The Best Day Trips from Rome

Looking for great day trips from Rome? You have lots of options — from charming hilltop towns and ancient ruins to seaside escapes that show off Italy’s incredible diversity, all just a short journey away from the capital.

Whether you prefer hopping on a quick train ride, joining a guided tour, or renting a car to explore the countryside at your own pace, there’s something for every traveler. You can wander through medieval streets, sip wine in the rolling hills, or even head to the coast for a taste of la dolce vita by the sea.

7 of the best day trips from Rome

Day trip to Tuscany

Lunch at an organic farm on our Tuscany Day Trip from Rome

For its food, its wine and its scenery, there really is no place like Tuscany. Indeed, Tuscany is overflowing with incredible destinations, so if it is somewhere youve always wanted to visit, find out more about the 10 best towns in Tuscany.

For those taking a day trip from Rome we’d recommend the following as perfect places to taste the Tuscan vibes. For example, you can visit the hill town of Pienza for shopping, climb the castle at Montalcino, visit the famous Brunello di Montalcino vineyards or stop at some of the smaller towns such as Montepulciano, tiny little Monticchiello and, if you have the time, enjoy the hot springs town of Bagno Vignoni.

Walks of Italy offers a day trip from Rome to Tuscany, for those of you who want to enjoy exploring the Tuscan hills and town, without having to do any of the planning or map reading!

Day trip to Tivoli

Villa d’Este, Tivoli

Tivoli is a small town in Lazio with a lot to offer! And the train from Rome to Tivoli only takes around 40 to 60 minutes, depending on the service, and tickets cost around €4 one way, making it a quick and inexpensive option for a little day trip from Rome.

One major sight here is Hadrian’s Villa, which is where Emperor Hadrian came when he wanted to escape the capital. Much of the sprawling, luxurious ancient villa remains intact today. With columns, marble pavement, and ancient statues, it gives a tantalizing glimpse into the opulence of ancient Rome! Another major sight here is the Villa d’Este, built by the grandson of Pope Alexander VI in the 16th century. One of the most splendid villas in Italy, it’s filled with formal gardens, frescoed rooms, and gorgeous fountains.

If you take the train, just remember that you’ll then have to take one of the city buses from the center of Tivoli to Hadrian’s Villa, which is located outside of the town. You can look up train times at www.trenitalia.com.

Day trip to Naples

Castel dell’Ovo in Naples, an easy (and fascinating!) day trip from Rome

No matter what you’ve heard about Naples, make no mistake: This is one of the most fascinating, and definitely the liveliest, cities in Italy. It also happens to boast one of the world’s best archaeological museums which houses the mosaics, sculptures, and frescoes from the villas in Pompeii. There is also chance to visit one of Europe’s finest art museums, which exhibits pieces by Caravaggio, Raphael, Michelangelo, and more. Not to mention fantastic food, gorgeous churches, and a fascinating underground. If you’re interested, don’t miss our piece on 9 reasons not to skip Naples!

The high-speed trains from Rome to Naples take just over an hour, with tickets starting around €29 if booked in advance, meaning there’s little excuse to skip this incredible city! You can check current schedules and prices at www.trenitalia.com.

Day trip to Pompeii or Herculaneum

Pompeii makes for another great day trip from Rome

Yes, you can do Pompeii in a day from Rome. It’s a long day, but a rewarding one!

This world-famous sight is a city “frozen in time” by the volcanic eruption of 79 A.D., and it’s as atmospheric—and spine-tingling—as it is historic. Pompeii is a huge sight, and not one you want to wander around aimlessly, especially if you’re short on time! To see the very best of Pompeii, and hear the fascinating stories that bring the site to life, you could join our Best of Pompeii” experience. Or to make life even easier you could also join our Pompeii & Amalfi Coast Day Trip from Rome with Early Entry, which takes the hassle out of the trip as the travel  and tour logistics are taken care of by our expert guides.

If you prefer to do it independently, you can take a high-speed train to Naples, then transfer to the Circumvesuviana line (departing roughly every 30 minutes) for the 35–40 minute ride to Pompeii Scavi / Villa dei Misteri. With efficient connections, the whole trip can take around 2 to 2½ hours.

