Lazio sightseeing includes one of the world’s greatest cities, unspoiled beaches, and medieval towns nestled into its hills.
Lazio’s most popular destination is Rome. Then there is Vatican City located inside Rome and draws millions of tourists every year. Rome cruise port Civitavecchia is a touristy area because so many Mediterranean cruises embark and disembark from Rome’s Civitavecchia cruise port. In contrast you’ll find less tourists when you visit the other Lazio points of interest located outside Rome and Civitavecchia.
Review the Lazio travel guide below for points of interest and lazio sightseeing ideas.
Lazio Location
Italy’s Lazio region is located in central Italy. Its northern border includes the regions of Tuscany and Umbria. Lazio touches a sliver Marche to its northeast. Directly east are off-the-beaten track Italian regions Abruzzo and Molise. South of Lazio is southern Italy’s renown Campania region. Lazio’s western border is the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Lazio sightseeing includes cities like Rome, countryside destinations, and even beaches.
Lazio Travel Guide Video
Watch the Lazio travel guide video below for more information about sightseeing ideas to plan a trip to Lazio.
Lazio Travel Guide Map
The Lazio region is mainly flat and hilly. There are small mountainous areas in the most eastern and southern districts. Around its hills are lakes popular with locals during summer.
Moreover Lazio is brimming with archaeological sites. Above all the Lazio sightseeing highlight is Rome, which is both the capital of Lazio and the capital of Italy. As a result Rome is the most popular tourist destination in Lazio.
Lazio Sightseeing Highlights
Since Rome is located in Lazio it often grabs all the attention. Nevertheless, there is much to see in Lazio outside Rome.
Lazio includes five regions: Frosinone, Latina, Rieti, Rome, and Viterbo.
To the north of Rome and south of Civitavecchia is an area known as the Etruscan Coast around Santa Severa.
South of Rome is the Castelli Romani. Further south are Fiuggi and Gaeta.
For those who do venture outside Rome, Lazio sightseeing has many destinations of interest.
Castelli Romani
To the southeast of Rome an easy half-hour ride by auto lies the Castelli Romani, the Roman Castles. This area is renown for its group of fourteen hill towns scattered about the Alban Hills.
Here Rome’s rich and famous built their castles. From the ancient Romans to the Renaissance princes, to the Popes, whose summer retreat is at Castel Gandolfo.
Explore Lake Nemi and Lake Albano, the forest, and the catacombs that date back the the third century with inscriptions in both Latin and Greek. Also there is the sunken ship museum from the ancient Roman era.
The Castelli Romani is significant wine producing center for wines in the Lazio region. Visits to the area, not only allow for an escape from the multitude of tourists, but also give visitors a keen understanding of how the local geography and weather has impacted wine production in the Lazio region.
Romans head to the Alban Hills in the summer to avoid the heat and in the winter to enjoy the mild temperature. Today the Castelli Romani make a nice stop on the way south of Rome to Naples. Even more for a day or two to enjoy the pleasing temperature, food, and wines.
If you are looking for one specific town in the Castelli Romani to visit consider Ariccia.
Civitavecchia
Civitavecchia is one of the Mediterranean’s largest cruise port. Additionally it, along with Venice, is Italy’s primary cruise port. Most Italian cruises embark or disembark Civitavecchia cruise port.
Civitavecchia is located about 45 minutes outside Rome’s historic center. Rome is accessible by train, taxi, or bus. Many Italy cruise travelers opt to go into Rome for sightseeing.
Nevertheless for those who decide to stay in Civitavecchia there are things to do in its historic center and surrounding area. For example, Ostia Antica is a very well preserved ancient Roman port town. Also outside Civitavecchia are thermal spas. Additionally along its coast are beaches.
Fiuggi
Fiuggi is a town located south of Rome. It became famous because the water from its springs has healing qualities. Romans began visiting this area in the 14th century. To this day it continues to be a healing spa destination for Italians and foreigners.
Gaeta
Gaeta is nice beach town. The town is set on a promontory. There are charming streets to stroll. Nice local authentic Roman food. There are also historical sites in the area to visit. And there is a natural park to hike.
During the Middle Ages Gaeta, a coastal city south of Rome, was a fortified settlement, and vibrant port which carried out trade with countries in the eastern Mediterranean. Gaeta is shrouded in history and rich in ancient monuments. Here you will find Monte Orlando Park, a protected area with Roman ruins, Access to Monte Orlando is only on foot or by a shuttle bus during summer months. As you ascend the mountain you will pass the statue of the Madonna and Child which looks out protectively over the beautiful Bay of Gaeta. It is a paradise for bird watchers and nature lovers.
