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Why you should road trip the Lazio region

Did you know that Lazio has rolling hills filled with vineyards, alpine mountain valleys, and pristine beaches? Yes, this region has everything! And as it is not as popular as other destinations in Italy, you can truly get a feel for the real Italy when cruising along the small roads, stopping in rural villages, and visiting local and authentic eateries. Doing a Lazio road trip is definitely the best way to experience this region.

Lazio might not be the most famous region in Italy but it is home to the most famous city in Italy – Rome. The capital of Italy is one of the most visited cities in the world and rightfully so. With its fascinating history, beautiful architecture, and delicious food, there is something in Rome for everybody. The rest of the region surely lives up to the same standard and many say that Rome with its surroundings is the crown jewel of Italy.

So, if you’re in the planning stage for your own road trip and looking for some ideas, information, and inspiration on what to do and where to stay in Lazio, then this is the post for you!

Need more convincing about why you should visit Lazio? Then read this post.

Highlights of this Lazio road trip

• – Exploring the history, culture, and food of Rome
• – Trying some award-winning olive oil
• – Exploring the “dying city” of Civita di Bagnoregio
• – Hiking to the top of Monte Terminillo
• – Beach hopping on the locals’ favorite island Ponza
• – Trying the famous Porchetta di Ariccia in Ariccia

Practical tips for your road trip in Lazio

When to road trip Lazio

Like most regions in Italy, the best time to visit is between May and October. Peak season is July and August, so if you can it is best to avoid these months. The weather in these months is extremely hot and most Europeans and Italians have vacations at that time, which means it’s gonna be crowded. I would therefore suggest you to do your trip in either May, June, September, or October. The weather in these months is around 20-30 degrees which are perfect for exploring all this region has to offer.

What to pack for a road trip in Lazio

If you are traveling between May and October you should mostly pack summer clothes since, as mentioned before, the weather is often 20-30 degrees. During this road trip, you will however visit some more mountainous areas which means it’s gonna be chillier as well. So a pair of pants and long sleeves, plus a thinner jacket might be good to bring. If you choose to follow my itinerary below you will also do a hike, and that might need some special equipment as well. It’s not a super difficult hike so I think you will be fine with some trainers, training tights, and a hoodie or thinner wind jacket.

I’m working on a summer packing list with my favorite items right now and will share it as soon as I’m done.

How to get to Lazio

Rome is the bes city to fly to in Lazio. Rome has two airports, Leonardo Da Vinci (Fiumicino) International Airport (FCO), which is the bigger one, and Ciampino Airport (CIA), which is the budget-friendlier one. Flying to Rome is rarely expensive as there are many low-cost airlines that service this city, especially from other bigger cities in Europe.

See my guide on How to get from the airport to the city center.

Renting a car in Lazio

If you don’t wanna start crying out of panic on the first day of your trip, I suggest you to not hire a car in the center of Rome. If you have planned to stay in the city for a few days you really don’t need a car there, on the contrary, it will only create a lot of problems for you like driving in the madness, finding parking and avoiding limited traffic zones. It is simply not worth it. My tip is instead to rent your car from the day you are leaving the city, preferably at the airport that you will depart from when going home. Of course, there is the hassle of going to the airport to pick it up but the transportation is often straightforward and you will avoid all the troubles I mentioned earlier. Read my guide on How to rent a car in Italy to get some more useful tips.

Driving in Lazio

Italy in general does not have the best reputation regarding traffic safety and the Italian driving etiquette is certainly interesting. Therefore, I suggest avoiding driving in bigger cities as there is always chaos in some kind of way. However, driving in the Italian countryside is really not that bad. Of course, be prepared for most things but don’t spend all your energy worrying about your next obstacle. You will probably not encounter as many as you think. If you want more information about driving in Italy like speed limits, parking, and tolls, click here.

Regarding specific driving conditions in Lazio, I would say it is a good region to drive in. Most of the roads are well maintained, however, some countryside roads might be narrow and windy. 

