Tivoli Day Trip Guide
Tivoli is a magical paradise that will transport you to heaven. The town can be done as a day trip from Rome if you’re short on time. However, you should really spend a night here to experience the charm and see all the historic sites. Besides checking out my suggestions, in this Tivoli Day Trip Guide, take some time to wander the town. It’s hard to get lost and the town is so cute!
Tivoli Day Trip Guide: Map
How to get to Tivoli
Take the 40 min train from Rome. Get the train at the Roma Termini station on the Trenitalia site. Cost: €2.60/one way
You can also drive to Tivoli but it’s much easier to use public transit and not deal with traffic and parking.
What to do in Tivoli
Stare in wonder at Villa d’Este
Visit the 16th-century villa and gardens of Villa d’Este and stay long enough to watch the fountain show and listen to the hydraulic organ. Villa d’Este is a UNESCO heritage site. And for good reason. The gardens in Villa d’Este are spectacular, as are the views. The gardens are filled with statues of mythical creatures and impressive fountains.
Villa d’Esta was imagined by Cardinal Ippolito II d’Este in the 1550s. After failing a bid for the papacy, he came to Tivoli and was appointed governor. The villa is full of beautiful artwork and incredible water basins.
Cardinal Ippolito II d’Este set about transforming the cliffside into hanging gardens. A century of work later, the gardens were complete only to crumble after neglect. Villa d’Este was repaired in the 1860s and then again after WWII.
In the “hydraulic organ” show, a real pianist will play the organ inside the fountain! The organ is played every two hours starting at 10:30 am. You’ll probably spend 2 hours touring the house and gardens so hopefully, you won’t miss it.
Villa d’Esta is spectacular during the day and sunset. We visited once in July 2017 and then again in November 2018. Though the summer was much greener, don’t skip this place in the cooler months.
Still looking green in late November!
Opening hours will vary depending on the season so double-check the website. Additionally, the villa is open every day (except news years day and Christmas) but reservations are required on Saturdays and public holidays. Check the site just in case.
Cost: €12 and worth every penny.
Hike Villa Gregoriana
Walk/hike Villa Gregoriana, built by a 19th-century pope. It has caves, grottos, a waterfall, and Roman ruins! You’ll walk down the cliffside and back up again.
You’ll pass the Ponte dei Sepolcri o di Vopisco bridge as you get to the villa and get great views of it as you hike down. Also, look for the Temple of Sibilla.
Cost: €8
Visit Chiesa di S. Maria Maggiore
All the churches in Italy and beautiful. Take a peek while you’re here.
See the Temple of the Sibilla
This historic temple was built around the 2nd century BC. If you’re feeling fancy, make a reservation at Ristorante Sibilla to dine right by the temple.
Hadrian’s Villa
Just 5km outside Tivoli is Hadrian’s Villa. The villa was built as a retreat for Roman Emperor Hadrian during the 2nd and 3rd decades of the 2nd century AD. Like many things in Italy, it is a UNESCO heritage site. The site is huge, and you’ll walk to the fountains and museums.
Hadrian’s Villa covers 120 hectares (about 300 acres) and included buildings, baths, temples, barracks, theatres, gardens, fountains, and nymphaeums. Only 40 hectares are currently available to view but it’s still huge.
There is a bus that runs between Tivoli and Hadrian’s Villa. As with all Italian public transit, be prepared to wait. Take the CAT no.4 bus from the Tivoli town square. Check out the timetable online and let the driver know you’re getting off there (if you’re one of few tourists).
Bring a hat if you visit in the summer because it gets super hot and there aren’t many shade options. Plan around 3 hours.
Cost: €8
Rocca Pia
Rocca Pia is a fortress built in the 1400s. Later, it was turned into a prison. Tours are not operating but you can see this castle-like fortress from Piazza Garibaldi.
What to eat in Tivoli
Alice Pizza
Alice Pizza is the most reliable and delicious pizza chain I’ve had. There are locations all around Rome. They also have a location in Tivoli. After Villa d’Este, stop here for a quick bit.
The eggplant pizza and then mushroom pizzas are my favorite!
Viva l’Oste
One of my favorite dining experiences was at Viva l’Oste in the middle of a square. The owner barely spoke English and we spoke no Italian. The menu was written on the back of a paper bag. It looks like they’ve upgraded to a menu board on Google. I still think about how amazing this meal was.
Yes, there are 4 food photos for this place because it was incredible.
Ristorante Sibilla
Visit the historic Ristorante Sibilla to dine under the stars (and maybe with the stars) at the Temple of the Sibilla. The restaurant opened in 1720 and Make reservations in advance. Famous people like Yoko Ono and Neil Armstrong have eaten here.
Accommodation in Tivoli
Bed and Breakfast Antica Torre
We stayed at Bed and Breakfast Antica Torre in November 2017. The rooms were simple. In the true spirit of homes facing Italian town squares, you’ll hear some evening activities from your room.
Cost: €60-80 per night for a double room.
Doesn’t look like much from the outside but it was a great spot for a one-night stay.