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Villa d'Este

Villa d'Este: Our most recommended tours and activities

Tivoli: Villa D'Este & Villa Adriana Villae Pass & Pemcards

1. Tivoli: Villa D'Este & Villa Adriana Villae Pass & Pemcards

Take the advantage of booking one ticket to discover the best of Tivoli: Villa d'Este Villa Adriana and the Sanctuary of Hercules Victor. You can choose at your own pace where to start, your ticket give you the possibility to enter one time all the attractions. Admire fountains, water lilies and grottoes, in Villa d'Este. Travel back to the days of the Roman Empire during your visit at Villa Adriana. Admire the ruins of the Sanctuary that was devoted to protecting god of Tibur. Your pass has a duration of 3 days.

Tivoli: Villa D'Este Entry Ticket with Pemcards

2. Tivoli: Villa D'Este Entry Ticket with Pemcards

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed gardens of Villa d'Este, one of the finest examples of 16th-century Italian garden design, at your own pace with this entry ticket and soak up the tranquility of the gardens. As you stroll through the gardens, admire fountains, grottoes, and water lilies. Other highlights include an organ that produces sound effects through the water. You can also visit the complex's palace which was built for Ippolito II d'Este and painted by famous artists. The whole complex was designed by architect Pirro Ligorio and took more than 20 years to complete. Immortalize your visit and make your friends or family green with envy by sending them a Pemcard, a digital photo that you can send as a real postcard to anywhere in the world.

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

3. 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

4. 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.

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

6. 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. 

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

7. 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.

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

8. 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.

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

9. 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.

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 Villa d'Este

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 1,711 reviews

Excellent tour, the guide Giuseppe presents it in a calm and fun way, gives a lot of information and guides our gaze to appreciate the two villages well. Time for photos and to explore the sites after the explanations. I took the package without lunch and ended up having lunch at the same place as the others who had booked with lunch, I regretted it, I think I should have looked for options nearby, to enjoy and get to know the historic center of Tivoli a little bit...but even so it was nice.

Two beautiful and fascinating sites. Guide was excellent. Lunch was good and a welcome break between tours. There was a good amount of walking and stair-climbing, so visitors with physical limitations may wish to choose a different tour. A very worthwhile day trip from Rome.

It was an excellent choice, we liked it a lot and enjoyed the time on this trip. The guide ( Giuseppe) was very professional and the place where we had the lunch was also great. Thank you!

I have only had excellent experiences with this agency. The trip to Tivoli was well organized, comfortable and we recommend it.

Beautiful trip for nature lovers. I like olive’s trees in Hadrian villa and park in Villa D’Este.