The 7 Best Things To Do in Lazio, Italy

Maybe you’re looking for a day trip, maybe you’re already determined to find the best things to do in Lazio.

Trust us, if you’re looking for a day trip from Rome, you don’t have to go any further than Lazio, the region that’s home to Italy’s capital city, in order to have an extraordinary day trip.

Although many travelers skip over Lazio on their way to Tuscany or Umbria, we think that’s a mistake you shouldn’t make. That is why it makes Lazio a hidden gem, ready for you to discover it. Here are 7 things to do in Lazio.

Discover the most authentic Italy in these towns of Lazio. Photo credit: Gabrielle Clare Marino

Bracciano and the Odescalchi castle

Located just an hour from Rome by train, the town and lake of Bracciano make the perfect escape. The medieval town is quaint and lovely.

One of the best things to do in Lazio is to walk around its streets, discover its castle and reach the Bracciano lake.

The 15th-century Odescalchi castle has been the residence of two different papal families (the Borgias and Orsini), and played host to Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes (ill-fated?) wedding!

We included the castle in our post on 10 of the most beautiful castles in Italy for a reason, so it’s definitely worth the visit.

Bracciano and its lake make a great day trip from Rome. Photo credit: Paolo Margari

Hadrian’s villa at Tivoli

When he wanted to escape from Rome, Emperor Hadrian came to his sprawling, luxurious villa outside the city. Since Hadrian’s times, visiting the villa in Tivoli is one of the best things to do in Lazio.

Much of the villa remains intact today, with columns, marble pavement, and ancient statues. It certainly gives a tantalizing glimpse into the opulence of ancient Rome. Villa Adriana (Hadrian’s villa) is a monument of outstanding universal value.

Very few places can claim to be as idyllic as Villa Adriana, in Tivoli. Photo credit: Luca Ercolani

The Etruscan tombs of Sutri

Here’s an archaeological site few visitors have heard of: the Etruscan necropoli of Sutri. Yet, it is of extraordinary importance.

One of the key towns of the ancient civilization of Etruria, Sutri today has 64 Etruscan tombs dating all the way back to the 6th to 4th centuries B.C. (that’s 600 years before the current Roman Pantheon was built!).

The Roman amphitheater here is also worth seeing. Sutri is located just 45 minutes by car from Rome.

Visiting Sutri, and the Etruscan tombs, can be a extraordinary day trip from Rome. Photo credit: Gabriele Delhey

Civita di Bagnoregio

This gem of a town is one of the most striking sights in Italy, and one of the best things to do in Lazio.

Civita di Bagnoregio suffered an earthquake in the 17th century that was so devastating, much of the town collapsed, leaving only the small section you see here.

Even the home of Saint Bonaventure, who was born here, fell off the edge of the cliff.

The town’s isolation means it has only a handful of residents today, but it’s well worth seeing for its beauty. Just go now, since erosion continues to eat away at the town!

Reaching Bagnoregio is easily doable in a day trip from Rome, and well worth the effort. Photo credit: Serena Ferracci

Castel Gandolfo and lake Albano

Easily reachable by train from Rome, Albano Lake makes an ideal escape in the warmer months, and it’s one of the favorite things to do in Lazio for Romans to escape summer in Rome.

But, year-round, it’s also worth visiting to see Castel Gandolfo, the tiny, charming town overlooking the lake. It belongs to the Pope himself, and it is where he vacations in the summer.

Exploring Castel Gandolfo will make you understand why it’s been the Pope’s summer residency. Photo credit: Carole Raddato

The town and spa of Viterbo

With its 11th-century walls, Romanesque cathedral, and even a papal palace, Viterbo is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in all of Italy.

Aside from the draw of its winding streets and attractions—including the Museo Civico with archaeological finds, Pinacoteca, and botanical garden—the biggest reason to go to Viterbo is its spa. Definitely, make sure to check the Terme dei Papi.

The thermal baths here have been used since the Etruscan and Roman times, and today, they make for a chance to truly relax and unwind. If you’re looking for relaxing things to do in Lazio, Viterbo is your place.

Viterbo is a city full of history. It’s worth visiting the Pope’s palace. Photo credit: Saiiko

Cervara di Roma

Located on the top of a mountain in Lazio’s lush Monti Simbruini, Cervara di Roma is a medieval town unlike any other.

In an attempt to attract more visitors, the people of Cervara—who number less than 500—have made their town a destination for artists, welcoming international artists, and art students, and allowing them to create sculptures, murals, and other pieces on the walls and stones of the town.

As a result, a visit to Cervara doesn’t just mean striking views of the surrounding countryside, but a tour through a living art museum.

Cervara di Roma has managed to become a destination for artists from all over the world. Photo credit: LPLT

Update Notice: This post was updated on August 31, 2024.