What to eat in Lazio

The region of Lazio is the birthplace of some of the most famous dishes in Italy, like Roman Pizza, Pasta Carbonara, and Cacio e pepe. The quality of food is also really good in this region since Rome, the capital of Italy is situated there. There are so many delicious dishes to try here so you could easily spend a month just going from place to place, restaurant to restaurant. To know what dishes you must order in this region check out my  Lazio food guide and the top 17 regional dishes to try in Rome. I have also made a restaurant guide for Rome, check it out here.

Lazio road trip overview

LENGTH: 14 days, 13 nights
REGION: Lazio
START & END POINT: Rome 
DISTANCE: 1094 km

Before providing a day-by-day breakdown of this Lazio road trip itinerary for you, I want to give a few pointers on the map above and the article as a whole:

• – You can open the above map within Google Maps to give you a full-scale interactive view and a little more detail on directions, driving distances, etc. I always make these maps before road trips and then download it to have destinations and navigations offline. You should do the same!
• – As you can see, by the order of the blue pins (which is where to stay overnight), this itinerary explores the region clockwise. It is possible to reverse this itinerary, but you should take note that the drive from Farnese to Rome is much longer than from Castel Gandolfo. Will you have time for this drive on your departing day? Maybe you should start the road trip the same day you arrive instead, and have four days in Rome right before you leave?
• – Starred locations are places (beaches, towns and sites) that I recommend visiting on this itinerary – you don’t have to go to all of them but I would say that all of them are worth visiting.  I give a more in-depth description of all starred locations in the day-to-day itinerary so if there is someone you don’t fancy, simply remove it from your itinerary.
• – Blue marks indicate the towns and cities where I suggest you stay on this road trip. I always try to minimize the number of accommodations on a road trip, so all of the ones listed are there for a reason. Farnese might seem unnecessary since Viterbo isn’t too far away but you will lose about two hours going back and forth. I’d rather spend those hours doing a fun activity than in a car, but we are all different.
• – Yellow marks indicate the restaurants I recommend you to try during this road trip. I have specific suggestions in the day-to-day itinerary, but in most places, I have put in a few extra restaurants, just in case. You can never have too many food suggestions right?
• – I have not marked out the exact route to drive on this map since it might change a lot depending on different things. What I do suggest, however, is to stay away from the highways as much as you can. Mostly because you will see more of the country driving smaller roads, but you also have to pay tolls to drive on the highways in Italy. You can easily avoid toll roads by telling Google Maps to do so under Alternatives when you have a route selected.
• – This post is a general overview to help you plan your own road trip route. I have written several guides in more detail to help you plan your road trip in Lazio – such as ‘Things to do in Viterbo‘ – and they are linked throughout this article.

Okay, okay I know. Let’s move on to the fun stuff! Below is my day-to-day itinerary for the ultimate 2-week road trip in Lazio. Please let me know in the comments if this road trip is for you or not. I would say it’s a winner!

Lazio road trip itinerary: Day by day

Day one – Arrival day

Rome is the best city to fly to in Lazio and when you land you can directly make your way to your accommodation. Although this is a road trip through the region of Lazio, there is no point in picking up a car when you will spend the first few days in the eternal city. See my post about how to get from Rome’s airports to the city center to be prepared.

As said before, Rome is one of the most visited cities in the world and it is not short on attractions. The archaeological treasures of the city are surely impressive but the thing that attracts me the most with Rome is the food. My fellow foodie lovers – we have reached foodie heaven! I almost get dizzy when thinking of all the food options in this city, with all the dishes and restaurants to try. If you feel the same, read my post about the top 17 regional dishes you have to try in Rome to get your head together again. Luckily eating and walking between different sights is the perfect combination. I will just give you a brief overview about what to do in Rome in this post, but be sure to check out my detailed guide of how to explore Rome in 4 days here.

Start your exploration of Rome with lunch after settling into your accommodation. Then, tour some famous sights in Rome like the Trevi fountain, Galleria Sciacca, church of Sant’Ignazio, Pantheon, and Piazza Navona. Try the gelato at Frigidarium before going on a food tour in the evening. See options of food tours below.

Where to Stay | Where to Stay in Rome

More things to do | The Perfect Itinerary for 4 Days in Rome, Italy

Day two – Exploring Rome 

Have the very Roman breakfast of maritozzi, cornetti, and cappuccino at Regoli Pasticceria before going on a tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. See which tours I recommend below.

