10 Best Road Trips Near Rome
Escape to Lazio This Weekend!
Embark on these best road trips near Rome if you want to embrace the charming and welcoming greater Lazio region. You’ll never have to travel far to find something truly incredible, with verdant green valleys and rich history.
The Lazio area has some of the most well-maintained road networks globally, which shouldn’t be a surprise given that it was one of the first of its kind in the ancient world. Just spend a couple of hours on the road, and you’ll find yourself in picturesque towns dating back to medieval times and idyllic villages overlooking the shimmering Mediterranean.
1. Anzio
A beautiful and historic port
Good for: Food, History, Photo
Anzio is a delightful coastal town to visit, where you’ll find historically-prominent attractions and a beach. The city can be traced back to the time of ancient Rome, when it was known as Antium, though the modern iteration of Anzio is better known for its role in World War II as a staging point for the Allied landing in Italy.
When you visit this town, you’ll find numerous historical sites to explore, from ancient ruins to war cemeteries. Of course, you can also explore several attractive beaches since it’s a coastal location. The restaurants in town take advantage of being by the sea by offering delicious fresh seafood. This lovely town is located about 32 miles south of Rome.
Anzio
2. Ostia Antica
A well-preserved archeological site southwest of Rome
Good for: History, Photo
Ostia Antica is a remarkably well-preserved historical site that lets you explore the ruins of an ancient Roman port city. When you explore this area, you’ll feel as if you’re stepping back in time, as it is often considered to be the likely first Colonia of Rome.
The ruins of this city date back thousands of years, with the oldest visible buildings being from the 3rd century BC. You can also see the Capitolium, which was the temple of Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva. While not as old as the Castrum, this temple is still old enough to be before the adoption of Christianity in Rome. It’s all located about a 45-minute drive to the southwest of Rome. Read more
Ostia Antica
3. Tivoli
A fun town with stunning countryside views
Good for: History, Photo
Tivoli is a relatively small town set just outside of Rome, where you’ll find historical architecture and brilliant natural features. Among the historic buildings, you can visit the Villa Adriana, a massive complex created for Emperor Hadrian that’s still well preserved despite being nearly 2,000 years old.
Many villas and estates here boast remarkable natural features, and gardens are often open to visitors. Some of the most stunning even have their own waterfalls, like what you’ll find in Via dell Cascatelle. You can reach this charming town by heading east from Rome for just over half an hour.
Tivoli
4. Bracciano
A lovely, lakeside village
Good for: History, Photo
Bracciano is a small village next to a delightful lake, complete with charming streets and scenic views the whole family can enjoy. The lake is the star of the show here, with plenty to enjoy, from the picturesque beaches to exciting boating activities on the water.
When it comes to the town itself, you’ll find plenty to see, with a historic castle and ancient streets dating back centuries. The tiny alleys are delightful, and the town is best explored on foot. Plus, it’s how you’ll get the best scenic views of the lake and the surrounding neighborhoods. Bracciano is about 25 miles northwest of Rome.
Bracciano
5. Castelli Romani
The glorious countryside
Good for: History, Photo
The Castelli Romani is a collection of towns in the countryside around Rome where you can take in the natural features of the Lazio region among historical splendor. If you venture to this region, you’ll be able to visit locations like Lanuvio and Genzano di Roma, which have numerous legendary sites.
Many of the towns and villages are situated among splendid natural features. Albano Laziale, for example, is located within scenic hills and is near to a majestic lake you can explore. On the other hand, Marino features sprawling vineyards and photogenic streets. They’re all located under an hour’s drive from Rome.
Castelli Romani
6. Cerveteri
An ancient city, ripe for exploration
Good for: History, Photo
Cerveteri is an ancient city with a history dating back thousands of years that you can explore after a short road trip. This city was most prominently known as Caisra by the Etruscans when it was one of the largest in the Etruscan League during its height more than 2,500 years ago.
When you visit this archeological site, you’ll find numerous remnants of the ancient city, including the Necropolis of the Banditaccia, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll see many tombs here with the characteristic mound. It’s all located a little less than an hour to the northwest of Rome.
Cerveteri
7. San Felice Circeo
A quintessential Italian seaside town
Good for: Couples, Families, Food
San Felice Circeo is a coastal town on the Mediterranean where you’ll find long flat beaches, a national park, and plenty of restaurants and cafes. The beaches tend to be among the most popular attractions, thanks to how quiet they are compared to a lot of other beaches along the Italian coast in Lazio.
Inside the town itself, you’re hidden away from the hustle and bustle of cities like Rome, but there’s still plenty to do. Restaurants are among the most popular in the region, with local seafood being especially stunning, utilizing ingredients caught just offshore. It’s located about an hour and a half south of Rome, just past Sabaudia.
San Felice Circeo
8. Gardens of Ninfa
Beautiful gardens built by a princess
Good for: History, Photo
The Gardens of Ninfa let you enjoy a pristine green space designed by Lelia Caetani that sports vibrant colors and natural splendor. The gardens are relatively recent, with work beginning in the early 20th century, but it was Lelia who really let the natural growth shine as it drapes over the historic ruins.
When you visit these gardens, you’ll feel a sense of awe as centuries-old remnants of towers are covered in green and purple with colorful plants growing steadily throughout the old stone. It’s located south-east of Rome, nearly 50 miles away.
Location: Via Ninfina, 68, 04012 Cisterna di Latina LT, Italy
Open: Hours vary by season
Phone: +39 0773 188 0888
Gardens of Ninfa
9. Viterbo
An old medieval town in the heart of Italy
Good for: History, Photo
Viterbo is an iconic town with a rich history and natural thermal springs that have drawn in Romans and more from around the country for centuries. The city is valuable to the papacy, as it was the seat of the entire organization for 20 years during the 13th century.
When you visit today, you’ll find plenty of historic buildings to explore, many of which are related to the Roman papacy or are simply impressive churches. Of course, you’ll want to stop by the thermal springs for a different kind of relaxation. This stunning town is located about an hour north of Rome.
Viterbo
10. Orvieto
A stunning town perched on a clifftop
Good for: History, Photo
Orvieto is a delightful hilltop town where you can explore various attractions, including churches, natural viewpoints, and even an underground city. The final push of your road trip will have you ascending some dramatic roads, but once you reach this town perched on top of the hill, you can enjoy incredible scenic views in just about every direction.
The duomo (cathedral) here is particularly grand, with many traveling just to see it. You also won’t want to miss out on the underground city originally built by the Etruscans. This amazing place is about 80 miles north of Rome, just under 2 hours away.
Location: Italy
Orvieto
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