Places to Visit Outside of Rome: Day Trips and Excursions

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First time visiting Rome?

If you only have a short time and it’s your first time visit to Rome there are few tips we would like to give you. Avoid hassles, touristic traps & skip the line tickets. Instead, look for a good host and follow his/her tips. You’ll see Rome with different eyes and most probably you’ll optimize your travel schedule and discover unexpected beauties off beathen path in Rome and, last but not least, amazing surrounding towns.
How many days in Rome?
I lived in Rome for 32 years before moving in Rome countryside to enjoy a morerelaxing enviroment and I can confirm that a life is not enough to explore Rome.

How many days to spend in Rome?
Most of people are exploring Rome in 2-3 days. That is possible, if planning properly your daily tours, but means they don’t realize what they are missing. Our guests learn quickly how to optmize their Rome visit,  enjoy the vibrant emotion of visiting the outskirt of Rome, discover how easly they can travel around, where to find local festivals and cultural events that makes their trip special. Result, average of staying pop up to 5 nights.

Can I explore Rome in 1 day?

In a day you can just have a taste of Rome but, don’t worry, we will be happy to help you to plan your Rome itineraries at the best and allow you to make memories that will last a lifetime.

How to visit Rome at the best?
To see Rome at the best consider a Rome midnight walking tour. That’s the best option , expeccially if you are planning a short visit of Rome. Working properly around the Rome midnight walking tour you can see the highlights of Rome at the best in 2 days.

Is really worth to plan a visit outside Rome?
The discover of surrounding villages of Rome turn to be for most of our guests one of the highlights of the entire trip and let them enjoy a more real Italy.

At Olive Tree Hill Bed and Breakfast, we are happy to help you organize day trips in and outside Rome. We also offer personalized guided tours to areas around Rome.

There are many day trips outside of Rome you can take. Exploring places around Rome allows you to discover the hidden gems of Rome province and experience a more authentic Italy.

In the following list you’ll find some of the best places to go outside Rome within the Rome Province. We hope you take the time to consider visiting some of these great hidden gems outside Rome, which many of our guests consider the best part of their visit.  Consider visiting them when traveling in and around Rome:

At Olive Tree Hill Bed and Breakfast, we are happy to help you organize day trips around Rome. We also offer personalized guided tours to areas around Rome if you desire them.

There are many day trips outside of Rome you can take on your own even using the public transport system and the very usefull Roma pass card system. Exploring places around Rome allows you to discover the hidden gems of Rome province and experience a more authentic Italy.  

Places to Visit Near Rome 

Albano


The Latin Capital

Albano was known in the antiquity as Alba Longa, the capital of the Latin people and parent city of Rome. However, finds of flint tools dating back to the palaeolithic (300,000 – 10,000 years ago) and to the neolithic ages point to the presence of human activity in the Albano area at a much earlier date.

The huge cistern which supplied the camp is without a doubt one of the most spectacular monuments in Albano and in the Roman world as a whole. The Albano catacomb is the largest and the most important sites outside Rome.

In the central crypt there are some well-preserved wall-paintings. Nowdays Albano is a flourishing and active city with a lot of interesting shopping streets to satisfy everybody’s taste. 

Albano is only 25 minutes driving from “Olive Tree Hill” aka “Il Colle degli Ulivi” – B&B in Rome

Ariccia

Ariccia is well known as the home of the famous “porchetta (roast sucking pig) and fraschetta.

From the Roman times the porchetta has survived and is considered today a perfect dish, that can be served together with a slice of homemade bread and a glass of wine!

Wine, Porchetta, fraschettas but Ariccia is Much More…

Later the legend goes that during the Roman Empire, it seems that the Porcheta beacame favourite dish of the Emperor Nero, who used to organize luxurious feasts with his friends and moreover he used to give it as a gift to his distinguished guests.

