The smallest of the officially recognized world states, it never suffers from a lack of attention from tourists. Not only believers, but also art connoisseurs from dozens of countries around the world dream of seeing the residence of the highest spiritual leadership of the Roman Catholic Church and the collection of museum treasures. If you are planning a trip to, the question of how to get to the Vatican is not worth it for you, because the papal throne is located in the very heart of the Italian capital.

Choosing wings

The easiest way to get to the Vatican is to take a plane to one of the Moscow airports. There are several flight options:

• Direct regular flight - Rome is operated from Sheremetyevo by two airlines - Aeroflot and Alitalia. The cost of round-trip tickets fluctuates around 300-350 euros. In the sky, passengers of direct flights will have to spend about 4 hours.
• Much cheaper you can get to the Vatican through Rome with connections at. Lufthansa airlines, KLM, Swiss International Air Lines and Air France will charge approximately 200 euros for their services and deliver passengers to their destination with transfers in or Frankfurt, respectively. The journey will take 4.5-5 hours without docking.

From northern capital Aeroflot also flies directly to Rome. The flight time is 3.5 hours, and the ticket price is from 270 euros. For less money, Finnish airlines will help you fly from St. Petersburg to the capital of Italy. Finnair sells tickets for €200 normally and much cheaper during special promotions. With a single connection from Rome, German and Swiss airlines fly.
If you are looking for the most cheap airfare and have the opportunity not to depend too much on the vacation schedule at the place of work, pay attention to Special offers airlines. It often happens that the cost of tickets is reduced at times, it is only necessary to "catch" the necessary information in time. The easiest way to keep track of special prices is to sign up for our newsletter important information on airline websites.

How to get to the Vatican in Rome

The international airport of the capital of Italy is called Fiumicchino and is located half an hour from the city center. You can get to Roman sights by electric train. It runs from the stop at Terminal 3 of the airport to Termini train station. The express is called "Leonardo". The second route is Cotral buses, which deliver passengers around the clock from Fiumicchino to Tiburtina station, and SIT express buses to the same Termini. The fare is 6 euros. At the train station or station, transfer to the train. You need line A and direction to Battistini. Get off at Cipro-Musei Vaticani or Ottaviano-S stations. Peter. From both stops you will have to walk about 10 minutes to the entrance to the Vatican.
Ground transport suitable for transfers are buses of routes 32, 81 and 982. The desired stop is Piazza del Risorgimento. Bus line 49 follows the entrance to the museums.

A car is not a luxury

Moscow and the Vatican are separated by approximately 3,000 kilometers and the whole journey by car will take at least 35 hours. The path will pass along the roads of Belarus and Italy.
Going on a road trip around Europe, carefully study the traffic rules of the countries that you have to cross. Violation of traffic rules threatens with high fines, and it’s not even worth trying to “negotiate on the spot” with the traffic police.
Useful information for motorists:

• The cheapest gasoline on the way from the Vatican you will meet at - about 0.6 euros per liter. The most expensive fuel is in Italy - almost 1.6 euros.
• The cheapest gasoline is sold at gas stations near shopping centers or in towns. On the highway, refueling will cost about 10% more.
• In Belarus, Poland and Italy, tolls are provided for some tunnels and sections of roads. It is calculated depending on the kilometers traveled and the category. vehicle and is collected at special points on the road.
• Vignettes for toll highways will have to be purchased in the Czech Republic and Austria. This type of travel permit should be purchased immediately when crossing the border at a checkpoint or gas station. Driving without vignettes is punishable by hefty fines.
• Parking of vehicles in most European cities is paid. The price of the issue is from 0.5 to 2 euros per hour. Get ready for the fact that in the historical part of the settlements there is a problem with parking spaces and you can only find a free one in the early morning or at night.
• Radar detectors are banned for use in almost all European countries. You can't have them in your car, even if they're turned off. Fines for violating this rule in Italy alone range from 820 to 3200 euros.

A lot of useful information on the theme of traveling around Europe behind the wheel of a car is collected on the website www.autotraveller.ru.

All prices in the material are approximate and are given for February 2017. It is better to check the exact fare on the official websites of carriers.

The Vatican is a unique state, small in area, but incredibly significant in content. The smallest country on earth located in the heart of the Italian capital. For most tourists visiting Rome, the Vatican, whose sights are among the priceless artistic heritage of mankind, becomes the object of a one-day excursion. Meanwhile, hundreds of Catholics from different countries come to Italy specifically to listen to a sermon and receive the blessing of the Pope.

