Guide to 30 destinations for day trips or overnight stays within easy reach of Rome.
They say “all roads lead to Rome”, however the central location of the Italian capital makes it a perfect departure point for day trips in the Lazio region or overnight stays in nearby Abruzzo, Campania, Tuscany and Umbria. The 30 destinations, listed here in alphabetical order, are located between Florence to the north or Rome and Naples to the south. Our suggestions include hilltop towns, art cities, deserted villages, lakes and hot springs, beach resorts, mountain retreats, nature reserves, archaeological sites and even an island.
Arezzo
How to get there
Train: There are trains to Arezzo direct from Roma Termini although many services require a train transfer along the way.
Bus: Arezzo can be reached by bus from surrounding towns Valdichiana, Valtiberina, Pratomagno, Casentino and Valdarno with bus companies ATAM, LFI and SITA.
Car: Take the Arezzo exit off the A1, from there it is about 10 km to the city centre. Arezzo is 218 km from Rome.
Assisi
How to get there
Train: A direct train departs from Roma Termini to Assisi, taking about 1 hour and 40 mins.
Bus: FlixBus offers a bus from Roma Tiburtina to S. Maria Degli Angeli Assisi station. It takes 3 hour and 10 mins.
Car: By car, it is approximately 174 km north from Rome to Assisi via SS3. The drive takes about 2.5 hours.
Bagnaia
How to get there
Train: Take the Viterbo-Roma Nord line from Piazzale Flaminio. The trip takes about 2.5 hours through the Lazio countryside.
Bus: Take train from Roma Termini to Orte, then transfer to Bagnaia by Cotral bus.
Car: Take the Cassia bis to Monterosi, then take the traditional S.S. Cassia route to Bagnaia, or choose the panoramic route via S.P. Cimina, following signs for Viterbo, then Bagnaia.
Bomarzo
How to get there
Train: Trains from Roma Termini to Attigliano-Bomarzo station take around 55 minutes. Trains from Rome also reach nearby Orte and Viterbo, with Cotral buses to Bomarzo operating from both towns.
Car: 93 km north from Rome to Bomarzo via A1 / E35. The drive takes about 1.5 hours.
Bracciano
How to get there
Train: A direct train from Roma Ostiense to Bracciano station takes 1 hour and 15 mins.
Car: Approximately 50 km northwest from Rome to Bracciano on the Via Braccianense/SP493. The drive takes about an hour.
Calcata
How to get there
Train/Bus: There are no direct trains from Rome. Take the 20-minute journey on the light-rail train service from Via Flaminia in Rome to Saxa Rubra, then hop aboard one of the blue Cotral buses to Calcata Vecchia. Buses leave regularly, and the trip takes a little over an hour, however it is best to consult all connections before making the journey.
Car: Approx 53 km north from Rome to Calcata via SS2, exit Settevene and follow signs for Calcata. The drive takes just over an hour.
Canale Monterano
How to get there
Train: Take the Manziana-Canale Monterano train (1 hour 37 mins) from Roma Ostiense.
Bus: Take the Line 223 Bus from Roma Termini to Stazione La Giustiniana (43 mins). Take a second bus from Giustiniana on the Cotral line, getting off at Canale Monterano (1 hour).
Car: By car, it is 72 km northwest from Rome to Canale Monterano via SR2. The drive takes 1.5 hours.
Caprarola
How to get there
Train: There is no direct service but trains run from Roma Termini to Orte (approx 40 mins). From Orte, you can take a taxi but be warned that the roughly half-hour trip will cost between €50 and €65.
Bus: From Piazzale Flaminio take a bus to Saxa Rubra (13 mins) before transfering to a Cotral bus to Caprarola (approx 1 hour and 10 mins).
Car: Approximately 62 km north from Rome to Caprarola via SR2. The drive takes 1 hour and 20 mins.
Castelli Romani
How to get there
Train: Trains depart from Roma Termini and arrive at Marino Laziale. Takes approximately 35 mins.
Car: Approximately 38 km south from Rome by taking the A90/E80 and Via Appia Nuova/SS7. The drive takes about an 1 hour.
Civita di Bagnoregio
How to get there
Train/ bus: Trains depart from Roma Termini to Orvieto whose station is connected to Bagnoregio by Cotral bus. It is also possible to reach Bagnoregio by Cotral bus from Viterbo Porta Fiorentina (train from Roma Ostiense) but the Orvieto option is less complicated. The coaches are not very regular so check times before travelling. Orvieto is 20km away from Bagnoregio, Viterbo 30km, but both bus trips take about an hour.
Car: Approx 123 km north from Rome to Bagnoregio, taking the Orvieto exit off the A1 motorway. The drive takes about 1 hour and 50 mins.
Cortona
How to get there:
Train: From Roma Termini take the Roma-Firenze route, getting off at the Camucia-Cortona station which is located far below the town which can be reached by taxi or local bus.
