Tivoli is a perfect day trip from Rome with visits to Villa D’Este and Hadrian’s Villa. You can catch a train out of Termini or Tiburtina and get to Tivoli in about an hour and for about 6 Euros per person. You can also take a taxi, Uber, or arrange a private driver to get you there. Private transportation will be more expensive but can be an easier way to get between the sites.
Villa d’Este is a 16th-century villa and is one of the most wonderful examples of Renaissance architecture. Buy your tickets online in advance here. You can also buy a combo ticket for Tivoli that grants admission to both Villa d’Este and Hadrian’s Villa here.
The remarkable site is well known for its gardens and fountains. The villa was commissioned by Cardinal Ippolito II D’Este after he was named the governor of Tivoli. You enter Villa D’Este through a very unassuming doorway in a typical Italian piazza and into a courtyard.
The villa has many examples of Renaissance architecture and decoration….
But, the real star of the show is outside. The extensive grounds. gardens, and fountains are incredible.
You will want to spend some time here, soaking up the atmosphere, and if you time your visit right, you can listen and watch the water organ performance, which occurs at different intervals throughout the day and vary by season.
We walked to Hadrian’s Villa and enjoyed 99% of the walk, but there was a dicey stretch of highway to traverse, so again, better to go by car. You can book your tickets to Hadrian’s Villa here. The scale of this massive complex is hard to absorb, but allows you to really get lost and imagine it in all its original glory.
We found it difficult to get from Villa D’Este to Hadrian’s Villa and there were no taxis to be found, so we ended up walking. It took about an hour and had only one small stretch of road that was a little treacherous. Definitely doable, but would be easier to go by car.
We visited in the late afternoon, and there were only a handful of other people around. The complex is huge, so plenty of room to spread out even on more crowded days.
There is so much to see! A few highlights include the Roccabruna Tower, the Great Baths, the Serapeum, and so much more.
There is a fantastic and world famous restaurant nearby called Ristorante Sibilla that is not to be missed. You will need reservations in advance, and those can be made here. The food is incredible, the atmosphere is enchanting and the scenery is spectacular.
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Have a great adventure!
The Passporter