Bracciano is not only a jewel on the lake, but also the perfect base for setting out to discover hidden corners and treasures of the surrounding area. In under 40 minutes you can reach places rich in history, culture and natural beauty, ideal for those who love day trips. From charming lakeside villages to ancient Etruscan cities, through medieval historic centres and picturesque views, the area offers experiences to suit every type of traveller.
What to see near Bracciano? We have selected 7 unmissable destinations, each different from the next but united by one certainty: they are absolutely worth a stop. Get ready to explore, discover and be surprised!
Trevignano Romano
Nestled on the north-western shore of Lake Bracciano, Trevignano Romano is a charming village of genuine appeal. With its cobbled streets, colourful houses and panoramic views, it retains a medieval atmosphere that invites you to stroll at a leisurely pace. The lakeside promenade, dotted with cafés and small restaurants, is the ideal spot to enjoy spectacular sunsets and moments of relaxation. Dominating the village are the remains of the 13th-century Rocca Orsini, a favourite destination for couples and photography enthusiasts, especially at dusk. Other highlights include: the Renaissance Church of Santa Maria Assunta, which preserves a fine fresco by a pupil of Raphael; the Church of Santa Caterina d’Alessandria, built within an ancient Roman structure; and the Etruscan-Roman Civic Museum, home to several rare artefacts.
Anguillara Sabazia
Anguillara Sabazia is another village that has kept its medieval charm perfectly intact. The historic centre, perched on a spur jutting out into Lake Bracciano, is a labyrinth of cobbled alleyways, stone houses and quiet little squares that tell centuries of history. The main street runs straight through it, climbing up to the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta, inside which you can admire remarkable frescoes and works of art, including a fine painting of the Madonna Assunta. In the nearby belvedere square, adorned by the Fountain of the Eels, stands the 16th-century Palazzo Baronale, today the Town Hall, which preserves several restored frescoes. Behind the palace rise the bastions of the medieval Torrione, which houses the Historical Museum of Rural Civilisation and Folk Culture “Augusto Montori”.
Cerveteri
Cerveteri is the emblematic city of ancient Etruscan culture. Within its territory lies one of the greatest treasures of Etruscan civilisation, the Necropolis of Banditaccia, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. Covering an area of 20 hectares, it contains several types of tombs: tumulus tombs, those dug into the earth, others cut into the rock, and some shaped like huts or small houses. In addition to the Banditaccia, Cerveteri is also home to the Etruscan necropolises of Sorbo, Greppe Sant’Angelo and Monte Abatone. The historic centre, gathered around Piazza Santa Maria, retains a quiet and authentic atmosphere. Here you will find: the National Archaeological Museum of Cerveteri, housed in Castello Ruspoli; the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, with precious works of art; the Church of San Michele Arcangelo, dedicated to the patron saint of Cerveteri; and the small Church of Sant’Antonio Abate.
Sutri
Perched on a tuff ridge overlooking the Via Cassia, Sutri is a fascinating village with ancient origins. To immerse yourself in its thousand-year-old past, simply venture into the Regional Park of the Most Ancient City of Sutri, a protected area encompassing several monuments and buildings of historical and archaeological significance: the striking Roman amphitheatre, an Etruscan necropolis, the votive chapel of the Madonna del Parto, and Villa Savorelli. The historic centre is enchanting, presenting itself as a characteristic tuff settlement. Here, well worth a visit are: the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, notable for its beautiful Cosmatesque floor; the Museum of Palazzo Doebbing, which hosts temporary exhibitions and a permanent collection of ancient and sacred art; and the Antiquarium Comunale, which gathers historical evidence relating to the territory.
Ronciglione
Nestled between the Cimini Mountains and Lake Vico, Ronciglione is a village that surprises with its authenticity and timeless charm. It has a medieval section, made up of characterful alleyways, squares and breathtaking views, and a Renaissance section, distinguished by elegant noble palaces. The village is home to several noteworthy religious buildings, most prominent among which are the 17th-century Cathedral of Saints Peter and Catherine, designed by Baroque architect Carlo Rainaldi, and the striking Church of Santa Maria della Provvidenza, dating back to the 11th century and decorated with various frescoes. Alongside these places of worship, also worth a visit are: the Fontana Grande (or Fountain of the Unicorns), attributed to Vignola but built by architect Antonio Gentili da Faenza; and the Casa Museo of the Venerable Mariangela Virgili, a fine example of a 17th-century dwelling.
Caprarola
Located on the south-eastern slopes of the Cimini Mountains, Caprarola is one of the most significant examples of 16th-century urban planning. Characterised by paved streets and picturesque squares, the village is celebrated above all for the 16th-century Palazzo Farnese, one of the most fascinating examples of Renaissance residence in the whole of Europe. Originally conceived as a fortress by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger, with the collaboration of Baldassarre Peruzzi, it was subsequently transformed by Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola into a luxurious residence on which the most illustrious names of the period worked. It spans five floors, with dozens of richly frescoed rooms and a park enhanced by enchanting gardens. Beyond the Palazzo Farnese, also worth noting are the Church of the Madonna della Consolazione, the Church of Santa Teresa, and the monumental Fontanaccia (or Fountain of the Boccacce).
Viterbo
Set amid greenery at the foot of the Cimini Mountains, Viterbo offers numerous opportunities for exploration: from medieval churches to Renaissance palaces, from archaeological sites to thermal baths. Founded by the Etruscans and later conquered by Rome, it grew during the Middle Ages to become a major centre — so much so that in the 13th century it served as the papal residence. The most authentic heart of the city is the San Pellegrino quarter, a labyrinth of medieval alleyways with stone palaces, towers, arcaded loggias and ancient dwellings opening onto small squares and courtyards. Among the city’s unmissable highlights are: the magnificent Palazzo dei Papi, with its beautiful Loggia delle Benedizioni; the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, home to sacred works of art of great importance; the Palazzo dei Priori, with several rooms decorated with 16th-century frescoes; the National Etruscan Museum, housed within the 14th-century Rocca Albornoz; and the renowned Terme dei Papi thermal baths, prized since Etruscan and Roman times.
These are just some of the destinations reachable in under 40 minutes from our hotel. Bracciano is the perfect base for exploring Tuscia: a new destination every day, and back to the hotel each evening.
