We came here as an optional day trip on our Trafalgar tour. Our guide was very knowledgable about the villa and it's history. I simply can't imagine the obscene amount of wealth it must have taken to build this villa. The gardens and fountains are absolutely breathtaking. The fountains are gravity fed so that the farther down you go among the gardens, the higher the water sprays. Definitely worth the day trip as the villa is amazing and Tivoli is a great little town. read more

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Gorgeous old villa and gardens with multiple beautiful fountains. If you like gardens, i think you'll love this place, especially in the spring! You walk through the beautiful palace rooms first, then go down to the beautiful gardens below. Comments are available in both Italian and English. A couple of things to note: 1) there are drinking water fountains and clean, free restrooms (and a small cafe) at the site. 2) lots of walking and oodles of steps. 3) there's a cool outdoor water fountain organ that plays every couple of hours. 4) our mapping program gave us the wrong entrance info; if you are walking there, I suggest you double check with a local to make sure you are going the right way ( there are several gates, but all but the one entrance gate are closed). Be warned: There are 2 lines to get in. One (on the left) for those with pre-paid tickets, and another long line on the right side for those that need to buy their tickets there. If you've already bought your tickets online, go up to the front and ask the cashier if you can skip the line if you've already paid. We unnecessarily waited a long time on a very hot day because some random rude tour guide thought it would be funny to give us the wrong info that we had to wait in line even if we had a ticket already. Don't forget your camera; the photo ops are amazing! read more

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I recently took the virtual tour of Villa d'Este, and WOW, what an unexpectedly amazing experience. I have been doing quite a few virtual tours lately of historic sites, but this one really stood out. I had seen photos of the gardens and fountains, but the tour just brought everything to life in a whole new way. This walkthrough went super smoothly right from the start and was a breeze to follow. The interior of the villa is less spacious than I imagined it would be, but the detail captured by the tour is incredible. You can zoom in on the artwork, the frescoes, and all the little architectural touches that might get missed in person. Having the information pop right up onto the screen makes it feel like a self-guided visit to a museum without even needing the audio gear. But it was with the gardens that the virtual tour really shines: the different levels, the fountains, the symmetry, the statues. it was all so wonderfully framed, and it really felt like I was standing there due to the camera angles. The panning out into the panoramic view opened toward the city honestly, took me by surprise. It was peaceful and surreal, even through a screen. I enjoyed, more than anything, the ability to stop, turn around, backtrack, and meander about at will. This allowed me to take a good look at the lay of the land and all the minute features without hurrying. All in all, this virtual tour exceeded every expectation: it made me even more excited to visit in person one day, but until then, it was the perfect way to experience such a gorgeous historic site from my home. Highly recommend if you're looking for a relaxing, beautiful, and incredibly detailed virtual escape! read more

By train or by car, Villa d'Este is a day trip out of Rome ... and well worth it. The palace apartments are Renaissance masterpieces -- some finished, some unfinished. Step back, look up, and admire the vaulted ceilings and frescoes. As impressive are the rooms of the palace, more so are the Tivoli Gardens with over 50 fountains. My favorites are Fontana dell'Ovato (The Oval Fountain) and Cento Fontane (The Hundred Fountains). Three hours is not enough time to do justice to the Villa and Gardens. read more

Villa d'Este - Fountain of Venus - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Tivoli, RM

The villa d'este is definitely worth a day trip out of Rome! Beautiful architecture and even more beautiful gardens. Some things to consider- 1) the inside of the villa functions like an art museum, and they brought in paintings that depict some more recent history of Italy. We thought that this was a cool addition to the older art painted on the walls and ceilings of the villa. 2) if you are an EU citizen and under 26, you can receive a pretty large student discount (a 13€ discount when we went). Be sure to take advantage and bring your student ID If this applies to you! Be prepared for lots of walking- the garden especially has a lot of stairs. Overall, I think this is worth your time, though I was slightly more impressed by the parco villa gregoriana with its beautiful waterfalls and hikes. Be sure to check that out as well if you are cut out for even more walking and stair-climbing. I think Tivoli has something for everyone! read more