Visa to the Vatican and where to get permission to enter

The dwarf enclave state is surrounded by a defensive wall along which the border runs. The wall protects the Vatican from illegal entry. Tourists and pilgrims enter the city through the gates leading to museums, or through the oval square in front of St. Peter's Cathedral.

In places where there is no wall, the border is drawn with a white line on the sidewalk.

In order to get the right to enter the Vatican, take walks around the territory, take photos, shoot videos, see the sights, an Italian Schengen visa is enough. Documents are subject to verification upon entry into Italian territory.

An organized tour, during which tourists visit the museums and gardens of the Vatican, climb to the observation deck of St. Peter's Basilica, passes without customs checks. In the same way, an excursion to the Vatican itself is not connected with any border formalities, except for the control of appearance. Guests are free to cross the borders, however, they must have their passports with them, as documents can be checked at any time.

At the entrance to museums, personal belongings are tactfully inspected, backpacks are offered to be left in the storage room.

Some tourists really want to have a visa in their passport as a keepsake of the voyage, but only officials are marked for visiting the Vatican. Travelers, on the other hand, are usually content to keep tickets, buy bright booklets, where the Vatican, sights, photos and descriptions are present in all details.

In addition, you can send a postcard or a letter from the post office to anywhere in the world. The return address will indicate that you really were in the center of Christianity.

How to get to the Vatican from Rome airport

The Vatican, located in the northwestern part of Rome and surrounded on all sides by city streets, is most easily reached by public transport. If the purpose of your visit to Italy is exclusively the Vatican Museums or a tour of the holy places, then from Leonardo da Vinci International Airport you will immediately go to Piazza San Pietro.

There are many options for getting from Rome airport to the Vatican by rail, road and metro.

For those who booked a transfer in advance, the question of how to get from Rome airport to the hotel and to any other point, including the Vatican, has already been resolved.

Another not the cheapest, but comfortable option is a Rome taxi from the airport to your destination.

The train (Leonardo Express) from L "aeroporto di Roma Fiumicino departs every half hour from six in the morning until half past eleven at night. After 30 minutes, passengers arrive at railway station TERMINI, transfer to buses, go down to the subway, go to their hotels and excursions.

Sometimes charter flights arrive at Aeroporto di Roma-Ciampino. Tourists should know how to get to the Vatican from Ciampino Airport.

A bus will take you to Termini Central Station, and then again by bus or metro.

How to get to the Vatican without traffic

A simple and convenient transport for a Russian tourist who is not very fluent in foreign languages ​​is the Roman metro. Tickets are sold at the stations, the map makes it easy to navigate, the main thing is to know the station where you should get off.

To understand how to get to the Vatican, it is advisable to have a map of Rome in your hands, take the metro to the Cipro-Musei Vaticani station on the red line and walk a few meters to the entrance to the museums.

Another option is to get off the metro at Ottavio S.Pietro and proceed to the Vatican from the side of the oval square, in this case the first object of the tour will be St. Peter's Basilica.

How to get from Rome to the Vatican on foot

The airports of the capital of Italy, for environmental reasons, are moved outside the city limits, which is why the Vatican and its sights fall into the field of view of the tourist only an hour after arrival. However, most tourists devote Eternal city not one or two days.

Stunning Vatican Museums, a tour of the gardens and an ascent to the dome of St. Peter's Basilica are just a small part of the beauties and wonders that Rome gives. Visitors need information on how to get to the Vatican not only from the airport, but also from other areas of the city, by transport and on foot.

For example, there are three reasonable ways to get from the Colosseum to the Vatican by public transport: metro, bus and a walk of about 3 km. Rome distracts the attention of a tourist heading to the Vatican, photos, sights and cozy cafes somewhat “lengthen the path”. Having correctly built the route, you will see the Forum Romanum, and the Capitol, and Piazza Navona.

Once you enter the Vatican, you will not need public transport: the area of ​​the state is small, the tour of the Vatican is so exciting that no video can convey the sensations of a person walking in the Holy Land. At the same time, do not forget to keep an eye on personal belongings, because pickpockets willingly visit Rome in general and the Vatican in particular, and their goal is not sights at all, but the bags of careless honest citizens.