For lunch, you will stop by Trattoria da Enzo. See which dishes you just have to try at this restaurant in my detailed guide on how to explore Rome in 4 days. The next stop of the day is the Testaccio market where you can try even more famous foods from Rome. See my top recommendations to try at Testaccio market here. 

Start your evening at 6 pm with an aperitivo. Aperitivo is the best Italian tradition where you go for a drink and a snack before dinner. Around 9 pm (Yes I know it’s late, but that is actually normal dinner time in Italy, read more about that here) you can move on to this day’s dinner location: Mimì e Cocò. Before ending your night, grab a gelato at Giolitti.

Where to Stay | Where to Stay in Rome

More things to do | Top 17 Regional Dishes to Try in Rome

Day three – Exploring Rome

Start your morning with either breakfast at home or at a café, before heading to the Spanish Steps and Villa Borghese and its surrounding park in the morning. On your way to the Vatican, you should stop for a gelato at Gelateria La Romana and then continue on to the very famous Bonci Pizzarium for lunch. Why stop here you might ask. Find out the answer in my full guide to Rome here. 

In the afternoon you will see the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica on a guided tour. Stop by Grattachecca Sora Lella on your way back to the city center and enjoy a cooling drink. Climb the Castel Sant’Angelo and cross the bridge of Sant’Angelo. If you fancy some more food, stop by Supplizio to try the traditional street food supplì. For this evening, I recommend you to have dinner in the neighborhood of Trastevere. See my restaurant recommendations for Rome here.

Where to Stay |  Where to Stay in Rome

More things to do | Best Restaurants in Rome

Day four – Exploring Rome

Today is another early morning, where you will visit the Trevi Fountain before 8 am to see it without the crowd. Have your breakfast next to the fountain at L’Antico Forno di Piazza Trevi before continuing sightseeing in the city. Fori Imperiali, Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emmanuele II at the Piazza Venezia, and Teatro Marcello are next up on the itinerary. Go for lunch at Osteria da Fortunata where you can see the fresh pasta being made right in front of you. 

For this afternoon you should book a cooking class to immerse yourself more in the culture and learn something for life. How nice wouldn’t it be to invite your friends over for a home-cooked Italian meal when you get back?

For dinner tonight you will start with an aperitivo with a gorgeous view. Il Palazzetto is a hotel just next to the Spanish Steps and it has a rooftop bar where you can enjoy a drink or two with a beautiful view. Go for dinner at Cantina Belsiana which is known for its roman food and finish the evening with gelato at Come il Latte.

Where to Stay | Where to Stay in Rome

More things to do | The Perfect Itinerary for 4 Days in Rome, Italy

Day five – Rome to Farnese 

STOPS: Calcata Vecchia, Trevignano Romano, I&P – Oli Monocultivar da Degustazione, Terme di Vulci, Il Podere di Marfisa
TOTAL DRIVING TIME: 3 hours 50 minutes
DISTANCE: 193 km

Today is the day we start the real adventure! Pack the last things, check out from your accommodation, and head to the airport to pick up your rental car. 

I recommend you to search via both Auto Europe and RentalCars to find the best prices and availability for your own travel dates and book a car sooner rather than later. See more information of what to think about when renting a car in Italy here. Both of them cover all the car rental options available for both Leonardo Da Vinci (Fiumicino) International Airport (FCO), and Ciampino Airport (CIA).

I would suggest you book the pick-up for the car quite early as the drive will be around 3 hours today. Remember to not be late, as the car rental company might give the car away if you haven’t picked it up on time. For more tips when renting a car, read this post. 

When you have signed the papers and you have the keys in your hand, drive towards Calcata Vecchia, which is a picturesque little hilltop village. After parking the car in the parking lot outside of town, stroll around the quaint little streets and reminisce about what life in this city must be like. This city is quite small so when you have strolled around for a while and taken some photos you can move on. 

Next stop is Trevignano Romano which is a beautiful town situated right beside Bracciano lake only one hour away. Wander the streets for a little while and admire the lakeside views. 

