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Hadrian's VillaTours

Our most recommended Hadrian's Villa Tours

From Rome: Villa D'Este and Hadrian's Villa Tivoli Day Tour

1. From Rome: Villa D'Este and Hadrian's Villa Tivoli Day Tour

Depart Rome and transfer to Tivoli to tour 2 of Italy’s most impressive villas on this full-day tour of the Villa D'Este and Hadrian's Villa, with time to explore both magnificent country estates. Drive to Hadrian's Villa, built in the 2nd century by Emperor Hadrian, and once greater than the center of Imperial Rome. The largest and most luxurious residence ever built in Italy, it features an impressive array of imperial palaces, temples, theaters, thermal baths, and pools. After lunch, explore the grounds of the Villa D'Este and learn about the history and development of the villa, an enchanting site of the late Italian Renaissance. Once the home of Lucrezia Borgia's son, it is renowned for its spectacular gardens and trees, as well as its waterfalls and fountains. Highlights include the caryatids and columns of the Canopus and Serapeum, the pool and artificial grotto, named after an Egyptian city and temple dedicated to the god Serapis, and the Maritime Theatre, where a small Roman house was thought to have provided a retreat from the demands of court life.

From Rome: Villa d'Este and Hadrian's Villa Tour with Lunch

2. From Rome: Villa d'Este and Hadrian's Villa Tour with Lunch

Travel by airconditioned bus from Rome to the Tivoli to enjoy a guided tour of the Hadrian's Villa complex and the 16th-century Villa d’Este. Savor local flavors with a local lunch that includes wine and coffee. Depart Rome and travel by bus to the lovely town of Tivoli, best known for the Renaissance Villa d'Este and the large Roman archaeological complex of Hadrian's Villa. Learn the rich history of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites from an expert guide. Step back in time as you explore the ancient Roman settlement of Tibur, where Hadrian's Villa once served as a retreat for the Roman Emperor and where he governed the Roman Empire during his last years or reign. Discover the secrets of the complex as you uncover the ruins of opulent pools, public baths, and fountains. Marvel at classical Greek architecture and the remains of stunning artwork. Have lunch at a typical Italian restaurant before moving on to Villa d’Este, which is best known for its beautiful terraces. Head to the Apartments of the Cardinal and gaze out at the spectacular view of the gardens and courtyards. Stroll among the many decorative fountains, such as the Oval Fountain and Fountain of the Dragons in the lavish grounds. Return to your meeting point by bus at the end of your tour.

Rome: Tivoli Day Trip with Villa d'Este and Villa Adriana

3. Rome: Tivoli Day Trip with Villa d'Este and Villa Adriana

Discover the glorious villas of Tivoli that date back to the times of the Romans and the Renaissance on a half-day trip from Rome. Choose from a tour with or without hotel pickup and ride in an air-conditioned coach.  Transfer in a comfortable and spacious coach from Rome to the little town of Tivoli just a few kilometers from the city center. Discover a splendid natural environment on the scenic drive. Stop at the remarkable architectural complex of the Villa Adriana. Explore this villa that was built in the 2nd century AD by the Emperor Hadrian. Marvel at its different architectural styles, with influences from Egypt, Rome, and Athens. Learn how it was designed as an "ideal city," and explore some of its symbols. Head to the Renaissance-style Villa d’Este to uncover its spectacular terraced garden. Enjoy the beauty of its cascades, water tanks, and fountains. Admire a masterpiece of Italian landscape gardening.  Stroll thorugh its numerous nymphs, grottoes and fountains that were inspired by the Gardens of Babylon. Return to your meeting point in Rome by coach at the end of your tour. 

Tivoli: Hadrian's Villa and Villa d'Este Half-Day Tour

4. Tivoli: Hadrian's Villa and Villa d'Este Half-Day Tour

Start this 5-hour tour of Tivoli from Rome from Piazza Esquilino, with stunning views of the Colosseum from one of the 7 hills of the city, and drive through the Via Tiburtina, passing Castro Pretorio, the Baths of Tivoli, and Ponte Lucano (Lucano Bridge). Your destination is Hadrian's Villa, built in the 2nd century by Emperor Hadrian, once more grand than the center of Imperial Rome. Discover a multitude of exquisite fountains and flower gardens. See the caryatids and columns of the Canopus and Serapeum, the villa's pool and artificial grotto, named after an Egyptian city where a temple was dedicated to the god Serapis. You will also see the island “Maritime Theatre,” on which sits a small Roman house that was probably used as a retreat from busy court life. Continue to Villa d'Este, a beautiful Renaissance villa with exquisite Italianate gardens that's full of grottoes, frescoes, and pebble mosaics. See sites such as the Fontana dell'Ovato, Le Cento Fontane (The Hundred Fountains), and more.

