Top 10 Places to Visit in Lazio
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Latest page update: 14 April 2025
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By: Dion Protani
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This top ten list covers the cities, archaeological sites, islands and hill towns that show the depth and variety of Lazio. Rome is the standout, but there’s much more to discover — from the ruins of Ostia Antica to the cliffs of Cività di Bagnoregio and the grand gardens of Villa d’Este. Sperlonga and Gaeta bring coastal views and historic settings.
The volcanic lakes, abbeys and wine towns of Castelli Romani and Lake Bracciano offer quiet escapes not far from the capital. Lazio mixes iconic landmarks with lesser-known destinations worth exploring. |
Trevignano Romano, Lake Bracciano
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Rome
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Rome is Italy’s capital and one of the world’s most iconic cities, filled with ancient ruins, grand piazzas, and centuries of layered history. Visitors can explore world-famous landmarks like the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Pantheon.
In Vatican City, you’ll find the stunning St Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the vast Vatican Museums. Every district offers something different — from bohemian Trastevere to lively Campo de’ Fiori and elegant Prati. Despite being a capital, Rome is a city best explored on foot, with countless fountains, cafés and viewpoints. With airports, fast trains, and metro lines, it’s also the main travel gateway to central and southern Italy. |
Rome
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Ponza
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Ponza is the largest of the Pontine Islands and a summer favourite for Italians looking to escape the mainland. Its small port town has pastel buildings, waterside restaurants and a relaxed island feel.
The coastline is dotted with caves, cliffs and natural pools, with boat trips the best way to explore. Cala Feola is the island’s main beach, while Chiaia di Luna is known for its crescent shape and steep cliffs. Ferries connect Ponza to Anzio, Terracina and Formia. It’s a rewarding destination for swimming, seafood, and coastal views far from the crowds of larger resorts. |
Ponza
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Villa d'Este (Tivoli)
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Villa d’Este in Tivoli is a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture, best known for its extravagant gardens and hundreds of fountains. Built in the 16th century, it once belonged to Cardinal Ippolito d’Este.
The gardens cascade down the hillside, with paths leading past the famous Fountain of Neptune, the Organ Fountain and long water staircases. Inside, frescoed rooms offer a glimpse of aristocratic life. Tivoli is easily reached by train or bus from Rome. Villa d’Este is a highlight of the town and often visited alongside nearby Villa Adriana. |
Villa d'Este, Tivoli
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Castelli Romani
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The Castelli Romani is a group of historic hill towns just south of Rome, surrounded by vineyards, lakes and wooded hills. It has long served as a summer escape for Romans.
Frascati is known for its wine and villas, while Ariccia is famous for porchetta and Castel Gandolfo houses the Pope’s summer residence overlooking Lake Albano. Each town has its own traditions and specialities. The area is best explored by car but can also be reached by train. Autumn food festivals and wine tastings are especially popular with day-trippers from Rome. |
Nemi, Castelli Romani
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Sperlonga
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Sperlonga is one of Lazio’s most attractive seaside towns, with whitewashed houses set on a hill between two beaches. Its narrow lanes and stairways open to sea views and hidden piazzas.
At the southern end of town are the ruins of Emperor Tiberius’s villa and a coastal grotto that once held Roman sculptures. The museum nearby displays some of the original finds. Sperlonga is accessed by bus from Fondi-Sperlonga station on the Rome–Naples line. It’s a popular but low-key destination with good swimming and local charm. |
Sperlonga, Lazio
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Ostia Antica
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Ostia Antica is an ancient Roman port city just outside Rome, offering well-preserved ruins and far fewer crowds than Pompeii. It once stood near the mouth of the Tiber River.
You can walk along Roman streets, explore houses, baths, temples, and a theatre still used for performances. Mosaics, statues and the city’s layout give a clear picture of daily life in Roman times. It’s reached by a short train ride from Piramide station in Rome. The archaeological site is an easy half-day trip and ideal for history lovers. |
Ostia Antica, Lazio
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CivitA DI bAGNOREGIO
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Cività di Bagnoregio is one of the most visually dramatic villages in Italy. Perched on a narrow plateau of volcanic rock, it’s connected to the mainland by a footbridge across a deep ravine.
The village is small, quiet, and atmospheric, with stone houses, local craft shops, and wide views over the calanchi — the eroded hills and cliffs below. Its nickname is “the dying town.” Access is on foot only. Parking and tickets are available in nearby Bagnoregio, with shuttle buses operating during busy months. |
Cività di Bagnoregio, Lazio
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lAKE bRACCIANO
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Lake Bracciano is a peaceful volcanic lake northwest of Rome, known for its clean water and lack of motorboats. It’s surrounded by small towns, each with lakeside promenades and swimming spots.
Bracciano itself is overlooked by Castello Orsini-Odescalchi, a medieval fortress that can be visited. Anguillara Sabazia and Trevignano Romano also offer cafés, bike paths and quiet beaches. Trains from Rome reach Bracciano and Anguillara in under an hour. The lake is a popular weekend destination, especially in summer. |
Lake Bracciano, Lazio
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mONTECASSINO abbey
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Montecassino Abbey is one of Europe’s most important religious sites, founded by Saint Benedict in the 6th century. It has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times, most recently after WWII.
The current abbey combines historical reconstruction with peaceful cloisters, ornate chapels and panoramic views. A museum displays ancient texts, liturgical objects and wartime artefacts. It’s located above the town of Cassino, which has a mainline train station. From there, a shuttle or taxi is needed to reach the monastery at the top. |
Montecassino Abbey, Lazio
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Gaeta
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Gaeta is a coastal town halfway between Rome and Naples, with a medieval centre, long sandy beaches and dramatic cliffs. The Montagna Spaccata is a split mountain linked to local legend.
The historic quarter includes churches, towers, and narrow streets, while the coastline has both family beaches and wild coves. Seafood dishes and the savoury tiella pie are local favourites. Gaeta is served by trains to Formia-Gaeta station, with buses or taxis into town. It’s a good stop when travelling between Lazio and Campania. |
Gaeta, Lazio
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