As the capital city of Italy, Rome is the cultural and historical heart of the country. Over nine million tourists travel to and through Rome every year, which makes it the perfect home base for travelers looking to explore other regions of Italy. After you’ve completed your tours of Rome, consider a day trip to another region! Day trips are one of the best ways to explore the country, because they can be tailored to fit your unique timeframe, budget, and interests. And luckily, Italy is well-equipped with high-speed trains that can take you all over the country quickly and comfortably!
Whether you’re looking to travel by train, by car, or by bus, check out the most popular tours of Italy from Rome below:
1. Florence
If it’s not already, Florence should definitely be on your bucket list. The capital of the famed Tuscany region is home to almost countless masterpieces of art and architecture, from Michelangelo’s sculpture of “David” to the iconic Duomo domed cathedral. Simply wandering the streets in Florence will transport you to a renaissance fairy tale full of history, art, and gelato. Because visiting Florence is so easy, it’s one of the best tours from Rome for families!
Traveling from Rome to Florence by train is easy, quick, and inexpensive. A high speed train will take you about an hour and a half to reach Florence. While in Florence, you have your choice of several museums, architectural sights, and delicious restaurants. There is more than enough to fill a single one-day excursion, so to help you make the most of your trip, you’ll want to book a comprehensive guided day tour of Florence.
2. Pompeii (and Naples, too!)
Once a thriving Roman city, Pompeii is located at the base of Mount Vesuvius, a volcano that famously erupted in 79 BC. The city was buried in ash, which actually preserved many structures, artifacts, and even the bodies of the dead. Now Pompeii is a massive archeological site that you can visit and tour. Step back in time and explore the ruins of an ancient roman city!
Pompeii is about 14 miles south of Naples, so if you want to travel to Pompeii (regardless of whether you travel by car or train), you’ll likely have to go through Naples first. Why not make a whole day of it? Naples is a busy city on the bay in southern Italy, known for its interesting history, archeological museum, and cuisine. It was the birthplace of Neapolitan pizza, after all! On your day trip, take a panoramic tour of Naples and eat a delicious pizza lunch before heading down to tour the ancient city of Pompeii. You can book the whole experience right now.
3. Venice
Would a trip to Italy be complete without a visit to the famous canaled city of Venice? Venice is built on more than 100 tiny islands in a lagoon, which means there are no roads – just canals. The canals are lined with incredible gothic and renaissance structures, including cathedrals, basilicas, bell towers, and more. However, this bucket list city won’t be the same forever: Venice is slowly sinking into the water, at the rate of one to two millimeters per year.
Make sure you visit Venice soon! It is a little farther from Rome than other excursions, but you can book a high speed train to get there. When you arrive, you’ll want to take a water taxi to navigate all the canals and make the most of your time in Venice. Check out this tour, which is inclusive of return train tickets and water taxi passes!
4. Assisi
This beautiful medieval city is a UNESCO world heritage site, and when you arrive, you’ll see why. The hillside town is known for being the birthplace and home of St. Francis, one of Italy’s patron saints. While in Assisi, you must visit the Basilica of St. Francis, where incredible frescoes accompany two different architectural styles.
Because this town is much smaller than Venice or Florence, you likely won’t need much longer than a half day or so. Still, it does take about two hours to arrive in Assisi by train or car. If you want to get the most out of your trip to Assisi, book a roundtrip tour from Rome with a private guide.
5. Tivoli
In the middle of an ancient resort region known for its beautiful nature is Tivoli, a small hilltop town that is one of the most popular day trip destinations from Rome. The most popular historical sites in Tivoli are the Villa Adriana (or Hadrian’s Villa), the incredible ruins of a villa built by the Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd Century, and the Villa d’Este, a villa surrounded by beautiful Italian gardens.
Tivoli is easily reached from Rome, as it is only about 19 miles from the city and located along public transportation lines, though traveling by car is faster. Because it is so close to Rome, it is a perfect half-day trip. It can be easily included in an itinerary with other Rome tours. Make sure to book a tour that includes both Villa d’Este and Hadrian’s Villa in one!
Gray Line I Love Rome is the largest provider of sightseeing bus tours in Rome, delivering the best travel experiences in Rome for over 90 years. With over 80 unique tours and over 10 language options, we can help you get the most out of your trip to Italy. Learn why our Rome day tours won the 2019 Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence and book your rome tour tickets with us today.