Tivoli Villas Full Day Trip From Rome with Lunch
Rome, Italy
- 6 hours (approx.)
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Tivoli, home to the spectacular Hadrian's Villa and Villa d’Este, is a popular day trip from Rome. Skip the hassle of traveling by train with this guided tour that includes transportation plus guided tours of both the ancient Roman ruins of Hadrian's Villa and the sumptuous Renaissance palace and gardens of Villa d’Este. You’ll even have time for a stroll through the town of Tivoli and traditional lunch.
- Time-saving skip-the-line tours to see Tivoli's two treasures in one day
- Admire the Canopus and Serapeum and other ancient gems at Hadrian's Villa
- Learn about the ornate art-filled villa and formal gardens at Villa d’Este
- Take a break from sightseeing with a walk and lunch in the center of Tivoli
Why Travelers Choose This Tour
No need to spend time researching restaurants—a traditional lunch in the town of Tivoli is included.
What's Included
- LunchYou will then see the town of Tivoli, where you will have a break while you enjoy lunch.
- Tickets to Hadrian's Villa and Villa d'este
- Official Live Guide
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Headsets to better listen your guide
- Pick Up from hotel
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 flag that says 'Enjoy Rome.'
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Start time.9:30 am
Itinerary
1
Villa Adriana
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
2
Villa d'Este
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- 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
Thoroughly enjoyed the day our guide Marcia was excellent and very knowledgable. Hadrian’s villa was very interesting and not too crowded. The contrast between the 2 villas is great so completely different and the fountains are amazing. I was disappointed by the lunch the standard of the food was ok but not great. Better to do your own thing I feel.
Reviews
4.2
based on 475 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Guide was very knowledgeable and provided a lot of information about the area. However, she walked really fast and many times got so far ahead that the radio provided didn’t work, especially while in the ruins). Description said that you have free time but this is a very short time- maybe 20 minutes. Definitely. Not enough time to explore the area.
Poor customer service, Tour Guide that don’t even answer and dare to lie. Don’t order with them nor on Viator either.
Both villas, the guide and the coach- driver were worthy of a five star review. We haven't given five stars, however, because we chose the "lunch included" option. The meal we had was adequate, but we were expecting something special, which would have been more in keeping with this great day out. The fixed menu was rigidly stuck to; several of us did not want wine, but we were told that soft drinks would have to be paid for and could not be given in lieu of the wine. Desert, if required, also had to be purchased. Perhaps this could be made clearer when booking this option. Perhaps it could also be mentioned that there are numerous slippery steps when booking - the guide made sure that we were aware of this.
We were left in Tivoli half way through the tour. At the break for lunch we were instructed to return to the point where we were dropped at 1:50. In fact the tour guide spelled out one, five, zero three times. Returning to the meeting point ten minutes prior, we waited for 30 minutes when it became apparent that the tour had left without us and absolutely no attempt had been made to locate where we were. We subsequently had to get a taxi back to Rome at considerable cost. If we had left our belongings on the bus we would have been without any recourse to alternative transport. This is a incompetent and ridiculous trip run by a guide who just wants it all to be over for the day.
The heater was on during a 1 hour ride to Tivoli, most of my party which was 7 people were saturated, and the 3 grandparents light headed after we left our meetup point and were only told the AC was not working and as an added treat the heater was stuck to high.
This was seriously dangerous for my party with 3 people nearing their 70's
As we entered the highway we were told at this point it would be fixed after the first leg our tour at Hadrian's Villa was complete!
That portion of the tour was rigorous and In hot temps only adding to the already sauna( sudatorium) conditions we withstood to get there.
We finally finished the first leg only to find the AC was minimally fixed , just the heat turned off(🙏🏼) but no vents worked and most people were still suffering from the poor AC.
The guides were fine, but we were left no options. My family came to see the fountains and by the time this portion came about they were ready to pPUT AND SKIPPED the entire gorgeous villa.
Our only highlight was the reservation we made separately at Tiverna Di Dracula. This helped us cool down and enjoy a lovely meal.
This was a big let down after so many tours booked with Viator. My daughter who was celebrating her 15th birthday wanted to have both her grandmas for photos at these once in a lifetime villas and she missed that chance
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We are truly sorry for the unexpected issues you and your family encountered during the tour.
We completely understand how disappointing this must have been, especially as this was a special trip celebrating your daughter’s 15th birthday and an important opportunity to create memories with her grandmothers. We sincerely regret that the vehicle’s heating and air-conditioning issues affected your comfort and ultimately meant that some members of your party were unable to fully enjoy the experience.
Your comments regarding the conditions during the journey are very concerning. We take passenger comfort and safety extremely seriously, and we are sorry that the situation was not handled as it should have been.
We are pleased to hear that you found the guides helpful, but we recognise that this could not make up for the difficulties you experienced. We truly regret that what should have been a memorable family day turned into such a disappointing experience.
