10 Stunning Day Trips from Rome Worth the Escape
Photo by Matteo Panara on Unsplash
Sometimes you need a break from Rome’s density. These easy day trips from Rome offer ancient ruins, lakes, beaches and medieval towns — all reachable in one day by train or short drive.
1. Ostia Antica
30 minutes from Rome
A remarkably preserved ancient Roman port city with streets, bathhouses and a theater you can still climb. It’s often described as a quieter alternative to Pompeii — and far less crowded than the Colosseum.
2. Tivoli
45–60 minutes from Rome
Home to two major sites: Hadrian’s Villa, the vast imperial retreat of Emperor Hadrian, and Villa d’Este, famous for its Renaissance fountains powered entirely by gravity. Compact, historic and easy to combine in one day.
3. Castel Gandolfo
45 minutes from Rome
Overlooking Lake Albano, this small town hosts the Papal Palace and gardens once used as the Pope’s summer residence. The setting is calm, elevated and cooler than Rome in summer.
4. Santa Marinella
1 hour from Rome
An easy seaside escape with sandy beaches and relaxed seafood restaurants. Trains run frequently and tickets are inexpensive, making it one of the simplest beach day trips from Rome.
5. Ponza
3 hours including ferry
Clear water, sea caves and dramatic cliffs. Ponza feels far removed from the mainland and works best in warmer months. It requires an early start but rewards with open sea and space.
6. Pompeii
2–3 hours from Rome
Walk through preserved Roman streets frozen by Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Homes, bathhouses and frescoes remain visible. Combine with a short hike up Vesuvius for views over the Bay of Naples.
7. Amalfi Coast
3 hours from Rome
Cliffside villages, narrow roads and Mediterranean views. It’s ambitious for one day but doable with early trains. Positano is the most visited stop for a focused visit.
8. Orvieto
1 hour from Rome
A hilltop town known for its Gothic cathedral with gold mosaics and underground Etruscan tunnels. Compact, walkable and easy to explore in half a day.
9. Assisi
2 hours from Rome
Birthplace of St. Francis and known for its basilica and quiet streets. Assisi feels slower and more contemplative than Rome.
10. Civita di Bagnoregio
1.5–2 hours from Rome
Reached only by a long pedestrian bridge, this hilltop village is often called “the dying city.” Small, atmospheric and dramatically positioned above a valley.