Its origins go back to about 3000 years ago when the “Prisci Latini”, once a year, got together and gave a big party in order to celebrate the birth of the “Lega Latina”. During these celebrations, the priests, who were at the same time butchers and cooks, sacrified swines and boars for Mars.

Ariccia is another great day trip outside Rome. Ariccia is of latin origin, is situated between Albano and Nemi lakes on a spur in the middle of two verdant valleys having behind Mount Cavo and in the front a wide valley with view all the way to the sea.

The foundation of this town dates back to the 14 th century b.c. It is still possible to see the side of the old volcanocrater where used to be a lake which now is dried out. Gian Lorenzo Bernini , architect genius, changed the face of Ariccia due to the will of Chigi family Imposing Chigi Palace with its Park is the best reserved 17th century residence in the whole province of Rome.

Ariccia is one of the things to do around Rome, and is only 25 minutes driving from “Olive Tree Hill” aka “Il Colle degli Ulivi” – B&B in Rome.

Frascati

The Kingdom of Castelli Romani Area (wine area of Rome)Frascati is another one of the places around Rome to visit. Thename of Frascati appears for the first time in the “Liber Pontificialis” towards the half of IX century of Christian era. In the place of present Frascati existed in the antiquity an important compitum, a crossing of roads that connected Rome with Tuscolo, the Labican & Latin way and Via Appia. But as Frascati has kept quite little from ancient roman times it is impossible to rebuild its phases and happenings.

During centuries Frascati passed in the hands of different noble families and the face of Frascati turns to be elegant and decent with the treaty of Cateau-Cambrésis in 1559, when the great cardinal families invested their capital in works of great social prestige. This begins the epoch of the splendid renaissance and baroque villas like Villa Aldobrandini, Villa Ruffinella ,Villa Lancellotti,Villa Falconieri,Villa Mondragone, Villa Parisi, Villa Grazioli,just to mention some of them, still today constitute the wonder of Frascati.

Currently Frascati is an important residential center with character just outside of Rome some.

Its position in the centre of Castelli Romani area makes it most popular town in the Rome area and is loved by the romans who arrive in crowds during weekend to stroll along its panoramic terraces, explore the fine boutiques, eat out in typical “fraschette” is definitely to be experienced.

These “fraschette” are still run by local families who produce the world famous Frascati wine.

The particularity is that the owners sell you their wine but you bring your own food and enjoy it in their place. These little “restaurants” are very picturesque to visit and specially in summer time to sit outside by wooden tables and chairs in the middle of square, is the most typical view of Italian life. 

As the italians say…. “Salute and Buon Appetito”!

Frascati is only 15 minutes driving from “Olive Tree Hill” aka “Il Colle degli Ulivi” – B&B in Rome

Monteporzio
In Touch with the Sky

Monteporzio is another one of the great places to visit near Rome. The hill where now stands the town’s historical center already seat of a villa of roman age and a small medioeval settlement, offers extraordinary beautiful view of Rome and its fertile countryside from the sea to the Prenestini mounts. The historical center is inserted between two imposing architectonic elements: the Dome of XVII the century and the Bourgeois Palace.

The ruins of the city of Tuscolo nearby (etruscan fortress) founded according the legend by Telegono, the son of Ulisse , which had a period of great splendor in imperial age and became the holiday place for emperors. In the territory of Monteporzio Catone are found some splendid historical dwellings of great roman families: Mondragone villa, that accommodated Gregorio XIII who promulgate the reform of the Calendar, and recently acquired from the University of Tor Vergata, is today center of numerous cultural and scientific manifestations, Villa Parisi, the seventcentury Villa Lucidi, Borgo Borghese and last but not least the Convent Eremo di Camaldoli (visit permitted to men only).

Not to lose, moreover, there is the Astronomical Observatory with the didactic Museum “Astrolab” where is possible to complete an interactive travel to the discovery of the Universe. Not to forget the visit to the Wine Museum (Museo Diffuso del Vino) as identity of the inhabitants of the entire zone are deeply connected to the culture of wine.Looking down from the town to valley below you can see fertile countryside with famous Castelli Romani vineyards and rests of other ancient villas. 

