What do I do when Rome gets too crowded and I know there is no way I would enjoy a stroll in the city center? I take a day trip! With my family, we love our day trips from Rome. We take them as moments of peace, quiet, and serenity, all while sightseeing and discovering another side of the important history of Rome and its empire.
A day trip we all enjoyed was to see the Etruscan necropolises of Tarquinia and Cerveteri. Even though both Etruscan graveyards and not far from each other, they actually look very different.
If you are using public transport (train + bus), you will probably manage to visit either Tarquinia or Cerveteri, unless you plan very well and leave your hotel very early in the morning. We drove so we could see both archaeological sites and the fantastic museum in Cerveteri.
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Tarquinia and Cerveteri day trip from Rome – Discover the Etruscan culture
Since they are close to each other and offer a different glimpse into the Etruscan culture, I suggest visiting them both.
To do so, you will either have to rent a car or book a tour to take you there. This one by Scoot Around Rome is the best one I know that includes both sites.
Both Tarquinia and Cerveteri, UNESCO sites since 2004, are fantastic destinations if you are looking for a cultural trip but in total relaxation. You will be learning new things but without the rush and crowds of Rome’s Centro Storico.
We adored our visits to both Tarquinia and Cerveteri because it was a soothing trip where also my 5-year-old son loved walking around and discovering the tombs and learning about Etruscans’ beliefs about the afterlife.
Here is what you can expect on a day trip to Tarquinia and Cerveteri from Rome. We have also included our videos to give you a glimpse of the places so that you can better decide if it’s an experience you would like to have.
Day trip from Rome to Tarquinia
I have recently read that yet another frescoed tomb has been discovered in Tarquinia and they are currently finishing up the excavation, the studies, and building a little “home” for it to protect it from the weathering agents, and exposition to sun, rain, and visitors!
This is very exciting news, and if you go to Tarquinia you will understand why.
As soon as you enter the archaeological park of Tarquinia’s Necropoli dei Monterozzi, you will find yourself in a vast green park dotted with little houses. Each of them was built on top of an underground tomb that you can reach by climbing down a small staircase.
Once at the bottom, you can turn on the switch and the whole tomb will be lit up to be viewed and admired.
In the park, there are also benches if you need to take a break as well as restrooms.
Check out our video to see what to expect in Tarquinia!
Day trip from Rome to Cerveteri
Cerveteri is also home to an ancient Etruscan cemetery known as Necropoli della Banditaccia, but here, the tombs are different.
They are not frescoed like the ones in Tarquinia but they are larger and feature more simple and basic underground chambers.
To see some of them, you need to climb down, while to reach others, you will need to climb up the provided staircases. In Cerveteri, you can actually enter some of the tombs.
Cerveteri, too, is presented with a vast green park where you can wander around. You will be able to enjoy a true, relaxing stroll in the park while sightseeing and learning about an ancient civilization at the gates of Rome that greatly influenced the same Roman civilization for centuries.
The Necropolis of the Banditaccia in Cerveteri is one of the largest of the ancient world and is home to tombs built between the 8th and the 2nd centuries BC, making it also the most important of the area.
Located inside a natural park, it’s a testimony to the importance of man and nature connection throughout history.
Check out our video to see what to expect in Cerveteri!
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