Villa d'Este - The waterfall outside of the villa. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Tivoli, RM

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I explored Villa d'Este through a virtual tour, and it looked amazing. The gardens are full of fountains, trees, and statues that make the place feel calm and beautiful. Every path has something interesting to see, and the design looks really fancy and well thought out. You can tell a lot of care went into creating every part of it. Even though I wasn't actually there, it still felt special and relaxing to look at. The mix of water, plants, and old buildings made it seem like a peaceful and magical place that would be incredible to visit in real life. read more

I don't usually drop two reviews in one day, but the tour was on the same day, so pls allow me to indulge. Part due (two) of the day tour fr Rome. VdE is further up the hill in Tivoli, and is a site to behold. It is over 500 yrs old and has Renaissance & Baroque ceilings. Only recently it was discovered that the villa was built on top of 2,000 yr old ruins. The foregoing practice of building new over old, was a very common practice over history. There are tiles from Villa Adriana that originated fr Greece (blue), Egypt (red) and Turkey (yellow). However, the main attraction of the villa is the 500+ fountains that operate via gravity w/ no pumps: It is an engineering marvel! One of the walls has over 100 fountains. Additionally, @ 2:30 pm the water is synched to play a Renaissance song. This was a good way to end our tour. The grounds are tranquil, and the site is impressive. I liked how our tour combined the two villas. Similar to how VdE has some parts of Villa Adriana, that ties the two sites together. read more

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I have to say that while we were somewhat underwhelmed by the Villa itself compared to the many stunning palaces in Italy and elsewhere in Europe, the landscaped gardens ands fountains were absolutely stunning. The fact that these beautiful gardens and their insanely creative fountains and charming water features were designed and implemented over 500 years ago is impressive! Together with Villa Adriana, a visit is a great day trip from Rome! Take the Rome metro to the Tivoli bus. read more

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I am catching up on my reviews. Very behind. If your planning a trip to Rome, Italy and love fountains, flowers and art, I would recommend a day trip. I am looking to go another time, we went when it was in the high 90's, would Like to go again when the weather is Alittle cooler, but we had a blast. They have 500 fountains (which was my favorite) so relaxing to just watch them. Beautiful flowers , statues and a museum inside. The Villa d'Este is a 16th-century villa in Tivoli, near Rome, famous for its terraced hillside Italian Renaissance garden and especially for its profusion of fountains. It is now an Italian state museum, and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. read more

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I took the virtual Tivoli tour. It was a breath taking attraction. ALthough didnt do so in person, I was amazed at the combination of art and overlooking views. It really amazed me at the haven feel it gave. I really loved seeing the authentic art, especially the Pegasus water fountain. Another thing I liked a lot was how there was enough space on the paved walkways for people to get around. Another cool thing was how the plants and trees grown really took place within the spot that it was in. The beauty that surrounds the site is really quite breathtaking. A very refreshing view and atmosphere as it combines natural art with physical ones from long ago. read more

Wow! What a beautiful monument and an even more beautiful time yesterday at this musr see villa in Tivoli! This villa is well preserved and has so many different areas to check out. I recommend getting here about an hour before 4:30 or 16:30 as at the organ fountain an organ literally opens open up front the foundation and plays music. It is a great sight to see and experience. The history, oppulance, and wonder are just breathtaking. It is difficult to imagine that this place was built at first for one man, but it was and it nothing short of spectacular!!! Definitely do not sleep on visiting this amazing spot! read more

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Magnificent palace and impressive garden. Worth trip to Tívoli for this alone. Rent the audio guide for your tour at 5 Euros. Great picture taking opportunities with your significant other! read more