Now, continue on to an olive oil producer just outside the small town of Canino which offers several different options for olive oil tastings that start at 2 pm. Actually, before you go on an olive oil tasting there, you should get some lunch in the town. Truffles are to be found all over this area so if you like it, you could go to Locanda del Tartufiere which only serves dishes with truffles. It sounds like a dream to me!

When lunch is finished, head to I&P – Oli Monocultivar da Degustazione where you can taste some really good olive oil. Buy some bottles to bring home as well if you like! Check out their website for different tasting options. 

The next stop is Terme di Vulci which is a thermal batch, spa, and glamping. Enjoy the thermal pools for a while and decide for yourself if you opt to stay there overnight or if you’d rather stay at Residenza Farnese in Farnese. Another suitable accommodation for the night is Il Podere di Marfisa which is situated on a vineyard, where you can have dinner in a beautiful setting and also do a wine tasting.

Where to Stay | Residenza Farnese, Il Podere di Marfisa

More things to do | 10 Most beautiful hilltop villages in Lazio

Day six – Farnese to Viterbo

STOPS: Bolsena, Civita di Bagnoregio, Montefiascone, Bagnaccio thermal baths
TOTAL DRIVING TIME: 1 hour 50 minutes
DISTANCE: 81 km

Start your morning quite early as there are three stops on the way to your final destination which is Viterbo. First, drive towards Bolsena which is a cute little town situated right on the water of the Bolsena lake. Wander around and maybe have your breakfast there, if you want. Take some photos of this local gem and then head toward the jewel of the day: Civita di Bagnoregio. 

Civita di Bagnoregio is called the dying city and is situated on top of a cliff that can only be reached by crossing a narrow pedestrian bridge. The cliff is constantly erosioning and the community has tried to stabilize it since the 1600 hundreds, but without luck. The base of the city is starting to disappear so some of the houses are suspended on the edge of the cliff. Therefore only 16 people live in this city.

The bridge that connects the city to the rest of the world has collapsed several times, but don’t skip it because the reward will be one of the most stunning panoramic views of the Lazio region. It really feels like this city is suspended in time and space. Civita di Bagnoregio is beyond doubt one of the most beautiful and characteristic villages in Italy. Wander around town and stop for lunch at Taverna Bistrot with a stunning setting. 

Next up is Montefiascone with its Rocca dei Papi and Parco della Rocca. Discover this interesting place and its history with an audio guide for only five euros. 

Well, the popes abandoned Montefiascone for Viterbo and so it is time for you to do the same. If you didn’t find time to enjoy the thermal baths yesterday, or just want to relax some more, there is a good spot just outside of Viterbo called Bagnaccio that you could stop by.

Otherwise, head to your accommodation in Viterbo and check in. Viterbo is not a major city so the sightseeing can be done in the evening. See my list of things you can’t miss in Viterbo here. For dinner, my recommendation is to have aperitivo at MAT and then move on to Antica Taverna which has really good and affordable food.

Where to Stay | Inter Artes Prestige House and Luxury Suite, IL RICHIASTRO MEDIEVALE

More things to do | Best Things to Do in Viterbo

Day seven – Viterbo to Rieti

STOPS: Sacro Bosco, Roccantica, Castelnuovo di Farfa, L’Olivo Millenario, Oleari Sabina Bonifazi
TOTAL DRIVING TIME: 3 hours 20 minutes
DISTANCE: 160 km

The first stop of the day is Sacro Bosco just outside of Bomarzo. Inside this forest, about twenty gigantic, imaginative and sometimes scary stone figures hide between trees and bushes. There aren’t many similar parks around so it’s a fun little stop to make. Try to be there around 9am to have the park all to yourself.

Now drive towards Roccantica which is an old and beautiful little village in the middle of the famous Sabina hills. Walk around the small little streets for about half an hour before moving on to lunch.

If this day is either a friday, saturday or sunday you have to visit Ristorante Agrituristico Il Giardino Segreto which serves delicious food. I recommend taking the tasting menu which is something extra. If you are passing by on another day, you should have lunch at Ristorante La Casina nel Parco. 

After lunch you should head towards Castelnuovo di Farfa which is another little village surrounded by rolling hills. This area of Sabina is known for its rolling hills so don’t be surprised by the beautiful views in the upcoming days. Wander around the little village for a while and stop by the Sabina Olive Oil Museum, the abbey of Santa Maria di Farfa and Salustri-Galli Palace. And why don’t you stop for a gelato at one of the gelaterias as well?

