Hadrian's Villa

This very valid and interesting archeological site is best appreciated with a local guide ( it is considered to be part of the attractions of Rome so it is possible to get a guide or group tour from Rome). I can’t give it a high vote because each time I go (frequently) there is always something not available ( public toilets at the entrance have been closed for ages, there is only one facility inside near the visitor centre) - the bar may or May mot be open at the entrance and you should enter with water and a snack if you are likely to get hungry as there are no facilities like that once inside the vast complex. Best time to visit in summer is early morning or late afternoon.

Travel time by road is 40-60 mins depending on traffic. Very difficult to reach by other means as it is quite isolated from the town of Tivoli ( about 30 mins from the train station if you could overcome language barriers and try to find a local taxi to take you). Allow 3 hours for a visit, take water! And stop first at the visitor centre once inside the entrance and after a 10 mon climb to the hilltop, to view the fabulous scale model of the estate which Emperor Hadrian designed and landscaped as his hobby, recreating and replicating in scale, corners of the Roman Empire that he loved. You can see the Ospitalia, or guards quarters, with fabulous mosaic paved cubiculae, the “maritime theatre” or private island where Hadrian would retreat to in privacy, his private baths or Heliocamino, 2 other guest bath houses, the hall of the exedrae, his reception areas of the Piazza d’Oro, the hall of the Doric pillars, even where his throne sat at the end of this hall ( if you know what to look for!) the Stadium, his ice box (!) and fresh fish ponds, and the Canopus, only one of his various tricliniums and banquet areas..here you can really feel the “ozium” or the luxury lifestyle of the rich and famous of the day! Imagine for a moment you are he or any of his successors, welcoming visitors to your country estate for a party, a dinner, a soak in the baths. And notice how the entire property was designed in layers so that servants and transportation of goods were always underground or behind walled corridors! Don’t expect to see what I have described in 3-D reality- the villa was pillaged over 4 centuries ago and has supplied many works to the Vatican Museums, but there is also a tiny museum on the property which holds a few worthwhile treasures, next to the Canopus. Usually I recommend a full day in a Tivoli with a lunch break at the Sibilla restaurant overlooking 2 roman temples including the Temple of the Sybil of Tibur and the famous cascades, followed by a fun visit to the 16th century Villa d’Este with its wonderful park and many water features including the water organ which plays at set times daily.