What to bring and how to dress for tourists in the Vatican

Everyone decides for himself how to get to the Vatican with the greatest comfort. Motorists will have to leave the transport on Italian territory for the duration of the excursion to the Vatican. You have to walk around the country with an area of ​​​​only 0.44 square meters. km, but you will spend a lot of time on your feet in museums and gardens.

In addition, an excursion to the Vatican without going up to the Basilica Sancti Petri observation deck, as evidenced by the reviews of tourists, loses half of its charm. They climb to the top of the cathedral on foot, and the pleasure costs 5 €. For 7€ you can ride the elevator, but only half way: the remaining 320 steps inside the dome will be overcome only by those who do not suffer from claustrophobia. An indescribable view opens from a height. As if in the palm of your hand you can see not only the Vatican, but also Rome, if you wish, you can see many sights, take a photo and describe your impressions.

In order not to be distracted by household trifles, you need comfortable shoes and appropriate clothing. When deciding how to dress, always, even in the heat, one must take into account that the Vatican is primarily the center of Catholicism and only secondly - an excursion object.

Pants are required for men(they won't let you in shorts) women can wear skirts or trousers, the main thing is that the knees, shoulders, chest are closed.

Do not bring drinks, food, knives and other sharp objects, as well as backpacks and bulky bags.

Take the money for the tickets and get ready to listen carefully and keep your eyes peeled.

Attractions of the Vatican

Almost all tours with a visit to Rome certainly include an excursion to the Vatican, the reviews of tourists confirm how true this is. It is worth traveling hundreds of kilometers in order to get acquainted with the works of antiquity and the Renaissance.

A lot of interesting things await the tourist in the center of Rome and on the island of Tiberina, in the evening you can stroll through the picturesque Trastevere quarter, but in the morning, set aside at least half a day for the Vatican, excursions and buying souvenirs.

Tourists who go as part of a group to the Vatican, rest and lunch should be postponed until a later time. Get ready for a fast pace, as there is a lot to do in 3-4 hours. The standard itinerary includes a visit to St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, the Pinacothek, the papal apartments painted by Raphael, the modern art gallery and other places filled with masterpieces of the past. For a fee, a guided tour of the Vatican Gardens is usually offered, lasting about two hours.

An interesting excursion to the Vatican can take place not only as part of a group: many connoisseurs prefer to admire the expositions on their own. For those who do not know how to get to the Vatican Museums and Gardens, the map will tell you.

Entrance tickets to the Vatican can be purchased by standing in a long queue, or ordered in advance on the website, come with a printed voucher and redeem at a separate box office (the service costs ~4€).

If you manage to find an audio guide in Russian, a full-fledged tour of the Vatican will be released, video and photography of all permitted objects without time limits is available to individual visitors (in many halls, filming is prohibited).

On the last Sunday of the month, museums are free to enter. Of course, the lines are longer these days.

Wedding in the Vatican, price and procedure for conducting ceremonies

The sermon of the head of the Catholic Church is intended for all Christians and is available to everyone. Every Sunday at noon, the pontiff addresses the faithful from the window of his office, ending his speech with a prayer. For a blessing, people from different countries come to Piazza San Pietro.

Believers who cannot come in person turn to the Pope with messages, and not a single letter remains unanswered.

Catholic weddings in Rome are popular, ceremonies are held, as a rule, not in the Vatican, but in churches located on Italian territory, the price is determined by demand, and there are many who want to. For their money, couples entering family life get a wedding in a church overlooking the Vatican, a vacation in one of the most beautiful cities peace and precious memories.

Best hotels near the Vatican in Rome

A honeymoon in one of the European cities is invariably filled with romance. Frivolous Paris excites the senses, Prague enchants, and old rome as if hugging guests and sharing his wisdom.

An Italian honeymoon is the perfect choice. At any time of the year, Italy, the Vatican, the sights of Rome are worth the attention of tourists. Since the problem of how to get from Rome to the Vatican is easily solved, the newlyweds have a chance to plunge into the whirlpool of impressions, replenish their knowledge base and enrich their inner world. There are excellent hotels near the Vatican, however, any accommodation in Rome will not be an obstacle to active pastime.

The capital of Italy is a metropolis, you can walk around Rome endlessly, each time discovering something new. For example, in the morning you will learn from your own experience how to get from the Colosseum to the Vatican across the Tiber, and spend the evening in one of the restaurants, clubs or just stroll through the park, enjoying wonderful Roman ice cream. One day can be devoted to shopping, but the other is sure to spend in the Vatican Museums.

