day trips from Rome: 5 amazing suggestions!

Rome is one of those cities that seem like they came straight out of a book. Walking through its streets and seeing so many beautiful monuments is truly enriching! So, make the most of your days in the Italian capital! If you have a little extra time, taking a day trip from Rome is a great way to make your journey even more magical, and below I suggest the best options!

As usual, before I tell you my 5 suggestions for day trips from Rome, I’ll talk about the ones that are not worth it, okay?! In my opinion, it’s not worth doing a day trip to the Amalfi Coast, since it’s more than 7 hours of travel (round trip), and those little towns deserve more than just one day to be truly enjoyed.

Another day trip that is not worth it is from Rome to Venice, as it’s more than 8 hours of travel (round trip), and Venice is such an enchanting city that it needs at least 2 days to be minimally explored.

Day trips from Rome

As I already mentioned in the post I wrote about day trips from London, for a day trip to be enjoyable, the travel time shouldn’t be too long, as you need time to enjoy the city you’re visiting. So, the tip is to choose destinations that are at most 2 hours and 30 minutes away from where you are.

Another thing to consider is the size of the city you intend to visit on your day trip. If the city has too many tourist spots, it’s not worth it. Generally speaking, it’s not a good idea to do day trips to visit capital cities.

Oh, and depending on your destination, it might be better to go by train rather than renting a car. Be sure to research this before deciding on your mode of transportation!

Naples

Naples is rich in culture and has stunning architecture! Plus, it’s where the margherita pizza was born! The city has a reputation for being dirty and dangerous, but I think that’s mostly “rival slander,” as the saying goes.

Distance from Rome: It’s located south of Rome, 226 km from the capital. If you’re driving, it’ll be around 2 hours and 10 minutes. But if you prefer the train, which is the best option, it takes only 75 minutes. Just go to Roma Termini station and catch the train to Napoli Centrale.

When to go: Any time of the year! However, if you prefer warmer weather, go between May and October when temperatures are more pleasant.

What to do: Eat a margherita pizza and the local dessert called baba (made with rum); visit Castel Nuovo, Castel dell’Ovo, and the beautiful Naples Cathedral.

Pompeii

The second day trip suggestion from Rome is home to one of the most visited tourist attractions in Italy: the Pompeii Archaeological Park.

Distance from Rome: It is located in the Campania region, south of Naples. The distance from Rome to the city is approximately 240 km. By car, the trip takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes, and by train, about 2 hours and 15 minutes.

When to go: Just like Naples, it can be visited any time of the year.

What to do: The main attraction of the city is the Archaeological Park, where you can walk through the ruins of the city that was destroyed by Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Highlights include the House of the Tragic Poet and the House of the Vettii.

Assisi

A famous Italian village where Saint Francis and Saint Clare were born. It’s a great day trip from Rome for those who enjoy more religious tourism.

Distance from Rome: Located in the Umbria region, it’s 175 km from Rome. Despite the short distance, traveling by car can take up to 3 hours. If you choose to go by train, the trip takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes.

When to go: Any time of the year.

What to do: Walk through the medieval alleys, enjoy the picturesque atmosphere, and visit the Basilica of Saint Francis.

Florence

Another day trip suggestion from Rome is Florence, though I’ll contradict myself a bit here.

Is it a doable day trip in terms of travel time? Yes. Is it worth it? It depends. Florence and the Tuscany region require at least 4 days to truly explore. So, a day trip is only worth it if you're okay with just getting a little taste of the city and planning to return someday. Don’t even dream of fully experiencing it in just one day.

Distance from Rome: It's 273 km away, which can be done by car (on average, 2 hours and 40 minutes) or by train (90 minutes). Without a doubt, the best cost-benefit option is the train, as it's faster and more convenient, you won't have to worry about driving, signs, or parking.

When to go: Tuscany is stunning in spring/summer, but since you'll just be doing a day trip from Rome, you can go at any time of the year!

What to do: Florence Cathedral (Duomo) and surrounding areas; Ponte Vecchio; Uffizi Gallery; sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo (for a panoramic view of the city).

Capri

To wrap up my list of day trip suggestions from Rome, I bring a destination many people dream of visiting, and often feel tempted to do as a day trip. Personally, I don’t recommend a day trip to Capri. However, since it's a very popular destination, I wanted to include it for you.

Distance from Rome: Around 260 km by car, and you'll also need to take a boat. In total, for a round trip, you’ll spend around 7 hours in transit. My suggestion: if you really want to see the island but don’t have the money or time to stay overnight, do a day trip from Naples instead. That way, the total travel time will be less than 4 hours (round trip).

What to do: The Blue Grotto and Mount Solaro are must-sees on your itinerary!

That’s it for today! These were my day trip suggestions from Rome. I hope you get the chance to take at least one of them! If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to leave them down in the comments!

Kisses and see you next time!