The wine country and hill towns south of Rome

Southeast of Rome, across the Colli Albani (Alban Hills), lies one of the most beloved escapes for a day in the countryside: the Castelli Romani / Roman Castles, the hill towns south of Rome. A cluster of villages overlooking volcanic lakes, set among vineyards and woodland, famous for wine, porchetta (slow-roasted pork), historic villas and the cool mountain air. Long the summer retreat of Romans and popes alike, the Castelli serve up nature, food, wine and art less than an hour from the city: the perfect outing for anyone who wants to discover the most authentic side of Lazio.

Which towns make up the Castelli Romani

The Castelli Romani take in a string of towns, each with its own character:

  • Frascati, the unofficial capital of wine and the Tusculan villas.
  • Castel Gandolfo, the papal residence overlooking Lake Albano / Lago Albano.
  • Ariccia, home of porchetta and its monumental bridge.
  • Nemi, the wild-strawberry village above the lake of the same name.
  • Grottaferrata, Marino, Albano, Genzano, Rocca di Papa and more.

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What to see and do

  • Taste Frascati wine in the wineries and the fraschette (traditional wine taverns).
  • Explore Frascati and its Tusculan villas.
  • Take in Lake Albano / Lago Albano from Castel Gandolfo.
  • Sample the porchetta of Ariccia.
  • Stroll through Nemi and along its lake.

We dig deeper into Frascati in our guide on what to see in Frascati, into the wine in Frascati wine and the wineries of the Castelli, and into Castel Gandolfo in Castel Gandolfo and Lake Albano.

Getting there and planning your trip

The Castelli are reachable from Rome by train, bus or, far more comfortably, with a private driver. For the details see how to get to the Castelli Romani. For the bigger picture of the day, see also a day trip to the Castelli Romani from Rome.

Frequently asked questions

What are the Castelli Romani? A cluster of villages in the Colli Albani (Alban Hills), southeast of Rome, famous for wine, porchetta, volcanic lakes and historic villas: a classic day trip from Rome.

Which villages should I visit? Frascati (wine and villas), Castel Gandolfo (Lake Albano, papal residence), Ariccia (porchetta), Nemi (wild strawberries and the lake), plus Grottaferrata, Marino, Albano and others.

Why are they famous for wine? The volcanic hills of the Castelli, Frascati in particular, produce renowned white wines (Frascati DOC), best enjoyed in the wineries and the classic fraschette.

How far are they from Rome? Less than an hour: the ideal destination for a day trip, whether by train, bus or with a private driver.

Can you see several villages in one day? Yes. With a little planning (and ideally a private driver), Frascati, Castel Gandolfo, Ariccia and Nemi combine easily into a single day.

Read also

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Article #574 · Category: Day Trips · Updated: May 2026