15 Best Day Trips From Rome
Visiting Rome can be one of the best trips of your life. Full of history and a seemingly endless list of things to do, Rome is not only one of the best cities to visit in Italy but one of the most intriguing cities to vacation to anywhere in the world. Even with how much there is to do, you might want to escape the hustle and bustle of Rome and take a day trip somewhere. But where to?
There are so many places to go in Italy with so much to offer that it can be overwhelming to find the perfect place to take a day trip from Rome. To help you with that, we’ve compiled this list of the 15 best day trips from Rome. Depending on whether you want to go somewhere nearby in a car, a bit further away on a train, or just something private. No matter how you make it there, you can find the perfect day trip here.
Any day trips below from Rome will offer you an unforgettable experience that will be well worth the time and effort. So get ready to plan the trip of your dreams. Take a look at the 15 best day trips from Rome:
Although you can get from Rome to Pompeii quickly by train, car, or bus, we recommend making the trip via train. It’s faster than the other two methods and pretty affordable. But the time saved instead of taking a bus more than makes up for the small addition in price, and it is also significantly easier than renting a car if you don’t already have one in Rome.
Getting from Rome to Pompeii is pretty straightforward, but it does require boarding two different trains. The first leg of your trip will go from Rome to Naples, which will take roughly an hour or so. Once in Naples, grab your ticket and hop on your next train from Naples to Pompeii, and that’s it. After another 40 minutes, you’ll arrive at your destination. Once you arrive at the train station in Pompeii, you’ll be able to start your adventure.
Pompeii is one of the world’s most famous examples of ancient ruins and holds that title in Italy. Destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius nearly 2,000 years ago in 79 AD, the Ruins of Pompeii are rich with history and offer visitors a glimpse into the past. Explore the area, and you’ll find the remains of what’s left of ancient pillars, walls, and columns.
You can tour the Ruins of Pompeii by yourself, but we recommend going on a guided tour through the ancient city. There’s no better way to learn as much as possible about this city’s rich history and importance. After your tour, grab lunch at the restaurant in the middle of Pompeii and enjoy your day.
With about 175 miles separating Rome and Florence, it’s another day trip you can theoretically make via var, train, or bus. But since we’re focusing on day trips, you likely don’t want to spend over 3 hours in the car each way driving yourself there. For that reason, we recommend taking the train from Rome to Florence.
But this is only if you can get tickets on the high-speed train, which will only take 1 hour and 15 minutes each way. Just head to Roma Tiburtina for the high-speed train and get your ticket to Florence. Hop on board and relax, you’ll get there in no time.
Florence is chock-full of things to do, and you could easily choose to stay in Florence instead of Rome during your Italian adventure because there’s so much to do. But for a day trip from Rome to Florence, you’ll want to narrow things down a bit. It just depends on what you’re interested in. These are our recommendations for the best things to do in Florence.
Florence is one of the best places to visit in Italy for art lovers and anyone interested in the ancient architecture of the old days. While there, check out the Uffizi Gallery for some of the world’s best art. Also, stop by the Florence Cathedral to get a sense of the architecture and construction that makes Italy so beautiful. Spend some time walking the city’s incredible gardens and taking in the Florentine culture in some of the public squares.
After you’ve explored the city, hop back on the high-speed train and head back to Rome.
The trip from Rome to the Amalfi Coast is roughly 165 miles if you drive yourself or take a bus, so the best option for a day trip is again to take the train. Although the drive is scenic and beautiful along the winding roads, we think it’s better to get to the coast as quickly as possible because there’s so much to do.
Like getting from Rome to Pompeii, the train from Rome to the Amalfi Coast will require two separate legs. The first leg will take you from Rome (Roma Termini) to Naples on the high-speed rail, which will take just over an hour. From there, you can easily take a train from Naples to Salerno since it’s just a straight shot straight to the coast (but you can find trains to specific locations on the coast; they will just take longer). Once in Salerno, you can get to any other city you like.
The Amalfi Coast is vast and has so much to do that we recommend spending at least a few days here. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t a great candidate for a day trip from Rome, but you just won’t get to see or do nearly as much as the Amalfi Coast features. The Amalfi Coast comprises several cities and towns, including Positano, Sorrento, Ravello, and Amalfi.
