What to do in Castel Gandolfo

Activities, attractions and tours

A lake surrounded by mountains, a winding road, and buildings with green shutters.
A large turquoise lake surrounded by green hills and trees.
A cobblestone street with flower pots and a view of a lake and hills.
A cobblestone street with outdoor seating overlooking a river and hills.
A large lake surrounded by hills and a small village.

Places to Visit in Castel Gandolfo

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Let Expedia.co.nz help you find the most exciting and fun things to do in Castel Gandolfo, Rome while also allowing you to save a ton on travel arrangements. Regardless of whether you’re an urban explorer or an intrepid outdoor enthusiast, we can help you decide exactly what to do and see during your time in town.

Our thorough travel guides offer you an insider’s perspective on all of the best Castel Gandolfo attractions from NZ$16, making it easy for you to decide which places to visit and when. And by using Expedia.co.nz to set your sightseeing schedule, you can take in more of the enchanting attractions this area is famous for.

From group Castel Gandolfo tours and must-see landmarks to personal guides who take you off-the-beaten track, Expedia.co.nz offers you over 44 of the most popular events, activities, and attractions in this corner of the world. So whether you’re travelling alone, alongside a loved one, or with the whole family in tow, be sure to browse through our extensive travel guides prior to your plane touching down in this spectacular Castel Gandolfo. We even have a massive selection of flights, car hires, and accommodation for you to choose from. So what are you waiting for? Start your search today, and you’ll be having the time of your life before you know it.

Activities

Colosseum & Ancient Rome Guided Tour with Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

Colosseum Tour with Forum & Palatine Hill, Day/Night + Arena Access Option

NZ$116
per adult
92% of travellers recommend
Colosseum Tour with Forum & Palatine Hill, Day/Night + Arena Access Option
Pompeii Day Trip from Rome with Mount Vesuvius or Amalfi Coast option

From Rome: Pompeii Day Trip with Optional Vesuvius & Neapolitan Pizza Lunch

NZ$136
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
From Rome: Pompeii Day Trip with Optional Vesuvius & Neapolitan Pizza Lunch
Skip-the-Line Tickets: Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums

Skip-the-Line: Vatican & Sistine Chapel Admission with Optional Audio Guide

NZ$100
per adult
76% of travellers recommend
Skip-the-Line: Vatican & Sistine Chapel Admission with Optional Audio Guide
Rome in a Day: Small Group Tour with Vatican, Colosseum & Historic Center

Rome in a Day: Small Group Tour with Vatican, Colosseum & Historic Center

NZ$358
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Rome in a Day: Small Group Tour with Vatican, Colosseum & Historic Center
Skip-the-line: Colosseum & Forum Tour with Special Gladiator’s Gate & Arena Floor Access

Gladiator’s Gate:Special Access Colosseum Tour & Arena Floor in Small Group

NZ$223
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Gladiator’s Gate:Special Access Colosseum Tour & Arena Floor in Small Group
Rome: St. Peter’s Basilica and Papal Tombs Tour

Rome: St. Peter’s Basilica and Papal Tombs Tour

NZ$32
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Rome: St. Peter’s Basilica and Papal Tombs Tour
Big Bus Rome Night Tour

Rome: Big Bus Panoramic Night Tour by Open-Top Bus

NZ$36
per adult
Rome: Big Bus Panoramic Night Tour by Open-Top Bus
Closeup photo of the painting, Creation of Adam, inside the Sistine Chapel.

Skip-the-Line Tour: Vatican & Sistine Chapel with Special Entrance

NZ$194
per adult
80% of travellers recommend
Skip-the-Line Tour: Vatican & Sistine Chapel with Special Entrance
Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Skip-the-Line Ticket

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Skip-the-Line Ticket (and optional guide)

NZ$87
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Skip-the-Line Ticket (and optional guide)
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Top places to visit

1. Colosseum

Work on the Colosseum, the largest amphitheatre in the world, was started under the rule of the emperor Vespasian in 70 AD and completed ten years later by his successor and heir, Titus. In its day, it could hold a crowd of 50,000 rowdy Romans who would cheer and hurl abuse at the gladiators performing in the bloody entertainments down below. Although the thronging masses are now a distant memory, the physical building is very much still in existence despite being rocked by earthquakes, ransacked by stone thieves and eroded by air pollution.
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The Colosseum in Rome with tourists around.

2. Trevi Fountain

The world-famous Fontana di Trevi (literally the fountain at the junction of ‘tre vie’ or three roads) is the work of Nicola Salvi and Giuseppe Pannini and was completed in 1762, taking some thirty years to complete. Salvi was awarded the commission by Pope Clement XII after initially losing out to the Florentine Alessandro Galiliei, but died before his work was finished and as a result, Pannini was brought in to complete the project. The fountain stands 26 metres high and is 49 metres wide making it the largest Baroque fountain in Rome and a truly imposing sight to behold.
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The Trevi Fountain with sculptures and a large archway.

