Top Things to do in Lake Maggiore
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10 Things to Do in Lake Maggiore That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Lake Maggiore, Italy including St. Peter's Basilica, Colosseum, Discovery Tours Limousine Service Day Tours, Monastero di San Benedetto - Santuario del Sacro Speco, Bunker Soratte, Palazzo Farnese, Pantheon, Sistine Chapel, Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, Vatican Museums.
Restaurants in Lake Maggiore
1. St. Peter's Basilica
Overall Ratings
5 based on 32 reviews
Arguably one of the finest Cathedrals in the entire world, St. Peter's is the spiritual center of the Vatican and the product of many of Italy's great Renaissance's architects, among them Bramante, Raphael and Michelangelo.
Reviewed By desinerg - Sydney, Australia
Join a tour to avoid ridiculous queues and hours of waiting and get to hear and appreciate the history. The basilica is extraordinary and in some ways grotesque in the grandeur.
2. Colosseum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 117 reviews
Perhaps the best-preserved of the monuments of ancient Rome, this huge marble structure was built to hold more than 50,000 spectators to witness bloody contests of might and the slaughter of wild beasts.
Reviewed By HeidiElizabeth7 - Leeds, United Kingdom
We were lucky enough to be staying in a hotel that was a 5 mins walk from the Colosseum.. because of this we never bothered to prebook tickets or pay for skip-the-line. We walked down to the ticket office at 8am, had a little wonder around and took some photos and then joined the ticket office queue around 8.20. There were probably 50 people in front of us at this time and by 8.30 (the Colosseum opening time) a further 70-80 people now queuing behind us so I would recommend getting there for 8am to avoid the long wait.
The queue for security check moved pretty quickly and we were inside in no time!
This was our second visit, the first being on a guided tour so we had a leisurely walk around this time.
The Colosseum is wonderful, the hoards of tourists can be annoying but you have to expect this. The girls in the ticket office were very friendly and provided any information needed. The staff inside at security were a little more stern but given their job and the hundreds of often rude tourists pushing their way through id be stern too!
The book shop inside is small but reasonably priced. I paid 5e for a Colosseum guide book, 10e for a Forum book and 12.90e for a book on the archaeological sites of Rome. The staff inside were friendly and worked down the queue at the tills fast.
The Colosseum is magnificent. Go and enjoy. Pre book if you cant get there early but if you are able to then arrive for 8am and this should help you avoid the long wait for tickets.
3. Discovery Tours Limousine Service Day Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 147 reviews
Founded by Gilberto Stanzioni in 1995, is a company of licensed professional chauffeurs operating in Rome & all over Italy. Our priority is to provide you with the highest quality of private tours, shore excursions and limousine service, ensuring that you always have a lasting memory of your special days in Italy.
Reviewed By Maria G
We would like to thank Giliberto Stanzioni for perfectly organising our private shore excursion from Civitavecchia to visit Civita di Bagnoreggio and Orvieto. He is very polite , punctual and knowledgable and his car was spacious, clean and fully air-conditioned. Tour was very well organised so well worth money we spent . Definitely recommend Discovery Touring & Limousie service for anyone having Civitavecchia as a port of call or whilst visiting Rome. Thank you Gilberto...... alla prossima.
4. Monastero di San Benedetto - Santuario del Sacro Speco
Overall Ratings
5 based on 759 reviews
Reviewed By CzarEmmanuel - Manila, Philippines
This is where Saint Benedict lived for three years as a hermit in a small cave before he founded monasteries. People visit this place to visit his cave (called the "sacro speco") as well as the monastery itself. It has some mosaics and frescoes dating back to 13th century, an "Old Chapter Room", an "upper" and a "lower" church, a chapel carved out of a cave, a monastery, a rose garden, etc. You'll also find here the oldest picture of St. Francis painted when the Saint was still alive.
A visit to this place is both interesting and edifying. It gives you a glimpse into the beginning of monasticism in Europe, the simplicity of hermit lifestyle, etc. It is one place pilgrims should visit at least once in their lifetime. Highly recommended!
5. Bunker Soratte
Overall Ratings
5 based on 293 reviews
Reviewed By Francesco_Finucci - Rome, Italy
I've known about this place for a long time, but I never visited it. The work made in few years by the association of volunteers managing this bunker is simply amazing. The history of this bunker has been brought to light in less than five years, and through research carried on internationally and with so much passion that you can't help supporting what's happening there.
Although being led by a staff not involved in military studies, the visit offers a powerful insight of both bunker's technology and the history of people living and working there. Moreover, it moves inside the very chronicle of the World War II, as well as the Cold War. Indeed, the military authority managing this bunker has been Italian, but also German and American: the headquarter of the German contingent in Rome (led by Kesselring) was there, but following the end of the war NATO intervened, transforming it in the shield for the head of State, in case of a nuclear attack on Rome.
