Tivoli Full Day Trip from Rome: Hadrian's Villa and Villa D'Este
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Rome, Italy
- 6 hours (approx.)
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Visit the historic vacation homes of the Roman elite on a Rome to Tivoli day trip. The full-day guided excursion includes tours of Tivoli’s two UNESCO-listed sites: Hadrian’s Villa and Villa d’Este. Hear Renaissance and Ancient Roman history and scandal, admire archaeological ruins and explore some of Italy’s most extravagant private gardens.
- Learn intriguing Renaissance history on a guided walking tour of two villas east of Rome
- Explore the archaeological ruins of Hadrian's Villa, former home to 2nd-century Emperor Hadrian
- Admire the stunning gardens of Villa d'Este and see the famous Fountain of Neptune
- Transport from Rome to Tivoli by air-conditioned coach
Why Travelers Choose This Tour
Free time at lunch lets you skip the fixed meals other tours offer and choose your own menu and budget.
What's Included
- Professional guide
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Headsets to ear the guide clearly
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Castro Pretorio00185 Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy
Please meet us at the exit of Castro Pretorio Metro Station (Line B). Our representative will be there holding a Red flag. Please remember to show up 25 minutes before the tour departure time. Return point: Returns to original departure point
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Start time.9:30 am
Itinerary
Travel from Rome to Tivoli by air-conditioned coach to start your day trip. As you travel, listen to your guide’s commentary about Tivoli, a historic town in the Monti Tiburtini hills. A prestigious vacation spot in the days of Ancient Rome, the town is now popular for its two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Hadrian’s Villa and Villa d’Este.
Your first stop in Tivoli is at Hadrian’s Villa for a walking tour. Hear how the villa belonged to Emperor Hadrian who desired an unassuming vacation home as a tribute to his lover. By modern standards, his ‘humble abode’ could be considered a town in its own right.
The ruins of the emperor’s impressive estate consist of more than 30 buildings, and you’ll see the highlights as you explore. Discover the complex ruins of the old imperial palace as well as thermal baths, temples, libraries and subterranean passages that are wide enough for vehicles.
Enjoy lunch at your own expense, and then continue to Villa d'Este: explore the former Benedictine convent, and see why many consider the villa to be one of the finest of the Renaissance era.
As you explore, hear how Villa d’Este was built as an opulent abode for the son of Lucretia Borgia, a 15th-century duchess who attracted drama and gossip wherever she went. Make your way past the Fountain of Neptune, and wander through the gardens to see waterfalls, fountains and centenary trees.
Leave Villa d’Este after your tour, and then relax on your journey back to Rome.
Your first stop in Tivoli is at Hadrian’s Villa for a walking tour. Hear how the villa belonged to Emperor Hadrian who desired an unassuming vacation home as a tribute to his lover. By modern standards, his ‘humble abode’ could be considered a town in its own right.
The ruins of the emperor’s impressive estate consist of more than 30 buildings, and you’ll see the highlights as you explore. Discover the complex ruins of the old imperial palace as well as thermal baths, temples, libraries and subterranean passages that are wide enough for vehicles.
Enjoy lunch at your own expense, and then continue to Villa d'Este: explore the former Benedictine convent, and see why many consider the villa to be one of the finest of the Renaissance era.
As you explore, hear how Villa d’Este was built as an opulent abode for the son of Lucretia Borgia, a 15th-century duchess who attracted drama and gossip wherever she went. Make your way past the Fountain of Neptune, and wander through the gardens to see waterfalls, fountains and centenary trees.
Leave Villa d’Este after your tour, and then relax on your journey back to Rome.
1
Villa Adriana
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Villa Adriana (Pass By)
2
Villa d'Este
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Luggage storage NOT available
- Please note: Stairs at both villas are quite steep and a moderate amount of walking is involved
- Stroller accessible
- This tour is not recommended to people with disabilities
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- Individuals with Disabilities MUST NOTE it on their booking.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Virginia_d
We were met by our tour guide Giuseppe & our driver Emilio. They were both very nice! Then we were off to Hadrian’s Villa. Giuseppe was very knowledgeable about all of our tours & gave us so much information! The Villa is huge & beautiful! We were given plenty of time to walk around & take pictures. Then we were off to Tivoli. It’s a picturesque town with lots of shops & restaurants. After lunch Giuseppe guided us through Villa D’Estes. Wow! He gave us so much information & helped us see it in its glory back in the day. The gardens are tremendous! The fountains are gorgeous! Giuseppe & Emilio made the day very fun & special! I highly recommend this tour to you!