What to buy in the Vatican

The eternal question that torments tourists who are already ready to leave the Vatican: what to buy as a keepsake, what relics to bring home. Museum shops throughout the country, as well as near the border, abound with Christian souvenirs. A cross, an amulet, a pendant with the image of an angel are souvenirs that are worn on the body. Such things are acquired both for themselves and as an expensive gift of a religious orientation.

If your friend is fond of philately and numismatics, and you came to the Vatican without him, the question of what to buy as a gift is solved instantly: stamps and coins unique country become the most valuable exhibits in his collection. In general, guests take away the most expensive souvenirs from the Vatican in their hearts.

When is the best time to visit the Vatican, climate and events

The climate in the Vatican is exactly the same as in Rome: hot summers, mild but rainy winters, comfortable autumns, wonderful springs.

In summer, there are usually a lot of tourists, long queues to museums. On religious holidays (Palm Sunday, Easter, Christmas) masses are held. Thousands of believers come specially to listen to the festive messages of the Pope.

If your goal is tourism, then it is better to choose days when there are no religious holidays.

The Vatican is a country with a population of less than a thousand people. The official language of the Vatican is "dead" Latin. The country's army - the smallest in the world - consists of hundreds of Swiss guards. Artistic, architectural and park masterpieces, for which crowds of people flock to the Vatican, are priceless.

The smallest state in the world never ceases to amaze, and therefore constantly enjoys the attention of guests from all over the Earth. Come and you will not regret.

Tourists who come to the capital of Italy should definitely visit the Vatican. In this enclave state, you can see many interesting sights. And of course, many travelers would like to know whether it is possible to get to the Vatican on their own and how to do it correctly.

Where is

At the moment, the Vatican is the smallest officially recognized state in the world. It is located in the northwest of Rome, practically on the banks of the Tiber. On all sides, this city-state is surrounded by the territory of Italy. To get to this most revered place by Catholics all over the world, you need to climb the Vatican Hill.

The border of this city almost completely coincides with the ancient defensive wall. Only in one place - in front of the Cathedral of St. Petra - it is indicated by a row of white stones.

How to get to the Vatican: route

The easiest way to get to the Vatican for tourists who come to Rome is by metro. You need to sit on the train following the red line. The closest stations to the Vatican are Ottaviano-San Pietro and Cihro. Those tourists who wondered how to get to the Vatican in the Cathedral of St. Petra and go to the enclave through it, you need to get off at the first station. If you want to first see the Vatican Museum from the metro to the surface, you should climb Cihro.

How to choose the time?

So we figured out how to get to the Vatican in Rome. The easiest way is by public transport. But in order to be able to comfortably see the sights of this city, you should also choose the right time to visit it.

Despite the fact that the Vatican is officially a separate state, tourists who come to Rome do not need to receive any additional documents for the right to stay on its territory. You can go to see the sights of this place, in principle, at any convenient time. But experienced tourists are still advised to go to the Vatican in the morning. During the day, just huge crowds of people walk here, and long queues form at the entrance to museums and cathedrals.

The busiest day of the week in the Vatican is Wednesday. At this time here on the square. St. Peter favors the pope. Going to the Vatican on Wednesday is only for those tourists who want to see, among other things, the head of the Catholic Church. The freest days in this state are Tuesday and Sunday. On the seventh day of the week, however, most of the Vatican Museums are closed.

Before going to this mini-state, among other things, it is worth visiting its official website. Sometimes the Vatican is completely closed to tourists. This is usually connected with the arrival of high-ranking guests or with some internal church events.

Of course, tourists go to the Vatican primarily to see the local museums. Most of these establishments are open 6 days a week from 9 am to 6 pm. At the same time, tickets at the box office for visiting the expositions can only be purchased until 16:00.

You can get in not only during the day, but also at night. In this mode, they work on Fridays from May 6 to July 29 and from September 2 to November 28.

Do I need to pay?

Freely in the Vatican, tourists have the opportunity to see only the Cathedral of St. Peter, as well as the square in front of it. When visiting the temple, you need to buy a ticket only if you want to climb the dome.

Entrance to all museums operating on the territory of the Vatican is paid. If desired, the exposition can be viewed using an audio guide. This service in the museums of the state is provided to tourists, including in Russian. Of course, you will have to pay for the audio guide separately.

Unfortunately, queues at the box office of the Vatican Museums almost always form. In order not to waste time, it is worth booking tickets for visiting the expositions in advance. Entrance to the territory of this state is free only through the building of the Cathedral of St. Peter.