Depending on where you end up along the Amalfi Coast, you will have various activities at your disposal. One of the best day trips from Rome that we can imagine is making your way to Positano and relaxing on one of the famous beaches there. Or head to Ravello and get some of the best views you will find anywhere on the Amalfi Coast.
Getting from Rome to Pisa will be another option only viable for the trip via train. It will require the same process as getting from Rome to Florence but with one additional step. That’s because the first leg of the trip will be exactly the same as from Rome to Florence, and from Florence, you’ll then make your way to Pisa.
Once you’re in Florence, it’s a straight shot on the high-speed rail to get to Pisa. The high-speed rail will potentially make up to seven stops along the way at various train stations, but even with all seven stops, it will only take about 1 hour and 10 minutes to make the trip. So you should plan for roughly 2 to 2 ½ hours of trave
You can probably guess that one of the most important things to do in Pisa is check out the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The famous bell tower is known worldwide for its physical lean, which it has exhibited since its construction hundreds of years ago. A tower tour and climbing to the top for amazing views will only take a few hours, but Pisa has more to offer!
Consider checking out the adjoining cathedral or the nearby Campo Santo after you finish at the tower. Then, head into downtown Pisa and explore. Just about everywhere you look, you’ll find a building or structure worth checking out. Consider visiting the botanical gardens of Orto Botanico for a peaceful experience and escape from the crowds.
Naples is really the first day trip on the list, which can be made either by car or train. If you have a car already rented in Rome and enjoy road-tripping as part of your day trip, then it’s not a bad drive. Just about 2 hours and 20 minutes through the beautiful Italian countryside, and you’ll make it to Naples.
We recommend taking the train for your day trip from Rome to Naples. This is because the high-speed train can get you there in just about an hour, and you don’t have to worry about finding parking. So you get more time to visit and less worrying about your car. With how much Naples has to do, you’ll want all that extra time!
As one of Italy’s major cities, you can imagine that Naples has quite a few things you can do during your day trip from Rome. But which things should you do?
One of the best ways to view Naples — and the surrounding areas — is to climb the iconic Mount Vesuvius. What better way to escape the hustle and bustle of Rome than to climb thousands of feet into the air and look down over Naples from above? An unforgettable experience, if more so for the adventurous types.
Besides climbing Mount Vesuvius, there are plenty of other great things to do in Naples. Consider checking out Castel Nuovo, Castel dell’Ovo, and the Naples Cathedral to get a taste of classic Italian architecture. Or, for something you won’t find anywhere else in Italy, go underground into the Catacombs of San Gennaro. Or perhaps just check out one of the many museums that the city has to offer. It’s a great place full of fun things to do for the whole family.
Read Also: Where to Stay in Rome: Top 3 Unforgettable Neighborhoods for Every Traveler
If you want to make a quick day trip from the bustling city of Rome to the coast relatively close by, Santa Marinella should be on your shortlist. Deciding to travel from Rome to Santa Marinella by car or train is the hardest decision on this list. There is usually a drastic difference between taking a rental car and taking the train for all the other potential day trips. But not for this one.
You can expect to drive by car for about 55 minutes, whereas the train will take about 45 minutes. To make it as easy as possible, we recommend making the journey by train. This way, you won’t need to rent a car if you don’t already have one, nor will you need to worry about parking once you arrive. So head to Roma Aurelia and get your ticket straight to Santa Marinella—it’s super easy!
Although visiting Rome is one of the best experiences that anyone can have as a tourist, there is one thing it’s lacking that many people truly enjoy — a beach. But that’s where Santa Marinella comes in, just an hour’s drive (or 45-minute train ride) away from the bustling city center. Here, you can lay back, relax, and take in the hot Italian sun as you let the noise of the gentle waves and the cool breeze roll in off the sea.
For a small fee of just a few bucks, you can rent towels and umbrellas for yourself or the whole family and spend the day however you want. Lay on the beach chair, sprawl out in the sand, or get in the water and let it take you to a new place. Once you’re done at the beach, check out one of the many restaurants along the shore. With fresh seafood offered at affordable prices, the waterfront restaurants of Santa Marinella are the perfect way to end a day trip away from Rome.
