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The Towns

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Located only 20km (10 miles) southeast of Rome, the Castelli Romani is collectively comprised of 16 small towns spread throughout the verdant Colli Albani (Albano hills). Since ancient times, the noblemen of Rome would come for its fresher climate during summer, a tradition followed by the Popes who still have a summer residence in Castel Gandolfo. The name Castelli Romani dates back to the 14th century and derives from the castles or noble palazzi  the Roman feudal families established in the area.  

Today Romans descend in droves to the towns for their vast cultural, archaeological and gastronomical offerings.  Picturesque towns cultivate traditions and hold vibrant feasts with pleasant landscapes as a backdrop. The most famous borghi are Frascati, Nemi and Castel Gandolfo, but there is so much more to be discovered in each of these 16 culturally rich and charming villages.

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A Baroque Time Capsule: Palazzo Chigi
Towns, castelli-romani, museum, ariccia, palazzo-chigi-in-ariccia, palazzo-chigi, baroque, baroque-residence, gian-lorenzo-bernini,

A Baroque Time Capsule: Palazzo Chigi

Nina Farrell

16/12/2025 09:08 AM

Palazzo Chigi in Ariccia represents a unique example of a Baroque residence that has remained unchanged over the centuries.

Frascati: Majestic Villas & Baroque Churches in a Picturesque Hilltop Village
Towns, frascati,

Frascati: Majestic Villas & Baroque Churches in a Picturesque Hilltop Village

Nina Farrell

28/11/2025 06:26 PM

A guide to Frascati’s villas, Baroque beauty, local flavors, and must-see stops in Rome’s favorite hillside escape.

Discover Colonna: Murals, History & Hidden Beauty
Towns, day-trip-from-rome, colonna,

Discover Colonna: Murals, History & Hidden Beauty

Nina Farrell

18/11/2025 10:53 AM

A tiny hilltown with giant stories—murals, history, and heart. Discover the hidden charm of Colonna, the smallest village in the Castelli Romani.

Top 5 Places to Admire Fall Folliage in the Castelli Romani
Nature, day-trip-from-rome, genzano-di-roma, frascati, nemi, castelli-romani, monte-cavo, olmata, autumn, fall, autumn-in-the-castelli-romani, tuscolo, pratone-di-vivaro, le-piagge,

Top 5 Places to Admire Fall Folliage in the Castelli Romani

Nina Farrell

03/11/2025 08:17 AM

Parks, woods and towns: 5 places to admire autumn foliage in the Castelli Romani

Step Into History: The Ultimate Hike from Frascati to the Tuscolo Cross
Nature, frascati, walking, walking-trails, 501-cai, croce-di-tuscolo-,

Step Into History: The Ultimate Hike from Frascati to the Tuscolo Cross

Nina Farrell

31/10/2025 11:31 AM

A 2.5-hour round-trip hike that features history, nature, and culture all in one trail.

Jacobini Wine: Reviving a 400-Year Family Legacy in the Castelli Romani
Food and Wine, wine, jacobini, vino,

Jacobini Wine: Reviving a 400-Year Family Legacy in the Castelli Romani

Nina Farrell

25/07/2025 10:27 AM

Bringing Jacobini Wine back to life, Alessandro and I reconnected with ithe family's winemaking roots.

Sagra delle Fragole in Nemi
Food and Wine, nemi, castelli-romani, strawberry-festival, sagra-delle-fragole,

Sagra delle Fragole in Nemi

Nina Farrell

28/05/2025 04:49 PM

The annual Sagra delle Fragole in Nemi celebrates its legendary strawberries with food, music, and local tradition in a charming lakeside setting.

Guide to Visiting Lago di Nemi: Nature, Myths & Lakeside Adventures
Nature, day-trip-from-rome, genzano-di-roma, lago-di-nemi, lake-nemi, family, free, nature, walking, nemi, castelli-romani, what-to-do-in-the-castelli-romani, ristorante-la-fiocina,

Guide to Visiting Lago di Nemi: Nature, Myths & Lakeside Adventures

Nina Farrell

08/04/2025 04:57 PM

Lake Nemi is one of the most beautiful places in the Castelli. Here is how to visit and what to do.

Olive Harvest 2024: A Resourceful (and Slightly Lazy) Path to Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Food and Wine, olive-oil, extra-virgin-olive-oil, olive-harvest, exchange,

Olive Harvest 2024: A Resourceful (and Slightly Lazy) Path to Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Nina Farrell

11/12/2024 10:59 AM

By partnering with a skilled farmer, I finally harvested my homegrown olives, turning what once felt like an exhausting task into an efficient collaboration.

La Pentima della Vecchiaccia
Nature, day-trip-from-rome, lake-albano, lago-albano, castel-gandolfo, la-pentima-della-vecchiaccia, pentima, lago-di-castel-gandolfo,

La Pentima della Vecchiaccia

Nina Farrell

07/11/2024 12:15 PM

This stunning overlook provides one of the best views of Lake Albano and comes with its own thrills and legends.

