Day trips from Rome

By Go City Expert

Rome is located just so that it is great for short day trips out of the city in less than two hours travel time.

Rome has a whole historic area to be discovered in Ostia and the Appian way as well as other great destinations for the summer, like the Ostia Lido with long sandy beaches and seaside bars.

If you’re staying in the city for a bit longer, it’s well worth planning some day trips from Rome to explore more of the area.

 

Appian Way

The Appian Way is one of the most impressive historic ruins in Rome and is one of the earliest stretches of straight roads in Rome, dating back to 312 BC. The road was originally used as a military road which is why it needed to be as straight and strategic as possible, later aiding in the victory of the Second Samnite War.

Visitors can still see the ruins and old road still intact – and set in a public park it makes for a great day out and a beautiful spot for a picnic.

Address: Via Appia Antica, Roma

How to get there: 118 bus from Circo Massimo Metro Station

 

Ancient Ostia

Ostia Antica, or Ancient Ostia, is Rome’s ancient harbor city – before the river moved over the years to where it lies now. Ostia means ‘mouth’ in Latin and was the mouth of the River Tiber.

The oldest settlements, most believe, date back to between 396 and 267 BC and it was mainly a military center until the early Imperial period where there is evidence of a theatre and the growth of the Forum, where commerce and trade took place. For anyone interested in history, it’s a fascinating

Address: Ostia Antica, 00119, Rome

How to get there: Roma-Lido station (by Piramide) and get off at Ostia Antica

 

Ostia Lido

Ostia is the Romans’ go-to summer destination. Just 30kms away from the city center by train, this seaside resort brings both Italian tourists and locals alike to its sandy shores. The town itself is relatively small, with typical Art Deco buildings along the coast and more Fascist-style buildings towards the fringes.

During the summer months, it’s a great place to spend the day, bring your towel and enjoy the many seaside restaurants and bars to take you through the day and into the night. If you’re staying for longer there are many B&Bs and hotels to choose from for a short stay.

Address: Ostia Lido, Rome

How to get there: Roma-Lido station (by Piramide) and get off at Ostia Lido Centro

 

Castelli Romani

The Castelli Romani are a cluster of wine-producing towns southeast of Rome, set in the volcanic area of Colli Albani. It’s a pleasant escape from the hot summer months, with its natural lakes and beautiful mountains with a national park.

One of the most popular towns in the area is Frascati – known mostly for its wine! It’s a beautiful hillside town where you can sit out at pavement restaurants, drink wine and indulge in fine food.

Address: Frascati, Rome

How to get there: Train to Frascati from Termini

 

Hadrian's Villa

Villa Adriana, or Hadrian’s Villa, is one of the most beautiful complexes of Roman ruins you can visit. Situated in Tivoli, you can wander through the classical buildings still standing and exemplary of the times in which they were built.

Having been built in 2AD, it is the perfect ancient city with architectural styles from Egypt, Greece, and Rome and its statues and monuments give it the status as a World Heritage Site – and rightly so. Spend the day discovering the beauty of this ancient villa from its thermae, to its theatre, temples, and staterooms.

Address: Largo Marguerite Yourcenar, 1, 00010 Tivoli RM

How to get there: COTRAL buses to Tivoli from Ponte Mammolo station

Go City Expert
Rome Travel Expert

Continue reading

Blog

20 Fascinating Facts about the Sistine Chapel

We've collated the most fascinating facts about the Sistine Chapel within the Vatican Museums in Rome to test your trivia. Learn about the painstaking ways the ceiling was painted, and the hidden meanings behind some of the most allegorical figures...
Go City Expert
Sicilian pastry
Blog

