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Lake Albano

Lake Albano: Our most recommended tours and activities

Pope’s Summer Residence Tour with Lunch

1. Pope’s Summer Residence Tour with Lunch

Enjoy a unique half-day tour from Rome that will take you to the lovely town of Castel Gandolfo where you will visit the Papal Palace and its stunning landscaped gardens. Castel Gandolfo, built on the site of the legendary ancient settlement of Alba Longa, is one of Italy’s most picturesque towns and has been home to the Papal summer retreat since 1596. Situated in the Regional Park of the Castelli Romani, it enjoys splendid views over the beautiful Lake Albano, which you will be able to admire from the grounds of the Apostolic Palace. On this tour, you will be able to explore the up-to-now hidden gems of this glorious private residence with an audio-guide in the language of your choice. Following this, you will have the opportunity to see the gorgeously manicured Barberini Gardens and the impressive ruins of Emperor Domitian’s villa, before enjoying a lunch prepared with fresh produce from the palace farm! If you have not already done so, you will have the chance to add a tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica with your fantastic guide onto your experience, in which case, upon your return to Rome, you will be dropped off right outside the Vatican.

Rome: Papal Summer Residence Half-Day Trip

2. Rome: Papal Summer Residence Half-Day Trip

Take a tour of the Apostolic Palace, stroll through the Barberini Gardens, and walk in the footsteps of the pope himself on this thrilling half-day trip. After meeting your host near Termini Station, a train will take you to Castel Gandolfo, where you’ll transfer to a comfortable open-roofed bus. Enjoy the Barberini Gardens for an hour while the audio guide explains the interesting details of the area. You’ll be fascinated by the sense of history and grandeur as you pass through this historical must-see. Take in the breathtaking views of the picturesque Lake Albano – and be sure to take lots of photos. From there, you’ll step into the impressive Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Pope. Take your time to enjoy this world of pure artistic beauty. Visit the luxurious papal apartments, see the gallery of the papal portraits, the extensive Vatican Library, and much more!  An absolute must-do for any visitor to the area.

Rome: Hop-on and Hop-off Tour of Castelli Romani

3. Rome: Hop-on and Hop-off Tour of Castelli Romani

Visit this history-packed region near Rome with 2 separate hop-on hop-off lines that stop at the Roman castles scattered across the Tusculum area or Alban Hills. Enjoy flexibility, see famous villas, castles, and palaces, and marvel at the Castel Gandolfo Lake. Choose between a ticket for Line 1 or Line 2 or get both and spend your weekend exploring the ruins outside Rome. Board your bus at the meeting point in Rome and head out into the countryside, hopping off and back on again until you catch the bus back to the city in the evening. Leave Rome on Saturday with Line 1 and visit several of the more prominent towns, starting with Frascati, and continuing to Grottaferrata, Marino, Castel Gandolfo, and the Castel Gandolfo Lake. Travel around the region on Sunday on Line 2 to see Albano Laziale, Ariccia, Genzano, Lanuvio, Nemi, and Castel Gandolfo. When you board, receive a €20 voucher to spend at local restaurants or use it to enter the attractions you stop at. As you ride through the countryside, learn about the sights you see from the live commentary onboard. 

From Rome: Via Sacra Romana and Lakes Hiking Tour with Pasta

4. From Rome: Via Sacra Romana and Lakes Hiking Tour with Pasta

We use our minivan to pick you up at the Anagnina underground station in Rome, we do it so that the journey itself to the Castelli Romani can unite us and let us enter a unique atmosphere, of preparation for something special. We will arrive after about twenty-five minutes in the town of Hannibal's fields so called because it was here that the famous Carthaginian general decided to establish his camp in order to admire the city of Rome from above. After about one hundred meters from the beginning of the route, the paved road will give way to a Roman paving dating back to the seventh century BC, the route known as via sacra has been one of the main communication routes of the place for centuries and owes its name due to the fact that it must have been used to reach the temple dedicated to the deity of Jupiter from Lazio, considered the most important place of worship in the pre-Roman era. After about an hour of walking immersed in the history and nature of the Castelli Romani park, a panorama opens up before our eyes that will leave you breathless, from this wonderful view you can embrace the entire naturalistic area of the Castelli Romani including the two enchanting lakes where we guides grew up practicing the sport of kayaking. After having taken the right time to let ourselves be lulled by this enchanting panorama, we will begin the descent that will take us back to the starting point, from which with a short journey of a few minutes we will reach a cute restaurant on the shores of Lake Albano, where we will eat a typical Roman pasta dish of your choice With full bellies and a smile we will take you back to Rome to the Anagnina station. During the summer, due to the excessive heat we will do this night tour in the moonlight with headlights, and we will stop to eat a typical Roman aperitif instead of pasta.

Rome: Private Appian Way & Albano Lake Full-Day E-Bike Tour

5. Rome: Private Appian Way & Albano Lake Full-Day E-Bike Tour

Escape the hustle and bustle of central Rome for a full-day mountain bike tour in the surrounding countryside and follow a route through pristine nature and landscapes that have inspired some of Italy’s best known artists. The moderately difficult 50-kilometer route will take you past some of Rome’s most historic sites, such as Trajan's Baths, the Ninfeum of Egeria, Villa dei Quintilli and Caracalla’s Baths. Departing from near the Colosseum, bike through Caffarella Park to the Aqueduct Park, named after the historic aqueducts that run through this part of the Appian Way regional park. Because of its idyllic ambiance, Aqueduct Park is often used as a film location. Take the train from Capanelle to Castel Gandolfo, before hopping on your mountain bike to explore the surroundings of Lake Albano. Stop at a local restaurant with a wonderful view of the water and relax as you enjoy a traditional lunch of Italian cuisine. Lake Albano is also known as Castel Gandolfo Lake, after the castle and the Pope’s summer residence that overlooks the lake. After lunch, head back to Rome, cycling a nice descent to set you up for the Appia Antica. Relive the glory days of the Roman Empire as you bike along cobblestone streets that date back 2,300 years. Pass ancient tombs and ruins from the Roman Republic.

Other Sightseeing Options in Lake Albano

Want to discover all there is to do in Lake Albano? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Lake Albano

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 45 reviews

Very good organization of the event. I had a modification of the program. There was a problem with the coach transport from Rome to Castel Gandolfo. The office additionally (outside the program) organized a visit to the Vatican Museum and transport by a special train from the Vatican station, which was a great experience. I highly recommend the trip. The Palace and gardens are worth seeing.

This was a wonderful tour of Gandalf’s Estates. We had no idea of the beautiful gardens and views from the area. And lunch was delicious and such an honor in life to have visited there.

I always wanted to visit Castel Gandolfo, this program fulfilled my expectation. In the town there are small restaurants where you can eat well. Thanks.

Wonderful and impressive tour to Castel Gandolfo followed by a very tasty and extensive lunch.

Bus was clean and comfortable Activity was well organized Only disappointment was the lunch