Villa d'Este
Villa d'Este
4.5
8:45 AM - 7:45 PM
Monday
2:00 PM - 7:45 PM
Tuesday
8:45 AM - 7:45 PM
Wednesday
8:45 AM - 7:45 PM
Thursday
8:45 AM - 7:45 PM
Friday
8:45 AM - 7:45 PM
Saturday
8:45 AM - 7:45 PM
Sunday
8:45 AM - 7:45 PM
About
Started by architect and historian, Pirro Liggori in 1549, for Cardinal Ippolito dEste, this famous villa estate is one of the finest examples of Renaissance residence and garden architecture and design.
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  • texas_traveler750
    Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas176 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Gardens are spectacular
    This villa is well preserved, but its the grounds that are the star. The gardens themselves will take approx 45 min to explore, as there are moments of awe around every turn. Its pretty impressive the fountains were all created without pumps. Tivoli is a bit off the beaten path, but if you find yourself hitting this town, this the #1 attraction.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written October 11, 2023
  • Sconne21
    Newbury, United Kingdom51 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful
    This is a really lovely place. There are quite a few paintings in the house and most are remarkable. There is also some modern 'art' but luckily that was minimal. The gardens are beautiful and tiered, with a number of fountains on every level. You can drink from some of the fountains. It is worthwhile booking tickets in advance because then you skip the queue to get in (I went October 2023, arriving at around 11am). I got the combination ticket online but wish I had only bought the single ticket for there (the Hercule Victore place is quite far and not really worth the walk from d'Este, and Hadrian's Villa was very far away and difficult to get back from, despite my extensive research beforehand and the options I had in place). You can easily spend 3 hours here. It is clear with a few places to sit for a rest or picnic. Eating facilties are limited so I recommend taking your own food. There are toilets but not really enough of them.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written October 16, 2023
  • Laura K
    8 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Flashy
    This mostly Renaissance-era garden is pretty flashy, but the most spectacular of its fountains was actually built in the 1920s. It was disappointing that the old one had not been retained and simply repaired after the war. The villa itself had an excellent art exhibit, comparing ancient and contemporary art. Tivoli itself is a great town and has lots of eateries and B&Bs. I recommend seeing Villa Adriana first, spend the night, then Villa D'Este in the morning.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written October 18, 2023
  • Katie W
    Derby, United Kingdom218 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lovely gardens
    Visited here from our campsite in-between Rome/Ostia and took just over an hour. The town is very busy so can be tricky to find parking but we eventually found a space at the top of the hill. Villa Deste is mot very well signposted and has a very unassuming entrance. We arrived early so no queues and very easy to walk around an enjoy. Some of the fountains were spectacular and even my 13 year old didn't moan walking around. There are no food and drink available so make sure you grab drinks and snacks before you head in!
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written October 19, 2023
  • SilverStarfish
    Punta Gorda, Florida2,225 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A MUST SEE if you love gardens!
    This garden is so amazing! I have never seen anything like it and I’m so glad I took my friend’s recommendation to visit. I spent three hours there and could have stayed longer. I took a lot of photos and wished I had taken a guided tour for all the history. I loved the views from all levels, everywhere you looked it was just spectacular. My favorites were the 1,000 fountains with the animal masks & Pegasus. The garden is very large so were comfortable shoes and take a water bottle. I couldn’t believe all the levels of the garden and the statues and architecture were amazing. A true MUST SEE!
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written November 2, 2023
  • molly75
    1,362 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Perfect break away from Rome
    I visited this place on a Monday when it is only open 2-5pm. But it was a perfect time to visit because there was hardly anyone there. Unfortunately the water fountains were not working when we visited, due to maintenance. But we were given a discount on our ticket price and we still enjoyed our visit. The house is very old and has lovely views across the countryside. The garden is so romantic, peaceful and serene. We travelled there by train from Rome, which cost around 5 euro return. There aren’t that many direct trains though, so you need to time it right. Tivoli itself, is a quaint little place with shops and a few restaurants. It’s definitely worth a visit.
    Visited November 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written November 10, 2023
  • SuzanneLG
    Gresham, Oregon884 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Breath Taking!
    Our second time here, and would travel half way around the world to see it again and stay n Tivoli! This 16 century villa has the most amazing murals and they are Almost In every room and celling . Then as you walk our of the Villa, you will be astonished at the large grounds that are right n front of you. A view of the countryside and the amazing fountains and pools before your eyes. Tivoli is just 45 minutes by train from Rome and WAY less crowded! So if you plan on going to Rome, take a day trip or spend a night or two n Tivoli and see Villa d’ Este !!
    Visited September 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written November 18, 2023
  • Gratefultravels5
    Australia264 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful, you will enjoy
    Amazing to see- beautiful villa, terraces, views, sculptures, fountains, and gardens. The fountains were amazing to see, many are not working but you can imagine they would have been magnificent. If they could be restored it would be incredible. Allow 2-3 hours. We bought the tickets on site and just walked in. Lots of stony paths so wear grippy shoes, especially if wet. We stayed 2 nights in Tivoli and walked everywhere. If you like art and gardens I’d highly recommend it!
