Rome is the perfect starting point for a number of daytrips that will allow you to discover some of Italy’s most important attractions as well as some of the country’s hidden gems.
Here you will find some detailed itineraries with sites, history and restaurants, easily reachable by train with duration and costs.

5 Best day trip near Rome by train

Tivoli is home to two magnificent villas: Villa D'este and Villa Gregoriana. 

The first is UNESCO listed, but Gregoriana is not to be missed, either! They are all uniquely different, historically profound, and totally doable in one day. They're walking distance from one another, so be sure to stop for gelato and grab food in the quaint town of Tivoli in between!

Trains depart approximately every hour (make sure you also look for trains headed to Avezzano: they’ll stop at Tivoli, too!) from the train hub at Roma Tiburtina, one short subway ride away from Roma Termini. Roma Termini itself offers a service to Tivoli, however this is limited to the early mornings. 

Tivoli, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy

Frascati is a small town that breathes beauty! It is very famous for its wine and fraschettas and is an excellent option to visit from Rome. The ‘house’ wine is Frascati: light, fresh and delicious white wine, it is the most famous wine in the region.

Frascati dates back to around 7th century BC. The name of the village is said to come from a local tradition of collecting firewood (frasche).

The town itself has a charming historic centre, and an impressive view overlooking Rome. Frascati is famous for its white wine, and its villas, and there’s no reason you can’t enjoy both when you visit.

Like many of the hilltop towns in the Castelli Romani area, Frascati has long served as a favourite summer escape for noble Romans. Its location atop a hill makes it notably cooler than Rome, so, it will come as no surprise the most important archaeological find dating back Ancient Rome are the ruins of a villa.

Not just to be remembered as a playground for the rich and famous, Frascati played an important role in the plague epidemic of Rome in 1837. During this horrific time, around 5,000 people were forced to leave Rome and Frascati was the only village that welcomed them. Since then, Frascati’s flag has born the same colours of Rome’s; red and yellow.

Trains depart every hour (8:54/9:54/10:54......) from the train hub at Roma Termini. 

THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO DO IN FRASCATI!

The fraschetta, a typical rustic restaurant in the Castelli Romani, offers homemade Roman cooking in a joyful and informal atmosphere.      Genuine food, local products, traditional pastas, wine from the Castelli and don’t forget the porchetta! 

Their origins date back to the Middle Ages: The name derives from frasca, a laurel branch full of leaves draped over the entrance, to let travelers know that they would find new wine inside.  The name could also originate from the ancient village of Frascati.

Historically, they offered only wine and bread, and patrons brought their own food . Over time they have changed their appearance and their food offerings, but traces of the past remain evident.

What do you eat? You can start off with a ridiculously abundant antipasto; a selection of salamis,my favorite being the coppiette (a spicy pork jerky), prosciutto, cheeses, olives, beans and porchetta (the city’s most famous dish, which is boneless pork roasted with herbs). 

It can leave you too full for anything else, but keep powering through to the classic Roman pasta dishes: pasta alla carbonara, gricia or amatriciana are found on most menus

Frascati, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy

Bracciano is the main town on Lake Bracciano, a volcano lake north of Rome that’s Italy’s 8th largest lake. The medieval town, on a hill overlooking the lake, is dominated by Odescalchi Castle.

As well as the castle, Bracciano village is all worth seeing: the town has characteristics small alleys full of charm and a delightful viewpoint, Belvedere della Sentinella, offering fantastic views over the lake.

There’s a steep path down to the lake. Lake Bracciano is popular for sailing and has good beaches for sun-bathing and swimming in summer.

Top Tip if visiting Bracciano with kids: Castello Odescalchi is family-friendly! As well as standard tours, it is possible to book castle tours that are just for kids: they are packed with riddles to solve, areas to discover and games to play

Trains depart every 30 min from the train hub at Roma Tiburtina, Roma Ostiense and Roma Trastevere (look for trains that go to Bracciano or Viterbo!). 

The greatest pleasure of visiting Bracciano is getting lost in its maze of narrow streets, stairways and piazzas that tumble across the hillside above the lake. You’ll encounter incredibly picturesque little corners wherever you turn – don’t miss charming piazza Sanminiati.

Bracciano, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy

Located in the greater Rome metropolitan area and only 30 minutes from the city center, Ostia Antica is the old port of Rome and is a place of great beauty and historical significance.

There are two main sites to see in Ostia Antica: the archaeological park and the ‘borgo’. The two lie beside each other and you can walk between the two in less than five minutes.

If you want to get up close and personal with the majestic remains of antiquity but don't have time to head to Pompeii, then a visit to Ostia Antica - just half an hour by train from central Rome - is a must. Surrounded by umbrella pines and swaying cypress trees in the beautiful Roman countryside, Ostia Antica was the Roman Empire’s most important port.

The harbour city was a vital cog in the massive machinery of the Roman empire, and today its wonderfully preserved mix of cobbled streets and atmospheric temples, ruined theatres, villas, shops, apartment blocks, warehouses and much more offer a unique insight into what it was like to live in an ancient Roman town over two millennia ago.

The crowds haven’t discovered Ostia Antica yet and while you do get tourism here, you are likely to find yourself walking almost alone along the ancient streets of this beautiful town.

Ostia Antica is connected to Rome city center by a frequent commuter train. The train leaves Roma Ostiense station at regular intervals (every 15 minutes).

This train is part of the Rome public transport network and you need the same ticket that you use on the metro or bus. 

The train brings you to the small train station called ‘Ostia Antica’ and from there reaching the park is easy. As you exit the station the park is right in front of you, on the other side of the road.

5 Best day trip near Rome by train

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