Next up on today’s itinerary is the biggest olive tree in Europe called L’Olivo Millenario. This might be an unexpected stop but it is a short one. The tree is actually quite impressive as it is REALLY big. Take one of those really touristy photos and then continue on. If you want you can also visit one of the olive farms nearby to try some of the best olive oil in Italy – Sabina extra virgin olive oil. The one I recommend you stop by is Oleari Sabina Bonifazi. Read more about the famous Sabina olive oil here.

It is now time to drive the last part of today to Rieti. If you want to explore the town a bit, read my post about What to do in Rieti. Book a table at Ristorante da Antonietta, L’Osteria delle Tre Sorelle or Cantina Centro d’Italia for the evening. If you like trying local food, put in an order for Stracci di Antrodoco, Pasta alla Amatriciana, and Pasta alla Gricia which all originate from nearby towns. See my full Lazio food guide here. 

Where to Stay | Hotel&Ristorante Miramonti Palazzo Storico, B & B Beata Colomba

More things to do | Best Things to Do in Rieti

Day eight – Explore around Rieti 

STOPS: Rifugio Angelo Sebastiani, Leonessa, Albaneto, Santuario di Greccio, Greccio, Labro
TOTAL DRIVING TIME: 3 hours 30 minutes
DISTANCE: 156 km 

Today you will explore the surroundings of Rieti, and prepare for a whole day out! Start the morning driving to Rifugio Angelo Sebastiani where you will start a hike to the top of Monte Terminillo. Follow the trail that is marked red and white. When you have reached the top, you can continue to Monte Terminilletto and then walk around back to Monte Terminillo again. Stop at one of the rifugios on the top for lunch, if you want, before ascending again. This loop trail takes around 3 hours. 

Find your car and continue driving on Sella di Leonessa (SP10) until you reach Leonessa. Wander this little village and take some cute photos. If you didn’t have lunch in the mountains this is a good place to have it as well. 

When you are done exploring Leonessa, you can continue to the village of Albaneto. This village is so small that it only has one walking street, but the setting is very scenic so don’t miss it. Capture the street with the mountains in the back in a photo and then head towards Santuario di Greccio to admire the interesting building built into the cliff. You can also explore the town of Greccio which is supposed to be one of the most beautiful in the region. 

For dinner, you should book a table at Osteria Enoteca Boccondivino in Labro. The restaurant doesn’t open until 19 so if you have some spare time, be sure to walk around the cute village of Labro or visit the lake of Piediluco. 

Where to Stay | Hotel&Ristorante Miramonti Palazzo Storico, B & B Beata Colomba

More things to do | Best Things to Do in Rieti

Day nine – Rieti to Gaeta

STOPS: Santuario del Sacro Speco, Piglio, Azienda Vitivinicola Petrucca e Vela, Anagni
TOTAL DRIVING TIME: 4 hours 20 minutes
DISTANCE: 220 km

Today it is time to head to the coast. Yes, Lazio has a long stretch of coast and on this road trip, we will spend some days soaking up the sun. Start your day quite early as the total driving time of today is around 4 hours. 

The first stop on the drive is Santuario del Sacro Speco which is a sanctuary built into a cliffside. The appearance and architecture of this place is really cool, and so is the decoration inside. 

Next stop is the town of Piglio which is famous for its Cesanese del Piglio wine. Visit the Azienda Vitivinicola Petrucca e Vela where you can taste some of the wine but also buy a bottle or two. 

Next up is Anagni which is another cute little town in Italy. Stroll around and have some lunch at La Piazzetta Ristorante Enoteca Affittacamere and maybe a gelato afterward. Peter Pan has a really good one. I love the name of that gelateria. 

Continue on to Gaeta where you will spend your evening tonight. This town is only 15 minutes from Formia, where you will take a ferry tomorrow morning. Check in to your accommodation, head to Serapo beach if you want, and have a slow afternoon. Also, explore Grotta del Turco when you are close to the beach. Find more information about this place here.

