Villa Adriana - Villa D'Este
	Discover the beauty of two of the most incredible villas ever built ...

The old and picturesque town of Tivoli is located just 28 kilometers away from Rome, on the slopes of the Apennine mountains. From the ancient times, the Romans took advantage of Tivoli's mild climate, thermal waters, rich vegetation and proximity to Rome (just a two-hours horse ride away) to spend here their vacations. Roman suburban villas were located in the area since the 1st century BC.

Tivoli's most famous Roman villa is Hadrian's Villa, Emperor Hadrian's refuge from the chaos of the capital. The largest and more luxurious villa of all times covering an area of 300 acres. It was here that Adriano implemented his revolutionary ideas on architecture.

On our tour of the villa, we will lead you through baths and pools, the Imperial Palace and libraries, guesthouse (which features a wonderful mosaic floor) and barracks. All this is framed by wild bushes and olive and pine groves.

Several centuries later in the Renaissance time, another powerful man, Cardinal Ippolito D'Este, Lucrezia Borgia's son, also established his residence in Tivoli, where the Pope had made him governor.

The convent he was assigned to reside did not satisfy his desire to show off the power and wealth of the Este family (public relations!). He therefore commissioned the best Renaissance architects, jewelers and engineers to transform the simple building on a hill slope into the most luxurious villa of his days.

Every single wall inside Villa D'Este is decorated with enchanting paintings. The Italian style gardens with their variety of beautiful water fountains are a splendid example of the art and architecture of the Renaissance. You will meander among hundreds of fountains, waterfalls, grottoes, pools and centenary trees which inspired generations of aristocratic residences in the centuries that followed.

 Photo gallery

 Reservation

Reservation for the Villa's tickets is not required.

 Entrance Fee

Villa Adriana entrance fee is 8 euro.
Villa d'Este entrance fee is 8 euro.
In both villas special exhibitions may be settled in high touristic season, the entrance ticket is increased in that occasions.

 Transportation

The town of Tivoli is not well connected to Rome by means of public transportation and the two villas are not within walking distance one from another.
A private car with a driver is needed.

 Walking difficulty

Villa Adriana is located over a natural terrain and there's a lot to discover walking along the paths that connects the different areas of the great archeological site. nevertheless people with walking difficulties can be led through a easier itinerary that still reveals many of the wonders of the Villa.

Wheelchair travelers can be taken by car over the terrain and have the possibility to enjoy the view of the more significant sites of Adrians Villa.

Villa d'Este is in the town of Tivoli. The Cardinal's palace can be easily visited by both people with walking problems and wheelchair travellers.

The elevator takes to the great panoramic terrace that provides an excellent view over the complex of lower terracements decorated with the gardens and the impressive variety of fountains.

To have a closer look to the diversity of the gardens and fountains, staircases and ramps have to be walked down, and the end of the garden's visit, up again.

 Duration

Minimum lengh is 5 hours to reach the town of Tivoli and to visit the two villas.

The suggestion is to spend a longer time to visit the villas more in detail and to enjoy a typical meal in this pictoresque little town that deserves to be discovered too.

Minimum 5 hours to 8 hours.