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If you're in Rome or Plan a trip here, you have to plan a trip to Villa d'Este in Tivoli. It's about an our away from Roma. This Villa is Spectacular! Make sure to have your phone/camera with you. You'll enjoy a tour through the mansion (with or without a guide). Then when you go outside, the magic begins. The beautifully maintained grounds with manicured gardens and beautiful fountains are a must see. I suggest not doing a tour as the guides don't spend as much time at the areas you actually want to spend more time in. The property is too big for you to go back to the area you wanted to take more pictures of or just to sit and take it all in. Make sure to have insect repellent on if you're prone to being bitten. If you have walking difficulties, this may not be the best option as the grounds were built before there were wheelchair ramps. There's a lift that take you up and down the bottom of the mansion but getting around on the grounds are difficult. read more

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I was only able to go through a virtual tour, but what I saw was amazing. If you are unable to make it in person I would highly recommend the virtual. it doesn't capture the real thing but it is close enough. I added the picture of a plaza because I think its really cool. I really like the hall of green facing toward a fountain. I think that is all cool. There are lots of really cool fountains and trees around. read more

Villa d'Este - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Tivoli, RM

Beautiful walk around the gardens. Be prepared to walk! I'm a bigger guy but made it through.

Came here two weeks ago for an amazing visit. I was in Rome for two days and wanted to venture out as Ive been to Rome several times. I looked up on Yelp and Google hidden gems nearby and this was one of the top choices. The pictures all looked beautiful and I was hoping it would live up to expectations. Now if you want to get there on a budget I would suggest the train. However the day we went all the train times were sold out till evening so we decided to take a taxi instead, which cost €50. The ride during the second half of the drive was beautiful as we were going up a mountain and could see such stunning landscape. Once we got to the main square the taxi dropped us off due to the last little bit needing to walk to. Upon entering we paid the fee and chose not to get the headphone option. Be prepared that they only accept cash here. We first were directed to the bathrooms and then went on our way to explore. The inside of the villa is a bit small yet remarkably beautiful. There are two floors and a lot of artwork and stunning decor to admire. Each room has information posted on the wall so the headphones weren't really necessary as we were able to read everything ourselves. From some of the windows we were able to see the view outside to the gardens which we were so excited to check out next! The gardens have so many levels and you can easily spend several hours there. There are numerous beautiful statues all depicting different things. Lots of fountains and water which add to the gorgeous scenery. The view from the edge of the garden overlooking the entire city is surreal. I took some time to rest and reflect on the landscape. Such a great visit and the villa was far more beautiful than I could have ever imagined! Pictures truly don't do it justice. I can't wait to return here again in the future. read more

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When in Rome, venture out to the nearby countryside if you can spare a day OR a night or two. The villa was built by a cardinal who wanted to be pontiff and was a five time papal candidate but was blocked from ascendency. The history here is wonderful, the town is off the beaten path and very nice. We stayed a couple of nights. 45 or so minutes from Rome - take the leap. Enjoy the singing fountains at the villa. Don't look that up though, let it be a pleasant surprise. read more

Villa d'Este was more than I ever imagined. The expansive Italian gardens filled with sculptures, fountains, grottos, and beautiful flowers and plants was magical. Pack comfortable walking shoes. There are cobblestones and slick stone steps everywhere. Also, pack a water bottle to refill. You can stay hydrated with the natural spring water fountains. The paintings and frescos in the Villa d'Este palace where absolutely stunning! They only accept cash for the entry fee. Villa d'Este is a treasure and is protected by UNESCO. read more

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Beautiful water gardens, very picturesque!! But far from Rome! I love fountains!!! I loved going here but that being said I have been traveling to Rome for quite some time and I never grow weary of it. So if you've seen everything you can in Rome and want a peaceful day out, this is beautiful. I fear people who are just going to Italy for the first time or trying to see too much, should wait until you've seen everything in Rome because after you throw your coins in the Trevi Fountain you will return and then you can see day trips like this one! read more