From Rome: Villa D'Este & Villa Adriana Day Trip with Lunch

5. From Rome: Villa D'Este & Villa Adriana Day Trip with Lunch

Leave the hustle and bustle of Rome behind on an excursion by bus to see the opulent villas of Hadrian and d'Este. Best of all, choose between a private, a small, and a large group tour to fit your needs. Once in Tivoli, tuck into a delicious lunch at a traditional trattoria. Sit back and relax on your hour-long journey to your first stop: Hadrian's Villa. Built in 120 CE and covering 500 hectares, the former Roman emperor's villa features the Imperial Palaces, the Pecile, the Grand Thermal Baths, and more — all of which you'll visit. Then, stop for a lunch break in Tivoli's historical center, relaxing and enjoying the local town before making your way to your last stop. After your delicious lunch, make your way to Villa d'Este, the villa of Cardinal Ippolito II d'Este, where construction began in 1650. This UNESCO World Heritage Site features 400 ornate water features and a breathtaking Renaissance Garden. Finally, head back to Rome filled with new knowledge and wonderful memories.

Rome: Hadrian's Villa and Villa d'Este Half-Day Tour

6. Rome: Hadrian's Villa and Villa d'Este Half-Day Tour

Explore 2 of the most famous Italian villas on a half-day trip from Rome, following the ancient Roman road of "Via Tiburtina" to Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli. Upon arrival, explore the ruins at the foot of the Tiburtini Hills, where natural springs supply the spa town of Bagni di Tivoli. Along the way, look for the vast quarries of travertine marble. Built in the 2nd century, Hadrian’s Villa was once more powerful and impressive than the center of Imperial Rome and boasts exquisite fountains and gardens. Admire the caryatids and columns of Canopus and Serapeum, the artificial grotto named after an Egyptian temple to the god Serapis, and more. Continue to the Renaissance Villa d'Este, where you can wander the Italianate gardens and discover an abundance of grottoes, frescoes and mosaics. Marvel at fountains that create a graceful symphony of carved stone, and provide shade, sunlight and water. A series of terraces evokes the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, while the underground aqueduct provides testimony to the engineering skill of the Romans.

Vatican Small Group Morning Tour with Secret Room Access

7. Vatican Small Group Morning Tour with Secret Room Access

Meet your guide in front of Caffé Vaticano, just outside the Vatican Museums, and join a small group of no more than 6 people. In this intimate group, you can easily make your way through the museums and experience the sites and artifacts up-close. With the personalized attention of your guide, you are free to engage and ask all the questions you like. Thanks to a new partnership in 2022, you can enjoy first entry into the Museums, reserved by only a handful of other tour operators. This special entry and tour are designed to guarantee you access and viewing of the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel 30 minutes before other operators and 1 hour before the general public. In the quiet of the morning, walk through and enjoy the Pinecone Courtyard and the Museo Clementino. Then make your way to the secret room – the Cabinet of the Masks, not open to the general public and only available on this tour. Beyond the velvet ropes, view the spectacular mosaic floors carefully brought over from Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli, and view stunning depictions of Aphrodite and Nympha in various sculptures. Follow your guide through the Hall of Animals, Gallery of Statues, and Hall of Busts which also display masterpieces unseen to the public. With your expert guide, make your way along the Vatican Museums and stop in front of the breathtaking Belvedere Torso and take photos from only a few feet away. Walk through the Gallery of Tapestries where you can see the work of Raphael’s students, and continue through the Gallery of Maps which fill the entire hall leading up to the highlight of the tour – Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. Before entering, your guide will give you all the information you will need to know to truly appreciate this masterpiece. Your guide will then lead you into the chapel where you will have plenty of time to enjoy and study this beautiful work of art. The final stop of the tour will be the beautiful Basilica of St Peter’s, where you can admire the stunning architecture that is adorned by infamous art, such as Pietà by Michelangelo - crafted when he was just 25 years old - and the Baldacchino, the large bronze canopy sculpted by Bernini that frames the altar of the Basilica.