With only about 75 miles separating Rome from Orvieto, we strongly suggest making the trip by car. If you already have a rental in Rome, that would be great! If not, don’t worry—they are super cheap. You can rent a car in Italy for as little as $6 per day sometimes, so head to the nearest rental place and grab one. Once you’re ready to make the drive, it’s time to head to Orvieto for an exciting day trip from Rome.
The way from Rome to Orvieto is pretty basic, with almost the entirety of the trip being on just two roads: A1dir/E35 and A1/E35/E45 towards Firenze. These are both toll roads (as well as at least one other road on the trip), but the tolls are very affordable. There will be many other backroads you’ll hop on and off, but these two roads are the main ones. After only about an hour and a half, you’ll arrive in Orvieto.
Broken up into two distinct sections of town — the old town up on the hill and the newer parts down in the valley — Orvieto offers visitors a bevy of things to see and do. Most of the fun things for visitors and tourists to do are located up on the hill in the older part of Orvieto, but don’t worry. A funicular will take you from the lower part of town to the upper portion and back as needed, which is an enjoyable experience!
If you ever need somewhere to start while visiting Orvieto, just go to the town’s main street of Corso Cavour. Walk along Corso Cavour, and you’ll come across some of the town’s best attractions, including the Piazza della Repubblica and Torre del Moro. You’ll also pass by several palaces, including Palazzo Comunale, Palazzo Ottaviani, and Palazzo Gualterio. Just walk the streets of Orvieto, and you’ll be in constant awe of the beauty all around you.
Another short trip that is perfect for a day trip from Rome is to head to Viterbo. With only 50 miles separating these two cities, this is an ideal option for a day trip via car. Making the trip by train would significantly increase the time and cost more money, so we highly recommend you get a rental car if you don’t already have one and then drive from Rome to Viterbo.
Although it’s even shorter than the above drive from Rome to Orvieto in terms of road distance, the time will only be a bit less because of the speed limits on these roads. Similar to that drive, however, there are just two main roads involved. This time, you’ll spend nearly the entire drive on Via Salaria and Nepesina/SS311. After about 1 hour and 15 minutes, you’ll arrive in Viterbo.
Viterbo is a well-known town in south-central Italy. It is best known for the two decades in the 13th century, during which it was the seat of the papacy. It’s also known for having the longest papal election, lasting three years. But don’t think that Viterbo is only a great place to visit if you’re religious or interested in religious history. It has plenty more things for you to see and do.
When you get to Viterbo, you should head to the town’s main public square, where Palazzo dei Papi (Palace of the Pope) resides. This is where the locals and visitors gather; from here, you can get anywhere else in town. Head over to one of the famous hot springs in Viterbo and relax like never before. Or just wander around, meandering through Viterbo’s narrow medieval streets. Stop in at some of the shops and boutiques you see as you walk, and try out some delicious food at one of the many cafes. Viterbo is best when you just experience it in time without trying to plan out every minute you’re there.
If you’re looking for a day trip from Rome that involves as little travel time as possible, consider visiting Tivoli and going on the Villa d’Este Tour. Located just over 20 miles away from Rome, the only way that makes sense for you to get here is by car. So, if you haven’t rented a car yet for your Roman adventure — which we highly recommend doing because of how cheap it is — then get a rental and get ready for your day trip to Tivoli.
Although it’s one of the shortest trips in terms of both miles and time spent, it involves a bit more direction because there are three main roads you’ll need to take instead of just two. From Rome, you’ll head east on A24. Then, you’ll take the exit for Via Maremmana Inferiore/SP51a before finally taking SR5 for the final leg of the trip. The total drive time will only be about 35 minutes, so you can go any time.
Rome may be home to many incredible fountains and water displays you’ve seen while you were in town, but the best of them all isn’t actually in the city itself. Instead, the most impressive fountains and water displays in the area are actually found at, you guessed it, Villa d’Este. This 16th-century villa is one of the best examples in the area for impressive outdoor design and landscaping prowess and is a must-see anytime the weather is nice.
Book your tour of the Villa d’Este well in advance because it is wildly popular among tourists. So if you’re visiting during the high season, you may find it difficult to gain entrance, and if you do, it will be very crowded. But if you can visit the villa, you must take it. This is the first example in Italian history where water was treated and used differently to create water shows, and jets and streams of water were used to do things that nobody ever thought possible.