An excellent answer to the question of how to get into the Vatican without a queue is to visit its official website for the purpose of booking. Euros are accepted as payment for museums in this state. The Vatican's own currency is issued in very limited quantities and is of interest mainly only to collectors.

It is worth visiting the Vatican Museums relatively inexpensively. For viewing most of the expositions, you will have to pay no more than 1000-1200 rubles. (15-17 euros).

What is worth knowing?

In principle, the answers to questions about how to get to the Vatican and what time to choose to visit it are not difficult. But a tourist who wants to see this attraction, among other things, should be well prepared for the trip.

Security in the Vatican, for example, is taken seriously. Therefore, on a trip to this most interesting historical place, you should not take with you:

backpacks;

big bags;

long tripods and umbrellas-canes.

Such things will have to be left in the luggage room before entering the Vatican.

Clothing for visiting this state should also be chosen correctly. In the Cathedral of St. Petra, among other things, there is a religious dress code. You cannot enter this temple with bare shoulders and knees.

The answer to the question of how to get to the Vatican on your own without a queue is a recommendation to visit the official website of this state. But tourists who want to see the sights of this mini-country should also know how to behave on its territory.

Travelers will have to move around the Vatican in a special way. When entering the city, you will need to look at where the crowd is moving and think about the order of visiting museums. People in the Vatican move in a chain in a circle in one direction. To return, having passed some museum, thus, it may not work.

Climb the dome of the Cathedral of St. Petra in hot weather, and especially for people with heart problems, experienced tourists do not advise. On observation deck in the Vatican it usually gathers very a large number of of people. And many visitors here in stuffiness and the crowd often feel bad. Before visiting the dome, be sure to also buy yourself a bottle of cool mineral water.

What to see?

The answer to the question of how to get to the Vatican on your own is thus extremely simple. But what can be seen in this historical important place? One of the most famous sights of the mini-state is, of course, the Cathedral of St. Peter. This majestic building dates back to 326 and is currently the largest Catholic historical church. Over the centuries, this building has been rebuilt several times. The height of the facades of the modern Cathedral of St. Petra is 48 m. Inside the temple impresses with the huge size of the halls and rich decoration.

At the entrance to the cathedral, the guard may offer tourists to remove the camera. However, most visitors to this temple take both video and photography without any problems. There are no special prohibitions on such actions in the cathedral, as in many other Catholic churches.

There are many museums in the Vatican. Their expositions are so extensive and varied that a tourist will most likely not be able to see them all even in a whole day. The question of how to get to the Vatican Museums will most likely not arise among travelers who have arrived on its territory. As already mentioned, each of these institutions has a cash desk.

In the palace complex of the Vatican, travelers, among other things, have the opportunity to see the famous Sami rooms with paintings by the great artist that existed already in the 15th century. The stanzas appeared on their walls in the 16th century.

In addition to museums and St. Peter, tourists who arrived at the very small state in the world, you should definitely see the Vatican grottoes. Popes and crowned heads are buried here different years. In the same place is the burial place of St. Peter.

Is it worth buying a tour?

For people who wondered how to get to the Vatican and decided to see the sights of this mini-state on their own, the trip may ultimately seem very exciting and educational. Especially interesting trip in this city will be with an audio guide. Experienced tourists in this city do not advise buying ordinary excursions. It will cost more than an audio guide, and the traveler will receive almost the same amount of information.

Where can't you go on your own?

You will need to buy an excursion in this state only to visit the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Gardens. Individual inspection of these attractions in the city is not provided. An excursion to the Vatican Gardens costs about 2500 rubles.

Tourists are allowed into the Sistine Chapel in strictly organized groups. There are always a lot of people who want to see this attraction. Therefore, tours in the chapel do not last long in most cases. Unfortunately, taking photos and videos is not allowed here.

The Vatican has a common transport system with Rome, but all this is only theoretical, there are no airports or highways, there are no buses and trolleybuses, there are no metro stations, the entire city or the state of the Vatican can be bypassed in just 20 minutes at a leisurely pace. The Vatican consists of St. Peter's Square, as well as passages between the surrounding houses that lead to the basilica, Mussolini in his years ordered the demolition of a strip of medieval buildings to provide a view of Peter's Cathedral, which formed a small street leading to the square. You can enter the Vatican through the checkpoints on foot.

