From happy customers

Loved by 47 million+
Trustpilot rating: 4.5 out of 5
Deanne Kelly
AU

Deanne

Australia
Sep 2025

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This was the most Beautiful experience, you walk through what we thought was just a pretty Villa and stumbled accross the most eye opening gardens and water features in all their glory as we walked through to the balcony. It seemed that there was a surprise around every corner.
Roseann Weber

Roseann

Sep 2025

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We took a taxi to and from Villa D'Este. Convenience won. The gardens and fountains are what we came to see and they did not disappoint. They are lovely and unique and completely worth the trip. Lots of shade on a hot day. Wonderful to be able to just stop for a drink of icy cold water at the fountains. A spectacular sight.
Beate Sabine Niedermeier
DE

Beate

Germany
Nov 2025
Everything worked well. The audio guide is not very convenient because the numbers do not match. This means a lot of searching and not everything is described as shown on the panels on site for the audio guide on site
Sylvain Bédard
CA

Sylvain

Canada
Sep 2025
It was an incredible experience on every level, and much less crowded than any other place in Rome. It's great to be able to visit a place like this without being caught in a flood of visitors. Big downside... transportation to get there is not easy, and shuttle bus directions are completely lacking. There's an urgent need for action here.

Top things to do in Tivoli

What to expect at Villa d'Este

Piazza Trento
Frescoed room interior at Villa d'Este, Tivoli, Italy, showcasing intricate ceiling designs.
Tourists enjoying the fountains and gardens of Villa d'Este in Tivoli, Italy.
Fountain of the Oval at Villa d'Este, Tivoli, Italy, with cascading water and lush gardens.
Villa d'Este gardens in Tivoli, Italy, featuring lush greenery and historic architecture.
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Begin at Piazza Trento

Step through the main gateway into Villa d’Este, where the monumental façade immediately hints at the grandeur inside.

Wander through the noble apartments

Explore opulent chambers and salons with frescoes by Livio Agresti and Girolamo Muziano, depicting mythological tales, religious scenes, and courtly grandeur.

👉 Learn more about its interiors

Descend into the upper garden

Stroll along shaded walkways framed by cypress trees, stopping at the Fountain of the Dragons, where spiraling jets of water guard the central terrace.

👉 Find out more about its gardens

Continue to the lower garden

Follow the sound of rushing water to the Hundred Fountains, a long arcade of playful jets, before reaching the majestic Oval Fountain, one of the villa’s most renowned sights.

Pause for panoramic views

Wrap up your visit at the lower terraces with sweeping vistas over Tivoli and the Roman Campagna, proof that this UNESCO-listed site is a Renaissance landscape masterpiece and a model for gardens that followed.

Things to know before booking Villa d’Este tickets 

Booking window & demand: Villa d’Este experiences long, unpredictable ticket lines during peak seasons due to its popularity. Pre-booking lets you skip the ticketing queue, which can last 30–60 minutes. Booking at least a week in advance is recommended to secure availability.

Ticket types and entry options

  • Skip-the-line access: All tickets let you bypass the ticket-purchase queue, saving up to an hour during busy periods.
  • What’s included: Standard tickets include skip-the-line entry to the villa’s apartments and terraced gardens, featuring masterpieces by Livio Agresti and Girolamo Muziano.
  • Audio guide option: A multilingual audio guide (English, Spanish, German, French, Italian) is included, offering detailed commentary on artworks, sculptures, and fountains for self-paced exploration.

Guided vs. self-guided visits

  • Guided tours: One-hour guided tours cover Renaissance engineering highlights such as the Organ Fountain, Fountain of Rometta, and Hundred Fountains, with expert explanations of their design and functioning.
  • Group size: Tours operate in small groups of up to 10 people, balancing interaction with efficient exploration, making it ideal for visitors short on time.
  • Self-guided visits: Audio-guided entry is a budget-friendly way to explore independently without missing historical or artistic context.

Additional access

  • Combo tickets: Pair Villa d’Este with Hadrian’s Villa, located 5 km away. This 2nd-century UNESCO site, larger than Pompeii, functioned as a self-contained city. Combo tickets include priority access to both villas and multilingual audio guides, allowing flexible scheduling.
  • Day trip from Rome (transfers): Includes round-trip AC bus transfers, transport between both villas, and a driver managing logistics. Time is allocated for lunch in Tivoli; meals are not included.

Accessibility

  • Reduced mobility access: Both villas offer ramps and adapted pathways in key areas of the gardens and apartments. Visitors should check specific accessibility coverage in advance or on-site.

Explore Villa d’Este

Cardinal rooms

Step into Cardinal Ippolito d’Este’s private chambers, with frescoes and décor reflecting Renaissance aristocratic life.

Access: Yes ✅

Noble apartments

Explore the villa’s main apartments, where Agresti and Muziano’s frescoes depict religious and mythological scenes.

Access: Yes ✅

Loggias & courtyards

Stroll through loggias and courtyards that link the apartments, opening onto tranquil views of gardens and fountains.

Access: Yes ✅

Terraced gardens

Wander the tiered gardens with cypresses, winding paths, and terraces leading to fountains like the Hundred Fountains.

Access: Yes ✅

Top highlights of Villa d’Este

Fresco depicting Noah's sacrifice in Villa d'Este's Hall of Noah, Tivoli, Italy.

Hall of Noah

Marvel at frescoes by Livio Agresti depicting the biblical story of Noah, with rich Renaissance detail that showcases both artistic skill and theological storytelling.

Salon of the Fountain at Villa d'Este, featuring ornate frescoes and intricate architectural details.
Visitor observing art during a tour at Doge’s Palace, Venice.
Villa d'Este fountains and gardens in Tivoli, Italy, showcasing Renaissance architecture and lush landscapes.
Villa D'Este fountains and gardens in Tivoli, Italy, featuring cascading waterfalls and ornate sculptures.

Plan your visit to Villa d’Este

Villa d'Este patio with ornate fountains and lush gardens in Tivoli, Italy.

Opening hours:

  • January 1 - March 30: Tuesday - Sunday: 8:45am–7:45pm; Monday: 2am–7:30pm; last admission: 6:45pm
  • March 31 - September 15: Tuesday - Sunday: 8:15am–7:30pm; Monday: 2am–7:30pm; last admission: 6:15pm
  • September 16 - December 31: Tuesday - Sunday: 8:45am–7:45pm; Monday: 2pm–7:30pm; last admission: 6:30pm

Closed on: Monday mornings, January 1, May 1, and December 25

Best time to visit: Early morning or late afternoon for fewer crowds and great light; the best months are spring (Apr–Jun) and early autumn (Sep–Oct) for pleasant weather and lively gardens.

Check complete Villa d'Este schedule

Address: Piazza Trento, 5, 00019 Tivoli (RM), Italy

Getting there:

  • By train: Lines FL2, R, RV, FR2 Regional Rail-line
  • By bus: Lines COTRAL, VILLAE, 2, 3, 4C, 4D
  • By car: Autostrada A24, exit: Tivoli
Best ways to reach Villa d'Este
Restroom sign with male, female, and wheelchair symbols on a pole.
  • Restrooms are located near the main entrance by Piazza Trento and within the gardens close to the Gran Viale (main avenue) and the Fontana dell’Ovato area.
  • The multimedia room inside the villa provides additional exhibits and information.
  • The visitor information center, located near the main entrance, offers assistance and resources such as maps and guidebooks.
Plan your visit to the villa
Wheelchair user demonstrating accessibility features for Mt Fuji tours.
  • A ramp is available at the main entrance on Piazza Trento, giving access to the Noble Apartments. In the gardens, ramps are located near the Gran Viale (central avenue) and provide access to sections around the Fontana dell’Ovato and Viale delle Cento Fontane.
  • Wheelchair-accessible restrooms are located near the entrance area. Staff can advise on the best adapted paths through the gardens.
Senior travelers with guide on Tivoli day trip, standing by a tour van.
  • Don’t miss the music at the Fountain of the Organ, playing every 2 hours from 10:30am, a 16th-century engineering marvel powered by the villa’s fountains.
  • Some fountains depend on hydraulic systems that aren’t constant. Early afternoons usually have the strongest water displays.
  • Sometimes the villa hosts temporary art or history exhibitions in its halls. You can check the schedule on-site or at the ticket office to see what’s available during your visit.
  • For a magical experience, visit on a full moon night when the musical fountains are illuminated.
  • A local shuttle connects Villa d’Este with Hadrian’s Villa for visitors interested in seeing both sites.

Frequently asked questions about Villa d’Este tickets

Yes! A standard ticket grants access to all areas of the villa, including the interiors, gardens, and fountains.

More reads

Gardens

Inside

History

Frequently asked questions about Villa d’Este tickets

Yes! A standard ticket grants access to all areas of the villa, including the interiors, gardens, and fountains.

More reads

Gardens

Inside

History