- Viterbo was a papal seat in the 13th century and has a superb medieval quarter
- Thermal pools outside the city make a relaxing stop
- Civita di Bagnoregio, Lake Bolsena and Tarquinia's tombs are all in the province
- Trains from Rome take roughly 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours
- Airports
- Rome Fiumicino (FCO), Rome Ciampino (CIA)
- Best time to go
- April-June and September-October
- Type
- Province
Viterbo, in northern Lazio, was home to the popes for part of the 13th century, and the papal palace still stands above the city. Its medieval walls enclose the dark stone quarter of San Pellegrino, one of the best-preserved medieval districts in Italy, and natural hot springs bubble up just outside town.
The province, known as the Tuscia, borders Tuscany and Umbria. It includes Lake Bolsena and Lake Vico, the Etruscan necropolis of Tarquinia, Renaissance villas and gardens, and Civita di Bagnoregio. See our Italy guide for more.
Things to do
- Palazzo dei Papi – the papal palace with its Gothic loggia, scene of the longest papal election in history.
- San Pellegrino quarter – medieval houses with external staircases, towers and small squares.
- Thermal springs – hot sulphurous pools around the Bullicame area, some free and some in spa complexes.
- Civita di Bagnoregio – a village on an eroding hilltop, reached by a footbridge. There is an entry fee.
- Lake Bolsena – Europe's largest volcanic lake, with swimming beaches and the towns of Bolsena and Capodimonte.
- Tarquinia – Etruscan tombs with painted walls and an excellent archaeological museum.
- Villa Lante and Palazzo Farnese – Renaissance gardens at Bagnaia and a pentagonal palace at Caprarola.
- Bomarzo's Sacro Bosco – the "Park of the Monsters", full of strange 16th-century sculptures.
Where to stay
| Area | Why stay there |
|---|---|
| Viterbo | Medieval atmosphere and spa pools nearby |
| Lake Bolsena | Swimming and lakeside towns |
| Bagnoregio | Close to Civita, peaceful at night |
| Tarquinia | Etruscan sites and the coast |
| Tuscania | A quiet town with Romanesque churches |
Getting there
Fly to Rome Fiumicino or Ciampino. Regional trains to Viterbo take roughly 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours, and the drive is around 1 hour 30 minutes. Orvieto, on the Rome–Florence line, is a good gateway for Civita di Bagnoregio and Lake Bolsena. A car is the easiest way to see the province.
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn are ideal. On 3 September, the Macchina di Santa Rosa, a towering illuminated structure about 30 metres tall, is carried through Viterbo's streets on the shoulders of local porters. Summer is good for the lakes.
Visit Civita di Bagnoregio early in the morning or at sunset, when the light is best and crowds are thinner.
Top attractions in Viterbo
LandmarkColosseum
Rome's great amphitheatre, where up to 50,000 spectators once watched gladiator fights, is the city's most iconic sight.
LandmarkFlorence Duomo
Florence's cathedral, crowned by Brunelleschi's record-breaking dome, is the symbol of the city, with the bell tower…
NatureMount Etna
Europe's tallest active volcano, with lava fields, craters and sweeping views over eastern Sicily.
NaturePath of the Gods
A spectacular cliff-top trail high above the Amalfi Coast, with views over Positano and out to Capri, that is free to…
LandmarkPompeii
The Roman town buried by Vesuvius in AD 79, Pompeii is the most complete ancient city in the world and an unforgettable…
ViewpointSeceda
A grassy ridge above Val Gardena that drops away in a dramatic wall of jagged peaks, reached by cable car from Ortisei.
Viterbo on the map
Frequently asked questions
Is Viterbo worth visiting?
Yes. Its medieval quarter, papal palace and nearby hot springs make it one of Lazio's most rewarding towns beyond Rome.
How do I get to Civita di Bagnoregio?
By car or bus from Orvieto or Viterbo to Bagnoregio, then on foot across the pedestrian bridge.
Can you swim in Lake Bolsena?
Yes. The lake has several beaches and is popular for swimming in summer.
Written by
Emma City breaks & deals editor
Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.
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