Reviews
4.4
based on 1,808 reviews
Sort by: Most recent
Carol_M, Jul 2026
Quite a bit of walking involving steps. Be sure to bring a water bottle. The guide provided excellent information about Vila Adriana. I would have liked a bit more information about the Italian style of gardens, the guide was informative about the links between Hadrian’s villa and Villa D’Este and the way the fountains worked.
Brendan_C, Jul 2026
We had Marcia as a guide and she was extremely welcoming, knowledgeable and patient. She did a great job managing logistics and we had a great time.
Kelley_D, Jul 2026
The tour guide was great. I really liked her, but the bus driver refused to air condition the bus. It was 96 degrees and everyone was complaining. Unless you want a hot ride with twenty of your best, overheated friends, this is not for you.
Megan_L, Jul 2026
Some stairs involved. Very worthwhile to see the gardens.
The guide was knowledgeable and fun.
Perfect day trip.
Thomas_B, Jul 2026
Giuseppe was our guide. Very knowledgeable and recommended a great lunch spot to us in Tivoli. I had never been ans enjoyed the quiet atmosphere of this tour off the beaten path of the usual Rome tours.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your kind feedback.
We are happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour and appreciated Giuseppe’s knowledge and recommendations! Tivoli is a wonderful destination away from the usual routes, and we are glad you had the chance to discover its beauty and peaceful atmosphere!
We hope to welcome you again in the future.
-NICOM TOURS Customer Service
Elizabeth_G, Jul 2026
We had an amazing time on this trip! The ruins of Hadrian’s villa contrasted with the renaissance villa was a great way to see history unfold. The guide was knowledgeable and very kind. The only thing I would say was that the lunch was just meh. We had fun speaking to the other group members, but the food was only okay. There were plenty of other options. The pick up point was easy to find.
Louai_R, Jul 2026
Do NOT take this trip. Overrated and not worth the time and money. Also, the tour company is very bad and has no idea what a good customer experience is. They are only focused on collecting their money. One of the worst tours ever. Trust me do not take it.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
We are sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations.
We always strive to provide our guests with a high-quality service and a memorable experience, and we regret that this was not the case for you. We truly value all feedback, as it helps us identify areas where we can continue to improve.
Thank you for sharing your opinion.
NICOM TOURS Customer Service
Sonia_V, Jun 2026
The tour guide was excellent, a wealth of information. Lunch was ordinary. I would recommend getting your own lunch. Placed visited were very interesting. The air con on return trip wasn’t working.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for sharing your feedback.
We are happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour and appreciated our guide’s knowledge. We are sorry about the issue with the air conditioning during the return trip and apologize for the inconvenience caused.
We appreciate your comments and are glad you enjoyed the sites visited!
-NICOM TOURS Customer Service
Sarah_P, Jun 2026
Our guide Guiseppi was very knowledgeable and engaging. We thoroughly enjoyed touring both villas. The fountains and organ at Villa dEste were particularly spectacular!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your kind feedback.
We are happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour, the sites, and Giuseppe’s knowledge and engaging style! Villa d’Este and its incredible fountains are truly special, and we are glad you had a great experience.
We hope to welcome you again in the future!
-NICOM TOURS Customer Service
Kate_C, Jun 2026
Hadrian’s Villa was one of the most, if not the most, amazing things we saw in Italy. Our guide was excellent and the pacing of the day was very good. Highly recommend.
Judy_P, Jun 2026
Guide was great but a few transit travellers latched on to the guided group which wasn’t fair as we paid more for a guided tour.
alix_m, Jun 2026
The experience itself was excellent due to an amazing guide, Joseph. He managed to wrangle all of us in a gentle way. He had so much knowledge to share. My one complaint is how the meeting area is handled. It is a bit difficult for "foreigners" as the Metro B are is in 2 spots and depending on the direction you arrive from you may end up crossing a 6 lane road----The individual who was in charge had a small sign on a stick which was difficult to see. She never said her name nor gave out much information or a smile. We were provided with radios and put on a bus (no intro to bus driver-- ) and told after a 40 minute drive we would get to a place and our guide would be waiting in his car. It was an unsettling start and could be so easily fixed with some shared conversation. Luckily our guide was great and I enjoyed the tour.
Dan_S, Jun 2026
Really enjoyed this trip, beautiful scenery, local guide who was from Tivoli. The fountains in Tivoli were magnificent. Also after squeezing through hot corridors at the Coloseum and Vatican, it was nice to have a tour that wasn't crowded. Nice bunch of people, bus ride is about 30-40 minutes. First stop we see Hadrian's summer palace. Great history. There is a bit of up and down climbing so you will sweat on a hot day but you can cool off from the water in the fountains. It is drinkable too. Fun day.