From Rome: Hadrian's Villa & Villa d'Este Day Trip & Lunch

8. From Rome: Hadrian's Villa & Villa d'Este Day Trip & Lunch

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Hadrian's Villa and Villa d'Este on a day trip from Rome with lunch included. Meet your guide in Rome, board a comfortable air-conditioned bus or minivan for smaller groups, and proceed to Hadrian’s Villa for a guided walking tour. Step back in time as you explore the archaeological ruins of Hadrian’s Villa and the complex of temples, statues, theaters, and thermal baths. Learn how it was built as a retreat from Rome for the Roman Emperor Hadrian during the 2nd century A.D. Then, hop back on the bus to head to a spot near Villa d’Este for lunch. Visit a typical restaurant to enjoy a delicious local lunch. After the lunch break, learn about the intriguing history of the Renaissance at romantic Villa d’Este, a former Benedictine convent. Walk with your guide through the villa’s stunning gardens, marvel at its impressive waterfalls and pools, and see the famous Fountain of Neptune. At the end of the day, take the bus back to Rome to the original departure point.

Day trip Rome by car : Tivoli Unesco Villa D'este & Hadrian

9. Day trip Rome by car : Tivoli Unesco Villa D'este & Hadrian

Tivoli is a small town not too far from Rome ( 50km ), full of history and highlights Pickup and dropoff are set at Cinecittà Metro Station Pickup OPTIONAL dropoff (extra fee) at your hotel(contact us in adavance, provide hotel name and address to confirm its viability) Group of 3: can be 3 adults or 2 adults + 2 sons ; this is for your best comfort ! 2 UNESCO sights : Villa Adriana and Villa D'este ! See both these places with public transportation will be awful, from Roma downtown reach tivoli, once in tivoli another transportation from one of the 2 sites, than another long wait for next public transportation.. I'll be your private driver , collect you from Roma Cinecittà metro station ( line A one stop before last stop Anagnina but less crowded) ! In 50 minutes we reach Villa D'este, tour there will last aproximately 2 hours ! At the end of this tour if you wish you can eat in a typical Trattoria in Tivoli! After that we drive to Hadrian's villa about 15 minutes from Tivoli downtown! Visit this ancient site will take about 3 hours . At the end I'll drive you safely back to Roma Cinecittà metro station ! Cinecittà metro station pick up is choosen to save time since drive from Rome downtown would waste 1 hour!

Half Day Tour of Tivoli Garden Villa D'Este & Villa Adriana

10. Half Day Tour of Tivoli Garden Villa D'Este & Villa Adriana

Discover the glorious Tivoli villas dating back to the Roman Empire and the Renaissance in a half-day tour leaving from Rome. Following a pick-up from your hotel in Rome, you will travel  to the town of Tivoli, just a few kilometers from the city center. Discover a beautiful natural environment between the "Eternal City" and the high hills east of Rome. Stop at the great architectural complex of Villa Adriana, built in the second century AD by Emperor Hadrian. Admire its different architectural styles, with influences from Egypt, Rome and Athens. Learn how it was conceived as an "ideal city" and explore some of the symbols of ancient times. Afterwards, go to the Renaissance Villa d'Este and explore this palace setting, surrounded by a spectacular garden terrace. Enjoy the beauty of its waterfalls, water tanks and fountains. Admire a masterpiece of Italian landscape gardening with its many nymphs, grottoes and fountains that were inspired by the Gardens of Babylon.

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What people are saying about Hadrian's Villa

Overall rating

3.4 / 5

based on 12 reviews

Long but extraordi ary tour, where we could see a ruin of a villa close to 2000 years, and imagine the scale of its greatness. Then, after a simple but authentic roman lunch as a break we moved to the second course. The Villa d'Este is a masterful creation of a cardinal from a very influential Italian damily, dukes of Ferrara. This cardinal was named cardinal due to the powerful influences of his family and catholic connections when he was 14. The place is marvelous in its own right, pleasant to see, observe and marvel at this interesting historical period. Very good information and pleasant presentation by our guide Nadya (?) if I remember correcty, her family just came back from Ukraniam territory. Very good service

This is a must do! Our guide was fantastic - we never felt rushed all day and he talked slowly, so I could understand him easily. Lunch was a bit of a disappointment. No one liked the baked cheese. The mini van was a bit of a squash but that was ok.

Loved the whole experience. The guide (Giusepe) was really a pleasant component of the journey, with his deep insights and funny / relaxing attitude. Would recommend all history and arts lovers!

Excellent and interesting tour. A great day just outside of Rome at a very fair price. So glad we went.

Loved the tour and Julia the guide was amazing! Highly recommend Jules!