Please be assured that we are taking your feedback seriously and are continually working to improve our services and prevent similar issues in the future. Thank you again for bringing this to our attention, and we sincerely apologise for the disappointment caused.
Note that there is plenty of walking on this tour.
Hadrian's villa is larger than I expected (maybe 5km of walking over an hour or so) and the villa Desti has a lot of stairs if you want to go into the garden (which you should!).
That being said, it was a good tour! Nice pace and informative of all the different aspects of both the Roman era and the renessaince.
If you are taking the trip in the summer I recommend bringing a parasol or umbrella to protect from the harsh sun. There are plenty of water fountains on the route, so bring a water bottle.
The fountains in the villa desti will really help you cool down at the end of the tour.
We went with the included lunch option. The food was nice but more importantly it is a great moment to get to know your fellow travellers, exchange experiences and tips about Rome and other trips.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for sharing your experience and for taking the time to provide such helpful tips for future travellers! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour, the informative commentary, and the pace of the day.
We also appreciate your practical advice about the walking, stairs, sun protection, and staying hydrated, especially during the summer months. It’s wonderful to hear that you enjoyed the included lunch as well and had the opportunity to connect with fellow travellers.
Thank you again for your kind words and recommendations. We’re very happy you had a great experience and hope to welcome you again on another tour!
This tour of Trivoli was incredible. You meet outside a metro station, a comfortable bus took us 45 minutes to Trivoli and you tour Hadrian’s Villa - an excavated former Emperor’s palace complex. Our guide Joseph was highly knowledgeable of the site. after a lunch break and some free time in the town of Trivoli, the tour entered Villa d’este - the magnificent gravity powered fountains and the intriguing water Organ playing music were incredible. I would give the tour my highest recommendation for Rome visitors!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour, the fascinating sites, and the beautiful fountains at Villa d’Este. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with Joseph. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again soon!
Despite booking with lunch included, we were not on the list for lunch and had to find our own. Other than that, the tour was good
Tivoli is a charming city with an incredible history. Hadrian’s villas were a marvel of ancient engineering and the garden at Villa del Este was especially lovely. Our guide was very kind — my husband was more interested in the gardens than the villas and she allowed us to explore more on our own while still providing clear times and places for us to meet. The bus was comfortable and the driver was safe and efficient.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re really happy to hear you enjoyed Tivoli and the beautiful gardens at Villa d’Este. It’s lovely to know our guide gave you the freedom to explore at your own pace while keeping everything well organised. We’ll also be sure to pass your kind words on to the driver and guide. We hope to see you again on another adventure!
Great tour of the sites. I especially liked Villa D' Este with its fabulous fountains. Our guide, i forget her name we did the tour on June 1st if that helps, she was great super informative. The included lunch was great too! It was 3 courses in a tucked away family run restaurant. Superb.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re delighted you enjoyed Villa d’Este, the tour, and the lunch. It’s wonderful to hear that your guide made the day so enjoyable and informative. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with our team. We hope to welcome you again soon!
Wonderful visit to the Tivoli Villas todsy.Our guide Joseph was very knowledgeable - he is a native of Tivoli and was meticulous in giving us the history.
He gave us enough free time to explore on our own with detailed instructions regarding where we should meet .
Response from Host, Aug 2026
We’re so happy to hear you had a wonderful visit to the Tivoli Villas! It’s especially lovely to hear that Joseph’s local knowledge and passion for Tivoli made the experience so enjoyable. We’re glad you also had time to explore on your own and felt well guided throughout the day. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to Joseph!
Excellent day with lovely lunch included. Will never forget Villa Destre and the amazing fountains. Just beauriful
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a wonderful day and enjoyed the lovely lunch. Villa d’Este and its amazing fountains truly are unforgettable. It was a pleasure having you with us, and we hope to welcome you again soon!
this tour includes visits to two fascinating villas. If stairs and hills and walking, some distance are a problem for you. This tour is not for you. The grounds of the Villa.d’Este is amazing.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for sharing your experience! This tour offers the opportunity to visit two fascinating and beautiful villas. There is some walking, along with stairs and gentle hills, so comfortable shoes are recommended. The stunning gardens and magnificent fountains of Villa d’Este make the experience truly memorable and well worth the visit!
A good full day out for anyone who enjoys history.
Some uphill walking at Hadrian's villa which covers about 40 hectares... what's been unearthed is really quite remarkable and well worth seeing.
My friend with limited walking mobility couldn't keep up ... but managed to reach Hadrian's maritime private retreat..
The gardens at palace d'este were not do-able for anyone who can't manage lots of stairs.. but the palace itself has lift access.
2 course Lunch at a local restaurant was included, not gourmet but quite ok .. Bruschetta, Pasta and wine/soft drinks. ( Dessert or coffee extra.)
