Visit Rome - Lazio
While the city of Rome and the vatican attracts the vast majority of visitors to the Lazio region - and rightly so because it is one of the great cities of the world - if time permits be sure to explore the surrounding region!
For a summary of the most popular sights in the region see also Rome-Lazio places to visit.
Rome city
The city of Rome really is one of the great cities of the world, and squeezed among the 2,000 years of history in the city there is always something new to discover.
No guide can do justice to the spectacle of walking around the Roman Forum, standing inside the Pantheon, visiting Vatican City or simply enjoying the great squares and statues of the city and the historical regions such as Trastevere.
Central Rome - Lazio
But there is more to this region of eastern-central Italy than just Rome itself, and if time permits it is well worth exploring outside the city walls and venturing into the Lazio countryside.
On the coast near to Rome the extensive ruins at the Roman port town of Ostia Antica gives a very good insight into life 2,000 years ago.
The calm countryside and nature reserves around Frascati are also a pleasant way to escape from the bustle of the city and a short distance to the south-east of Rome.
Further to the east of Rome explore Tivoli and Palestrina, while the fascinating monasteries at Subiaco are in the Appennines towards the eastern border of the Rome-Lazio region.
A little south of here the highlights include the towns of Anagni, Alatri and Ferentino.
Northern Rome - Lazio
Heading north from Rome you can visit some of the finest Etruscan sites and towns at Cerveteri, Viterbo and Tarquinia.
The water-based activities at Lake Bracciano are popular with visitors, and see also the coastal port town at Civitavecchia.
Other highlights in the north of the Rome-Lazio region include the towns of Tuscania and Montefiascone and the imposing villa at Caprarola. The curious 16th century gardens at Bomarzo are another highlight.
See also the the interesting town at Civita Castellana while in the north of the region.
Southern Rome - Lazio
South from Rome and into inland Lazio, highlights include Sermoneta (don't miss the Ninfa gardens) and the rebuilt abbey at Montecassino.
To the south-west of Lazio, on the coast, Gaeta is well placed and contains some interesting buildings and the resorts of Sperlonga and Terracina are also very popular.
Lazio highlights - a photo gallery
Note: gallery excludes Rome, see Rome
Most Beautiful Villages - Rome-Lazio
The following Italian towns and villages in Rome-Lazio are listed among the 'most beautiful villages in Italy': Boville Ernica / Campodimele / Castel di Tora / Castel Gandolfo / Civita di Bagnoregio / Collalto Sabino / Monte San Giovanni Campano / Orvinio / San Donato Val di Comino / Sperlonga / Torre Alfina
Orange Flag Tourism towns in Rome-Lazio
The following Italian towns and villages in Rome-Lazio are listed among the 'Orange flag towns in Italy'(a national tourist award): Arpino / Bolsena / Bomarzo / Campodimele / Caprarola / Casperia / Collepardo / Labro / Lioness / Nemi / San Donato Val di Comino / Sermoneta / Sutri / Trevignano Romano / Trodden / Tuscania / Vitorchiano