Gardens of Nimfa
The Garden of Nimfa is a 20-acre English-style landscaped garden located south of Rome in Cisterna di Latina. The garden was created around 1921 by a wealthy Italian. It is set among medieval ruins.
The garden derives its name from an island within the park where statues of Nymphs were found. The statues date back to at least the 1st Century A.D. as they were mentioned in writings by Pliny the Younger.
Among the Romantics this garden outside Rome is one of the glories of Italy. A true symphony between nature and the capacity of man to cultivate a place like this. Virginia Woolf, Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote all visited, as well as Italian writer Alberto Moravia and cult filmmaker Pier Paolo Pasolini. Now you can visit too.
Ostia Antica
Ostia Antica was the ancient Roman port. By train from the Rome-Lido station it is 30 minutes outside Rome and a few minutes from Civitavecchia, which is also a popular Lazio destination.
Today Ostia Antica is an archaeology site. For example there are excavations of the ancient town much like Pompeii. But Ostia Antica was not destroyed by a volcano like Pompeii. Therefore, there are more intact excavations to tour. For instance among many artifacts dating to ancient Rome Ostia contains detailed mosaics and a theater.
There are no frescoes as you would see in Pompeii or Herculaneum, but if you take the time to explore the streets, Rome’s one-time maritime port still lets you visualize the way of life two millennia ago.
Families with children studying history always find Ostia Antica very interesting. And because it was not destroyed like was Pompeii there is much to see.
Before the Romans the Etruscans inhabited this area. You’ll find excavations from the Etruscan era along Lazio’s Mediterranean Coast, which is often called the Etruscan Coast.
Rome
Rome, Italy’s capital and the largest city in Italy, is located along the Tiber River in the Lazio region. I suppose many people have heard of the Lazio soccer team. But I would also guess many people have no idea that Lazio is the region of Italy where Rome is located.
For more information about planning a trip to Rome click to visit the Rome travel guide page.
Santa Severa
Santa Severa is beach town about an hour north of Rome. It is known for its charming castle and medieval village located right on the sea. You can enjoy the beach and for those who would like to sleep in a castle, you can even book a night to stay at the Ostello del Castello di Santa Severa and sleep at the castle’s hotel.
From here it is good point to explore Lazio’s “Etruscan Coast” including Cerveteri to its south and Tarquina to its north.
Tivoli
Tivoli’s picturesque villas, fountains, and gardens make a lovely day trip from Rome. It’s just over an hour from Rome, and a nice respite from the city, especially during summer.
Tivoli points of interest include Villa Adriana built in the second century A.D. by ancient Roman emperor Hadrian. Then there is the Renaissance Villa d’Este built 1200 years later by the powerful Este family’s Cardinal Ippolito d’Este.
Villa Adriana was built as a retreat from Emperor Hadrian’s palace on the Palatine Hill in Rome. Today it is an ancient Roman archaeology site.
Villa d’Este is renown for its spectacular Renaissance gardens and fountains. Additionally the interior walls and ceilings of the villa are ornately decorated with frescoes. From early July until mid-September Villa d’Este is open for night visits between 8pm and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays .
Both are UNESCO world heritage sites. Click Tivoli Day tour to join a tour from Rome to the area.
Vatican City
Vatican City is located inside Rome. It is a sovereign state. The Vatican is one of the most popular Italy vacation destinations.
Vatican City is where an incredible collection of art and architecture is located. These treasures attract millions of tourists annually to the Vatican Museum.
Above all it is the home of the Roman Catholic Church. Furthermore it is where the Pope lives.
For more information about planning a trip to Vatican City click to visit the Vatican Museum tours page.
Viterbo
For those looking for Medieval history and even thermal spas be sure to check out Viterbo. It i located about one hour outside Rome. Tourists are drawn to Viterbo to soak up its architecture, indulge in its delicious food, and taste the area’s wine.
Lazio Travel Facts
Lazio is located in central Italy.
Among Lazio’s many highlights, most travelers plan a trip to Lazio to visit Rome, Many people embark Italy cruises from Civitavecchia cruise port, which is located on Lazio’s coast.
Rome is the most popular destination in Lazio. Other sightseeing destinations include Tivoli, Ostia Antia, Castelli Romani, Civita di Bagnoregio, Fiuggi, and Vatican City.
Rome Fiumicino airport is located in Lazio about an hour outside Rome’s historic center and about 45 minutes from Rome’s cruise port Civitavecchia.
Lazio food and wine is renown worldwide. Some if its popular pasta dishes are: Cabonara, Cacio e Pepe, Amatriciana, Pasta e Fagioli. One of its most popular meat dishes is Saltimbocca alla Romana.
For more information about Italy vacations to Rome click here.
For more information about touring Italy check out our Italy travel guide.
