Top 12 Day Trips From Rome

Pompeii

Full disclosure: A day trip to Pompeii will barely allow you to scratch the surface of this vast and fascinating archaeological site, where ash from the 79 C.E. eruption of Mount Vesuvius sealed the city in a 2,000-year-old time capsule. But you can cover a lot of ground in a day if you get an early start. Get your tickets in advance so you can shorten your time in the entrance line and make your way toward the big landmarks like the forum, the brothel, and the Antiquarium Museum, where most of the surviving artifacts are on display.

How to get there: Take a morning high-speed train (either Trenitalia or Italo) to Naples’ central station, then the Circumvesuviana regional line to the Pompei Scavi stop. Alternatively, you can take the faster Metropolitano line from Naples to Pompei station, which is about a 10-minute walk from the archaeological site. The trip takes between just over two hours to more than three hours each way, depending on the route and time of day, and you should allow at least four to five hours to walk around the ruins. There’s also a daily shuttle bus from central Rome straight to the site.

Cerveteri

As one of the most important archaeological sites from the Etruscan period, the Necropoli della Banditaccia is sometimes called the “city of the dead.” This is because it’s laid out in a pattern similar to city blocks and filled with above-ground dome- or square-shaped tombs. The necropolis has yielded a trove of artifacts and information about these enigmatic predecessors to the Romans.

How to get there: The easiest way to get to this Etruscan cemetery is to take the Cotral bus from Roma Cornelia. The trip takes about an hour each way, so it’s a good half-day option.

Sperlonga

Sperlonga is a bit of a haul from Rome, but it’s worth it for its Blue Flag beach status—a designation of cleanliness and water quality—and the picturesque town itself. There are several beaches along the lengthy seafront, and most have clear, shallow water and excellent swimming conditions. A free beach area near the Villa di Tiberio, an archaeological park, offers a good excuse to explore the seaside retreat of the first-century Roman emperor Tiberius.

How to get there: Take the roughly 90-minute train from the Roma Termini station to the Fondi Sperlonga stop, then grab a shuttle bus or taxi down to the seaside.

Castelli Romani

The Castelli Romani region was the summer retreat for wealthy Roman nobles and, later, for even wealthier popes. Today, it’s a popular destination for sampling local food and wines. In the town of Frascati, you can visit the art-filled villas of the faded Roman aristocracy and enjoy wine with lunch in one of its characteristic fraschette, or taverns. In Castel Gandolfo, visit the pope’s summer palace and gardens, take in views of Lake Albano, or arrange for a tour and tasting at a nearby winery.

How to get there: It’s about an hour away from Rome by car—depending on traffic—or if you prefer to go by train, you can leave from Roma Termini and reach Frascati or Castel Gandolfo in 30 to 45 minutes.

Tivoli

A vacation destination since the days of ancient Rome, Tivoli is about 21 miles east of the city. It’s the site of Hadrian’s Villa (Villa Adriana), the splendid ruins of the pleasure palace inspired by Emperor Hadrian’s travels around the Roman Empire. Tivoli is also home to the 16th-century Villa d’Este and its magnificent gardens filled with fountains (including a musical one), waterfalls, streams, and other engineering wonders.

Because Villa d’Este is a 15-minute walk from the train station, it’s best to start with Hadrian’s Villa in the morning. You can get a taxi to go the five miles between the train station and the villa, or take public transportation. Get an early start, so you can head back to town for lunch and see Villa d’Este before taking an evening train back to Rome.

How to get there: From Roma Termini, try to get the direct train, which takes 40 minutes. If not, you may have to make one or two transfers, which will double the travel time.

Santa Marinella

If the sea calls to you, Santa Marinella is one of the best places for a beach day close to the city. It’s not quite as convenient as other popular spots like Ostia’s waterfront or Fregenae, but the beaches are better and there are tons of seafood restaurants with alfresco views.