Megan_A, Jun 2026
This experience was lovely because it feels like a secret to travelers. I love UNESCO heritage sites so this was on the top of my list and it felt like a grand opportunity to see a city outside of Rome during our stay (Tivoli). Our guide was very excited, informative, and helpful throughout - she's a Tivoli local and you can tell she knew the area quite well. Despite it being very hot, we had a tremendous time through Hadrian's Villa, Tivoli, and Villa d'Este (maybe my favorite place of our entire trip to Italy!).
It was important to know that the meeting spot was NOT convenient for us. I don't know if that means it wasn't convenient for others but our Uber got lost getting there and we had to walk 20 minutes to get back over. Most other tours met within 10-15 minutes of our hotel, so we were sort of shocked to see that this one was around a 40 minute walk away. We stayed near the Trevi, Pantheon, and Spanish Steps area.
The original person to meet our tour group was late and disorganized, but the guide herself was amazing.
The group was mostly English speakers but we did have some people who were "transfers" that just road the bus with us -- it was a little odd because some didn't speak English OR Italian, making communication to them an interesting adventure. One, a native Spanish speaker, struggled to understand when to rejoin the group often, making him late several times.
Sheila_S, Jun 2026
Our day trip to excursion to Hadrian’s villa Tivoli gardens was an enriching addition to our stay in Rome. Our guide had a thorough knowledge of the history of both places and and told it well
Joshua_L, Jun 2026
Hadrian's villa was really engaging and we enjoyed the explanation of what we were seeing. Tivoli was a great little town. I can't say enough good things about the gardens at Villa d'Este.
Hannah_T, Jun 2026
The trip was okay, I didn’t feel like it was spectacular or anything, but my 18 year old daughter really enjoyed it. The meet up spot was clear and the ride there was good. They gave way too much time for a lunch break, at times it felt like we were waiting for the next thing for a little too long. It was okay, but probably wouldn’t do it again.
Thor_K, Jun 2026
Both sites were absolutely amazing. Definitely recommend. Make sure to take a water bottle, lots of walking and you'll need it. Numerous places to refill along the way.
Victoria_J, Jun 2026
The tour was planned and executed wonderfully!! Both places are stunning and the tour guide was knowledgeable and friendly. Tivoli is a beautiful town, we didn’t include the lunch and found a beautiful place with a man who was so nice and helpful!! Everything is beautiful, very worth the trip from Rome!
NEIL_S, Jun 2026
If you into history and enjoy admiring beautiful gardens, this is a must. We chose the non lunch and we found there were plenty alternatives.
Richard_C, Jun 2026
Excellent sites to visit. Guide spoke to fast and audio for hearing was poor. Hard to hear unless in very close proximity to guide.
Brian_R, Jun 2026
Both Villas are excellent and worth the visit. The guide was very nice and a local in Tivoli. I only give it a 4 because the tours of the Villas needed another layer of information to make the most of the visit. The story telling was just an overview. I had to still read the signs to help complete my understanding of things. However, our guide was great otherwise and we had a delicious lunch in Tivoli.
Lori_K, May 2026
Wonderful experience. The grounds and water features were spectacular and the guide gave us plenty of time to explore on our own. Loved it@
Peter_R, May 2026
Great tour guide. Amazing sites. Fantastic lunch. Overall wonderful time. The sites were so historically incredible.
Hanh_P, May 2026
The villas were beautiful - well worth the short trip outside the city. We opted to walk around Villa Adriana ourselves vs going with our tour group as it was moving a bit slow for our taste and it would’ve been nice to have a bit more time at the villa d’este but otherwise a wonderful day.
EverettM_M, May 2026
Our guide Bianca was super. Very knowledgeable. She managed the group well......The city was comparable to the expanse of pompeii.
Michele_F, May 2026
Amazingly beautiful sights made even more beautiful by the history presented by our guide. It was clear she had a great love for the places we visited! Bellisimo!
Lisa_H, May 2026
This is the second time we took this tour. We really enjoy the history of Villa Adrianna and the lushness of Ville D’Este. We were thrilled to have Guiseppe as our guide again! He really took care of our group and was so knowledgeable, tying together the relationship between the two UNESCO sites, as well as Rome’s Pantheon. It’s a great day trip!
Sander_R, May 2026
Nice full day out and impressive sites.
Guide was very nice, good English easy to understand. The audio was great.
Europe, May 2026
The tour was good but seemed rushed and a little unorganized. Personally I think they had too many different groups lumped together that caused confusion. Overall a good experience but not A plus. . .the tour guide was phenomenal. . .the overall tour management was a little disappointing.
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