One of two major attraction in a small town of Tivoli. Fantasy water fountains everywhere. The main water fountain with two large rectangular pools is quite a sight to behold. The garden is quite huge, prepare to spent at least two hours. Recommend to arrange transport ahead of time before you reach the town. The attraction opens at 2 p.m, grab a lunch nearby town. read more

Villa d'Este - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Tivoli, RM

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I have been here twice, both times on a tour. It is a fun place, with a large magnificent garden and a landscape covered in small fountains (and a few large ones) all fed through gravity from a nearby aqueduct. It is obviously the work of a wealthy mad genius. Look for the many goblin faces spitting water. This tour is often combined with the tour of nearby Hadrian's Villa... which is also worth while. But beware - they will stick you in more than one overpriced tourist chotchky shop where your guide will get a kickback. read more

I scheduled this tour with Viator TripAdvisor Co. I booked at 3am online and it says it offers Free hotel pick up (however catch the fine print) you must book 24 hours in advance and your hotel must be within a certain radius so I suggest you call and confirm if you need this service. The Villa is AMAZING but can be very overwhelming. I'm here in March. The pros/ no long lines and crowds to block that picture perfect shot. Cons/ these tours have some serious Hills very steep stairs and in the rain very slippery. As an avid fitness guru I still found myself quite out of breathe but I was rushing to get back to the meeting point. Lol. I would not suggest this without a guided tour but it's your personal taste. This would be in my top 3 things to see here in Rome read more

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We booked this tour with Viator and we were not disappointed at all. This was amazing. If you want to know what a glimpse of heaven is like, come and see this site. ancient carved stones, beautiful waterfalls of all sizes, gardens filled with colorful flowers, and breathtaking views. Words cant express the beauty that surrounds this site. TIPS Use a tour company because the site is about an hour away. There are drinking fountains and restrooms here. There is an organ playing church which plays certain times in the day. Its quite an experience. read more

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The history of this place is awesome. A large garden with intricate fountains going from top to bottom is the simplest way to put it but there is much more to it than that. It rest on what seemed to be a large hill or mountain side with a water source at the top flowing down passing through each fountain there. The architecture of this place is insane and makes you feel real small and insignificant in a sense Lol. It wasn't really crowded at all when I visited possibly because it is kinda hidden away. It was about a 2 hour drive from central Roma. There is plenty of activity going on outside though in the square a few yards from the entrance. Regular commuters and the sort. There are a lot of tourist stands and small gelato and quick food spots as well that are reasonably priced due to being away from the central part of Rome. The area it's in is called Tivoli and its all worth checking out if your in Rome. read more

This is one of the coolest places I've ever been. A must see if visiting the area. The fountains are beautiful, the grounds are very well maintained and there are plaques explaining each area in several languages. At 8 euro per adult it's also an exceptional value. read more

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TOUR WAS GOOD BUT DO NOT BOOK USING FLORENCETOWN TOURS!! We booked this tour through our travel agent months in advance. The tour is titled "Private-Rome: Tivoli and its gorgeous Villas (5hr)" by Florencetown Tours. The detailed description from them includes the statement, "Total duration 5 hours". Well guess again. The actual tour is only two and a half hours, which is exactly half that amount of time. The tour itself was interesting and we enjoyed it. Our guide said several times that there were more interesting things we would see if we just had more time. We had no idea at those points that the tour would end halfway through the time we paid to be there, or we would have said something then. There was another problem with the tour that was far worse than the fact we were charged full price for a half of a tour. The driver who picked us up and drove us back to Rome was talking on his cell phone and texting continuously while driving. He did not use a Bluetooth device while talking and had his eyes on his phone in his lap while texting. We found this very unsafe and totally unacceptable. We should have made him let us out of the car and caught a cab when this started. Our travel agent contacted Florencetown Tours about these issues and their response was that 2 hours of the 5 hours tour is for driving us to and from Tivioli Gardens. There are two problems with that...it was not disclosed or included in the description and it only took 45 minutes each way, not one hour. And that ignores the fact the 3-hour tour ended after 2 and a half hours. If you are going to sell a 5-hour tour that is not 5 hours of touring, then wouldn't a reputable company disclose that information?? We might have chosen another tour had we known this in advance. Florencetown Tours response about the driver talking and texting while driving is that he had to take one phone call while driving. That is just not true, or even close to the truth. In hindsight I should have taken video of the driver engaging in ongoing texting and brought it to the attention of the department that regulates commercial drivers in Italy. It was that egregious. Go to Villa d' Este, but I strongly recommend against using this company for tours and my wife and I will certainly not use them when we return to Italy in the future. read more