Our Guide was friendly and knowledgeable.
Bus Driver safe and steady.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you very much for sharing such a detailed review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the history, the remarkable ruins of Hadrian’s Villa, the beautiful gardens of Villa d’Este, and the included lunch. We’re also pleased that you found our guide friendly and knowledgeable and our driver safe and steady.
As the sites are extensive and include some uphill walking and stairs, we always recommend comfortable footwear and taking your time to fully enjoy the experience. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you again on another memorable day out!
Tour was a lot of walking up stairs and hills. Our guide tended to walk fast and we lost her a few times. Lovely tour worth going to see.
The tour guide was very knowledgeable and gave plenty of time to visit the locations, as well as for shopping and bathroom breaks. The lunch was wonderful. This was a great tour to get out of the city and see something different.
Our Tivoli Villa tour, specifically Villa d'Este was disappointing, we were visiting this site last visited by our parents in 1965. On May 4 2026, None of the estate fountains were operational for lack of pressure or similar issue. This was only communicated after the tickets at the venue were purchased by the guide for the group. Without the fountain all you could see was the gardens needed tending and weeding. As avid gardeners this garden experience was 3/10. I would have canceled our tour had the tour company advised us prior to leaving. The guide did not seem surprised by this matter which left us wondering if it occurs often and travelers are not advised. They should have called the venue and advised travelers, offering cancellation, refunds or discounts. The inside room of the villa was not why we would visit this site.
The ancient Imperial home of Hadrian was amazing to see and the museum is awesome! But the Villa de ‘Este was breathtaking! We could have spent our whole day there, we might move actually! LOL highly recommend this trip!
Amazing to to see UNESCO sites with a local guide. Hear the story of early Roman palaces and discover the link between the old and the new. Well worth the time.
Beautiful villas - both Villa Adriana (Hadrian's) and Villa d'Este, huge. Adriana is much older from the 1st century, while Villa d'Este is from the 1500s.
Both require alot of walking and Villa d'Este gardens have many levels of staircases, fountains, and greenery. Also lovely Town of Tivoli.
Lots of tricky walking, especially if wet. The gardens are beautiful, and waterfalls spectacular. Wait for organ to play at fou yain door.
Lots of walking, bus was barely held together. Had to ask driver to turn on AC after 20 mins sitting in the heat. Lunch came with food but they didn’t tell us dessert wasn’t included until they asked us to pay.
The tour was amazing. Tivoli was beautiful. We were lucky enough to have a bright clear day. Our tour guide was so knowledgable, and I had the best time.
Great easy day trip from Rome. Joe did a great job explaining history and culture. Villa d’Este was amazing!
Great tour guide and very interesting places. Well worth visiting. A great day out and very enjoyable.
Loved this tour. Hadrian’s Villa and Trivoli Gardens is a must day trip. Alessia was the perfect guide and provided so much context and passion!!!!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your lovely review! We’re so happy you enjoyed the Tivoli day trip and visiting Hadrian’s Villa and Tivoli Gardens. Alessia will be thrilled to hear your kind words. We hope to welcome you on another tour soon!
Amazing sights — definitely recommend Hadrian’s villa and Villa D’este if you have time. Perfect amount of time at each, with a nice lunch break in between.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your great review! We’re glad you enjoyed visiting Hadrian’s Villa and Villa d’Este and felt the timing and lunch break were just right. Thank you for the recommendation, and we hope to see you again soon!
Wonderful experience. Marsha was our guide. She gave us all detailed information about everything. Fluently English speaking person and so professional. Showed us all good picture points and gave us enough time to take pictures.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed the Tivoli Villas trip and that Marsha made the experience informative and enjoyable. We’re glad she guided you to the best photo spots and made the day special. We hope to see you on another tour soon!
Great one day solo trip just outside if Rome. The tour guide was knowledgable and careful to do a headcount each time we reunited after free time in a location. Overall enjoyed the mix of structured time and learning from the tour guide and time to explore freely. The two locations are not near one another so I appreciate having the ease of mind to pay and just enjoy my time.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your great review! We’re glad you enjoyed your solo day trip to Tivoli and appreciated the mix of guided learning and free time. It’s wonderful to hear that our guide made you feel comfortable and helped you make the most of your visit to Hadrian’s Villa and Villa d’Este. We hope to welcome you on another tour soon!
We picked this tour simply to have something to do one of our days of our holiday in Rome. I'm so glad we did! This was an amazing tour. The information on Hadrian and his amazing villa, along with the surprising Villa D'Esta (it looks like almost nothing from the entrance) kept us entranced. The luncheon provided was great as well!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so happy you decided to join the Tivoli Villas tour and enjoyed learning about Hadrian’s Villa and the beautiful Villa d’Este. We’re glad the lunch added to your experience. We hope to welcome you on another tour soon!
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per personWas $111.24(-5%)
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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