Car: Take the Valdichiana exit off the A1, then take the E45 in direction of Perugia, taking the second exit for Cortona (Cortona San Lorenzo). Follow signs for Cortona, taking the SS71 to Camucia before arriving in Cortona. It is about a three-hour drive from Rome.
Florence
How to get there
Train: There are regular trains between Roma Termini and Firenze S. Maria Novella however their journey time varies from about 1 hour and a half on the fast train to nearer 4 hours on the slow regional service.
Bus: FlixBus offers a bus from Roma Tiburtina to Florence that takes about 3.5 hours.
Car: By car, it is approximately 275 km northwest from Rome to Florence via A1 / E35. The drive takes about 3 hours and 15 mins.
Giglio
How to get there:
Car: Head north on the A12 Civitavecchia-Roma, exiting onto the E80 and following signs for Orbetello/Porto S. Stefano. The drive takes about two hours.
Train: From Roma Termini take the Grosseto train to Orbetello/Monte Argentario. From here a shuttle bus will take you to Porto S. Stefano. The journey takes about 2.5 hours.
Ferry: For ferry times check the websites of Toremar and Maregiglio.
Marmore
How to get there
Car: Take the Valle del Salto exit off the A24, and follow signs for Rieti. Once in Rieti take the Superstrada for Terni, following directions for Marmore.
Train: Take the Roma-Ancona line to Terni from Roma Termini. From Terni take a bus or taxi (10 minutes) to Marmore. For bus information see Umbria Mobilità website.
Monte Soratte
How to get there
Train/Bus: From Flaminio station take a train to S. Oreste (1 hour 7 mins). From S. Oreste, it is about a 5-minute taxi drive or 35-minute walk to the Riserva Naturale Monte Soratte.
Car: 57 km north from Rome to Monte Soratte via A1 / E35. The drive takes about 1 hour and 10 mins.
Naples
How to get there
Train: The fast train from Roma Termini to Napoli Centrale takes 1 hour and 10 mins.
Bus: FlixBus offers a bus from Roma Tiburtina to Naples Metropark Centrale station that takes 2 hours and 35 mins.
Car: It is a 226-km drive from Rome south to Naples via A1 / E45. The drive takes about 2.5 hours.
Orvieto
How to get there
Train: A train from Roma Termini to Orvieto takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Bus: FlixBus offers a night bus from Roma Tiburtina to Orvieto station. It takes 1.5 hours and usually departs at 23.30.
Car: Approximately 122 km north from Rome to Orvieto via A1 / E35. The drive takes just over 1.5 hours.
Ostia Antica
How to get there
Train: Take the Roma-Lido commuter train from Piramide Metro B station for about half an hour and the journey is covered by Rome's €1.50 public transport tickets. The site is located about a ten-minute walk from the Ostia Antica stop.
Car: Approximately 25 km from Rome to Ostia Antica via SP8. The drive takes about 45 mins.
Perugia
Train: Take the Roma-Ancona line to Foligno (about 1 hour 40 mins), then transfer to Perugia-bound train (30 mins).
Bus: For regional bus lines and connections see Busitalia website.
Car: Take the A1 as far as Orte, then the SS204 to Terni followed by the E45 (or SS3bis) from Terni to Perugia. The 165-km drive takes about 2.5 hours from Rome.
Pompeii
How to get there
Train: Take a train from Roma Termini to Salerno (approximately 1 hour and 30 mins). From there, transfer to a train from Salerno to Pompeii (approximately 45 mins). It is also possible to travel from Termini to Naples, transfering to the Circumvesuviana local train to Pompeii Scavi-Villa Misteri.
Bus: A bus from Roma Tiburtina to Pompeii Piazza Porta Marina Inferiore takes 3 hours.
Car: By car, it is 240 km from Rome to Pompeii via the A1/E45. The drive takes about 3 hours.
Reggia di Caserta
How to get there
Train: A direct train from Roma Termini to Caserta station takes 1 hour and 8 mins.
Bus: FlixBus, Ouibus, Marino Autolinee and Baltour offer direct buses from Roma Tiburtina station to Caserta station that take 2 hours and 20 mins.
Car: Approximately 200 km southeast from Rome to Reggia di Caserta via A1 / E45. The drive takes about 2.5 hours.
Rocca Calascio
How to get there
Train: From Roma Termini to L'Aquila, then take Autolinee Arpa bus to Calascio.
Bus: Tiburtina to Calascio bus service, for details see website.
Car: From the A24 motorway (Roma-Teramo) exit at L’Aquila Est and follow signs for Sulmona. After Poggio Picenze, turn left for Barisciano. After Barisciano follow signs for S. Stefano di Sessanio and then Calascio. The drive takes about 2 hours.
San Gimignano
How to get there:
Train: From Roma Termini take train to S. Maria Novella station in Florence, transfer to the Empoli-Siena line to Poggibonsi, 13 km from San Gimignano.
Bus: San Gimignano is connected by numerous Sita bus services from Poggibonsi, see Sitabus website.