Monteporzio is only 20 minutes driving from “Olive Tree Hill” aka “Il Colle degli Ulivi” – B&B in Rome

Nemi
The Jewel in the Middle of Sacred  Forest

This charming little town lay on a rock in the the summit of volcanic lake called by Latin people “Specchio di Diana” (the Mirror of Diana).
In the past , on the banks of the lake, a temple was built to worship Diana, the Goddness of Forest and Hunting. The ruins of this ancient temple are still visible.

This area is one of the great places around Rome to visit because visitors are fascinated by its labyrinth of lanes and narrow streets facing craftsman shops and flowered balconies.

Nemi is also famous for its wild strawberries and other excellent local products.

Nemi’s lake set in crater of ancient volcano has kept for millenniums the mystery of two ships which were built by Roman Emperor Caligula for the celebration of sacred rites. Unfortunately very little is left of these precious ships and now displayed in the museum beside the lake.

Nemi is one of the wonderful places to visit near Rome for nature enthusiasts and is only 20 minutes driving from“Olive Tree Hill” aka “Il Colle degli Ulivi” – B&B in Rome

Palestrina

An Amazing hidden jem 

The earliest settlements in the area appear to have been of southern etruscan culture and dated back to VII century B.C. Known in the antiquity as “Praeneste” it was already an important center around the 8th century B.C.

From this position Palestrina could control the road of trade and communication between north and south.

In Palestrina is the temple of Primordial Fortune, the most important monument from the Republican Era in Lazio with a series of beautiful terraces brought to light during second world war bombing.

In 338 the city partecipated in the Latin war against Rome and town was conquired by Romans.

Palestrina has been home land of Giovanni Perluigi da Palestrina – the prince of polyphonic music, and cultural center for many artists in the middle age.

Palestrina is one of the top sights near Rome to visit and is only 5 minutes driving from “Olive Tree Hill” aka “Il Colle degli Ulivi” – B&B in Rome 

Subiaco

The God Kingdom
Subiaco, which is situated outside of Rome some, is the most important town in the upper valley of river Aniene and lies in the heart of Regional Natural Park “Monti Simbruini”. Its latin name “Subiaquem” comes from artifical lakes which Emperor Nero obtained building a dam on the river Aniene.
Here the Emperor had a luxurious villa which is now in ruins. Subiaco is famous worldwide for its two Benedictine monasteries: St.Scholastica (here was printed the first book in Italy) and St.Benedict “Sacro Speco” so unusually beautiful and so close to the rocks that described as a “swallows nest”.
Saint Benedict came here to look for more rigorous solitude and spent first 3 years in the cave “Holy Grotto” just under present Upper Church of Sacro Speco. Besides these important monasteries Subiaco has a magnificent natural setting – the river Aniene with its limpid waters rich of fish and Mount Livata an important resort for visitors during winter and summer.
Subiaco is a great place to visit outside Rome and is 45 minutes from “Olive Tree Hill” aka “Il Colle degli Ulivi” – B&B in Rome

Tivoli

A real gem just outside Rome

Tivoli is one of the lovely places to visit near Rome and only recently is this town is getting the popularity and recognition that it deserves.
Since ancient times Tivoli was famous for its termal bath (locate in Bagni di Tivoli), travertino mines and climate. Here are settled some spectacular sites that absolutely deserve a visit.
The most remarkable examples are constituted by Villa Adriana (summer residence of Adrain the Emperor), Villa d’Este (a marvellous gardens and fountain paradise taken as example to create the Versailles gardens), Villa Gregoriana built in the chasm of the Aniene valley just underneath the Roman acropolis.
Learn more about Tivoli and Villa d’Este.
Tivoli is one of Rome’s hidden gems and is only 20 minutes from “Olive Tree Hill” aka “Il Colle degli Ulivi” – B&B in Rome

