Things to do in  Lazio

Built by Duke Francesco I Sforza and later reworked by Bramante, the modest 15th-century Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie is known for housing one of Italy’s most celebrated works of Renaissance art: Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, which decorates the refectory wall of the adjoining Dominican convent. Often overshadowed by this groundbreaking mural, the convent’s church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and important cultural treasure in its own right.

Located just 50 miles (80 kilometers) northwest of Rome, the Port of Civitavecchia is a popular jumping-off point for shore excursions to Italy’s capital. Home to some of the world’s most important art and architecture and bursting with bustling piazzas and restaurants, Rome is a highlight of any Mediterranean cruise. Other Civitavecchia shore excursions include Orvieto, Bagnoregio, and the Etruscan sites in Tarquinia and Tuscania.

Nicknamed the “Dying City,” Civita di Bagnoregio is a dramatic time capsule of life in Italy’s hilly Lazio region. The small stone village is perched atop a cliff and reachable only by a steep footbridge, adding to its medieval mystique. Cobblestone streets, crumbling ruins, and quaint cafés make for a hauntingly photogenic scene.

Perched high on a mountaintop south of Rome, the Montecassino Abbey is notable both for its imposing architecture and for its long and turbulent history. One of the most important monastic complexes in Italy, the abbey draws architecture enthusiasts, history buffs, and Christian pilgrims by the thousands each year.

Thanks to its proximity to Rome, Lake Bracciano (Lago di Bracciano) has long been a popular retreat for city dwellers while remaining largely off the tourist radar. The medieval lakeside villages of Bracciano, Anguillara, and Trevignano have waterfront promenades and the lake waters are ideal for swimming, sailing, and water sports.

In a country teeming with millennia-old ruins, the necropolises of Cerveteri and Tarquinia stand out. Both UNESCO World Heritage sites offer rare glimpses into the world of ancient Italy’s pre-Roman civilization, the Etruscans. Much is still unknown about their refined and artistic culture. However, most of what is known comes from excavations at these rock-cut tombs, many of which are still filled with elaborate frescoes, some dating back as far as the seventh century BC.

Set on the idyllic shores of Lake Bracciano, the beautifully preserved Odescalchi Castle (officially called Castello Orsini-Odescalchi but also known as the Bracciano Castle) was built during the late 15th century by Napoleone Orsini and is considered one of Europe’s most impressive Renaissance fortresses.

Home to a towering waterfall, ancient ruins, and thick woods dotted with caves and crisscrossed by scenic trails, the Villa Gregoriana Park (Parco Villa Gregoriana) is an idyllic retreat just outside Rome. Located in Tivoli, this Italian National Heritage Trust gem—along with nearby Villa d’Este—is an ideal day trip from the capital city.

The Gothic Popes’ Palace (Palazzo dei Papi) was built for the popes who lived in Viterbo for a brief period in the mid-13th century. The palace’s elegant arched Loggia delle Benedizione is where newly elected pontiffs would greet the faithful after emerging from the Aula del Conclave, site of the first (and longest) papal conclave.

In the middle of the 16th century, a prince in the noble Orisini family commissioned an architect to build him an otherworldly garden. The result is the Sacro Bosco, or Sacred Wood—more popularly known as the Park of Monsters. Giant sculptures tucked into the trees feature a sleeping nymph, a war elephant from Hannibal’s army, dragons, and a winged Pegasus, among other fantastical creatures.

The largest beach near Gaeta, Serapo Beach (Spiaggia di Serapo) is also considered one of the prettiest along Lazio’s coastline—its pristine sand and crystalline waters have earned the coveted Blue Flag stamp of approval. Visitors can claim a spot on the free public area of the waterfront or rent an umbrella and chairs at one of the many beach clubs.

Thanks to its proximity to Rome, Trevignano Romano on Lake Bracciano has long been a popular retreat from the city, and a strategic base for visiting the nearby medieval villages of Bracciano and Anguillara. The lakeside town boasts a waterfront promenade, and the lake is ideal for swimming, sailing, and water sports.