There is a helipad in the Vatican, as you know, ordinary tourists will not be able to use it for any money, so you have to use the Roman airports of Ciampino and Fiumicino.

The railway transport of the Vatican is considered the shortest in the world and consists of a 300 meter line of tracks.

The Vatican railway station Stazione Vaticana is used for cargo purposes, sometimes for symbolic or ceremonial purposes, so it is not possible to travel to the Vatican by train.

There is no airport in the Vatican, but this does not prevent tourists from Ukraine and Russia from landing in international airports Rima Ciampino and Fiumicino.

For example, from Kyiv you can fly non-stop with Alitalia and Ukrainian Airlines for 370 euros in economy class round trip, travel time is two hours and fifty-five minutes.

From Moscow, you can fly non-stop with Aeroflot and Alitalia in three hours and fifty-five minutes, spending 570 euros on round-trip economy class tickets, and other options with transfers are available, but cheaper.

To the Vatican by train

The Roma San Pietro train station is located in Piazza della Stazione di San Pietro and is so named because of its proximity to St. Peter's Basilica, the station is only three hundred meters from the basilica, however, the station is located outside the Vatican. The station can be reached by regional trains from Bracciano, Cesano di Roma, Civitavecchia, Grosseto, Pisa Centrale, Roma Termini and Viterbo Porta Fiorentina, which run at intervals of fifteen minutes to one hour.

To the Vatican by bus

From Stazione Termini you can take buses 40 and 64 or walk along Via Nazionale. Both on public transport in general in Rome and on routes leading to the Vatican, it is recommended to look after your wallet and other valuables, some locals consider it an honor to deprive foreign tourists of their wallets. On the metro line A, you need to get off at the Ottavio - San-Pietro station. The fare in public transport in Rome is 1 euro.

Walking to the Vatican

On foot to the Vatican, you can walk from Piazza Venezia along Via Plebeshchita, Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Via della Concigliazione.

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Where to go for one day from Rome?
First of all, all guidebooks and guides recommend Tivoli. Nature itself has created all the prerequisites for this small town has become a real treasure trove with magnificent landscapes, luxurious villas and parks. If we add to this the well-preserved typical Italian center of the old city, it becomes clear: if there is nothing more to see and do in Rome, then you need to go to Tivoli.

Surprisingly, even despite the fact that Tivoli is in the first place in almost all guidebooks in the lists of the “where to go from Rome for one day” series, there is very little information about the city itself. The limited information is limited to:

• Tivoli used to be called Tibur (Tibur), it is older than Rome - it was founded in the XIII century. BC.
• In Latin times, Tibur competed with Rome for influence in the region, but still in the 1st century BC. was captured by the Romans, and later came under the authority of the Popes.
• Breathtaking landscapes and a mild climate have always attracted the nobility and bohemians: Horace, Maecenas, Catullus lived here, the Roman emperor Augustus turned the city into a fashionable vacation spot for the Roman aristocracy, and the emperor Hadrian built a huge villa, the largest surviving to date, which UNESCO calls the best example of an imperial country villa of the Roman era.
• Over time, the name Tibur was transformed into Tibori, Tiboli and, finally, Tivoli, but the inhabitants of the city are more often called Tiburtins now.

Tivoli railway station.

The list of Tivoli attractions also wanders from one guide to another: Hadrian's Villa, the castle of Pope Pius II (1458-1461), Villa d'Este (XVI century) and Gregorian Villa (XIX century). To explore 3 villas and the historical center of Tivoli, it is recommended to book 2 full days: all the villas are quite large, and besides, they are scattered far from each other. We had to get from Nettuno to Tivoli for a total of about 3 hours one way, it was physically impossible to see everything, so we came to Tivoli solely for the sake of Villa d'Este, as the most spectacular urban site, a masterpiece of Renaissance landscape architecture, forerunner and prototype Versailles, Peterhof and many other European gardens.

Villa d'Este. Fountain of Neptune. Organ Fountain.

However, already at the entrances to the city, when the train carried us past an absolutely unexpected and, perhaps, therefore, such an amazing waterfall for us, it became clear that not only Villa d’Este was worthy of attention here. This waterfall is located in the Gregorian villa, which we did not plan to visit.

Tivoli stands on the river Aniene (Aniene or Anio, in Italian Aniene). This mountainous river with verdant banks forms waterfalls that are visible 5 minutes drive from the railway station.