Awesome fountains all over the villa with a huge garden and great views. The only downside is that the restaurant/bar is permanently closed. The only drink you can get is from the wending machine that accepts only coins and there's no place to get a change. The tickets are 27 euros and they accept cash only. read more

Villa d'Este - No explanation needed - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Tivoli, RM

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If you are into architecture this is a great place for you to visit. These 16th-century statues are well preserved and have a great mixture of historical sculptures and gardens. My favorite part was the Trivoli fountain because the Romans used gravity from the steam to make it. read more

The fountains and grounds are beautiful. The house itself isn't well preserved at all. The thing that made it perfect for me is the amount of peonies growing on the grounds. Perfection! read more

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Villa d'Este was absolutely spectacular! The Italian gardens were packed full of history and stunning views of the Tivoli. There is plenty to see, including impressive water fountains, greenery and stunning architecture. My favorite part was how the water features tell stories, including the stories of Greek Gods and Goddesses, along with the rivalry between Rome and Tivoli. I also loved how the gardens are made up of many levels, making it easy to spend many hours roaming. Overall, Villa d'Este is a definite must see. read more

The villa d'Este was absolutely gorgeous. At least from the online virtual tour, I took it was. The gardens and the architecture were amazing, as were the fountains. I loved all the little things you could discover and the amazing attention to detail that was displayed. Unfortunately, even with a virtual tour, it was pretty crowded, and while beautiful grounds like this are usually meant to be shared, when you actually go to visit, I recommend finding a less busy time. read more

I took the full day Tivoli tour through Viator to Hadrian's Villa and Vlla d'Este. It has by far been my favourite attraction thus far in Italy. Seeing the sites in Rome is wonderful, but it is also very refreshing to get away from the touristy hustle and bustle, and see some of the countryside surrounding the city. Our tour guide through Enjoy Rome was fantastic, and it was a small group of 7 which gave the tour a very personal feel. I would recommend this tour to anyone visiting Rome - it is well worth it! read more

Beautiful villa in the town of tivoli , about a hour from rome. Totally worth the trip. I was so impressed by the water fountains and the gardens. Is truly a one of a kind place with breathtaking views. It was def one of the highlights of my trip. read more

Pleasant but not spectacular. Be mindful that you will encounter a lot of steps and hills throughout. Longwood Gardens in the Pennsylvania in the US is significantly better. read more

Villa D' Este was a sight to behold! Tucked away in the city of Tivoli, this beautiful well kept Villa is an homage to the history that Rome has to offer! From the beautiful architecture, to the radiant green landscape this piece of history is one you must see if you were to come to this marvelous city. Locate just an hour from Roma you can tour the whole villa and see so many beautiful things including countless gravity driven fountains as you cascade down cobble stone paths dating back thousands of years! My personal favorite was the Rometta fountain, this large fountain packed so much meaning and history into such a simple and very well preserved piece of art. From Remus and Romulus to the tiberian Island this single fountain gave me chills. I highly recommend a visit here, the only downside is with all the workers roaming around there was a little to much clutter and debris spread throughout like in the Pegasus fountain broken tree branches where floating and leaning on the statue. Aside from that this is one place I hope to visit again! read more

Amazing!Forget the Colosseum or the Whitehouse in D.C,Here you will see the real meaning of power and wealth.Go on a summer day and bring earplugs for the annoying groups of school children.lol read more