For the evening, explore the Castello Angioino-Aragonese on your way to Radio Bottega where you will have aperitivo. Continue on to Mare Fritto…e isole comprese and order to share a cuppetiello misto which is a cup of fried seafood. Now, when you have had aperitivo and a starter, sit down at Ristorante La Salute and order some main courses, preferably seafood. 

Where to Stay | Residence Annunziata, Clori Gaeta

More things to do | Top 7 Things to Do in Gaeta

Day ten – Gaeta to Ponza

STOPS: Chiaia di Luna beach, Il Pescatore, Cala Feola, Piscine Naturali, Cala Fonte, Spiaggia Giancos
TOTAL DRIVING TIME: 1 hour 10 minutes
DISTANCE: 28 km

The ferry to Ponza leaves at 8 am in the morning so get up early, put on your bikini, pack a smaller bag of your necessities for two to three days and make your way to Formias ferry port. As driving in Ponza can be a true hassle the best option is to leave the car in Formia. Book parking ahead at ParkinGo which is situated only 5 minutes from the port. The prices for surveillance at this place is good compared to other parking spots around. Two and a half days will cost you around 30€. The price for the ferry return ticket is around 100€ for two people. 

When arriving at Ponza at 10.30 am, see if you already can check in to your accommodation or at least leave your luggage there. If your accommodation is located in the northern part of the island, head to Noleggio Giancos Di Gianluca Coppola where you can hire a scooter for two days. This place has the best prices on the island and the owner is really friendly and kindly gives you tips about places and restaurants to visit on the island. If your accommodation is located in Ponza town, I still suggest you hire a scooter for two days as there are restaurants outside of town that might be worth visiting and you will also have more freedom to visit more beautiful beaches. 

One thing you need to do while in Ponza is to go on a boat tour or do your own boat tour. You actually don’t need a license to drive the boats around Ponza so if you feel confident and up for navigating the island, you should definitely try it out. If you are more the type that wants to lean back and chill there are also many boat tours you can take. See my tips on where to rent a boat here. 

Depending on if you can find a boat tour for later this afternoon, tomorrow will be the day you will explore the island with the scooter. If you only can find a boat tour for tomorrow, you can explore the island today. You can book your boat tour in advance at GetYourGuide.

Since we missed the boat tour today we will take the opportunity to explore the island by scooter instead. Start with the viewpoint of Chiaia di Luna beach to see one of the most beautiful views of the island. 

Stop by Cala Feola, where you can lie down until hungry, and then visit Il Pescatore for a delicious lunch. Move along to Piscine Naturali, Cala Fonte, and Spiaggia Giancos during the afternoon, and stay and relax at the beaches that appeal to you the most. Find more stunning beaches here.

This little island has many good restaurants to choose from. Try Il Melograno for aperitivo and then book one of Il Porticciolo, Ristorante L’Aragosta, Ristorante Eea, Il Pizzicotto, and Gamberi&Capperi for the evening. 

Where to Stay | Piccolo Hotel Luisa, Domus Ɫ Ponza SeaView

More things to do | Best Things to Do in Ponza

Day eleven – Explore Ponza

STOPS: Port of Ponza, Punto Panoramico su Punta della Guardia, Il Tramonto
TOTAL DRIVING TIME: 30 minutes
DISTANCE: 11 km

Today is the day of the boat excursion. If you chose the boat tour I recommended, it leaves at 10.30 am so there is no time to waste in the morning. Go to the meeting point and then enjoy 5 hours of swimming and admiring the beautiful coastline of Ponza. 

If you would rather want to explore the island in your own boat, pick one up at the port of Santa Maria. Make sure you stop by the most beautiful beaches in Ponza. See my top beaches in Ponza here.

When you are back at the port again, you have some spare time in the afternoon. My suggestion would be to hike to Punto Panoramico su Punta della Guardia which is a stunning viewpoint over the southern tip of the island. The drive there is only 5 minutes from Ponza but the hike might be around 1,5 hours. 

Book a table at Il Tramonto for dinner. This restaurant might have one of the best views over the island and especially during sunset. Enjoy the stunning view and some amazing food. 