Car: Take A1 Roma-Milano northbound, taking Valdichiana exit. Follow directions for Siena, exit Poggibonsi Nord. 11 km to San Gimignano.
Santa Severa
How to get there:
Train: A direct train from Roma Termini to S. Severa station takes about 1 hour. The walk from the station to the beach is about 15 mins. Follow the crowd.
Car: Approx 70 km northwest from Rome to S. Severa via A12 / E80. The drive takes about 1 hour.
Saturnia
How to get there:
Train: Take train from Roma Ostiense Albinia or Orbetello, transfering by bus to Manciano. From Manciano take the 17/P bus to Saturnia.
Car: Saturnia is about a 180-km drive from Rome. Take the A12 to Civitavecchia, then the SS1 Aurelio to Montalto di Castro, then turning for Vulci, following signs to Manciano - Saturnia.
Siena
This Tuscan city is characterised by its mediaeval brick buildings and central Piazza del Campo. Twice a year, on 2 July and 16 August, this fan-shaped piazza hosts the Palio, a colourful horse race whose origins date back to at least 1644 and which normally only lasts for less than two minutes. Siena's historic centre is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to buildings such as the 13th-century Duomo, the city's Romanesque-Gothic cathedral; and the 14th-century Torre del Mangia, whose 88-m high summit offers sweeping views, if you can manage the 400 steps.
How to get there:
Car: The drive takes 2.5 hours from Rome, taking the A1 / Bettolle-Siena route.
Train: It takes about three hours to reach Siena from Rome, taking the train from Roma Termini to Chiusi, then changing for Siena. On arrival take a five-minute bus trip into town from the train station.
Sperlonga
Located between Rome and Naples, Sperlonga is a popular beach getaway for residents of both cities, although it also attracts increasing numbers of foreign tourists. Its quaint old town is perched high above the sea and is full of craftshops and fish restaurants, with tiny winding streets and panoramic views of the beach.
How to get there:
Train: From Roma Termini take the regional train headed to Naples, getting off at Fondi-Sperlonga. Once there, take the Piazzoli bus for 20 minutes to Sperlonga, alternatively take a private taxi but be warned it is far more expensive than the €1.50 bus ticket.
Car: 150 km southeast from Rome to Sperlonga via A1 / E45. The drive takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes.
Subiaco
The history of Subiaco dates back to the Aequi, an ancient Italic people, who were conquered by the Romans in 304 BC. Located east of Rome, about 40 km from Tivoli, Subiaco is best known as the home of St Benedict’s monastery and the Sacro Speco, a hermitage where the saint lived alone for three years. Both of these areas contain 13th-century frescoes and can be visited by the public.
How to get there:
Bus: Take a direct Cotral bus from Roma Tiburtina to Subiaco (1.5 hours).
Car: 70 km east from Rome to Subiaco via A24. The drive takes about 1 hour and 20 mins.
Tivoli
This town located just an hour outside of Rome is home to two important cultural landmarks, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Villa Adriana and Villa d’Este. Dating back to the second century AD, Villa Adriano was once the vast imperial residence of emperor Hadrian. The remains of this magnificent villa include statue-lined pools and a maritime theatre, while the landscaped Renaissance gardens of Villa d'Este are celebrated internationally for their multitude of fountains and water features. Also well worth a visit is Villa Gregoriana, a beautiful natural park on the outskirts of the town.
How to get there:
Train: Direct trains between Roma Termini and Tivoli take about half an hour. A more circuitious route involves taking the Cotral bus to Tivoli from the Ponte Mammolo station on the Metro B line.
Car: Approximately 34 km east from Rome to Tivoli via A24. The drive takes about 1 hour.
Tuscania
How to get there:
Train/Bus: Take a train from Roma Termini to Civitavecchia (approximately 1 hour). Transfer to a bus from Civitavecchia on the Cotral line and get off at the Tuscania stop (approx 1 hour and 10 mins).
Car: Approx 94 km northwest from Rome to Tuscania via SR2. The drive takes about 1 hour and 50 mins.
Also read:
- 29 Best Things To Do in Rome
- Top 10 beaches near Rome
- Visiting Castel Sant’Angelo, Rome's Castle
- Visiting the Roman Forum
- How to visit Galleria Borghese in Rome
- How to buy tickets for the Vatican Museum
- Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli
- Visiting the Vatican Museums: All You Need to Know
- All you need to know about Piazza Navona
- The Trevi Fountain: A Brief History
- Calcata: The land that time forgot
- Monteriggioni in Tuscany
- San Gimignano: A town of fine towers
- The Conero Regional Natural Park
- 13 Most Beautiful Places on the Amalfi Coast
- Most Beautiful Castles in Abruzzo
- The Via Francigena, an ancient pilgrim route
- Visiting Val d’Orcia: our two day guide
- Rifugio della Rocca Calascio
- Orvieto: a perfect day trip from Rome
- How to get to Pompei from Rome and back
- Bernini guide to Rome
- Where to see Caravaggio paintings in Rome
- How to get to Pompei from Rome and back