Bunker Soratte definitely worth a visit, but there is much more to enjoy. Indeed, it's set in the beautiful environment of the mount Soratte - leaving the bunker you'll find yourself in front of a considerable panoramic viewpoint.
Tips: the "Roma Nord" Railways reach the station near Sant'Oreste, a small town near the mount. Nevertheless, the best way to arrive there is by car.
6. Palazzo Farnese
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By ESP2006 - West Midlands
On the edge of the pretty town of Caprarola about an hour's drive north from Rome lies the imposing Palazzo/Villa Farnese (not to be confused with Farnesina and also Farnese Gardens in Rome itself). For a very reasonable €8 each (cash payment only - concessions available) you get access to this imposing pentagonal 16thC building in which there are simply amazing wall and ceiling paintings/frescoes that attest to the wealth of its former owners. There are a couple of ground floor rooms to see (as well as ticket office and restrooms), but the real sights begin with the central courtyard and then the staircase up – wow!
On the upper floor there are several rooms along the tour route that have you gawking at the skills of the artists and the wealth required to hire them. There is very little in the way of furnishings: the principal focus is the combination of architecture and artwork. Adding more would detract from the grandeur of the artwork.
Photography is allowed (no flash or tripod). You can join a guided tour if you want but I don’t know about cost or languages spoken. Take as much or as little time as you want taking in the grandeur even where damaged by time. Avoid getting a crick in the neck by taking time to admire the wood or stone of the different floors.
As you walk round you can read up on the rooms at information posts. If you don't spend ages admiring every detail and Reading every word of information, the interiors are easily worth 1 hour of your time. We set aside a further 45 mins to an hour to admire the Gardens.
The only real disappointment for us: the Gardens. On the day of our visit access was limited to a relatively small area, although there is clearly a much greater expanse beyond. We didn’t have time to investigate on the day but thought it was maybe possible to visit from another nearby location or at other times – I now see that we missed out simply by visiting on a Public Holiday when they close the Gardens for some reason (staff taking a holiday maybe!?) At the time we joked that it was a shame that Villa Lante and Villa Farnese were not combined into one site with the best of both worlds! So, pick your visit carefully - you may miss out on the full package if you don't check.
Closed Mondays. Open from 8.30am to 7.30pm (last entry at 6.45pm)
Parking is not recommended in front of the main Villa access (there’s a 30 mins limit) but up the hill to the left there is a free car park that gets shade for most of the morning due to the large building next to it.
A small café/bar lies very conveniently just across the road to the right from the main gate – very reasonably priced.
Caprarola is another of those little towns it is simply very pleasant to take a stroll around and breathe in the provincial atmosphere. It’s quiet and picturesque as long as you turn a blind eye to the inevitable trappings of modern life.
In the local area are woodland walks and the Lago di Vico to add to your itinerary for the day.
7. Pantheon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 62 reviews
Dedicated to the seven planetary divinities and featuring an interior of gorgeous marble, the Pantheon is one of the most impressive monuments of Augustan Rome.
Reviewed By Concierge3725 - Manila, Philippines
Pantheon falls under the category of must see in Rome. The architecture is superb and the the dome inside the temple must be one of the most photographed items. The arts displayed here are exquisite and elaborate and this attraction can be very crowded since the entrance fee is free. It is such a beautiful building structure to behold.
8. Sistine Chapel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
Probably the most famous chapel in the world because of its incredible artwork, notably "The Last Judgment," Michelangelo's stunning fresco covering 10,000 square feet of the ceiling and wall.
Reviewed By Grant I
Beautiful ceiling and awesome paintings. You are constantly pushing next to people while the Vatican security guards are yelling silence and stand up. It is funny to see all the f-yous that Michelangelo put into his works, towards people that made him mad.
9. Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
One of seven pilgrimage basilicas in the world, this church was founded in 432 AD and is where the famous architect Bernini is buried.
Reviewed By randomtravler2016 - Los Angeles, California
I titled this Jesus Crib because the relics of his baby Crib are in a wonderful receiver under the main altar. What can't be beat for this visit are the incredible frescos and gold ceiling.
This church is a few short blocks from the Termini station for the metro and easy to get to and is free. You will have your bag searched so allow 15 minutes to get through security.
This is a must-see.
10. Vatican Museums
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
With more than five miles of corridors, this vast complex of museums chronicles the history and accomplishments of mankind over the last 2000 years, featuring classic masterpieces such as Rodin's "Thinker" and the Sistine Chapel.
Reviewed By FionaTidd - Rochester, United Kingdom
Lots of museum galleries with various collections of sculpture, art and artefacts. Ticket includes entry to Sistine chapel, which is at the far end of the buildings, so if that’s your main interest you may want to move through the museums fairly quickly. Many of the galleries are beautifully decorated, especially ceilings, so remember to look up as well as at the objects on display. Rafael rooms and Borgia apartments near the Sistine chapel have stunning frescos.
Cafe in the courtyard of the pine cone is a good place for a coffee and cake stop.
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