Budget-Friendly Day Trip from Rome: A Day in Tivoli
When you spend your summer in Rome, some days can get particularly hot. On days like that, it’s time to hit Google and search for ways to spend your day outside of the scorching city. If you're looking for an affordable, nearby destination, your search ends here! In this blog post I’ll guide you through the perfect day trip from Rome, a visit to the beautiful town of Tivoli. Discover how to travel to Tivoli on a budget, explore its stunning sites and fill your day in a cultural and student-friendly way.
The charming town of Tivoli
Tivoli is a historic town in the Lazio region of Italy, about thirty kilometres east of Rome. The history of the town dates back to ancient times when it was known as Tibur. During the Roman Empire Tivoli became a key settlement due to its strategic location and its cooler climate. The cooler climate is due to the higher elevation and location near the Apennine Mountains, which makes it a perfect destination if you want to escape the heat. With its 230 metres above sea level, Tivoli has a beautiful view of the Roman Campagna, the low-lying plains surrounding the city of Rome.
Due to its climate, Tivoli became a popular retreat for the Roman aristocrats. Emperors built their summer estates here, such as Villa Adriana, built by Emperor Hadrian. Since Villa Adriana is located further away from the city centre, it will not be included in this blog. Nevertheless, it’s one of the most significant archaeological sites in Italy, so feel free to come back another time to visit the villa.
How to travel to Tivoli from Rome
The trip from Rome to Tivoli is very easy and budget-friendly to make. There are direct trains from Roma Termini to Tivoli which, depending on the train, will take between forty and sixty minutes to arrive at its destination. The regional train will bring you to Tivoli for the grand total of two euros and sixty cents which you’ll also pay for the return trip. Trains leave approximately every two hours, so if you want to get the most out of your day I can recommend taking the first train around seven in the morning. You can buy your train tickets very easily in the Trenitalia app. You can pay with Credit card, PayPal, Google Pay, Satispay, Amazon Pay or an Online Transfer. After paying, your ticket will be visible in the app and also sent to you through email. If you are not able to buy tickets through the app, you can use the many ticket machines located at Roma Termini station. When travelling by train to Tivoli, make sure to grab a window seat at the right side of the train, because towards the very end you will have a view of a spectacular waterfall, the Grande Cascata di Tivoli.
Tivoli when you exit the train station
How to fill in your morning: Villa Gregoriana
When getting off the train at Tivoli station, it’s a five-minute walk to the first stop of your day, Villa Gregoriana. I must admit that I visited Tivoli on July 4, 2024, a bit unprepared and accidentally stumbled upon the entrance to Villa Gregoriana while searching for a spot to view the waterfall. In the end my visit to Villa Gregoriana became the highlight of my day.
Villa Gregoriana is a nature park, composed of picturesque landscapes, waterfalls, and ancient ruins. Commissioned by Pope Gregory XVI in the 19th century, the villa was created to manage floodwaters from the Aniene River by rerouting it and creating an artificial waterfall, the Grande Cascata di Tivoli. Unlike a formal garden, Villa Gregoriana has walking paths where you have to climb and descend, leading you through dense vegetation. This experience makes it feel like you are in a wild, untamed nature park. The perfect getaway from the busy city of Rome!
Since I went there unexpectedly, I bought my ticket at the entrance of the park. If you want to secure your ticket beforehand, you can click this link to buy tickets on your selected day. For a regular ticket the entrance price of Villa Gregoriana is ten euros. If you are a student aged twenty-five or under, you pay the reduced fee of six euros. Students in Rome, take note: if you study at La Sapienza, Tor Vergata, or Roma Tre, you can pay one euro less, bringing the total to five euros. I know this price difference is only a euro, but I wouldn’t truly be Dutch if it didn’t make me happy.
At the entrance of the park, you’ll receive an explanation of the route. You can also scan a QR code to download a map. Along the route, you can explore sidetracks, such as the path leading to the Grande Cascata di Tivoli. The path to the waterfall involves quite some steps, but the effort is well worth it. At the end of the path, a platform offers a breathtaking view right in front of the waterfall. I spent almost thirty minutes there, just listening to the sound of the water coming down. Along the main route there are several benches and areas where you can take a rest and enjoy the view of the park. Restrooms are also available and are marked on the map.
As someone who loves nature and going on hikes I cannot recommend Villa Gregoriana enough. The nature is beautiful, feels untamed and it is the perfect place to recharge. Aside from the vegetation you can also enjoy old ruins and caves that you can walk through and explore. It’s truly the perfect way to spend your morning in Tivoli. Since some areas of the park can be challenging, especially in the heat, make sure to bring enough water and a snack.
Afternoon adventure: exploring Villa d’Este
After you spend your morning in Villa Gregoriana it is time to go to the next destination: Villa d’Este. You exit Villa Gregoriana on the Via della Sibilla from where you follow the road to the centre of Tivoli. As I was on a tight budget during my visit, I packed my own lunch, but Tivoli’s centre offers plenty of charming spots to eat. For my Roman people, very close to Villa d’Este on the Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi, there is an Alice Pizza where you can get Pizza al Taglio. If you're curious about Pizza al Taglio, check out my blog post on my favorite food spots in Rome.
The Via della Sibilla
With its entrance located on Piazza Trento, number 5, it is time to spend our afternoon in the beautiful Villa d’Este. Villa d'Este is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the villa grounds include a masterpiece of Italian garden design with an amazing concentration of fountains and grottoes. The villa was commissioned by Cardinal Ippolito II d'Este in the 16th century, following his appointment as the Governor of Tivoli. During your visit of the Villa you can walk around several chambers inside and stroll around the gardens.
A ticket to Villa d’Este can be bought at the entrance and will cost you fifteen euros. It is good to know that if you are from the European Union and under twenty five, you only have to pay two euros! At the register they will ask for identification to confirm you meet these criteria, so make sure to bring it. If you want to book your tickets beforehand to come prepared, you can click this link to buy the official tickets.
After buying your ticket you are free to wander around the grounds, and there is enough to see! While the gardens are the most famous aspect, the interior is also a big part of the visitors experience. You will walk through a series of grand rooms decorated with stunning frescoes and amazing architectural details. What makes the inside rooms so impressive is that they truly capture the wealth and artistic preferences of Renaissance Italy. While walking through the chambers you can take peeks at the gardens through the many large windows, also giving you stunning views of the Roman Campagna.
Upon exiting the villa, you're immediately greeted by the impressive and prestigious gardens. The garden has a serene atmosphere, and you can peacefully enjoy the many fountains and other waterworks. In addition to the fountains there are many statues in the garden including representations of classical gods and mythological creatures. The combination of greenery, vibrant flowers and the soothing sound of flowing water makes for a relaxing atmosphere, and I recommend visiting for a daily dose of peace of mind.
After spending time at Villa d’Este, you can either continue exploring Tivoli’s charm or catch the train back to Rome, refreshed and inspired. Since I had no budget to take myself out to dinner, I decided to take the train back to Rome after spending a grand total of twelve euros and twenty cents. For that money, I took two trains and visited two famous cultural landmarks!
A perfect day trip to Tivoli
A day trip to Tivoli offers the perfect escape from the heat of Rome, providing a refreshing mix of nature, history, and art. With its breathtaking landscapes at Villa Gregoriana and the stunning Renaissance beauty of Villa d'Este, Tivoli is a cultural treasure that can be explored on a budget. Whether you're a student or simply looking for an affordable getaway, Tivoli promises an enriching experience that combines relaxation, history, and adventure—all within a day! If you have the chance to visit Tivoli, I would love to hear your thoughts on its landmarks. Most importantly, buon viaggio!
