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Lazio is a wonderful region situated in the middle of Italy and it’s a land full of charm and mystery. This region has a splendid coastline, alpine mountain valley, mystery forests, and picturesque little villages scattered around. With the more famous neighbors like Tuscany and Umbria, Lazio has fewer tourists and is waiting to be discovered. Many tourists visit the region’s biggest gem Rome but never venture out of the city. In this post, I will try to talk you into doing that, cause otherwise, you will miss a chance of discovering the true Italy. Continue reading to find out the best things to do in Lazio, Italy!

10 unmissable things to do in Lazio

1. Explore the many sides of Rome

Although there is more to Lazio than Rome, it is still a fantastic start to a trip to Lazio. The capital of Italy has everything you would need for a good holiday. Ancient history and ruins, quaint little squares and alleyways, beautiful architecture, and delicious food. Rome is the perfect destination for a long weekend getaway but you will also be able to spend a week in this enchanting city without getting bored. There is just so much to do and so much to see!

Don’t miss out on visiting one of the seven wonders of the world – the Colosseum – and do also plan a visit to the smallest country in the world, which is housed inside of Rome’s city walls – the Vatican City. See more things to do in Rome here. And don’t leave the city without trying a supplí and fried artichoke which are the specialties of this capital. See more specialties to eat in Rome here. It’s very rare that a tourist leaves Rome feeling disappointed so book your weekend now!

I have the perfect 4-day Itinerary For Rome so you don’t have to spend a minute planning, but will have the most amazing time ever! Read it here.

2. Go back in time in Civita di Bagnoregio

In the north of Lazio, just on the border to Umbria, lies the town of Civita di Bagnoregio. It is famous as the Dying City as it is situated on a hill that is constantly evaporating and as recently as 2015, medieval properties have fallen into the ravine below. This town is only reachable by walking the Devil’s Bridge which is a small bridge that takes you over the ravine. The village is almost depopulated now because of its destiny, but the town actually hosts festivals and around 800,000 tourists visit this stunning town annually, so it’s far from dead in real life.

This place really has a charm and the view from the start of the bridge is something special. There are also some beautiful views to be seen from the village and don’t miss walking around the small little alleyways that seem to have stopped in time some hundred years ago. This town is a must-visit when you are in the region!

3. Taste Sabina Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Many tourists have never heard about this olive oil but the truth is that Sabina extra virgin olive oil is probably one of the most renowned olive oils in Italy. This oil is only made in the Sabina hills that are located between Rome and Rieti. This olive oil is a single-varietal or a combination of the ancient local cultivars and the entire production process must be carried out in Lazio. An olive farm I recommend visiting is Oleari Sabina Bonifazi which is located near San Pietro. You can also visit the oldest olive tree in Europe in the near distance!

4. Hike to the top of Monte Terminillo 

Monte Terminillo is the highest mountain in the region of Lazio but is only 2,217 meters high, which is not an overwhelming amount for the not-so-experienced hiker. Situated fairly close to Rome, only about 100 kilometers away, this mountain is famous as the “mountain of Rome” and it is a famous destination for many Romans in both summer and winter. The views you can get from the top of the mountain are stunning and if you want to explore some nature during a trip hiking Monte Terminillo is something you should highly consider. It is actually one of the most stunning hiking routes that Central Italy has to offer.

You can either start your hike at Pian de’ Valli or at Rifugio Sebastiani. My suggestion is that you start from Rifugio Sebastiani, where you can park your car, and hike to Monte Terminillo’s summit, continue on towards Vetta Sassetelli, and then back again. Follow route number 3 and expect it to take around 2,5 hours to finish.