Mysteries Unearthed: Exploring the Hidden History Beneath Us
Towns, wine-tour, history, grotte, tunnels, underground, castelliromani,

Mysteries Unearthed: Exploring the Hidden History Beneath Us

Nina Farrell

31/10/2024 10:09 AM

Just steps away from our family’s Palazzo Jacobini in Genzano di Roma, lies an entrance where you can descend into a vast network of underground tunnels, whi

Capodiferro: Fish Restaurant and Lake Views in Genzano
Food and Wine, castelliromani-genzanodiroma-restuarant-lakenemi-lakesiderestuarant, capodiferro, lakenemi, lake-restaurant,

Capodiferro: Fish Restaurant and Lake Views in Genzano

Nina Farrell

15/09/2024 08:17 AM

An upscale, romantic fish restaurant in Genzano di Roma offering a 180° unobstructed view over Lake Nemi.

Matrix Centro Canoa Nemi
Nature, lake-nemi, nemi, castelli-romani, day-trip-rome, lake, kayak, matrix, matrix-canoe-center, matrix-centro-canoa,

Matrix Centro Canoa Nemi

Nina Farrell

29/08/2024 11:21 AM

A new Canoe Center has opened on the shores of Lake Nemi on via Perino, marking a new beginning for Lake Nemi.

Apostolic Palace and the Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo
Towns, day-trip-from-rome, castelli-romani, castel-gandolfo, pontifical-villas, apostolic-palace, villa-barberini-gardens, vatican-museums, villa-barberini, villa-cybo, castel-gandolfo-gardens, pontifical-palace,

Apostolic Palace and the Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo

Nina Farrell

26/08/2024 05:09 PM

Visit the Apostolic Palace, the Pope's exclusive summer home and the Papal gardens in Castel Gandolfo while they remain open to the public.

Top things to do with Kids in the Castelli Romani
Kids, Top lists, velletri, family, nemi, albano-laziale, rocca-di-papa, castel-gandolfo, kids, day-trip-rome, day-trip-rome-with-kids, things-to-do-in-the-castelli-romani-with-kids, children,

Top things to do with Kids in the Castelli Romani

Nina Farrell

26/08/2024 05:07 PM

If you are looking for a day trip to the Castelli Romani with kids, here is my family's pick of the best things to do.

Maschio d’Ariano, Acqua Donzella & The Gorge: Connecting the Earth to the Heavens
Nature, day-trip-from-rome, nature, walking, fonte-donzella, maschio-dariano, mount-artemisio, acqua-donzella, fontana-marcaccia, hiking, walking-trails,

Maschio d’Ariano, Acqua Donzella & The Gorge: Connecting the Earth to the Heavens

Nina Farrell

26/08/2024 05:03 PM

A magnificent circular walk, which combines small canyons,  ancient archaeological finds and mysticism.

Best Walk in the Castelli: Genzano to Nemi around the Lake Nemi
Nature, genzano-di-roma, lake-nemi, walking, nemi, castelli-romani, hiking, walking-trails, walk, trekking,

Best Walk in the Castelli: Genzano to Nemi around the Lake Nemi

Nina Farrell

29/04/2024 09:42 AM

The walk from Genzano di Roma to Nemi has much to offer: Two picturesque towns, art, stunning views of the lake, and immersion in nature.

Lazio's Native Grapes Meet Resistant Vines
Food and Wine, velletri, lazio-wines, wines-of-lazio, native-grapes,

Lazio's Native Grapes Meet Resistant Vines

Nina Farrell

05/01/2024 06:24 PM

A masterclass on Lazio's native grapes together with resistant vines highlight Lazio's potential not only to preserve biodiversity and combat grapevine disease

Where to eat in the Castelli Romani
Food and Wine, Top lists, restaurant, genzano-di-roma, velletri, nemi, castel-gandolfo, restaurants, where-to-eat-in-the-castelli-romani, grottaferrata,

Where to eat in the Castelli Romani

Nina Farrell

09/11/2022 11:53 AM

A list of my favorite restaurants and eateries in the Castelli Romani.

Sintesi: Michelin Starred Restaurant In Ariccia
Food and Wine, castelli-romani, ariccia, michelin-star, michelin-restaurant, sintesi, resturant,

Sintesi: Michelin Starred Restaurant In Ariccia

Nina Farrell

09/11/2022 11:38 AM

A far cry from the fraschette of Ariccia, this modern and warm restaurant turns outsfascinating dishes that blend innovation and quality ingredients.

 

 

 

Suggested posts: 

TOP 5 TOWNS TO VISIT IN THE CASTELLI ROMANI 

The Town of Nemi

Exploring Genzano di Roma

 

 

Interested in Archaeology?  
The Sacred Grove in Nemi: The Sanctuary of Diana Nemorensis

Nymphaea in Castel Gandolfo: Part 1 The Doric Nymphaeum

Nymphaea in Castel Gandolfo: Part 2 The Bergantino Nymphaeum

 

 

Interested in Museums & Ville?  

Apostolic Palace and the Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo (Villa Barberini Gardens)

A Baroque Time Capsule: Palazzo Chigi in Ariccia

Villa Falconieri

Albano Laziale's Museum and Monument Network 

My Castelli Romani © 2020-2025. All rights reserved

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