7 Incredible Day Trips from Rome | 2 Hours and Under

In Rome for 3 or more days and considering a day trip? You’re in the right place!😍 As someone who’s grown up in Rome, I’ve taken my fair share of day trips over the years—and I honestly can’t recommend “day tripping” enough.

You might be thinking, “Laura, why would I want to leave Rome?” Fair question. But depending on how much time you have in the Eternal City, a day trip is a great way to experience different sides of Italy.

And hey, sometimes stepping away makes the heart grow even fonder—taking a short break can actually make you appreciate Rome even more when you come back.😉

Whether you’re a foodie looking to devour delicious food, a history lover obsessed with ancient ruins, a sucker for Renaissance gardens and architecture, or just someone looking for peculiar hidden gems — there’s something here for you.

To keep things easy, most of these day trips are under 2 hours from Rome by train. And to offer a broader mix, I’ve teamed up with three fellow travel bloggers to feature a few epic places I haven’t visited (yet) but fully stand behind.

Without further ado, here are 7 best day trips from Rome!😍👇

Disclaimer: This post has affiliate links that can help me earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. If you click through and purchase with these links, thank you in advance for the extra support.💖😊

7 Incredible Day Trips from Rome

Tivoli – Villa d’Este, Hadrian’s Villa, and Beyond

As someone who’s basically grown up in the “Eternal City”, I personally believe that Tivoli is one of the absolute best and easiest day trips from Rome.

Just a 45 minute car or train ride, Tivoli is an ancient city that sits atop a hill and is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Not only is this city ancient, it was founded nearly five centuries before Rome!

The two UNESCO World Heritage Sites are the Villa d’Este, the star of Tivoli, and the Villa Adriana. Villa d’Este is a Renaissance villa whose enchanting gardens, filled with intricate fountains, acted as a blueprint for most European Gardens.

Villa Adriana, on the other hand, dates back to between 117 and 138 A.D. and was built by Emperor Hadrian. Today it is a vast, outdoor archeological site full of artifacts and ancient ruins.

Another best thing to do in Tivoli is visit Villa Gregoriana, which is essentially a gorge full of nature, natural caves, waterfalls, and some ancient ruins. This particular Villa is perfect for nature lovers and those who enjoy hiking.

My personal favorite restaurant to eat at is Ristorante il Ciocco, which sits at the edge of the Villa Gregoriana’s gorge – offering breathtaking views alongside its phenomenal cuisine (gluten free friendly).

You’ll find all my tips in this Tivoli day trip itinerary — but my top ones are to arrive in the morning and avoid Mondays, since Villa d’Este is closed then.

Want to take a step back from planning and simply focus on enjoying Tivoli? This best-rated guided tour could be perfect for you!👇

Ostia Antica – Ancient Port Ruins

Just a 40 minute car ride, or 1 hour metro ride, from Rome, Ostia Antica is one of the easiest and most underrated day trips from Rome!

Once the thriving port city of ancient Rome, Ostia Antica is now a vast archaeological park where you can walk through 2,000-year-old ruins, including temples, baths, a Roman theater, and even a full forum.

Many call Ostia Antica a smaller and lesser known Pompeii. When walking through here, make sure to give yourself the time to slow down and truly take in all the 2,000 year old beauty and history surrounding you.

It’s the perfect day trip for lovers of history and Ancient Rome—but it’s also a great escape if you’re looking for a peaceful break from the intensity of Rome’s city center.

Since it’s fully outdoors, wear comfortable walking shoes and clothes that can handle a bit of dust, as well as sun protection.

Once you’ve visited the ruins, make sure you visit the enchanting town of Ostia Antica

⚠️ One urgent tip: don’t go on a Monday! That’s the one day the archaeological park is closed.

The best and most convenient way to reach Ostia Antica is by train—it’s quick, affordable, and saves you the headache of Rome’s traffic and parking.

