Top Things to do in Tivoli
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The 10 Best Things to Do in Tivoli, Italy
Discover the best top things to do in Tivoli, Italy including Villa d'Este, Parco Villa Gregoriana, Villa Adriana, Tempio della Sibilla, Chiesa di San Francesco, Cattedrale di San Lorenzo, Rocca Pia, Ponte Gregoriano, Chiesa di San Silvestro, Chiesa di San Biagio.
Restaurants in Tivoli
1. Villa d'Este
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Started by architect and historian, Pirro Liggori in 1549, for Cardinal Ippolito dEste, this famous villa estate is one of the finest examples of Renaissance residence and garden architecture and design.
Reviewed By sjhHove - Hove
This gorgeous villa has the most beautiful and extraordinary garden full of magnificent Fountains, pools and grottoes. The Gardens step down on terraces with each level providing another vista. Everything is beautifully looked after with the added pleasure at the moment of numerous pots of spring flowers. All the Fountains were working when we visited except the organ Fountain which is only switched on at specific times. Check at the ticket desk. You access the garden through the wonderful 16th century villa with exquisitely painted and decorated walls and ceilings. There are toilets, a small shop and machines to get drinks and snacks. Highly recommended, but there are a lot of steps.
2. Parco Villa Gregoriana
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Colin D
Absolutely beautiful place, well worth a visit. This has been amazingly and carefully restored and well thought out. It is well signposted and the staff are knowledgeable and helpful. The walk isn't for people with poor mobility as it involves a lot of steps up and down, but we found it a great afternoon out. Followed up by food and drink in one of Tivolis cobbled streets restaurants makes for a very pleasant outing.
3. Villa Adriana
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
This is an exceptional complex of classical buildings built in the 2nd century AD by the Roman Emperor Hadrian, which reproduces the best elements of the cultures of Egypt, Greece and Rome in the form of an "ideal city."
Reviewed By CzarEmmanuel - Manila, Philippines
Villa Adriana (or Hadrian's Villa) is one of the main tourist destinations in Tivoli, Italy. It was built in the 2nd century by Emperor Hadrian (after whom the place was named). Of the 120 hectares occupied by the villa, only about 40 hectares are open to the public. Inside you'll see some ruins of the imperial residence itself, some Gardens with Fountains, thermal baths, marble flooring and statues, etc. A visit to the place gives you a concrete idea of how luxurious the lifestyle of the Roman emperors was (particularly that of Hadrian) and the architectural mastery visible in the works of art and structures with which they had wanted to replete their residence at that time. Too bad this place was looted and stripped of its glorious past on many occasions in the past. Many masterpieces taken from the villa are now on display in various museums worldwide! At any rate, the villa was real masterpiece. Absolutely worth-visiting!
4. Tempio della Sibilla
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 201 reviews
Reviewed By KTGP - Adelaide, Australia
There are two temples side by side, the Round Temple and the Rectangular Temple. No-one knows who they are dedicated to, with experts suggesting the following possibilities for both temples - Albunea the Tiburtine Sybil, Hercules, Vesta and Tiburnus.
The Round Temple was built around 100BC. Originally there were 18 columns but only 10 remain. During the Middle Ages it was converted into a church, Santa Maria della Rotonda, nothing remains of the church, due to restoration in the 19th century. Although the name is unlcear, it is commonly referred to as Temple of Vesta and Temple of Sybil. Sir John Soane was so impressed with this temple, when he designed the Bank of England, London, this was used as inspiration, sadly not much remains of the bank but a portion with columns and capitals can be seen on “Tivoli Corner”, (intersection of Lothbury St & Princes St).
The Rectangular Temple built around 150BC, is referred to as Temple of the Sybil and Temple of Tiburnus. During the Middle Ages this was converted into a church, San Giorgio, nothing remains of the church, due to 19th century restoration.
It is easy to see why artists and architects, have been inspired by the charming Temple of Vesta/Sybil, sitting perched up high with great views over the town, it does make a pretty picture. Shame there is a restaurant so close to the temple, seeing one side of it requires weaving in out of tables and chairs, which is fine if there are no patrons. Dates of temples are from information board at the site.
5. Chiesa di San Francesco
Overall Ratings
4 based on 54 reviews
Reviewed By 0Odisseus - London, United Kingdom
Unassuming exterior but some lovely art work inside. Church now a lively community under the guide of Mexican Monks, not at all the expected museum feeling to it. Unfortunately organ disregarded during Mass in favour of sad guitar and "happy-clappy" singing.
6. Cattedrale di San Lorenzo
Overall Ratings
4 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By olive c - Cape Town, South Africa
this Cathedral is located next to the "Mensa ponder aria" (weights and measures bench and is renowned for it's beautiful Romanesque Bell Tower which is 45 m high...The Church contains three masterpieces: the "Wooden group of the Deposition of Christ on the Cross", 13th century: the "Silver Case", 15th century; and, the "Trittico del Salvatore_Triptych of the Redeemer" dating from the 12th century.......beautiful, quiet church, well worth a visit.
7. Rocca Pia
Overall Ratings
4 based on 55 reviews
Reviewed By Brun066 - Florence, Italy
This castle is a splendid example of military architecture of the fifteenth century. It owes its name to Pope Pius II, the "humanist pope", creator among other things of newly built city of Pienza (Tuscany).
Pius II wanted to build this castle as a functional structure, and together to give a sign, to the city and the territory, regarding the power who ruled them.
It's worth noting that during the construction, despite the pope's renowned humanism, the near Roman Amphitheater was almost razed to the ground, so that didn't constitute a base from which to attack the castle.
The building lately, and until the middle of last century, was used as a prison, so inside probably little remains interesting to see.
I say "probably", because the castle isn't currently open to visits. As I understand it, after finishing the expensive renovations, the municipality is unable to organize the management of it and open it.
Therefore my high rating refers only to the beauty of the castle from the outside, certainly not at all to its management.
8. Ponte Gregoriano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By olive c - Cape Town, South Africa
This bridge is magnificent...with views upwards towards Tivoli and across to such scenic beauty it is difficult to drag yourself away...terrific
9. Chiesa di San Silvestro
Overall Ratings
4 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By asgana - Tuscany, Italy
Suggestiva questa antica chiesetta sulla via principale che attraversa il paese vecchio,nella parte bassa.
Cattura l'attenzione l'esterno,con la caratteristica piazzetta con fontana,la facciata romanica col piccolo campanile e il sagrato,e all'interno notevole l'affresco dell'abside e il soffitto.
A pochi passi da lì non perdetevi la casa gotica.
10. Chiesa di San Biagio
Overall Ratings
4 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By LUeMAXIMILIAN - Roma
La chiesa nell'insieme non è brutta, anche se le campane sistemate in quel modo non la rendono esteticamente piacevole.
Una visita vale la pena.
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