If you spring for a lounge chair and umbrella at a stabilimenti (private beach), you’ll likely have access to a bathroom, showers, and a locker. Or, seek out a sandy spot on the spiaggia libera (free beach)—just expect to have lots of company on the weekends.

How to get there: Direct trains depart every hour from Roma Termini and the trip takes about an hour each way.

Orvieto

To experience a slice of medieval Italy, catch a train to Orvieto, an Umbrian hill town. A quick funicular ride from the train station takes you to the top of the tufa cliffs where the Etruscans first settled. The Romans eventually destroyed the settlement, and later rebuilt it in the 12th century.

Spend a pleasant day admiring the town’s magnificent cathedral, wandering its narrow streets, exploring its underground ruins, and enjoying the regional white wine Orvieto Classico with some hearty local cuisine.

How to get there: The direct train from Roma Termini takes about 90 minutes, but the journey could take two to three hours if you need to switch trains in the town of Orte.

Ostia

If you don’t have the time to schlep to Pompeii, don’t overlook Ostia Antica, an archaeological site not far from Rome’s city center. Ostia was once the main port city of Rome. In the archaeological complex, highlights include the ruins of a theater, multistory apartment buildings, a bathhouse, and a latrine. There’s also the fascinating Piazzale delle Corporazioni, a former open-air market where the inscriptions on the mosaic floors indicate the merchants that once inhabited the space.

How to get there: Ostia is located roughly 30 minutes from central Rome via commuter train departing from the Ostiense train station.

Florence

While it may seem ambitious, an early start and a high-speed train can get you to the cradle of the Italian Renaissance in less than two hours. That’s plenty of time to get around to the major attractions in Florence—thanks to the compact and walkable historic center—and still be back in Rome by evening. This includes the Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Signoria, the bustling San Lorenzo Market, and the iconic Ponte Vecchio bridge. Reserve your timed entry ticket in advance if you want to visit the Uffizi Gallery or see Michelangelo’s David in the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze.

How to get there: Maximize your time in Florence by shelling out for the more expensive high-speed train ticket. The direct route takes about 90 minutes from Roma Termini to Firenze Santa Maria Novella station.

Naples

In the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, Naples is a city with endless character and worth tacking on to your Roman itinerary. We suggest spending the morning along the Spaccanapoli, a narrow street that cuts through the historic center. Be sure to take detours into the side streets, duck into churches, visit the Naples National Archaeological Museum, and sample the street food, including pastries like the flaky cream-filled sfogliatella and delicious fried pizza.

In the afternoon, head to the seaside via taxi or subway—Naples’ elaborately designed metro stations are not to be missed—and spend a few hours strolling the waterfront, visiting the historic fortress of Castel dell’Ovo, and having a sunset aperitivo or dinner before catching a train back to Rome.

How to get there: The high-speed train from Rome will get you to Naples’ central train station in just over an hour.

Caserta

If you’re interested in the history of southern Italy or you simply want to immerse yourself in Baroque architecture, consider the Royal Palace of Caserta. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 18th-century palace was once the largest in Europe—even bigger than Versailles, on which it was modeled. The grand interiors vie for attention alongside the spectacular gardens, which include a two-mile canal, cascades, fountains, and a dreamy English garden.

How to get there: You can take the high-speed train from Roma Termini to Caserta, which is roughly 20 miles outside of Naples. The trip takes about an hour and the palace entrance is right next to the train station.

Assisi

Assisi is a famous pilgrimage destination for devotees of St. Francis, who founded the Franciscan order and is best known for helping the poor and caring for animals. The Basilica of St. Francis is a must-see, housing the saint’s tomb and beautiful frescoes. In town, you can also visit the Basilica of Santa Chiara, Temple Minerva (a Roman temple in the heart of the old town), and an ancient forum several feet underground. Assisi’s narrow streets are filled with cute shops, wine bars, and traditional trattorias.

How to get there: With a couple of direct trains to and from Rome each day, Assisi can be reached in about two to three hours by rail, but you will have to switch trains to the regional line in Foligno.