Train ride not convenient enough? Check out this best-rated guided group trip! It includes round-trip transport, skip-the-line entry, and an expert guide — everything handled for you. Duration: 4 hours. Book now before it sells out.👇

Frascati – City of Wine in the Lazio Region

Got less than a day left for a day trip from Rome? This is your call to explore Frascati, a hidden gem only 30 minutes away!

Nicknamed the City of Wine in the region, Frascati is just as well known for its “Golden Wine of Rome” as it is for its Renaissance villas and science labs (weird combination, I know).

The town is the perfect place for you to take a slow walk around its historic center, admiring its Cattedrale di San Pietro, and snacking your way around its local bakeries.

Don’t forget to stop by Forno Ceralli for some of their delicious Ciambella al Vino Bianco. Dip them in *even more* white wine to enhance the flavors.

If you have strong teeth, buy one of the town’s notorious Pupazze Frascatane to bring home. (I’ll let you ask the local bakers to explain these cookies.) Just brace yourself because these honey-based cookies are as hard as a rock.

But the highlight of visiting Frascati is, of course, wine tasting! Join a half-day tour or pair the tasting with a cooking class to support the local wineries.

Wrap up your visit with a hearty plate of Vermicelli alla Carbonara at il Ristorante La Vecchia Frasca. Pair the dish with a local white wine if you haven’t had your fill of the tasting yet.

Ready to plan a day to Frascati? Trains leave from Roma Termini to Frascati every hour or so. You only need 2 Euros for each ticket!

Contributed by Petra Udomprasert of Polyglot Petra

Naples – Birthplace of Pizza

Located just a bit more than one hour south of Rome, Naples is a great day trip to reach by train. Especially, when you’ve discovered all the hidden gems of Rome and want to explore a bit more outside of the city, this is a wonderful option.

With a rich history full of Roman, Spanish and even Greek influences, there is a lot to see in Naples.

The historic center is one of the oldest in Europe and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site already in 1995. Don’t miss the imposing Castel Nuovo, the catacombs and the epic Quartieri Spagnoli. Also, you have to admire the view of Mount Vesuvius volcano from the city.

Being the birthplace of wood-fired Margherita pizza, Naples is also the perfect destination for foodies. You can literally stroll through the winding alleys and hop from one pizza place to the next. There’s no need for specific restaurant recommendations—just stop at any pizzeria and it’ll be delicious!

But what truly makes Naples unique, is its lively vibe in the bustling piazzas and alleys, where locals hang out their laundry, and on its markets where you can watch the Italians haggling.

Just walk around without a plan, dive into the culture, discover hidden corners and enjoy a street food snack every now and then. That’s the perfect day trip from Rome!

Contributed by Jill from Jill On Journey

Florence – Home of the Renaissance

Does Florence, the city of Renaissance, even need an introduction?😍

Just 1.5 hours away by train, Florence is a really easy day trip to take from Rome and quite frankly, a must if you don’t have time for multiple days in Florence. Why? Because it’s better to visit Florence for a day than not at all.

Between hidden gems and the city’s most famous icons, there are endless incredible things to do in Florence but visiting the Florence Duomo Complex, saying hi to Ponte Vecchio or to Michelangelo’s David, and the Uffizi Gallery are three things to not miss out on!

In terms of food, there are two food items you simply must try: Schiacciata, and Bistecca alla Fiorentina, the star of Florence’s cuisine. Schiacciata is a sandwich made with focaccia-like bread and is the perfect lunch.

Bistecca alla Fiorentina, “Florentine Steak”, is a spectacular steak that comes from Florence’s prestigious Chianina beef. If you’re a meat lover, trust me – you do NOT want to miss out on this dish!

As a celiac who’s visited Florence several times, here are the best gluten free restaurants!

Florence is a very safe city, but unfortunately, no big city in Italy is ever safe from pick pockets. With that said, pay particular attention if you choose to walk Ponte Vecchio and watch out for the typical scammers who place “paintings” on the ground hoping for someone to step on them.