Fiuggi

The Thermal Bath

Set in a picturesque valley, Fiuggi is renowned in Europe for it’s Thermal Baths. For centuries its waters taken by papa Boniface VIII and Michelangelo Buonarroti, have been famous for their curative and disintoxicating qualities. Fiuggi, with its stone built houses and ancient narrow streets has an interesting modern building in its Municipal Theatre, built in 1910.
Fiuggi offers visitors two splendid Thermal Bath centres; “Fonte Anticolana” and “Fonte Bonifacio VIll”, and it also offers a wide range of hotels in every category. This town outside Rome has good sports facilities including a golf course, one of best among ltalian courses. Like all Italian spa towns, Fiuggi has loads of great shopping, and plenty of good restaurants serving hearty local food.
Fiuggi offers the two main appointments with the tradition: the Festivity of the Stuzze and the Festivity of Saint Biagio, celebrated the 2 and 3 February. It seems that in 1298 it was just the Festivity of the Stuzze to save the city from I besiege of the papal troops. The soldiers arrived in night to the doors of the village and, exchanging fires of the celebrations for a fire, they thought to have been preceded from allies and calmly left. The next day the city, heard of the escaped danger, named the saint of that day, Saint Biagio, as a patron of Fiuggi.
During the Festivity, that it derives from ancient pagan rituals of purification, it was used to burn exactly “stuzze”, logs that in the centuries have become canes, log of oak and wooden huts covered with twigs of ginestra constructed purposely for the celebrations. The Festivity of Saint Biagio , comes repeated in the first Sunday of August so that also summery vacationing can enjoy the city traditions.
Fiuggi is another one of the places around Rome to visit and is only 30 minutes driving from


Visiting Around Rome:
Off the Beaten Path

It’s highly recommended that you visit some of these places to visit around Rome. There is as much to see around Rome and outside of Rome as there is in the city center!
We’ve discussed the attractions near Rome and outside of Rome, but there is one place we haven’t mentioned yet!
Now, lastly, but only because it is well known and not needing particularly promotions……

Rome
The Eternal City

Rome is famous for being one of the top attractions in Italy, home to some of the most well known historic sites and monuments in the world. Because of this, there are many attractions in Rome, and the city is considered by many as one of the top things to do in Italy.

What to do in Rome?

There is an abundance of things to do around Rome. Visitors will most likely want to see the main Rome tourist attractions that are famous with Rome tourism. We can help you organize your day trips into Rome so that you see the top attractions around Rome like the Vatican City, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Colosseum, etc. There are also a number of paid and free walking tours that you can take advantage of.
We will discuss with you what to see in Rome, how to get around Rome easily, and how to avoid the crowds in Rome that often plague tourists.
One of the best way to see sites in Rome is with our personalized Rome night walking tour. It’s a wonderful way to discover the secret gems of Rome. After living over 30 years in the city center, it’s the only way that we locals still manage to enjoy the real essence of this wonderful city.
We will be glad to share our knowledge of Rome and help you to enjoy the city and experience the best of Rome. We want to make sure you see Rome but also see some of the top sights near Rome and outside of Rome as well.
Rome is only 30 minutes train ride from “Olive Tree Hill” aka “Il Colle degli Ulivi” – B&B in Rome

Why Visit Outside Rome?

There are an incredible number of places to see in Rome, but this doesn’t mean that you need to stay in the city to enjoy at the best.
 
Why stay outside of Rome? After 7/8 hrs. in the hustle and bustle you’ll love to find a more relaxing environment where you can cool down and enjoy a relaxing dinner in a green and fresh environment.
Visiting outside Rome off the beaten path is highly recommended- there are many amazing places to see outside of Rome. Travel outside of Rome some ways and you are bound to see some truly unique sites. Try stopping by some of the lesser known cities around Rome to experience real Italy.