Tivoli day trip from Rome: Hadrian's Villa & Villa d'Este

Walk among 2nd-century ruins, then stand before fountains that shoot water 10 meters into the air

This six-hour guided tour departs Rome for Tivoli to visit Hadrian's Villa and Villa d'Este, two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You'll explore the archaeological remains of Emperor Hadrian's 2nd-century estate, including the Canopus pool and surrounding statues, then travel to the Renaissance Villa d'Este to walk its gardens and see Bernini's Neptune Fountain and hundreds of other fountains across the grounds.

Options for this experience

2 options

From € 95 to € 120 per person, depending on the option and date you choose. See options & prices

Tivoli tour conducted in English 09:30

English-language Tivoli tour including lunch 09:30 Lunch

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Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Hadrian's Villa and Villa d'Este

• Bus ride to Hadrian’s Villa
• Explore Hadrian’s Villa ruins and gardens
• Travel to Villa d’Este
• Tour Villa d’Este and its fountains

Stops and time spent at each 2 stops

1. Villa Adriana 1h
2. Hadrian's Villa and Villa d'Este Entry included 1h

What’s included

• Your guide speaks English or Italian and leads you through both sites.
• an air-conditioned vehicle handles transport from Rome to Tivoli and between the two villas.
• headsets let you hear the guide clearly throughout the day.

Times

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• Every day 09:30

Last departure this season: 31 Dec

Information

Six-hour guided tour from Rome to two UNESCO sites in Tivoli: walk the ruins and gardens of Hadrian's Villa.

Group Up to 30

Live guide English and Italian

Meeting point and pickup No hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point. See the exact address

Book up to the start time

Ages Adult (18 and older) · Child (6 to 17 years) · Infant (under 6): free

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Moderate physical effort Stroller-friendly Public transport nearby

More information The exact meeting point address, the operator’s instructions and every other detail are in the full listing. See the full listing

Traveler reviews

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The experience

The day starts with a 40-minute bus ride from Rome to Hadrian's Villa, where you'll walk the vast estate that once served as the Emperor's vacation retreat. The Canopus (a pool surrounded by statues whose reflections mirror in the water) is one of the most preserved sections of the complex, set within gardens that spread across the site. Your guide leads you through the archaeological remains, pointing out temples, sculptures and pools that survive from the 2nd century A.D.

After a quiet lunch break on the grounds, you travel to Villa d'Este, a Renaissance palace built in the 14th century. The villa's gardens hold hundreds of fountains. Bernini's Neptune Fountain is the centerpiece, its water jets reaching 10 meters high. The Central Fountain and Oval Fountain are also part of the grounds. You explore at a leisurely pace, with your guide explaining the architecture and history of both sites. Headsets let you hear clearly over the outdoor noise, and the air-conditioned vehicle handles the travel between locations.

Comfortable shoes matter. There's moderate walking at both villas, and the terrain is uneven in places. The tour operates in English or Italian, and you'll choose your language preference when booking. If you're considering the lunch option, that meal is arranged separately from the base tour price.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 17 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What exactly is the Canopus at Hadrian's Villa?

The Canopus is a long pool surrounded by statues at Hadrian's Villa, one of the most preserved features of the complex. The statues create reflections on the water's surface, and the pool sits within the villa's gardens.

How high does Bernini's Neptune Fountain spray water?

Bernini's Neptune Fountain at Villa d'Este shoots water jets up to 10 meters high, making it the most impressive of the hundreds of fountains throughout the Renaissance villa's gardens.

How much walking is involved on this tour?

There is a moderate amount of walking at both sites, with uneven terrain in places. Comfortable shoes are essential, and the tour is not wheelchair accessible, though private arrangements can be made by contacting the operator in advance.

What's included in the tour from Rome?

The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle for the 40-minute journey each way, a live guide in English or Italian, and headsets so you can hear the guide clearly. A lunch break is built into the schedule. Lunch itself is optional and priced separately on one of the booking options.

How long is the bus ride from Rome to Tivoli?

The bus ride to Hadrian's Villa takes 40 minutes from Rome, and the same journey applies on the return.

Operated by Tours About. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.

Prices and times updated today