This one might sound a bit strange at first. Going from Rome to the Roman countryside? Isn’t that the same place? No, not exactly. In this sense, we get from Rome’s city center, where most people will be during their visit, to the beautiful countryside of Rome. The Roman countryside is located south of the city center and is another day trip you’ll make exclusively via car.
So, while you’re in the bustling city center of Rome, swing over to the nearest rental car location if you don’t already have one and get one for at least one day (although we recommend it for the whole time you’re in Rome). Then just hop in your car and drive south. Depending on where you decide to go, you’ll likely be taking SP8, Via Gabriele, or Via Garbatella. No matter which way you go, you’ll get to the beautiful Roman countryside after just about an hour.
If you’re trying to imagine what to expect from the Roman countryside, just think of the famous Tuscany countryside on a much smaller scale. The Roman countryside offers some of the same amazing views, delicious food, and authentic local wine. You can aimlessly explore and see what comes about throughout the countryside or visit one of the three main towns in Frascati, Ariccia, and Castelgandolfo.
If you’re a fan of white wine (much of what you’ll find throughout Italy leans towards red), you need to stop by Frascati and try some of their local selections. Maybe you’re in the mood for some local food, and Ariccia is the place for you with its authentic porchetta. Or, if you’re more interested in seeing some ancient structures and religious landmarks, consider Castelgandolfo, where the Pope’s summer house is located.
If you have already rented a car, then you’re ready for the next potential day trip to consider. If not, make sure you rent one from downtown Rome because this next trip is the perfect day trip from Rome by car. We’re talking about Calcata, located just over 30 miles north of Rome, so making the journey any other way doesn’t make sense.
The drive from Rome to Calcata should only take you around 45 minutes or so, and it’s a pretty simple one, consisting of just three roads like the trip to Tivoli above. To get from Rome to Calcata, you’ll only need to travel on Grande Raccordo Anulare/A90, SS2bis, and SP37, for the most part. This trip has no tolls, so it’s smooth sailing the whole way. Since the drive is so short, you can go any time of day and have plenty of time to explore and enjoy Calcata.
As one of the most intriguing towns near Rome, Calcata is a must-visit if you’re looking for a quick day trip away from the crowded city. Built on the remains of an ancient volcanic cliff, the entire town looks like it could just tumble down into the valley below at a moment’s notice. This just adds to the town’s ambiance and makes it even more inviting, plus there’s quite a bit to see and do while you’re there taking in the views!
The streets of Calcata are incredibly narrow, but they’re also where all the magic happens. Get out of your car and just start walking down the streets, exploring the ancient city and seeing what catches your eye. The town is full of skillful artisans and their shops, displaying their skills and wares to you. Check them out as you go by and stop in one of the many cafes and small restaurants to grab a drink and a bite.
Getting from Rome to Saturnia is longer than other options, but there is no straight shot between the two via train. If you were to take trains from Rome to Saturnia, you can expect to spend nearly 8 hours each way making the roughly 100-mile trip. Ridiculous, right? Of course, with that in mind, it makes no sense to make the trip in any way except by renting a car.
Cutting the train ride’s travel time by more than half, using a rental car from Rome to Saturnia will take about 2 to 2 ½ hours each way. Although it’s much shorter than the train ride, it’s still one of the longer travel times each way on this list, but the drive isn’t too bad. It just involves traveling on Via Aurelia, SP105, and SP10. Remember, this route includes tolls, but they aren’t too bad!
If you thought the drive was a little long and you’re a bit sore after such a long trip, then Saturnia is the best possible place for you to arrive. Saturnia could be renamed Spaturnia due to the famous thermal hot springs and spas just about everywhere you look. So, if you’re sore from the drive and looking for a way to relax your body and get right again, hop in one of the many spas, and you’ll feel great in no time.
You may even love it so much that you’ll decide to stay the night (so much for that day trip!) at one of Saturnia’s luxurious hot spa hotels. Here, you’ll have access to all the amenities of a luxury hotel combined with the relaxing waters and touch of hot thermal springs. Saturnia is bathed in Roman history since the ancient Romans believed that the warm waters in their spas were a gift from the gods that would heal them. So hop in and let the gift of gods work magic on you.
Tuscany is undoubtedly the most popular region in Italy to visit. Due to its central location in the country and gorgeous landscapes, it’s a great choice for a day trip from Rome. The capital of the region of Tuscany is Florence; from there, you can get just about anywhere else.