Where to Stay | Piccolo Hotel Luisa, Domus Ɫ Ponza SeaView

More things to do | Best Beaches in Ponza

Day twelve – Ponza to Sperlonga

STOPS: Lido 300 Gradini
TOTAL DRIVING TIME: 30 minutes
DISTANCE: 20 km

It is now time to leave Ponza. It was a short but sweet visit. The ferry back to the mainland will depart at 11.45 am so enjoy your last morning of island life. Pack your things, check out from your accommodation and return the scooter that has enriched this little getaway. Stop by a bakery to buy something to eat for the ferry if you don’t want to wait until 13.45. 

When you arrive in Formia, go and find your car and head towards Lido 300 Gradini, which is a nice beach located a bit outside of Gaeta. Walk down the 300 steps that the beach is named after and relax in the sun for a while.

After an hour or two, depending on how much you like spending time by the sea, move along towards Sperlonga. Find your accommodation and enjoy an afternoon exploring Sperlonga. Check out what you need to do in the city in my blog post Best Things to do in Sperlonga.

Book a table at Ristorante Gli Archi or Da Martini sul Ponte for dinner.

Where to Stay | Sperlonga Paradise Central Loft, Sperlonga Sul Mare

More things to do | Best Things to Do in Sperlonga

Day thirteen – Sperlonga to Castel Gandolfo

STOPS: Picco di Circe, Lungomare di Sabaudia, Ariccia, Nemi, Panorama dal Monte Cavo, Rocca di Papa, Frascati
TOTAL DRIVING TIME: 3 hours 50 minutes
DISTANCE: 174 km

Start quite early today as there are some grounds to be covered. First head towards Picco di Circe which is a viewpoint overlooking Lungomare di Sabaudia, which is a thin stretch of land surrounded by water, and it is filled with beaches. I have never seen anything like it. It’s a little hike to get to the viewpoint but it is for sure worth it. Enjoy the views for a while and then drive towards Lungomare di Sabaudia and stop for some beach time if you feel like it. 

Try to make it to Ariccia for lunch as there is a special treat you will want to try there. Ariccia is known for its Porchetta, which is pork that is seasoned, rolled up, and roasted for four or more hours to get a crispy and crunchy skin. The method of cooking porchetta is an ancient tradition in Ariccia and the technique has been passed down over generations. Porchetta made in this town is shipped all over the world. Go to Fraschetta Osteria Dar Vignarolo for a really good and generous meal where you can get a big chunk of Porchetta as an appetizer. 

This area that you are in now, is called Castelli Romani and it is really beautiful, so visit some different sites and villages like Nemi, a stunning viewpoint of Panorama dal Monte Cavo, Rocca di Papa and Frascati before you settle into your accommodation for the night in Castel Gandolfo. See my guide of what to do in Castelli Romani here. 

This is your last night in Italy so if you want to splurge on your last night, book a table at Ristorante Pagnanelli. If you want to go to a more affordable place, visit Lo Spuntino or Ristorante Bucci which also has beautiful views and delicious food. 

Where to Stay | Wave Home 2, Hotel Castel Gandolfo

More things to do | Top 5 Things To Do In Castel Gandolfo

Day fourteen – Departure day

STOPS: Gelateria Torce
TOTAL DRIVING TIME: 1 hour
DISTANCE: 51 km

It is unfortunately time to leave Italy today. Depending on when you have to be at the airport, which is around 30 minutes from Castel Gandolfo, you can have breakfast and/or lunch. If you have time, do a little exploring around town. Read this post for some inspiration on what you can do in Castel Gandolfo.

One final stop you don’t want to miss before the airport is Gelateria Torce, which is supposed to have one of the best gelatos in Rome (or the outskirts of it at least). And I think that is the best way to say goodbye to Italy for this time.

Remember that you should try to return the car around 2,5 hours before your flight departs if you don’t wanna run across the airport in stress. See more of my tips on what to think about when returning your rental car in Italy here.

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Wow! What a road trip! So many beautiful places you have seen, and so much good food you have eaten. After completing this road trip i hope you can agree with those saying Lazio is the crown jewel of Italy. I do agree!

For additional information about Lazio, read the below articles:
Top 10 Things to Do in Lazio
Lazio Food Guide

To find other road trip itineraries in Italy, click here.

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