5. Beach hop on the island of Ponza

Ponza is quite a small island located in the Tyrrhenian Sea midway between Rome and Naples. This little island is a true dream during summer with translucent water, 40 km of rugged coastline with coves, beaches, and limestone cliffs overlooking the sea. And there is loads of delicious fresh seafood! The island is mostly visited by Italians which gives it a truly local feel. Ponza is very laid-back and the best thing to do on this island is to relax while enjoying the sun and sea. Definitely do a boat tour around the island and watch the sunset at the Chaia de Luna Beach viewpoint. Going to Ponza is for sure one of the best things to do in Lazio, Italy.

I have a full guide on the top things to do in Ponza, read it here! Also, see my guide for the best swimming spots on the island!

6. Eat Porchetta di Ariccia from the original town of Ariccia 

The town of 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 in generations. The little factory in Ariccia produces this delicacy in high volumes and sends it to many parts of Europe. Fraschetta Osteria Dar Vignarolo is an old institution in Ariccia that serves this meat. Porchetta is often served as an appetizer and it is supposed to be served cold. If you can’t make it to Ariccia, you can also try this delicacy at several sandwich shops in Rome. Be sure though that it comes from Ariccia and not Umbria, which also produces this delicacy. 

Read more about the food of Lazio here.

7. Take a bath in a hot spring near Viterbo

The hot springs around Viterbo have been known by Italians for a long time and they are said to have healing powers. The water can vary between 40 to 58 degrees and you can find many locals chilling out here after a day at work or between classes at university. There are several different facilities around Viterbo, some of them are free and other ones are more of a high-end spa resort. Depending on what your style is, you can find one that suits you. The most famous one is Il Bagnaccio, which is located just a few kilometers outside of Viterbo. 

Read my 2-Week Lazio Road Trip Itinerary for more tips on where to take a bath in a hot spring.

8. Admire the Sacro Speco of Subiaco

This impressive stone building is a monastery dedicated to San Benedetto di Subiaco, who was a monk living isolated for three years in a cave. The monastery is carved into the rock which gives it a unique character and the location on top of the mountain gives impressive views of the town of Subiaco. The building is really impressive as it was built 1000 years ago and the good condition of it makes it a joyful experience walking around the grounds. If you are catholic or even if you just fancy architecture and impressive buildings this monastery is definitely worth visiting when spending some time in Lazio.

9. Wander around the Sacred Wood of Bomarzo

The Sacred Wood of Bomarzo, also known as Sacro Bosco, is an exhibition that gives people contrasting emotions. This forest is filled with gigantic sculptures representing monsters, mythological figures, and heroes, which is certainly nothing I have ever seen before. It was built in the 16th century by Pier Francesco ‘Vicino’ Orsini with help of architect Pirro Ligoria and the park is dedicated to Pier’s wife Giulia Farnese. It lies on the foot of the Orsini castle and the park was abandoned to the elements after Pier’s death until Salvador Dalí visited it in 1948. Since being rediscovered, many artists have tried to understand what Orsini attempted to communicate through his bizarre creation, but there is still no clear answer to that question. This is certainly one of the most unique attractions in Lazio.

10. Explore the area of Castelli Romani 

The area of Castelli Romani is a perfect day trip out of Rome, situated less than an hour away. The Castelli Romani is a series of charming hill towns dotted around the landscape of the Colli Albani, or Alban Hills as they are also called. The Alban Hills are a volcanic landscape where two volcanoes used to lay and the craters have now resulted in two crater lakes and towns have been built on top of the crater rims. The best towns in the area that you need to visit are Frascati, Castel Gandolfo, Ariccia and Nemi. There are also some more things to do there, see this post to find out what.

Need some help planning the day? Book a guided tour to Frascati!

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Doesn’t Lazio seem like a fun region to visit? You really get a little bit of everything and that is my favorite kind of trip! If you are interested, I have a post explaining The Perfect 2-Week Lazio Road Trip Itinerary in the region. Check it out here.

Find more inspiration about this region below:
10 Most Beautiful Hilltop Villages In Lazio
Top 7 Things To Do In Gaeta
Best Things To Do In Rieti
Lazio Food Guide