Why visit Tivoli

Tivoli is one of the most popular daytrip destinations for holidaymakers of Rome. Located a little over 30 kilometers east of the capital, Tivoli is best known as a city of art and as a historical city alike, famed for the highlights which have deservedly put it on the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as Villa d’Este and its celebrated gardens, and the wide and spectacular Villa Adriana. Tivoli is even more ancient than Rome itself. Though the founder of the city is not known for certain, most of the historical accounts and archeological findings reveal the city was founded around the 13th century BC.

For most of its history, Tivoli maintained a certain distance in regard to Rome, being frequently evoked for its conflicts with the eternal city. However, the growth of Rome did not leave the ancient Tibur untouched: the city’s architectural patrimony was gradually enriched with palaces, villas, gardens, temples and fortresses, plenty of them being constructed on the commission of the emperors, of rich Roman aristocrats and, later, of the popes.

The most famed of all attractions in Tivoli is Villa d’Este. The splendor of its gardens has inspired the naming of sundry other gardens, cities, stadiums, music festivals and even football teams around the world after Tivoli. The gardens and the villa have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2001, standing out as an exquisite example of Italian Renaissance landscaping and architecture. Another notable UNESCO site in Tivoli (in fact, outside Tivoli proper, but right next to its borders) refers to Villa Adriana, an archeological site featuring vestiges of an old villa which dates back to the 2nd century AD, built by order of Emperor Hadrian in order to serve as alternative imperial residence. While in Tivoli, tourists can also visit the 19th park known as Villa Gregoriana, the 1st century BC Temple of Vesta, the 2nd century BC Temple of the Tiburtine Sibyl, the robust Temple of the Tosse and the neighboring Temple of Hercules, as well as the 1461 Rocca Pia.

How to get from Rome to Tivoli

The short distance between Rome and Tivoli makes it possible for tourists to get from the capital to the neighboring city very quickly. In terms of public means of transport, visitors can opt for trains. The trip takes around an hour, more than 30 trains a day running from Rome to Tivoli. In order to learn about the train schedule, ticket prices and precise duration of a trip, please visit Trenitalia.

A metropolitan tram line has also been laid out between Rome and Tivoli, the capital terminal being located at Roma Termini. This counts as a further alternative. Please visit ATAC in order to learn about the tram schedule, stations on the route and ticket prices.

A more convenient manner of getting to Tivoli is to turn to the bus tours offered by the specialized companies which operate in Rome. These are tourist-oriented services and the advantages of such tours can definitely make up for the higher price one has to pay on order to get to Tivoli and enjoy the valuable company of the guides.