Day Trip from Rome: Why Lanuvio Is a Hidden Gem in the Castelli Romani
As you might have noticed from my latest blog posts, it is officially day trip season, and this time I have another hidden gem for you. Lanuvio is a small town about thirty kilometres southeast of Rome, and it is famous for being the birthplace of not one, but two Roman emperors.
Just like Castel Gandolfo, Lanuvio is located in the Castelli Romani area, which makes it a perfect mix of history, stunning views, and of course good food. In this blog post, I will tell you all about Lanuvio, and hopefully inspire you to visit this beautiful town yourself.
How to Get to Lanuvio
Travelling to Lanuvio is very easy and, not unimportant, budget friendly. While I personally think it is easiest to explore the area by car, if you are like me and do not have one, it is absolutely possible to travel by train.
From Roma Termini, there are direct trains to Lanuvio on the Castelli Romani line. During the week, trains usually leave every half hour, and within about forty five minutes you will arrive in Lanuvio. A one way ticket costs €2.60, so price wise it is very doable.
Personally, I always buy my train tickets through the Trenitalia app. You can pay with a credit card, PayPal, Google Pay, Satispay, Amazon Pay, or an online bank transfer. After payment, your ticket appears in the app and is also sent to your email. If the app does not work for you, there are plenty of ticket machines at Roma Termini where you can buy a physical ticket instead. And if getting to Termini feels overwhelming, I have written a public transport guide to Rome for beginners, so feel free to check that out.
When you arrive in Lanuvio, you are not immediately in the historic centre, since the town is beautifully located on a hill. From the station to the centre, it is about a thirty minute walk. While I think thirty minutes is manageable, the road is quite steep, to say the least. In winter, I might take on the challenge, but in summer I would probably not do that to myself.
Right in front of the station, you will find a CoTral bus stop. This bus goes directly to the centre. There is a QR code at the stop that you can scan to see the exact timetable. I recommend downloading the CoTral app, as you can buy your tickets there and validate them when you enter the bus.
What to See and Do in Lanuvio
As I mentioned above, Lanuvio was the birthplace of two Roman emperors, Antoninus Pius and Commodus. The town has a rich history, which makes it home to several sights that are definitely worth visiting. While Lanuvio is quite small, it is very charming, and if you are short on time, you could easily combine it with a visit to another town in the Castelli Romani area.
Fountain of the Rocks
When you arrive in the centre of Lanuvio, you will most likely end up at Piazza Carlo Fontana, where you can find the beautiful Fontana degli Scogli, or Fountain of the Rocks in English. The fountain was commissioned in 1675 and designed by the architect Carlo Fontana, which is also where the square gets its name.
On the square, and just behind the fountain, you can find several bars and cafés, such as Caffè Bernini, where you can enjoy a classic Italian breakfast. If you survived the climb from the station up to the town, it might be a very good idea to sit down here first and treat yourself to a coffee and a snack.
Temple of Juno Sospita
If you walk a little further up the hill, you can find my favourite spot in Lanuvio, the remains of the Temple of Juno Sospita. Juno Sospita refers to Juno in her role as protector, especially of pregnant women awaiting the birth of their child. I have always loved reading about Juno, so this place feels very special to me.
The entrance is free of charge, and around the temple you can find picnic tables and a small park. In spring or summer, this feels like the perfect spot to sit in the sun for a while and just enjoy the view.
Museo Diffuso di Lanuvio
In the centre of the town, you can find the Museo Civico Diffuso di Lanuvio. This museum is spread across different locations, including the medieval tower and the dungeons of Palazzo Colonna. A ticket for all the museum sites costs five euros, but if you only want to visit the medieval tower, it is two euros.
The medieval tower most likely dates back to the ninth century AD and was originally used as a sentry post to protect the town from Saracen attacks. From the top of the tower, you get a stunning view over the surrounding area, which alone already makes it worth the visit, in my opinion.
Beautiful viewpoints
Now, if you have been reading more of my articles, you know that viewpoints are one of my favourite things in the world. I have even written about all my favourite viewpoints in Rome. Since Lanuvio is located on a hill, you get stunning views over the plains, and on a clear day you can even see the sea.
From Parcheggio Piazzale dell’Immacolata, yes it is technically a parking spot, you have a really beautiful view over the surrounding area. And from Parco delle Rimembranze, you can look out over the other side, which is just as pretty.
Other Sights Worth Seeing
Of course, there are many more things to see and do in Lanuvio, such as visiting the Chiesa Madonna delle Grazie and the Ponte Loreto, an ancient Roman paved road with its bridge still intact. However, these sights are quite far from the centre, and without a car it is not really easy to reach them.
Conclusion
I hope with this blog post I could inspire you to visit the beautiful town that is Lanuvio. I had a really amazing time there, and the Castelli Romani area is slowly becoming one of my favourite regions around Rome. I cannot wait to explore more of it, and of course I will take you all along for the ride.
If you are more in the mood for a day trip to the sea or to a lake, I have many more day trips from Rome on my blog, so there is plenty left to explore.
Sending love,
Juliëtte
