Planning a trip to Rome for your next vacation, you are looking to discover a bit more about the region of Lazio? Rome is of course a city that requires a lot of time to get the most of it. It is a really big city with an impressive history. Everywhere you go you find incredible monuments, squares, ruins, old little restaurants, paved narrow streets, museums, etc. However, if you were interested in seeing a bit more of the region, I would recommend visiting Tivoli. First for the breathtaking views that you get from this small city located in the hill and surrounded by the Roman countryside; then for the several historic monuments and gardens to visit listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage and finally for the charming old city.
Tivoli is only 30km away from Rome. At the beginning during the Roman Imperial it was a retirement village for the wealthier people of Rome as Maecenas and the Emperor Augustus itself. Later at the Renaissance, the middle class traders and their families moved to Tivoli and built their villas giving the city more life and attraction. Nowadays, Tivoli is doing good to support its city and monuments thanks to its travertine business, exporting their precious stone world widely. If you have time, stay for at least 2 days to be able to visit all the great places that the city has to offer.
I will start with the Villa d’Este. Built in 1560, the Palace is famous for its beautiful garden, fountains, water sculpture, and the interior painting listed at the UNESCO’s World heritage. Over time, the villa has been left for years then renovated, destroyed during the Second World War and at the end controlled by the Italian State that allowed the entrance to the public.
About ten minutes by walk from the Villa d’Este, you will find the Villa Gregoriana that has two entrances, one at the opposite side of the ravine. The particularity of this Villas is not its architecture or history but the panoramic view, which is spectacular. Following paths that past waterfalls, caves as the Siren’s cave (Grotta delle Sirene), ruins of a Roman villa, two Roman chambers, and a Napoleonic-era tunnel. A must see to add is the panoramic bridge, the Ponte Gregoriano that crosses the valley by the Villa. Originally the bridge was called the Ponte San Rocco, and was made with wood upon the foundations of a previous stone structure, which disappeared, in an important flow of the River Aniene in 1808. The new bridge was destroyed by retreating German troops in 1944 and then rebuilt. You can find many paintings of this bridge because it has this amazing view over the gorge, the 100 meters waterfall and temple.
There are plenty of nice places to eat in Tivoli. In the old city you will find good restaurants that will cost a bit but where you could enjoy a nice view of the river and waterfall. Then, if you want something fast to get as pizza, sandwiches, there is a good and cheap “tavola calda” next to the Villa d’Este where you can accommodate yourself at the tables outside. If you decide to explore the Villa Adriana during lunchtime bring with you a nice picnic, as you will find many locations for this purpose.
Tivoli is definitely a charming little town with an impressive historic background, pleasant squares (piazza) and little streets to admire, beautiful landscapes to discover. The new city is less attractive (picture with the sculpture) but still nice for the view that it offers as it is up on the hill.
