Come with us on a daytrip to the famous Hadrian’s Villa. We’ll be accompanied by a professional tour guide who’ll inform us about the various aspects this remarkable estate where emperor Publius Aelius Hadrianus (76-138 AD) relaxed and entertained his guests.
Of the various imperial villa compounds which were built during the roman empire, Hadrian’s Villa is the largest. This enormous villa was planned and designed in large part by Hadrian himself. Critics of the emperor’s architectural skills lived dangerously–-the Greek architect, Apollodoros found that out. He spoke negatively once too often, and so the emperor had him killed.
Hadrian died in 138 AD, but until the end of the 2nd century restoration work was done on the villa, and we can therefore conclude that the villa was still in use.
During the middle ages the villa served as a quarry for bricks, marble and other building material. More marble was removed starting in 1549, as architects for Cardinal Ippolito d’Este commenced construction of his Villa D’Este. One of the architects, Pirro Ligorio, also started the rediscovery and care of the villa which has continued on today.
In 1870 the Italian state acquired the site and started to survey and excavate the villa scientifically.
There are still large parts of the villa inaccessible to the public as they have yet to be explored or are under exploration.

After our visit to Hadrian’s Villa, we will continue on to nearby Tivoli and visit the Villa d’Este. The Villa d'Este is a masterpiece of Italian architecture and garden design. Commissioned by Cardinal Ippolito d'Este, who had been appointed Governor of Tivoli by Pope Julius III, from 1550 until his death in 1572, he created a palace surrounded by a fabulous terraced garden in the late-Renaissance style.

Drawing inspiration from nearby Hadrian’s Villa and reviving Roman techniques of hydraulic engineering to supply water and create a sequence of fountains, the cardinal created an elaborate fantasy garden. This mixture of architectural elements and water features had an enormous influence on European landscape design.

Half day 4 hours

- If you wish to do the tour with more people or if you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by phone or email.

- Admission fees to both villa’s are not included. Currently admission to Hadrian’s Villa and Villa
D’Este is €9.00 respectively, but they are of course subject to change.