And there are many waterfalls. Today, the river has been curbed, its course has been changed, within the city the river is quite calm, and the waterfalls that once destroyed the banks and grottoes are now taken out of the city. But back in the 19th century, many Tiburtines died from the temper of a stormy mountain river in a devastating flood.

View of the railway station from the city across the Aniene river.

Why Tivoli so attracted eminent people at all times, it becomes clear even at the entrance to the city: such picturesque landscapes, clean air and so close to the center of political life in Italy of all times, perhaps there are no more nearby. These magnificent landscapes open almost everywhere from the city. Probably the best view of campagna di Roma is from the terrace in Piazza Garibaldi.

panoramic. Lookout at Piazza Garibaldi in Tivoli.

How to get from Rome to Tivoli on your own

Tivoli is a small town 24 km northeast of Rome, with a population of about 60 thousand people. The road connecting it with Rome is still called Via Tiburtina. The second most important train station in Rome bears the same name: it is from Roma Tiburtina that most trains to Tivoli leave.

Rome to Tivoli by train

The train, or treno regionale, is the most comfortable way to get to Tivoli and back. It runs about once an hour, most flights depart from Roma Tiburtina, but the cars are comfortable, spacious, and there is absolutely no risk of getting stuck in a traffic jam. There are several flights a day from Roma Termini station, but their number is constantly changing, and on the day of our trip, the morning train left too early for us.

Therefore, first we got to Roma Termini, and from there by metro to Roma Tiburtina. We did not go through the quest very well: we had only 20 minutes to get from one station to another and find the right platform, and we did not have time. Trains to Tivoli depart from the most extreme platforms: Est 1 - Est 3, the signs to them are not clear enough, and we missed our train by only 5 minutes. We spent an hour before the next flight in the station coffee shop, but of course, it would be much more pleasant to spend this hour in some small cafe already in Tivoli.

Train tickets can be bought from Trenitalia machines at the station. Pay attention to the train number that is indicated in the schedule: Tivoli is not the final station for all flights, some trains go to Pescara, and they depart from a neighboring platform.
The ticket costs 2.6 euros, but we again used the unified regional tickets BIRG 4, which give the right to travel within zone C, which includes both Nettuno and Tivoli.

• Timetables and ticket prices for Trenitalia regional trains
• The cost of a train ticket: 2.6 e. Do not forget to validate the ticket at the station before boarding the train.
• Travel time: 50-70 minutes

The train comes to the station, which is located on the outskirts of the city. It takes about 20 minutes to walk to the historical center. Do not confuse the stations: Bagni Di Tivoli station will be a little earlier along the route. You need to go on it only if your goal is the Tivoli thermal springs and the SPA hotels standing on them. There are no attractions here.

Rome to Tivoli by bus

Another option to get to Tivoli is by bus. It leaves every 20 minutes from Ponte Mammolo station, which can be reached by metro: blue line towards Rebibbia, get off at Ponte Mammolo station. Ask for bus tickets at the nearest pizzeria, as well as at the newspaper and tobacco kiosks. The journey takes from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on the day of the week and time of day. According to reviews, the bus can get stuck in a traffic jam on the busy Via Tiburtina highway, besides, locals use buses, so there is a chance to ride standing up and pushing with your elbows.

• Check the schedule on the Cotral website
• The ticket must be validated on the bus next to the driver.

The bus will take you directly to Piazza Garibaldi. This is not the final stop, but from here it is closest to both the castle of Pope Pius II and Villa d'Este.

What to see in Tivoli, apart from villas?

The September Tivoli greeted us with a heavy cloudy sky.

Arriving at the railway station, we turned left and immediately got into the city. Judging by the map, it was possible to turn right, walk to the bridge a little further, but then pass close to the Villa Gregorian and the Temple of Vesta - probably there should be more inspiring views, but we got to the city only around 15 hours, and we did not there was time for experimentation.

The historic center of the city is typical Italian: old houses, flowers at the doors and on the walls, narrow cobbled streets. Even unkempt walls do not spoil the impression of the "toy" of the town. Incredibly comfortable, quiet, peaceful. Even if you have only half an hour of walking.

Tivoli was badly damaged during the Second World War, and now this city bears the imprints of a variety of times. Here, antique columns are built into the houses of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, and superstructures of the 18th-19th centuries rise above them; there is a well-preserved gothic house, with a dozen Catholic churches from different periods and a cute toy historical center.