    Visited December 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written December 6, 2023
  • angeleyes27
    Brigantine, New Jersey5,336 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful gardens. Not easy on your own though.
    We did this on our own without a tour. Not that easy. We took the metro from Rome to Tirburtina station and then a bus for about an hour each way. It drops you off at the bus station and then you have to walk about 3/4 mile to the Villa through a maze of streets which takes about 20 minutes or so. There are a couple signs but not enough to say it is easy. We had to use map quest to find it. The villa itself has beautiful gardens with fountains. The chapel has very nice paintings. I am glad we went and thought it was very worthwhile. We missed a lot of it though as we didn't realize that there was an upstairs. It took us so long to get here by bus that we had to rush through the villa. The gardens and villa are beautiful.
    Visited September 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written December 15, 2023
  • Go Coastal
    Stamford, Connecticut16 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A delightful blend of Renaissance architecture, natural beauty, and landscape design
    In the center of historic Tivoli, the enchanting Villa d'Este is a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture and landscaping. This UNESCO-listed site boasts stunning terraced gardens adorned with fountains, waterfalls, and ornate pools. The Villa's famed Water Organ, powered by the force of falling water, adds a musical element to the serene surroundings. Tivoli Gardens, established in the 16th century, is a delightful blend of natural beauty and landscape design. Fountains, ponds, and water features are strategically placed throughout the park, providing a refreshing atmosphere for visitors. Immerse yourself in the harmony of nature and art as you stroll through the lush gardens, guided by the soothing sounds of flowing water.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written December 19, 2023
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Tessa Theo
Sydney, Australia63 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
We rang in the morning to check the fountains would be operational as we had read other reviews saying they are sometimes out of order.
The lady on the telephone said that all but one fountain was working so we decided to travel from Rome to visit for the day. Upon arriving we were told that none of the fountains were working due to a fault. The price to enter was a still ten euros each, and no discount was offered. What an utter disappointment and a complete waste of time.

Written January 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Natalia2812
Moscow, Russia9 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2020 • Solo
Recently I have booked a room at Villa d'este for my valued clients. It wasn't their first time at the hotel , they really liked the service, restaurants, beautiful park and so on and were always happy to spend there а few days. The safety of the guests and guest's items was the hotel's priority. But last time very unpleasant situation has happened. Two branded exclusive shirts were forgotten in a walk-in closet after check out. Next day we called the hotel to ask if they can deliver it to Milano but the hotel replied that they didn't find them in their room. Even after 2 weeks of investigation , checking all the rooms and videos from cameras and speaking with the housekeeping the shirts were not found. My clients were very upset and quite dissapointed and now they do not know if they want to come back in future to the hotel that once was their favourite accommodation in Como. After all most probably no!
Written October 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

worldTravellerAR
Bella Vista, AR64 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022 • Couples
First, I would recommend going with a private guide or small tour group for a few reasons. #1. The Villa D'Este is beautiful and the rooms are impressive and a guide will give you detailed insights to the wonders of each space. #2. The gardens are absolutely gorgeous and there is much art & meaning behind each fountain. #3. If you go with a guide/group, you can also see Hadrian's Villa and you will absolutely want a guide as it is huge and a guide can give all the facts and details about all the sights you'll see...it would have been a "nice" experience otherwise. We had a private guide and her knowledge made both visits truly in-depth and outstanding. There are several good eateries by the Villa D'Este entrance. Also, take water and a sunbrella to Hadrian's Villa as it is very sprawled and not many shady spots. Wear good walking shoes for this visit! Both Villas are spectacular in their own way. Do not miss an opportunity to see them!
Written April 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sconne21
Newbury, UK51 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Friends
This is a really lovely place. There are quite a few paintings in the house and most are remarkable. There is also some modern 'art' but luckily that was minimal. The gardens are beautiful and tiered, with a number of fountains on every level. You can drink from some of the fountains.
It is worthwhile booking tickets in advance because then you skip the queue to get in (I went October 2023, arriving at around 11am). I got the combination ticket online but wish I had only bought the single ticket for there (the Hercule Victore place is quite far and not really worth the walk from d'Este, and Hadrian's Villa was very far away and difficult to get back from, despite my extensive research beforehand and the options I had in place). You can easily spend 3 hours here. It is clear with a few places to sit for a rest or picnic. Eating facilties are limited so I recommend taking your own food. There are toilets but not really enough of them.
Written October 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

John M
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates85 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
A must visit for everyone in the area. Great interiors, amazing garden, water running all around and a commanding view of the surroundings. Especially on a sunny day, Villa d'Este will bewilder you with its art ad architecture.
Written January 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BrianFi
Palm Desert, CA8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Family
We had a great time visiting here today. It was an easy train ride from Rome and a short walk from the station. There was a very short line to buy tickets at 4:45pm on a Friday. We had plenty of time to tour the villa and the gardens before they closed at 7:30. The kids really enjoyed the beautiful gardens and fountains, and the amazing views.
