Rome doesn’t end at the city walls. Within an hour, you’ve got imperial showpieces, quiet lakeside towns, medieval hilltops and a stretch of Tyrrhenian coast. The top 10 spots to visit near Rome bring together easy train rides, wide views and proper plates of local food.
Tivoli
Grand villas, cool ravines and a dash of imperial swagger. Villa d’Este’s terraces tumble with fountains and grottoes. And Hadrian’s Villa, one of the most impressive ruins outside of Rome, sprawls like a miniature empire of baths, theatres and mosaics.
Visit Parco Villa Gregoriana for ferny paths and the roar of the Great Waterfall, then linger by the Temple of Vesta belvedere at sunset. If you fancy a low‑key extra, the sulphur springs at Bagni di Tivoli soothe road‑weary legs.
Tivoli sits about 30 km east of Rome. Take the regional train from Roma Tiburtina to Tivoli, then continue by local bus or a short taxi to the villas. The whole journey takes roughly 45–60 minutes. Driving usually takes around 45–60 minutes, depending on traffic.
Castel Gandolfo
Lakeside calm in the Alban Hills, where papal history meets swims and lazy lunches. Wander the historic centre, peek inside the Apostolic Palace, and book the little train through the Barberini Gardens for manicured avenues and wide views.
Down by Lake Albano, you can rent a rowing boat or follow the lakeside path to the ancient tunnel, then refuel with simple lake fish and a glass of local white.
Castel Gandolfo is roughly 25 km south‑east of Rome. Catch a regional train from Roma Termini or Tuscolana. The ride takes about 40 minutes, and it’s a short walk down to the lake. By car, the journey is typically 40–50 minutes.
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Bracciano
A Renaissance fortress perched above a clean volcanic lake. Orsini‑Odescalchi Castle serves up courtyards, armour and sweeping views, while Lake Bracciano stays blissfully calm thanks to limits on motorboats. Head to Trevignano Romano for a gentle promenade and an afternoon swim, or detour to the Air Force Museum for vintage aircraft in hangars right on the shore.
Bracciano lies around 40 km north‑west of the city. Take a regional train from Roma Ostiense or Trastevere, then walk 10–15 minutes to the castle. The train takes 60–75 minutes.
Rocca di Papa
Stone lanes and chestnut woods above the Castelli Romani. The climb rewards you with big views of Lake Albano and the coast on a clear day. Follow the old Via Sacra with its Roman paving up towards Monte Cavo, then nose around Campi d’Annibale for hearty fare. Autumn brings roasted chestnuts and mushrooms, and in summer, the hill breeze is a sweet relief.
Rocca di Papa is about 25 km south‑east of Rome. Buses run from Anagnina and take around 60–80 minutes. If you drive, plan on 45–60 minutes and park outside the historic centre.
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Santa Severa
A photogenic castle set almost on the sand, with a small museum and a long sweep of beach. Spend a morning exploring the towers and the story of nearby Pyrgi, an ancient Etruscan port, then set up on the shore for a swim and a seafood lunch. Snorkellers can poke around the rocky patches by the headland when the water is clear.
Santa Severa sits about 60 km north‑west along the coast. Take a train towards Civitavecchia and get off at Santa Severa. The journey takes 50–60 minutes, and the beach is a short walk away.
Nemi
A tiny crater lake with balcony views and the scent of wild strawberries during the town's famous strawberry festival. Order a slice of crostata di fragoline in the main piazza, then nose into the Roman Ship Museum to meet the story of Caligula’s lake barges. A path winds down towards the water through quiet gardens. On still evenings, the mirror‑flat lake and the lights of the village feel almost theatrical.
Nemi is roughly 30 km southeast of Rome. Buses run from Rome and take about 60–80 minutes. If you’re driving, allow 50–60 minutes and use the car parks above the town.
Arsoli
A pocket medieval time‑capsule tucked into the Sabine foothills. Castello Massimo sits over a weave of cobbled lanes and fountains that still gurgle with spring water. It’s a gentle wander with occasional cultural events inside the castle and plenty of doorways worth a photo. Pair the trip with a countryside lunch for a slow day out.
Arsoli lies around 55 km east of Rome. Trains and buses run with limited frequency and usually take just over an hour. Driving via the A24 is quicker, at about an hour.
Subiaco
Monasteries cling to the rock, and a river curls through the valley. Sacro Speco monastery glows with medieval frescoes, while St Scholastica layers three cloisters and a small museum. Between visits, walk the River Aniene or cross the Ponte di San Francesco. If you’re feeling active, head up to Monte Livata for easy trails and cool air in summer. The town’s printing heritage adds a nerdy footnote: early Italian books were first printed here.
Subiaco is about 70 km east of the capital. Buses leave from Ponte Mammolo and take up to two hours, depending on stops. By car, the trip via the A24 and SS411 takes around an hour and twenty minutes.
Nerola
Olive country with a sturdy Orsini castle crowning the ridge. The lanes are quiet, the views long, and in late autumn, mills open for tastings of fresh Sabina DOP extra‑virgin. It’s the sort of place for a slow amble, a farm lunch and a boot full of good oil, with Farfa Abbey an easy add‑on if you’re touring the area.
Nerola sits roughly 45 km north‑east of Rome. Public transport is sparse, so driving is the easiest option. Expect 50–70 minutes via the Via Salaria or the A1.
Tolfa
Leather workshops, hill paths and a ruined Rocca with a proper panorama. Artisans still craft the traditional catana saddlebag, the Museo Civico is small but thoughtful, and the lanes climb gently to views over the pastoral Tolfetano hills. Spring brings wildflowers and pleasant walking, and summer evenings are for gelato in the piazza.
Tolfa is about 75 km north‑west of Rome. It’s best reached by car, which takes 70–90 minutes. There are limited bus links via Civitavecchia if you’re not driving.
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