Four Sublime Day Trips from Rome
Leave the hustle & bustle of the city behind and explore the countryside.
Spring is a wonderful time to get out of the city and explore the surrounding countryside's many beautiful destinations. Below are four of our favorite day trips, all just a quick drive from Rome.
Giardino di Ninfa
Giardino di Ninfa, or the Garden of Nymph, with its diverse and expansive botanical collection, natural springs, streams, and ponds, and ancient ruins, is considered one of the most beautiful and romantic gardens in the world.
The name Ninfa derives from a Roman temple located on the grounds that was dedicated to the divinities of spring waters. Originally a medieval town established around the 8th century, Ninfa was a flouring city, before being sacked and destroyed in 1382. In the early 20th century, the Caetani family acquired the property and restored the garden over several decades within the ruins of the medieval town. Today, the garden continues to be maintained by the Roffredo Caetani Foundation.
The garden boasts over 1,300 plant species, including but not limited to cherry and ornamental apple trees, magnolias, birches, beeches, Japanese maples, a vast variety of roses, wisteria, and other rare and exotic plants from around the world. Garden of Ninfa has been recognized and protected by various organizations, including the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the European Environmental Agency.
Address
Via Ninfina, 85, 04012 Cisterna di Latina LT, Italy
Opening Dates & Times
Garden of Ninfa is open on weekends and select holidays from mid-March to early November. The garden opens at 9:00 a.m. Closing time varies by the month, with longer hours in the summer season. Refer to the website for exact dates and times and to make reservations.
Tickets
Tickets can be booked online. Children under 12 enter for free.
How to Arrive
Garden of Ninfa is located about 90 kilometers from Rome.
By car: The drive takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. Parking is free.
By train: Take the train to Latina Scalo, and from there, it is a 10-minute taxi ride (Radio Taxi Latina tel. 0773.17.47).
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Villa d’Este
30 kilometers northeast of Rome is the town of Tivoli, home to Villa d'Este, an acclaimed 16th-century villa and one of the most illustrious examples of Italian Renaissance architecture and garden design, making it a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Commissioned by Cardinal Ippolito II d'Este, the son of Lucrezia Borgia and Alfonso I d'Este, Duke of Ferrara, in 1550, the villa boasts an elegant façade, a double loggia, opened by the so-called Vialone or great avenue, bounded by the Grand Loggia and grand halls, frescoed ceilings, and ornate decor.
The villa itself is striking, but what truly sets Villa d'Este apart are the spectacular gardens, featuring over fifty fountains, waterfalls, terraces, and sculptures set amidst curated greenery and connected by walking paths and staircases. It is a peaceful escape from the bustling city and a lovely way to spend an afternoon.
Address
Piazza Trento, 5 - Tivoli
Opening Dates & Times
Villa d’Este is open year-round, Tuesday through Sunday. When a Monday is a public holiday, the villa will remain open but will then close the following Tuesday. Villa d’Este opens at 8:45 a.m. Closing time varies by month, with longer hours in the summer season. Refer to the website for exact dates and times and to make reservations.
Tickets
Tickets can be booked online. Children under 18 enter for free.
How to Arrive
Villa d’Este is located about 30 kilometers northeast of Rome.
By Car: The drive takes approximately 30-45 minutes. Paid parking lots are available near the villa.
By Bus: Take the metro to the Ponte Mammole station (B Line, direction Rebibbia). Take the Co.Tra.L. bus to Tivoli - Piazza Garibaldi. It is a two-minute walk to the villa.
By Train: Take the train to Tivoli. The station is about 1 kilometer away from the villa. Walk or take a cab.
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Nemi
Nemi is a small town nestled in the Castelli Romani, a series of small towns located in the Alban Hills, about 30 kilometers southeast of Rome. Perched above Lake Nemi, a volcanic lake with serene waters and home to the ruins of a temple to the Roman goddess Diana Nemorensis, Nemi is a delightful place to visit, especially in late spring and early summer.
The village of Nemi is a charming town with pastel-colored buildings, narrow streets, and artisan shops. It is anchored by the 9th-century Palazzo Ruspoli, located in Piazza Umberto I. Stroll through the village, peruse the shops, and sample the village’s gastronomical specialties.
Nemi is most famous for its frutti di bosco, or wild berries, and most notably, the fragolina, a local strawberry variety. Small, bright red, and bursting with flavor, these are the most delicious strawberries we’ve ever tasted. Consider timing your visit for the first Sunday in June, when Nemi holds its annual Strawberry Festival in celebration of this delectable fruit.
How to Arrive
Nemi is located about 30 kilometers southeast of Rome.
By Car: The drive takes approximately 30-45 minutes, or longer depending on traffic. There is street parking on the roads leading into the town.
By Bus: Arriving by car (or even taxi) is advised, but it is possible to arrive by bus. Take the metro to the Rome Anagnina station (Line A, direction Anangina). From there take the COTRAL bus to Piazza Frasconi in Genzano, then transfer to another COTRAL bus from Piazza Frasconi to Piazza Roma in Nemi.
Frascati
Frascati, the largest of the towns that make up the Castelli Romani, is the quintessential escape from Rome. Known for it’s cooler climate, beautiful villas, and local food and wine, Frascati is a fantastic place to spend day in the spring, summer and fall.
Frascati is famous for its notable villas, built from the 16th century onwards by popes, cardinals and and the Roman aristocracy as their summertime retreats from the city. Villa Aldobrandini, Villa Torlonia and Villa Falconieri, each located just outside of Frascati proper.
The town is equally famous for its local food and wine traditions. Frascati DOCG is a crisp, white wine produced in the surrounding area. Not Italy’s most prestigious white wine, it is nonetheless highly drinkable and enjoyable. While you can most definitely enjoy a restaurant meal in Frascati, we prefer to find a fraschetta, a kiosk or food stand, where we buy local specialties such as salami, pecorino romano, coppiette (cured and seasoned strips of pork or horse meat), and of course, slices of porchetta, eaten with pane di Genzano, bread made in the nearby town of Genzano.
When you’ve finished, stop at Gelateria Bar Frascati Piazza Roma, 1 for a gelato or an after-dinner digestive, and enjoy some people-watching before returning home.
How to Arrive
Frascati is located about 20 kilometers southeast of Rome.
By Car: The drive takes approximately 30-45 minutes, or longer, depending on traffic. There is a paid parking lot at the entrance to the city.
By Train: Take the train to Frascati. From the station, it is just a few minutes walk to the entrance of Frascati’s historical center. Trains run frequently from Rome.
Next week on Due Spaghetti
Stay tuned for next week’s newsletter, where we describe Cara’s efforts to master Tuscan cantucci and share the winning recipe!