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Tivoli Full Day Trip from Rome: Hadrian's Villa and Villa D'Este

Badge of ExcellenceRome, Italy

From $88.78

per person

Select Date and Travelers

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

7 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
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

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

Via Cavour, 224, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
The meeting point is at the bus stop at Via Cavour 224. The nearest metro station: “Cavour” (Line B). Please remember to show up 20 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
.09:30 am

What To Expect

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.

Villa Adriana

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Villa Adriana (Pass By)

Villa d'Este

1 hour 30 minutes • 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 32 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Jeff_L

My wife and I went on this tour on October 4th. We had an incredible guide. She was so knowledgeable and provided so many stories and facts about both sites. It was a beautiful day. Highly recommend this tour.

Reviews

4.5

1,615 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 1,615 reviews

Great trip!

Dianne_M, Nov 2024

Enjoyed Hadrian's Villa as it relates to a great deal of the art seen in Rome. Our guide was very well informed. Loved Villa D'Este!! Walking through the tiered gardens are a must!!

Beautiful sights....Crappy service!

GlendaAtchison, Nov 2024

Although both Hadrian's Villa and Tivoli were amazing, unfortunately the MOST memorable parts of the tour were the supposedly English speaking guide who had such a HEAVY Italian accent that nobody could understand a thing he was saying. He seemed to be a wealth of knowledge as he talked a lot and very quickly. We finally removed our ear buds as it was pointless trying to understand him. Those of us that bought lunch included were ushered into a restaurant, given a couple choices, none of which was tasty and wine that was just a cheap house wine. Those that found their own lunches had WAY better experiences in Tivoli. Next, we had walked about 7 blocks to the meet-up place to catch the bus. However, upon returning, police had several streets blocked off for a protest parade. The bus pulled over, had us all get out and left, not offering any assistance. Nobody knew where we were or how to get back to our respective hotels. GPS told me we were about 2 miles from ours! We walked for about 15 minutes (after the tours that required tons and tons of walking) and finally flagged down a cab to get us the rest of the way. We can't understand why the bus was not able or willing to drive around the closed roads to get us nearer to our original starting point. I give the tour sites 5 stars. I give the tour fiasco 1 star, and that's being generous.

Significant improvements required.

Frank_P, Nov 2024

Bus and bus driver were terrible. Not clean, bus very old and driving was very sharp and short breaking (not a smooth driver). Driver did not speak English. Tour guide was very hard to understand although he was very knowledgeable. Tour guide did not travel with the group and did not introduce himself (appeared very shy).

Response from Host, Nov 2024

Thank you for sharing your experience. We apologize for the inconvenience. We will do our best to improve our service.

Poor tour

Amelia_M, Nov 2024

The guide did not speak good English and it was very difficult to understand him. He was completely unengaging and did not make the experience enjoyable.

Response from Host, Nov 2024

We are really sorry for the inconvenience. We will double check and improve our service.

Wonderful experience

Deborah_S, Nov 2024

Walking through the ruins of Hadrian's Villa was wonderful as was Villa D'Este. The van was comfortable and the young lady that coordinated keeping us together was very sweet. Our guide David was amazing and very patient.

Response from Host, Nov 2024

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We hope to host you again next time!

Good Tour, Good Value

Paul_F, Nov 2024

This is a good tour, good value for the price. . . Easy to reach & find the assembly spot for a well-organized departure (approx 30 persons). Bus ride to Hadrian's Villa (HV) was safe and straightforward, but simply that - no commentary, just a bus ride (approx 50 min). The guide for HV, who joined us at the entrance, was enthusiastic and very good. Time spent at HV was about right. But note: There is no bathroom break between getting on the bus until reaching the HV museum late in the morning tour (over 2 hours), so be prepared. Also, an extra 20 min to tour the HV museum would have been nice. Then off to Tivoli and Villa d'Este (VE). A separate dedicated guide joined us there. She, too, was enthusiastic and very good. The tour of the estate building itself was awfully quick (too little time for some great frescos) in order to be at the organ fountain in time for its performance, but whatever. The gardens below were delightful. But note: They are arrayed on a relatively steep slope, which requires walking down and then eventually back up. Keep this in mind if you are at all mobility challenged. We visited VE two years ago, and the gardens at that time were not well maintained, perhaps due to the pandemic. It was worrisome to see it in disrepair. But the maintenance standard is back, and the gardens looked great! All the fountains were operating. It was a good day.