For the perfect private wine-tasting day trip from Rome to Tuscany, we recommend heading to Florence via train as described above. So hop on the high-speed train, and you’ll arrive in Florence after about an hour and 15 minutes. Now that you’re in the capital of Tuscany, you and that special someone will be in for a romantic treat with a private wine-tasting tour.
In Florence, our favorite private wine-tasting tour has to be the Sunset Siena and Chianti Wine Tour. As the name suggests, this is an evening tour, but don’t let that deter you on your “day trip.” The train back from Florence to Rome also operates late at night, so you’ll be able to get back to Rome without a problem. And trust us when we say this private wine tour is well worth the effort.
From Florence, you’ll depart with your tour guide and the love of your life and head to Siena in the early evening. Once there, you’ll get the opportunity to explore the area and catch the sunset over the incredible countryside of Tuscany while sampling delicious wine. Afterward, you’ll head to Chianti, where you’ll enjoy a four-course meal and more amazing wine before returning to Florence.
While staying in Rome, you might get the itch to travel to one of Italy’s famous beaches. But let’s do one better. Let’s go to Italy’s little slice of paradise and visit the island of Capri with just yourself and that special someone. Getting to Capri is a bit longer than most other options on this list, but a private day trip here is worth every second and every ounce of effort.
Since Capri is an island off the coast of Italy, it isn’t accessible by train or car. At least, not entirely. To reach the island, you will have to first reach Naples. As mentioned above, Naples is best reached from Rome by train to save time. Once you arrive in Naples, you’ll just need to take the ferry from Naples to Capri, and that’s it. After about 45 minutes on the boat, you’ve made it!
If you’ve ever imagined paradise, chances are high that Capri will be exactly what you were thinking of. Green grass, wide-open blue skies, and beaches in every direction. It’s truly one of the most beautiful places to visit in the entire world, and taking a private day trip from Rome to Capri with the love of your life will be one of the most unforgettable experiences that the two of you ever have.
On Capri, you’ll want to experience at least two things — the water and the views. Let’s take care of the water first. You’ll want to head straight for the world-famous Blue Grotto on the island. The water in this grotto is so blue that it’s truly mesmerizing. Spend time relaxing in its beauty and trying to imagine bluer water anywhere in the world (hint: you won’t find any!).
After the Blue Grotto, we suggest taking the chairlift up to the top of Monte Solaro. The chairlift ride will provide some of the best views you’ll get from anywhere in Italy. But once you get to the top, it’s unbelievable. From the top of Monte Solaro, you’ll have unobstructed views in nearly every direction of the endless blue water and the Italian coast. Spend as much up here with your loved one as you want, it’s worth every second.
We’ll be the first to say it: going from Rome to Venice is not a short trip. To make the trip by car, you must devote nearly 6 hours in each direction. But if you did that, you wouldn’t have time to explore the city. Therefore, the only real possibility of a day trip from Rome to Venice is by train.
Getting from Rome to Venice via train will still take around 4 to 4 ½ hours each way, so it’s something that you’ll only be doing if the train ride itself is part of your day trip. And with how gorgeous the Italian countryside is, including the train ride, it isn’t a bad idea! From Rome, you’ll first head to the train station in Bologna, which will take a bit over two hours. From Bologna, you can go straight to Venice, which is another 2-hour trip.
Once there, you’ll have roughly 4-5 hours to explore and hang out before hopping back on the train to Rome. So make the most of it and enjoy!
Venice is another of Italy’s major cities, right up there with Rome, Florence, and Naples. So, as you can imagine, there are quite a few things to do. We recommend exploring the city on foot and taking in as much as possible. But when you think of Venice, especially if you’re visiting Venice as part of a private day trip with that special someone, you only have one thing in mind: a romantic gondola ride through the city.
After all, gondola rides through the Venetian canals are what Venice is known for, and for good reason. They’re incredible! You’ll have numerous options to choose from without a doubt, but our favorite for a private gondola tour is the Private Venice Gondola Ride with Serenade Tour. As the highest-rated option in Venice, you won’t be disappointed. A slow ride along the Grand Canal, past the most iconic landmarks of Venice, all while being serenaded the entire time. It’s one of the most romantic experiences in the world and something you don’t want to miss.
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