Tivoli's waterfall park

Beyond the famous Hadrian's Villa and Villa d'Este, Tivoli hides a third gem that most visitors overlook: Villa Gregoriana, a spectacular nature park set above a deep gorge and crowned by the majestic Great Waterfall (Grande Cascata) of the Aniene. Run by the FAI (Italy's National Trust), it's a place where nature, archaeology and Romanticism come together: trails winding through greenery, grottoes, waterfalls and, at the top, ancient Roman temples. It's the perfect choice for anyone after a different kind of day trip from Rome, deep in nature.

The history: a creation of Pope Gregory XVI

Villa Gregoriana was born in 1835 at the wish of Pope Gregory XVI, after a disastrous flood of the Aniene. To protect Tivoli, the river was diverted through a tunnel, creating the spectacular man-made Great Waterfall. A Romantic park was laid out around the gorge, with panoramic trails linking waterfalls, grottoes and the remains of Tivoli's ancient acropolis. A masterpiece of engineering and landscape design in one.

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What to see

  • The Great Waterfall of the Aniene, about 120 m high.
  • The grottoes along the gorge (Neptune's Grotto, Grotto of the Sirens).
  • The Temple of the Sibyl (and the Temple of Vesta) on the acropolis.
  • The panoramic trails wrapped in lush vegetation.

We go deeper in the guide on what to see at Villa Gregoriana and in the article on the Great Waterfall.

Tickets and how to get there

Villa Gregoriana requires a ticket (managed by the FAI). For opening hours and practical details, see the guide Villa Gregoriana: tickets and hours. To reach it from Rome, check how to get to Villa Gregoriana.

The three villas of Tivoli

Villa Gregoriana pairs perfectly with Tivoli's two other great villas for an unforgettable day outside Rome: see the guides to Hadrian's Villa and Villa d'Este.

Frequently asked questions

What is Villa Gregoriana? A Romantic nature park in Tivoli, set above a gorge with the Great Waterfall of the Aniene and run by the FAI: it brings together nature, waterfalls, grottoes and ancient Roman temples.

Who created it? Pope Gregory XVI, in 1835, by diverting the river Aniene after a flood: that's how the man-made Great Waterfall and the Romantic park came to be.

Does it pair well with Hadrian's Villa and Villa d'Este? Yes: Tivoli's three villas (Hadrian's, d'Este and Gregoriana) make a perfect day outside Rome, ideal with a private driver.

What is there to see at Villa Gregoriana? The Great Waterfall, the grottoes along the gorge, the Temple of the Sibyl on the acropolis and the panoramic trails surrounded by greenery.

How do you get there from Rome? By Cotral bus, regional train or, far more comfortably, with a private driver for a round-trip day out. See the dedicated guide.

Read also

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Article #569 · Category: Day Trips · Updated: May 2026