3. Piazza Navona

Originally a stadium built in the 1st century for athletics and chariot racing, Piazza Navona was reworked in the 15th century and then added to in the 17th century to take on its present form consisting of Baroque palaces, lavish churches, three spectacular fountains and several smart cafés and restaurants.
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A historic fountain with sculptures in a city square.

4. Spanish Steps

The Spanish Steps (Scalinata della Trinità dei Monti), built with money bequeathed by French diplomat Étienne Gueffier in 1723-1725 and designed by architects Francesco de Sanctis and Alessandro Specchi, scale the steep incline between the Piazza di Spagna at the bottom and the Piazza Trinità dei Monti at the top. For many visitors to Rome it is the obvious place to meet friends before moving on to a bar or restaurant, and in summer it can get unbelievably busy, literally teaming with young backpackers trooping between the nearby Trevi Fountain and the Steps.
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A historic church with twin bell towers and a central obelisk, surrounded by a crowd of people on the steps.

5. Pantheon

This beautiful 2000-year-old temple in the very heart of Rome remains an emphatic symbol of the might of the Empire, and it stands out in a city which is literally jam-packed with architectural marvels.
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A large neoclassical building with columns and the inscription "MAGRIPPA COSTERTIVI".

6. St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter’s Basilica, which was designed by Michelangelo, Raphael, Bernini and Bramante, is for many the reason why they came to Rome. The utterly mind-blowing church is not only the centre of the Catholic Church and place of pilgrimage for millions each year, but it also holds a particular fascination for non-believers too, who come to marvel at the beauty of the architecture and works of art on show there. Contrary to popular belief, it is not the largest church in the world, nor is it the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome, yet it holds a unique position as the greatest of all churches in Christendom.
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St. Peter's Basilica with its grand facade, large steps leading up to the entrance, and the iconic dome.

7. Piazza di Spagna

Embrace the hustle and bustle as people from all over the world converge beside the charming Sinking Boat Fountain in the Piazza di Spagna. Almost every visitor who steps foot in Rome finds themselves at this busy piazza at some point. Admire the lovely fountain, climb up the iconic Spanish Steps and see frescoes inside the rustic French Chiesa della Trinita dei Monti.
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A grand staircase leading to a historic church with twin bell towers, surrounded by classic European architecture.

Recommended things to do in Castel Gandolfo

Number of things to do
44
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Bus Transfer - Ciampino Airport (CIA) to Termini Train Station (TTD): NZ$16
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Castel Gandolfo

Stay near popular Castel Gandolfo attractions

A cobblestone street with flower pots and a view of a lake and hills.

Lake Albano

9.2/10 (41 reviews)
Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Lake Albano during your travels in Castel Gandolfo. While you're in the area, wander around the parks.
See properties

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Castel Gandolfo

A historic city with a prominent castle on a hill, surrounded by residential buildings and a coastal view.

Marino

A hillside town with historic architecture, vineyards, and a prominent aqueduct.

Ariccia

A mountainous town with terraced houses and a view of the valley below.

Rocca di Papa

Frequently asked questions

Is Castel Gandolfo worth visiting?
Famous for its culture and views, finding fun things to do in Castel Gandolfo is a breeze. Be sure to add Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo to your itinerary when here.
How do I spend a day in Castel Gandolfo?
When you've checked off major attractions like Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo and Palazzo Colonna, spend the rest of your day discovering Castel Gandolfo's retail and food scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in Castel Gandolfo?
Don't go home without checking out Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo, ranked the top tourist attraction in Castel Gandolfo.
Is three days enough to stay in Castel Gandolfo?
You can easily visit leading attractions like Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo, Palazzo Colonna and Frascati Cathedral with a three-day escape to Castel Gandolfo. On average, most travellers plan two days here. There's plenty to explore nearby too, so stick around longer and head to Rome.
What are some activities to do in Castel Gandolfo with kids?
Planning what to do in Castel Gandolfo with kids has never been so easy. Whether you're travelling with teenagers or little ones, there are plenty of family-friendly tours and attractions to keep them happy here.

What to do in Castel Gandolfo for adults?
Whether you're a culture enthusiast, food lover or thrill seeker, there are loads of things to do in Castel Gandolfo for adults including La Luna del Casale and Rutuli Vineyard.
Are there free things to do in Castel Gandolfo?
One of the simplest ways to find free things to do in Castel Gandolfo is to ask a local tour guide. You'll get insider views on hip neighbourhoods, parks and other hotspots you can visit without taking your wallet out. Frascati Cathedral is one place that doesn't charge an entrance fee.

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