Day Trip from Rome: Top Things to Do in Viterbo
During my Easter break, I decided to venture out of the city in search of adventure and fresh inspiration. As you know, I love discovering new day trips, and this time I set my sights on Viterbo, a charming town about 80 kilometers from Rome. Getting there is easy. By train, you're in Viterbo in under two hours, making it the perfect destination for a day trip from Rome. In this blog post, I'll share exactly how to get to Viterbo and highlight the top things to see and do once you arrive.
Why You Should Visit Viterbo
Like I mentioned above, Viterbo is a charming town close to Rome, located in the countryside of the Lazio region. Viterbo has a long and fascinating history, and many monuments still reflect that today. Its medieval centre is especially beautiful, with highlights such as the Fontana Grande, which dates back to the 13th century.
The town is also known for its strong religious significance. The first papal conclave—as we know it today—was held in Viterbo between 1268 and 1271. That’s why the town is often called the “City of Popes.” In fact, during the 13th century, several popes lived here.
The Palazzo dei Papi (Palace of the Popes) was built to house the papal court and remains one of Viterbo’s most important historical sites. During times of political unrest or plague in Rome, the popes often relocated to Viterbo, which was seen as a safer and more stable place under strong papal control.
How to Get to Viterbo from Rome
Traveling from Rome to Viterbo is really easy by train—and also very budget-friendly! There are direct trains from several stations in the city, including Roma Ostiense, Tiburtina, and of course, Termini. Some routes require a change of trains, so I recommend checking the Trenitalia website or app to see which station and route are most convenient for you.
I travelled from Tiburtina station, and the journey took about two hours. I paid €8.40 for a one-way ticket, but I also saw prices as low as €5.60, depending on the departure station and train type.
You can easily buy your tickets through the Trenitalia app. It accepts credit cards, PayPal, Google Pay, Satispay, Amazon Pay, or even bank transfers. After payment, your ticket will appear in the app and also be sent to your email. If the app doesn’t work for you, there are plenty of ticket machines at Roma Termini and other stations in the city.
Travel tip: Try to sit on the right side of the train. The route passes through Bracciano, a beautiful lakeside town I’ve written about before, and you'll get a stunning view of Lake Bracciano from the window!
Top Things to Do in Viterbo
Viterbo is a pretty small town, but it has plenty to offer for a full and interesting day. Here are some of the highlights you shouldn't miss:
Visit the Etruscan Museum (Museo Nazionale Etrusco Rocca Albornoz)
One of the most interesting places I visited in Viterbo was the Etruscan Museum, located inside the Rocca Albornoz, a big fortress just outside the historic centre. If you’re curious about ancient history, this is definitely worth a stop. The museum is all about the Etruscan civilization, which lived in the area long before the Romans came along.
Inside, you’ll find all kinds of artifacts—pottery, jewellery, tools, and even parts of ancient tombs. It’s a great way to learn more about the people who once lived in this region, and the setting in the old fortress makes it even more atmospheric. It’s not a huge museum, so you can easily see everything in about an hour or so, but it really helps you understand just how old and layered Viterbo’s history is. Also, a big plus is the beautiful outdoor area with a panoramic view over Viterbo. Honestly, the view alone is a good reason to visit!
The museum is open every day except Monday, from 8:30 am to 7:30 pm, with the last admission at 6:30 pm. Tickets cost 7 euros, but if you're between 18 and 25 years old, you can get a reduced price of just 2 euros!
Explore the Duomo di San Lorenzo and Palazzo dei Papi (Palace of the Popes)
One of the most iconic spots in Viterbo is Piazza San Lorenzo, home to both the Palazzo dei Papi (Palace of the Popes) and the Duomo di San Lorenzo. It’s a beautiful square from the Middle Ages, and when I visited at the end of April, there were almost no tourists. I really loved the peaceful atmosphere.
I already mentioned the Palazzo dei Papi earlier in this blog post. While I didn’t go inside the palace itself, I did visit the Duomo, which is right next to it. The cathedral is simple but elegant, and the setting makes it feel even more special. From outside, you can admire the palace’s stunning Loggia of the Blessings, a beautiful arched balcony overlooking the valley, once used for important announcements.
If you’d like to go inside the palace, you can usually enter through the Diocesan Museum, which is also located on the square. They often offer combined tickets with other nearby attractions, so it’s worth checking!
Wander through the San Pellegrino Medieval Quarter
My absolute favourite part of Viterbo is the San Pellegrino Medieval Quarter. True to my nature, I’m a simple woman who loves wandering through ancient streets pretending I’m a Game of Thrones character. While it may not be as pretty as Matera (let’s be honest, that’s impossible), I was still very much impressed!
It’s one of the most well-preserved medieval areas in Italy, and it dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries.
There are lots of cute cafés, stores, restaurants, and little squares in San Pellegrino, and I just loved wandering around. It was also not that busy, which for me is always a huge bonus, so I could take my 300 pictures in peace—because you know, that’s essential.
Conclusion
I hope this blog post has inspired you to plan your own trip to Viterbo! The area around Viterbo also offers some amazing activities and sights, such as the thermal baths and the Parco dei Mostri di Bomarzo. Since I don’t have a car in Rome, visiting these places is a bit tricky for me right now, but if you have the chance, I highly recommend checking them out!