Response from Host, Nov 2024

We sincerely appreciate your wonderful feedback regarding the transport, guides and the tour itself. We hope to see you again next time!

2 great sites

LouiseR_T, Nov 2024

Hadrian villa for history Viila d’Esté for fountains but the guide left us a few times and hard to find path back in this garden labyrinth.

Beauty coupled with history

Nicasio_S, Oct 2024

The grounds were beautiful and the tour guide was outstanding. Her knowledge of the history of the Villas was excellent!

Amazing Architecture/Sites

Daniel_D, Oct 2024

Giuseppe was an outstanding guide. The vastness of the sites was mind boggling. Even through the weather wasn’t the best, we still enjoyed the tour. Sadly, the storms and flooding upstream forced the closure of the fountains due to mud/silt.

Blew me away

Nicola_T, Oct 2024

Villa D'Este gardens blew me away. Our guide was a local so her input was amazing especially liked the organ which only some guides know about.

Tour to Hadrians villa and Ville del Este

kvrnmt1, Oct 2024

Great trip! Everyone was at the meeting place on time. The trip went smoothly. Dined on our own. Ville del Este was quite amazing for its grounds and fountains. Hadrians villa was quite extensive. Guide was very good.

Not the best

Christine_F, Oct 2024

Disappointed in the lunch it was bland and not nice I did not eat all of it and was hungry and looking forward to an authentic Italian not to be The guide was ok The attractions were good explained well

Great tour guide but no time to really appreciate the properties

Beth_C, Oct 2024

I had read through other reviews that said the tour seemed rushed, so I knew that might be the case (especially depending on the tour guide). Our tour guide was great— very nice and informative— and I’d rate her a 5. The 4 rating is because it is very hard to stop to admire and/or take pictures of the beauty of the Gardens as the tour is pretty fast-paced. We lost our group at one point, which is on us, but one suggestion would be that the guide could continue to say “here’s where we are right now” (into the audio) so any stragglers could easily catch up. Again, our guide was great and we enjoying seeing the beauty of Tivoli Gardens!

Disappointed, I was hoping they would make an exception due to some thing that was beyond my control

Sherru_F, Oct 2024

Unfortunately, I was unaware of a marathon that passed in front of my Airbnb and was canceled on three times by Uber. I tried to call the number listed (not a working number)and text the operator and have not heard back from anyone. They did not want to refund me my money, I did my due diligence, but they weren’t accommodating . Disappointed

Memorable experience.

Richard_F, Oct 2024

Unique site. Excellent guideing and well managed. Long day but very well spaced. Most enjoyable for us.

Day at Tivoli

Ann_B, Oct 2024

Our tour guide was superb! Organized, respectful of our time and of the environment, knowledgeable and clear. Her English was very good and very clear for all language speakers. The staff who checked us in, the staff member who outfitted us with communication devices, the driver and everyone were friendly and helpful. The bus was quiet and a little beat, but the driver was excellent. Worth every cent.

A trip to Villas that is well worth your time!

Lisa_S, Oct 2024

Alicia was a very good tour guide - showed us the spectacular villas with wonderful descriptions. Would recommend, however, that the tour operator find another lunch venue! Or skip the lunch and pick a spot to eat on your own!

Good tour

Daniel_M, Oct 2024

Claudia was a knowledgeable and good guide. Spent a little to much time going over individual paintings in a room, but overall was a worthwhile trip. Hadrians villa was a good visit.

Must do tour, amazing.

Garry_H, Oct 2024

What a great tour. We booked this on our wedding anniversary as a treat. What a treat it was. All three locations were amazingly beautiful. The food arranged in Tivoli was simple but delicious. A fantastic trip spent with family and a lovely guide.

Beautiful Tour

Jeff_L, Oct 2024

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