Why visit Frascati

Located some 20 kilometers southeast of Rome, Frascati is not just a fine daytrip idea, but its plethora of attractions could recommend the city as a whole vacation destination. It’s true the total number of sights is not as overpowering as it is the case with the eternal city, but there are a handful of villas, gardens, museums and places of worship that could keep tourists busy for several days. Also notable is the fact Frascati is the place where the superb white Frascati wine is produced, which is not of little significance for visitors interested in the oenological opportunities of the region they visit.

Frascati is known for its villas, chiefly built by the popes, cardinals and Roman aristocrats as a sign of wealth, power and status, most of them constructed as from the 16th century until more recent times, which is why Frascati is part of the so-called Castelli Romani. Especially notable are the early 17th century Villa Torlonia and its wide gardens (lush greenery and spectacular fountains), the late 16th century Villa Aldobrandini (notable for its stunning facade and for the views it allows towards Rome), Villa Rufinella (once owned by Lucien Bonaparte), Villa Falconieri (with its blinding white facade) and the surrounding gardens, the late 16th century Villa Lancellotti and its exquisite courtyard (now a public park), as well as the neighboring Villa Mondragone and Villa Vecchia. Most of these villas are in excellent state of preservation (the ones damaged in time were duly restored with original construction materials and closely following the original designs), but plenty of them are not opened to the public, since they are home to sundry associations and institutes.

Tourists can also visit the Ethiopian Museum and the Archeological Museum, and they can take a closer look at the late 16th century Cathedral of Saint Peter the Apostle, at the Bishop’s Castle and at the late 16th century Church of Gesu. While in Frascati, tourists can also head for the neighboring Grottaferrata (some two kilometers from Frascati) and visit the 11th century Abbey of Santa Maria di Grottaferrata.

How to get from Rome to Frascati

From Rome to Frascati, a train trip takes about 30 minutes. Please visit Trenitalia in order to learn about the train schedule, terminals and ticket prices. The buses operated by COTRAL are a further alternative in terms of public means of getting from the capital to Frascati. Visit COTRAL in order to learn more about this connection. Finally, the regional trams within the metropolitan network of ATAC can be taken into account. Please visit ATAC in order to learn details about the tram schedule, terminals and intermediary stations.