All this is mixed with modern art. Directly opposite the exit of the Villa d'Este stands an ugly bust in a puddle that was supposed to be a fountain, and the Arco dei Padri Costituenti (Arch of the Founding Fathers) was erected in Piazza Garibaldi in 2007. Its author is the famous Italian sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro, the author of the ball in the Vatican Gardens. Behind the arch peep the massive towers of the castle of Pope Pius II, which is more commonly called Rocca Pia (Rocca Pia).

On the other side of the square, a panoramic view of the surroundings and the park of Villa d'Este opens up. See for yourself.

Is the Tivoli worth a full day trip? Yes, it's worth it.

To prepare for your trip to Tivoli:

Tivoli's main tourist site: http://www.visittivoli.eu/index.php?lang=EN
Commune website: http://www.comune.tivoli.rm.it/intro/
Villa Gregoriana: http://www.visitfai.it/parcovillagregoriana/
Villa d'Este: http://www.villadestetivoli.info/
Villa Adriana: http://www.villa-adriana.net/

Trenitalia regional train schedule and ticket prices: http://www.trenitalia.com/
Cotral bus timetable: http://servizi.cotralspa.it/PercorsiTariffe
Tivoli Map:

The dark blue line on the map indicates the most optimal route between the cities of Rome and the Vatican, modeled by a special computer program.
Flags with the letters "A" and "B" (green) show the start and end points of the route.

Regardless of your driving experience, you should always carefully study the upcoming path along its entire length, try to remember the most difficult sections and segments. It will not be superfluous to also study in advance the forks and turns displayed on our map.

This route between cities, perhaps, cannot be classified as overly complex and confusing. You will have to move mostly straight, there will be few sharp turns and sharp changes in direction of movement.

Although the algorithm of the program is designed in such a way as to offer the driver the fastest route (for example, a route around cities and large villages), however, this is not always possible.

That is why it is important to take into account and take into account the time of day when the vehicle passes through large settlements, so as not to be stuck in a traffic jam during rush hour in an unfamiliar city.

On the other hand, nothing prevents turning the route between the cities of Rome and the Vatican into a real adventure, as the path will run near picturesque places and beautiful cities that can once again remind the driver of the beauty and immensity of his native land.

Many sights can be seen on the road from Kazan to Moscow, if you take care in advance to lay the route through the given points.

The finished map can be saved to the local drive of any digital device such as a laptop, tablet or smartphone, or printed out to always have it at hand while following a certain route. We wish you only pleasant trips, and our service will be happy to help you with this!

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Italy's capital has long been a stalwart on the travel circuit. The Eternal City celebrates its long and rich history with monuments that take you back in time to the powerful Roman Empire. Immerse yourself in history by reveling in the magnificence of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon and other ancient ruins. Make a wish at the Trevi Fountain and marvel at the breathtaking panoramic view from the top of the Spanish Steps, before indulging in some of the best gelato, pasta, pizza and prosecco in the world!

Things to do in Rome

• Vatican City

  Vatican City, officially Vatican City State or the State of Vatican City (Italian: Stato della Città del Vaticano; Latin: Status Civitatis Vaticanae), is a country located within the city of Rome. With an area of ​​approximately 44 hectares (110 acres), and a population of 1,000, it is the smallest country in the world by both area and population. However, formally it is not sovereign, with sovereignty being held by the Holy See.

• St. Peter's Basilica

  The Papal Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican (Italian: Basilica Papale di San Pietro in Vaticano), or simply St. Peter's Basilica (Latin: Basilica Sancti Petri), is an Italian Renaissance church in Vatican City, the papal enclave within the city of Rome.

• Colosseum

  The Colosseum or Coliseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, is an oval amphitheater in the center of the city of Rome, Italy. Built of concrete and sand, it is the largest amphitheater ever built. The Colosseum is located just east of the Roman Forum. Construction began under the Vespasian in AD 72, and was completed in AD 80 under his successor and heir emperor Titus. Further modifications were made during the reign of Domitian (81–96). These three emperors are known as the Flavian dynasty, and the amphitheater was named in Latin for its association with their family name (Flavius).

• Pantheon

  The Pantheon is a former Roman temple, now a church, in Rome, Italy, on the site of an earlier temple commissioned by Marcus Agrippa during the reign of Augustus (27 BC – 14 AD). The present building was completed by the emperor Hadrian and probably dedicated about 126 AD. He retained Agrippa's original inscription, which has confused its date of construction as the original Pantheon burnt down so it is not certain when the present one was built.