Beyond Rome
The Castelli Romani: the back story
The back story
About The Castelli Romani: the back story
The Castelli Romani are the towns of the Alban Hills south-east of Rome: Frascati with its villas and white wine, Castel Gandolfo above Lake Albano, and Ariccia. The local tourism portal is visitcastelliromani.it.
Getting there
By regional train from Roma Termini to Frascati or Castel Gandolfo, or by car.
The towns
Frascati and the Villa Aldobrandini; Castel Gandolfo above Lake Albano; Ariccia.
Regional trains run from Termini to Frascati and to Castel Gandolfo.
Lunch
Cacciani and Pasqualina in Frascati and Antico Ristorante Pagnanelli in Castel Gandolfo are in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide selection; Sintesi in Ariccia holds One Star.
Our advice: try the local white wine with lunch.
Why it's on our list
- Getting there
- The towns
- Lunch
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with The Castelli Romani: the back story before you go.
What’s nearby
Distances from The Castelli Romani: the back story are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 14 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Key sights
- The Colosseum18 kmCar or taxi 65 min
- The Trevi Fountain19 kmCar or taxi 69 min
- Galleria Borghese20 kmCar or taxi 70 min
- The Pantheon20 kmCar or taxi 70 min
- The Spanish Steps20 kmCar or taxi 70 min
- Piazza Navona20 kmCar or taxi 71 min
- St Peter’s21 kmCar or taxi 77 min
- The Vatican Museums22 kmCar or taxi 77 min
- Fiumicino Airport38 kmCar or taxi 130 min
Main railway stations
- Roma Tiburtina17 kmCar or taxi 61 min
- Roma Ostiense18 kmCar or taxi 64 min
- Roma Termini18 kmCar or taxi 65 min
- Roma Trastevere19 kmCar or taxi 69 min
- Roma San Pietro21 kmCar or taxi 75 min