best explored on an Ostia Antica guided walking tour.

Visit Pompeii-like Ostia Antica on day trips from Rome© marcovarro/Shutterstock

Santa Severa - escape to the seaside from Rome

Easy to reach Santa Severa might be low on historic sites, but it's great for beaches and less than an hour's drive north west of Rome.

The coast here is known for long, unbroken stretches of sand and a number of free, public beaches which are perfect for soaking up the summer sun that's often a shade too hot in the centre of Rome in July and August.

Take a break from the seaside to visit the local castle and browse its small museum. And if you can't resist a bit longer by the coast, hang out in Severa for a day or two and stay at Ostello del Castello di Santa on the seafront.

Prefer to leave planning and booking to experts? Have a look at some sample itineraries. Both Complete Italy or Italy Itineraries offer inspiration. All Tailor Made Trips can be modified together with your local expert, then booked for a stress-free holiday. Click 'Modify this itinerary' to contact a local Italy expert.

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Anzio - home to some of Italy's best beaches

For more amazing coastline try Anzio, only 40km from Rome and often said to have some of the best beaches in Italy. It's also great for seafood restaurants around the harbour and comes with an interesting military history.

If you can tear yourself off the sands, you'll find both US and UK war cemeteries in Anzio and the small WWII museum in town is well worth an hour of your time. Or really get to know the local area with a stay at Surf & Windsurfer House near Tor Caldera Beach.

Several great beaches are easy day trips from Rome by train © mdlart/Shutterstock

Capalbio - over the border in Tuscany

Amazingly, even Tuscany is a doable day trip from Rome. Start with the arty village of Capalbio and reward your spirit of adventure with beautiful beaches just a short walk from the train station.

Capalbio is only about 100km north west of Rome, so it's either an easy drive or a very pretty rail journey, depending on your mood. And if you only have time for one local sight make it the Giardino dei Tarocchi sculpture garden just outside the village.

Ready to travel to Italy? Find out about the best time to go and the best places to see and things to do in Italy. For inspiration use the Italy itineraries from The Rough Guide to Italy and our local travel experts. A bit more hands on, learn about getting there, getting around the country and where to stay once you are there. And don't forget to buy travel insurance before you go.

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