Blogger's Best Sicilian Pastry Shops in Rome

Rome is a foodie’s paradise, and it's no wonder bloggers flock to the city to sample the delicious sweets, savories and local delicacies. This month, we wanted to indulge our sweet tooth, so we got in touch with some local food bloggers to tell us which are their favorite pastry shops in Rome for some of the best cannoli, brioscia and granite. Make sure you leave room to try them all! Le Sicilianedde Viale Parioli, 37, Rome Giuseppina from Delicious Italy says... “In summer at Le Sicilianedde, the classic granite Siciliane are served in various sizes and are extremely popular with Romans and tourists alike. Where gelato is concerned, the pistachio di Bronte is as genuine as it gets in Rome while the cannoli with fresh ricotta are delicate and enjoyable all year round. "You will also find cassata, Sette Veli and Frutta Martorana which are the traditional marzipan sweets in the shapes of fruit and vegetables. Le Sicilianedde pastry and gelato shop is next door to the larger coffee bar and tavola calda selling other classic Sicilian food products such as arancini, should you wish a change to savoury.” I Dolci di Nonna Vincenza Via dell’Arco del Monte, 98, Rome Maite from Fabulous Cooking Day says... “I love the homegrown nuts and ingredients shipped directly from Sicily, like almonds and pistachios, for example. If you’re a fan of almonds, make sure you order the Olivette di Sant Agata, and for an intense pistachio taste, opt for the simple dry cake with very few ingredients aside from flour, eggs, honey and pistachios. You can’t miss the strong nutty flavors!” Pasticceria Ciuri Ciuri Via Leonina, 18/20, Rome Alida from My Little Kitchen says... “Situated in the heart of Rome this little shop has a really large selection of Sicilian pastries, ice creams and desserts. Once you try them you will be unable to walk past without sinking your teeth into one of their cannoli. It’s one I always go back for - and recommend to those who haven’t tried!” Pasticceria Siciliana Svizzera Piazza Pio XI, 10, Rome Igor from RomeCentral says... “You can’t beat a good cafeteria and pastry shop. Although I like sweet Sicilian cakes and pastries, you also can’t beat a salty rice-and-mozzarella-filled arancino ball.” Mizzica! Via Catanzaro, 30, Rome Rick Zullo from Rick’s Rome says... “Mizzica is probably the only place in Rome where you find the homemade “brioscia,” which are large sweet rolls served with gelato and granita. The Sicilians will often have this for breakfast in the summertime, so if you find yourself down in Sicily, ask for a coffee-flavored granita with panna (whipped cream) and a brioscia and you’ll fit right in.” Claudia from Gourmet Project also says... “There is no way I leave Sicily without having a Briosche & Granita. Every time I go this is the first thing I look for: it can be my breakfast, snack, even lunch... but I must have one. At least one! I usually go for the almond granita, but lately, pistachio flavor has won me over. "When I’m not in Sicily and miss the sun, beaches and food, I make sure I go to find my fix of brioche and granita at Mizzica in Rome. You can’t beat it for a bite of Sicily. It’s right near Piazza Bologna, open late and fiercely traditional. Don’t miss it out and thank me later!” If you want to explore more of Rome's food culture, read our other blog posts about the best gelaterias and the best food and wine in Rome.
Go City Expert
Blog

Baroque and Roll in Rome

Whether you’re a professional architect, history buff or just an amateur lover of European buildings, you’ve probably come across the baroque style that is prominent throughout the continent and especially throughout Rome. As Rome was the birthplace of this 17th century design, it’s not surprising that there are inescapable examples of the style wherever you look. It is believed – and widely heralded – that it was the creative genius of Gian Bernini, and so his consequent success meant that all ecclesiastical decoration over the period, including St Peters Basilica, was heavily influenced by this new theme. Bernini’s talents also influenced famous landmarks like the Trevi Fountain in later years, too. You can easily go on a Baroque-spot across Rome, but to make it simple and to make sure you head to the right spots, we’ve outlined our top five ‘Baroque Bests’ in the city. Sant'Andrea al Quirinale Known as the “pearl of the baroque” the Church of Saint Andrew's at the Quirinal is thought of as the best example of the baroque style in Rome. Constructed by 1661, Bernini himself considered the church one of his most perfect works, and was so humbled by what he had achieved that he spent countless hours inside the church in awe of what he had created as an artist. St. Peter's Basilica Although Michelangelo is mostly to thank for the brilliance and splendour of St Peter’s Basilica, Bernini played his hand in a lot of the interior décor and design – as well as designing the entire square at the front of the grand church, complimented by the ring of columns and 140 of Bernini’s personal favourite saints whose statues overlook the square. On the inside, the large bronze and gold baroque ‘canopy’, the Baldachin, the stands over the main alter marking the place of St Peter’s tomb is one of the main features of the building. A master of all trades, Bernini also worked on the marble floor, too, meaning there are baroque influences throughout if you look carefully enough... Trevi Fountain As the largest baroque fountain in Rome, and one of the most famous in the world, the Trevi Fountain was actually designed by Nicola Salvi and Pietro Bracci in 1732. However, 100 years earlier Bernini had submitted initial designs to the Pope Urban VIII. Although the original design was discarded, there are undeniable Bernini-baroque influences throughout what we see today with its huge marble statues and figures and the dramatic water cascading down. Borghese Gallery The Borghese Gallery is home to some of the finest examples of baroque statues and art, so make sure you stop in and see the statue of David which was sculpted by Bernini at the mere age of 25 – and whose face was even sculptured from a mould of Bernini’s own... Apollo and Daphne is another baroque masterpiece and perfect example of the emotive tones that run through the style. Piazza Navona & Piazza di Spagna Two of the most famous squares in Rome; Piazza Navona (surrounded by restaurants and glorified with two fountains) and Piazza di Spagna (at the foot of the iconic Spanish Steps), are another two examples of baroque architecture and its ungiving grasp on Rome. Just two of many squares influenced by the style, these two are central to Rome’s history and culture and are illustrative of the forms and techniques, such as the grandiose fountains and romantic detail. Look out for cupids and cherubs – they’re a tell-tell sign of baroque architecture. Make the most of your trip to Rome with the OMNIA Vatican & Rome Pass and visit the Borghese Gallery and St Peter’s Basilica for free. Click here to learn more about how you can skip the lines with Fast Track Entry, travel throughout Rome with a travelcard and much, much more...
Go City Expert
The Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel - Fast Track & Reserved Entry

Dreaming of that Rome city break?

Sign up to receive top travel tips

Borghese Gallery
Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour