Subiaco day trip from Rome or Tivoli
A day trip to Subiaco from Rome or Tivoli: the medieval Ponte di San Francesco over the Aniene, the Rocca Abbaziale and the old town with the Basilica of Sant'Andrea, the green pool of the Laghetto di San Benedetto, then the two monasteries, Saint Scholastica and the Sacro Speco, Saint Benedict's cave in the cliff. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 1 days
Subiaco in 1 day
Day 1
Ponte di San Francesco
Medieval stone bridge of 1358 over the River Aniene, with a single arch and a gate tower, at the edge of the town.
Rocca Abbaziale
The abbots' castle on top of the town, said to be the birthplace of Lucrezia Borgia, with views over the valley.
Historic centre of Subiaco and Basilica of Sant'Andrea
Steep old lanes and stairways round the hill, and the neoclassical Basilica of Sant'Andrea, built for Pope Pius VI.
Laghetto di San Benedetto
Small emerald pool of the Aniene below a waterfall in the gorge, reached by a short path, popular for a summer swim.
Monastery of Saint Scholastica
Benedictine abbey with three cloisters from different centuries, where the first books printed in Italy were made in 1465.
Monastery of Saint Benedict (Sacro Speco)
Monastery built into the cliff over the cave where Saint Benedict lived as a hermit, its rooms covered in medieval frescoes.
Getting there
From Rome, Cotral buses run from Ponte Mammolo (metro line B) to Subiaco in about an hour and a half; by car it takes about an hour and a quarter along the A24 motorway and the Aniene valley. From Tivoli it is about 45 minutes by car. The monasteries are about 3 km above the town: drive, take a taxi or walk the steep road.
Staying in Rome or Tivoli? This day fits into those city plans, and in the Trip Builder it is one click under each of them.
When to go to Subiaco
Spring and autumn are the best times, with green slopes and mild days for walking between the monasteries. Summer is cooler here than in Rome, and the river pools are a draw. In winter the town is quiet and the mountains around can be snowy.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Subiaco on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Subiaco on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Subiaco on GetYourGuide
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for Italy from Airalo
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Subiaco
- Both monasteries close at lunchtime: plan the town and the river for the middle of the day and the monasteries for the morning or afternoon.
- Dress modestly for the monasteries, with shoulders and knees covered; they are still home to Benedictine monks.
- The Sacro Speco is up a steep road above the town: drive or take a taxi up, and walk the last stretch from the car park.
- The Rocca Abbaziale opens on limited days, mostly at weekends and for guided visits; check before you go.
- Bring a swimsuit in summer: the Laghetto di San Benedetto is a cool place to swim below a small waterfall.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Historic centre of Subiaco and Basilica of Sant'Andrea: LPLT, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Monastery of Saint Scholastica: Livioandronico2013, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ponte di San Francesco: Attilios at English Wikipedia, Public domain
- Rocca Abbaziale: Livioandronico2013, CC BY-SA 4.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