Wall Mosaic of Neptune and Amphitrite from Herculaneum

Alternatively, if you want to visit a site that’s a little more manageable to do on your own, we also recommend a day trip to Herculaneum. The “Ercolano” stop on the Circumvesuviana, it’s closer to Naples, so you save 15 or 20 minutes each way. And the site itself is smaller than Pompeii, although it offers the same going-back-in-time experience. Another plus is that the geological process of the eruption was different here, so carbon survived—meaning while you don’t have the famous plaster body casts at Herculaneum, you do have preserved wood furniture, bed frames, and skeletons!

Day trip to Orvieto

The beautiful town of Orvieto, a quick trip from Rome

Umbria, a region with a lot in common with Tuscany, is an easy day trip from Rome… and Orvieto is one of our favorite towns there! To reach Orvieto from Rome, you can travel by direct train in just over an hour (from around €7 if booked early), then take the short funicular ride (€1.30 one way) up from the station into the hill-top old town.

In Orvieto, make sure you don’t miss the town’s fascinating underground—the tunnels and caverns carved out some 3,000 years ago by the Etruscans—or its Duomo, with frescoes that inspired even Michelangelo.

Day trip to Ostia Antica

Ostia Antica

For the price of a metro ticket, and in just a half an hour,  be transported into another world from Rome! Ostia Antica, ancient Rome’s port city, is a remarkably well-preserved, ancient town, complete with forum, bars, restaurants, even a brothel. If getting all the way to Pompeii seems a little too ambitious, Ostia Antica is a fantastic alternative!

To get there, don’t check times on trenitalia.com, as this is a different train from the national system. Instead, take metro line B to the Piramide metro stop and follow signs to the Roma Porta San Paolo train station; take any of the trains, since they all go in the right direction, and get off at Ostia Antica.

Day trip to the Amalfi coast

A typical scene from the Amalfi Coast

Experience a different kind of day-trip from Rome with the Walks of Italy “Amalfi Coast day trip from Rome”. Departing early aboard a private air-conditioned coach from the Eternal City, you’ll ride down to the picturesque towns of Sorrento and Positano and then hop on a ferry to take in the dramatic cliffs, pastel villages and sparkling waters of the coast from the sea.

Along the way, you’ll enjoy a refreshing lemon granita, free time for shopping or swimming in Positano, and plenty of guidance and storytelling from your expert guide. It’s a full-day escape that lets you trade cobblestones for coastline without the stress of organising any logistics, you can sit back, relax and soak in the scenery.

FAQs – Day trips from Rome

How early should I start a day trip from Rome?

Most day trips from Rome are easier if you start early — ideally between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. This gives you enough time to reach your destination, explore comfortably, and return before evening. For long-distance destinations like Naples, Pompeii, or the Amalfi Coast, early departures are essential to make the most of your day.

What should I pack for a day trip from Rome?

Comfort is key! Wear good walking shoes, bring a refillable water bottle, and don’t forget sunscreen and a hat, especially in summer. If you’re visiting religious sites, pack a light scarf or shawl to cover shoulders. For longer journeys or coastal trips, snacks, a power bank, and swimwear can also come in handy.

How long should I stay in Rome to maximise seeing the city and doing day trips?

Of course, remember that, even though there are lots of wonderful sights and towns around Rome, you could just as easily spend one week or two in Rome itself and still not see everything in the city! So, in general, we don’t recommend that you consider doing a day trip from Rome unless you have a minimum of four days planned there.

What’s the best way to plan multiple day trips from Rome?

If you’re hoping to take more than one day trip, it’s best to group destinations by direction and travel time. For example, Tivoli and Orvieto are easy half-day or short full-day excursions, while Pompeii or the Amalfi Coast require a full day. Booking tours that include transport can help you maximize your time and avoid the stress of juggling train schedules, especially for longer journeys.

Expert local guides make taking a day trip from Rome much easier, and more entertaining!

Ready to turn your day-trip dreams into reality? Whether you want to wander the Tuscan hills, explore ancient ruins, or soak in the stunning Amalfi Coast, Walks of Italy makes it easy with expertly guided tours, seamless transport, and insider knowledge at every stop. Discover all the unforgettable experiences waiting for you and start planning your next adventure here: walksofitaly.com.