The best day trips from Rome are all just a train ride from Roma Termini: Bologna for food, Tivoli for gardens, Naples for pizza and chaos, Anzio and Castel Gandolfo for the sea, Assisi for quiet hill towns, Bracciano for castles, and Florence for a full dose of the Renaissance. Most are under two hours away, which means you can leave in the morning and be back in Rome for an Aperol Spritz at sunset.
Key Takeaways
- Rome’s central location means most of Italy’s best day trips are one to two hours away by train from Roma Termini.
- Bologna, Naples, and Florence are the top picks for food and culture, each reachable in under two hours.
- Anzio and Castel Gandolfo are the easiest options when you just want a beach day without leaving the region.
- Assisi and Bracciano offer a slower, small-town pace if you need a break from big-city sightseeing.
- Basing yourself in Rome for a longer stay, like an au pair placement, gives you time to actually work through this list instead of rushing it into one trip.
1. Bologna
Food lovers will rejoice in the short journey from Rome to Bologna. Spend the day taking in the unique architecture of this university town, including the famous UNESCO World Heritage porticoes, then book yourself a table for a long lunch of fresh pasta and wine. Walk off your meal by admiring the food markets across the city, or climb one of Bologna’s towers. Can you spot which one is leaning, just like in Pisa?
2. Tivoli
By far one of the most popular destinations from Rome, Tivoli is home to three stunning villas with expansive gardens. Think you recognize pictures of Tivoli? There’s a memorable scene in The Lizzie McGuire Movie that takes place at Villa d’Este. Enjoy the expansive green space and splendor of these unique estates.
3. Napoli
Go for the pizza, stay for the people watching. Luckily, Napoli is just a short trip from Rome. Naples might be even more chaotic than Rome, but everyone should experience its raw beauty at least once. Plus, it’s the birthplace of pizza and sfogliatella, a warm, flaky pastry shaped like a shell. Travelers can also consider visiting Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii for the day.
4. Anzio
If you’ve ever visited the Eternal City in the summer, then you know how inescapable the heat in Rome can be. Why not cool off with a day by the sea? Rome is only about 40 minutes by train from the clear aqua waters of the Tyrrhenian sea. Anzio is an excellent destination for the day, where you can mix history, the beach, and delicious seafood.
5. Assisi
Anyone with a knack for churches and holy relics will find Assisi to be a treasure trove of discoveries. With its blend of light pink and sand-colored stone, Assisi is easy on the eyes. Once you’ve made it to the town, take in the view of the horizon, with its countless olive groves stretching below. When you’ve tired of going in and out of churches, sit down for a meal. Since you’re in Umbria, consider ordering something with truffles.
6. Castel Gandolfo
If you’ve ever wondered where the Pope spends his summers, then it’s time to visit Castel Gandolfo. Known for the Apostolic Palace, which is open for tours, this little lakeside town is more than meets the eye. A short walk from the train station is a beautiful stretch of beach on the shores of a volcanic crater lake, Lake Albano. Take a refreshing swim, then lounge on the soft black sand in the shade of the papal palace.
7. Bracciano
Bracciano is another lakeside town near Rome, home to a stunning castle with sweeping views over Lake Bracciano. If you’ve been looking for a small medieval town to explore, then this is it. Take the time to walk through Castello Odescalchi, the site of Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise’s wedding. Its halls might seem haunting, with how much history this castle has seen.
8. Florence
If you’re dying to take in the Renaissance city but only have a day left on the itinerary, you’re in luck. Florence is only about 1.5 hours on the speed train from Rome, with train times available throughout the day. Visit a museum or two, take in the incomparable beauty of the duomo, and enjoy some Tuscan cuisine. Pisa is another famous city to visit from Rome, less than an hour away from Florence.
With so many amazing day trip options from Rome, you might have a hard time choosing what to see next. Wherever you go, delight in the magic of returning to the Eternal City in time for sunset and an Aperol Spritz.
This is exactly the kind of exploring that gets easier when Rome isn’t just a vacation stop but your home base for months at a time. Au pairs placed with our Italy program get their weekends free to work through lists like this one at their own pace, instead of cramming it all into a single trip.
FAQ: Day Trips From Rome
How do I get to these day trips from Rome?
Nearly all of them are reachable by regional or high-speed train from Roma Termini, Rome’s central station. Travel times range from about 40 minutes for closer spots like Anzio to roughly 1.5 hours for Florence.
How many of these day trips can I realistically fit into one visit?
If you’re only in Rome for a short vacation, one or two day trips is realistic without feeling rushed. Spreading them out over a longer stay lets you see more without turning every day into a travel day.
What’s the best day trip if I only have one free day?
Florence or Bologna are the strongest picks for a single day, since both are under two hours away and pack in food, architecture, and culture without an early wake-up call.
Which day trip is best for a beach day?
Anzio and Castel Gandolfo are the easiest beach options close to Rome, with Anzio on the coast and Castel Gandolfo on a volcanic crater lake.
This post is by Maggie, the blogger behind The Artful Everyday and former Rome Abroad Traveler. Follow her on Instagram for more Italy content and travel tips.
If exploring Rome’s backyard on your own schedule sounds like the kind of year you want, living there as an au pair might be the way to make it happen.
Part of the Rome Abroad team helping young women live and work abroad as au pairs since 2015.