Always be alert of your surroundings and keep your items near you or in safe, hard-to-reach places.

If you want to visit the Florence Duomo, read my essential tips first, and then run to book your tickets at least 3 weeks in advance for the Brunelleschi Dome!

Bologna – Food Capital of Italy

If you’re a fellow foodie, a day trip to the Food Capital of Italy, Bologna, is simply a must!😋

2 hours from Rome by train, a day trip to Bologna involves a longer commute time – but the medieval architecture and insane culinary scene will quickly make you forget about it.😉

There are all sorts of fun things to do in Bologna, and most of them are all concentrated within the historic center – specifically in, or a short walk from, Piazza Maggiore.

Piazza Maggiore is the largest and main square of the city, and it’s home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Basilica di San Petronio, and the Palazzo d’Accursio, where you have the Torre dell’Orologio, “Clock Tower”.

When it comes to food, make sure you come to the city with stretchy clothes because you won’t want to stop trying the local delicacies, like the Ragú Bolognese, Tortellini, Mortadella, and so much more.😍

If you’re celiac, Bologna is a fairly gluten-free friendly restaurant with a good amount of safe restaurants for celiacs to indulge in traditional Bolognese foods.

My personal favorite restaurants during my short stay were Pan8 for a sandwich lunch in the city center, and Rosteria Luciano for a stellar dinner and the most incredible Bolognese sauce.

Tarot Garden (Exception: 1.5 Hours by Car)

If you’re looking for the perfect off-the-beaten-path destination, consider a visit to the Tarot Garden (Il Giardino dei Tarocchi) near Grosseto, about 1.5 hours by car north of Rome.

This garden is unlike any you’ve ever visited!

Designed and built over a period of twenty years by modern artist Niki de Saint Phalle, the Tarot Garden is an enchanting collection of whimsical, brightly-colored sculptures that represent characters from the Tarot.

On a recent visit to the Tarot Garden on a day trip from Rome, I spent a good hour wandering around the gardens, camera at the ready. There’s so much to see and enjoy here! Niki de Saint Phalle’s imagination knew no bounds. Around every corner, you’ll find something new to marvel at.

You can climb through, sit on and interact with many of the sculptures in the Tarot Garden, making it a perfect place to take children.

The Tarot Garden is open (yearly) from April 1 to October 15 from 2:30 pm to 7:30 pm with the last entry at 6:15 pm.

Entry to the Tarot Garden is only guaranteed if you purchase your tickets online. Full price ticket cost is €15, and tickets are non-exchangeable, non-refundable.

Compared to the 1.5-hour car ride, the train takes about 3 to 3.5 hours—making it a much longer day trip. The best way to reach the Tarot Garden is definitely by car, and there’s free parking on site (I used it myself!).

You may wish to combine a visit to the Tarot Garden with an overnight stay in Tarquinia so you can also visit the Etruscan tombs (highly recommended). Take the train from Rome to Capalbio Scalo station, which is about 10 km from the Tarot Garden. From there you can take a bus or a taxi.

Contributed by Carol Cram from Artsy Traveler

Want more help with your travels? Check out my Posts!

• One Day in Rome: The Perfect Itinerary with Hidden Gems
• How to Spend the Best 2 Days in Rome
• The Ultimate 3 Days in Rome Itinerary with Hidden Gems and Local Tips
• The Ultimate Tivoli Day Trip from Rome Itinerary
• 28 Best and Unusual Things to Do in Rome | Local’s Guide
• 25 Best HIDDEN GEMS of Rome That You Cannot Miss
• Rome’s Food: Must-Eats & Everything You Need to Know
• 16 Best Restaurants in a Gluten Free Rome: A Celiac’s Guide
• Visiting Rome in December: All You Need to Know
• Day Trip to Florence from Rome: Everything You Need to Know

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