Written June 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

leegee86
Edinburgh, UK481 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2022 • Couples
What an amazing experience for the price we got (27€ online booking) for 2 adults.
We were going to book whole package of coach trip and lunch from Rome but so glad we didn't. Train return from roma termini to tivoli was €10 for 2 adults - coach entry and lunch was going to be €127 😱 quite the saving!
This place is spectacular, photos don't do it justice you need to be here to experience the views and sounds! My husband is quite into gardens i causing fountains, ponds and waterfalls and got many ideas for our own back garden :)
Tivoli is such a beautiful town as well if your looking for the proper italian feel and food! Well worth a visit if you visiting Rome as only an hour train ride away! Plenty other places to visit in Tivoli also including Villa Gregoriana!!!
Written September 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lilimez
Niort, France11 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Family
What a desappointment ! We traveled an hour and a half (one way) with the children to visit this villa that made us dream, but we discovered once there that none of the fountains worked! We paid for the metro, the bus and the entrance to the villa (full price, no reduction is provided due to dry fountains!) to see empty pools. We are initially surprised that this very important information does not appear anywhere on the website. We are told that it is indeed written nowhere and that we had no way of knowing it. It is shameful ! We clearly had the feeling that this information was deliberately hidden so that people would not cancel their trip. According to information obtained at reception, the fountains were not working the day before either and given the state of the park, we wonder if they have worked only once in recent weeks. Are they simply closed in winter? This can be understood, but at the very least we should have the honesty to say it. A great disappointment...a piece of advice: try to call before you travel!
Google
Written February 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mairwen1
United Kingdom11,216 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022
If it is your first time in Rome, then you will be far too busy seeing the main tourist sights to consider the Tivoli Gardens and the Villa D’Este. For those who are already familiar with Rome or who have an extended stay, then this is a very pleasant day trip.
It was easy getting there on the train and from memory, it took less than an hour.
There are two parts to the visit:
the Villa D’Este &
the water gardens
Whilst the villa is interesting enough, the gardens are the star of the show here.
They are formally set out, with paths leading you past giant waterfall fountains, shooting jets of water and small, discreet fountains in hidden corners.
I was surprised not to see more flowering plants but these are largely green gardens with established trees, tall cypresses, laurel hedges, shrubbery, statues, paths and water displays.
Highlights were the Oval Fountain and its surrounding grottos and the Neptune Fountain. I also liked the Hundred Fountains where the water spouts from a long row of gargoyle like faces, stretching along a path below the villa.
Disappointingly, some of the fountains are not working and when you get to the furthest sections of garden, they look a little dry and neglected.
The gardens will take up most of your time. It is a much quicker walk through the villa.
The 16th century house belonged to Ippolito II d’Este, of the noble Este family. Accustomed to grandeur and wealth, he built himself a house in keeping with his indulgent tastes. He was a man who enjoyed conspicuous consumption, hosted extravagant parties, gambled, hunted, jousted and kept peacocks as pets. His new house was always going to be a grand affair. Today, the villa is mostly unfurnished but the walls and ceilings are still richly decorated.
It is worth noting that you can combine Tivoli Gardens with a trip to the Emperor Hadrian’s Villa. We found it difficult to do this without a car because Hadrian’s Villa is a few miles out of town. You can catch a bus but in the end, it was not easy and we ran out of time.
In hindsight, I wish we’d pre-planned this better and found out more about the bus route and timetable. We could have made much more of the day. Visiting Hadrian’s Villa as well would have made it a far more worthwhile day trip.
Written April 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Brun066
Florence, Italy13,486 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2022
Thus asserts the historian of architecture Margherita Azzi Visentini (1995). The author continues noting how in the open air architecture of the Middle Ages the jets were mostly threadlike, sometimes according to an Arab-inspired model (Granada, Monreale). Then the achievements of this type in the early Renaissance begin to be more elaborate, also based on the reading of the theorists of antiquity (Vitruvius, Hero of Alexandria) taken up by modern theorists (Leon Battista Alberti). But only in the second half of the 16th century, "in Rome, did the rediscovery of the remains of spectacular nymphaeums of the imperial age combined with the study of Greek and Latin hydraulic treatises and literary works produce a new water architecture". This is how "water stairs" and "water chains" are born, especially in the villas of Lazio (such as Villa Lante in Bagnaia or Villa Aldobrandini in Frascati).
The gardens of Villa d’Este are therefore not an isolated episode: they are situated in a tradition that is consolidated and mature at the time of their construction by the architect Pirro Ligorio. But at the same time they can be defined as the sum expression of this Renaissance tradition, thanks to the primacy (which we have indicated in our title) of the mighty waterfalls (equaled or surpassed by Wilhelmsöhe, Peterhof, Caserta, but decades or centuries later), to the amazing "hydraulic organ ”, to the unequaled riot of waters (rich in symbols and allegories) of the “Viale delle cento fontane" (Avenue of the hundred fountains).
Written February 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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