Il Pinzale
What to order: the coffee tagliolini with prawns and porcini, or the grilled meat
geocalia
Day itinerary · 42.56° N · 11.93° E
A Sunday at Lake Bolsena, with a boat to the Farnese island.
An hour and three quarters from Rome: Bolsena castle and its aquarium, the basilica of the miracle, lunch on the Cassia and the afternoon by boat to Bisentina island.
Leaving from
Direct flight to Roma fromBarcelona 1 h 45Alicante 2 h 15Bilbao 2 h 15Valencia 2 h 15Zaragoza 2 h 15Madrid 2 h 30Asturias 2 h 45Málaga 2 h 45Sevilla 2 h 45Fuerteventura 4 h 30
Part of Lake Bolsena and Tuscania
Add to my trip
Total time10 h
By car1 h 45 each way
From Rome1 h 45 by car
Bisentina island€20 · 2 h 30 to 3 h
WalkingAbout 2 h
DifficultyEasy
Best timeMay – October
The plan
The day at a glance
Any part can be swapped for another without spoiling the day.
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Leave Rome 1 h 45 by car
Along the Cassia or the A1 to Orvieto and down to the lake
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1
The Rocca Monaldeschi and the Lake Bolsena Territorial Museum
Lake museum and aquarium · Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00
- 10 min on foot
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2
Basilica of Santa Cristina and its catacombs
The basilica of the miracle; check the Mass times
- 5 min by car2 km
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3
Il Pinzale
Lunch from 12:30 to 15:00 on Saturday and Sunday · booking
Via Cassia km 115,850, Località Pinzale, 01023 Bolsena · +39 0761 799717
Restaurant €€Book - 30 min by car20 km
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4
Capodimonte, the village on the promontory
Stroll around the headland before boarding
- 15 min by boat
- 5
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Back home
About an hour and three-quarters to Rome
Approximate cost
About €40–55 per person
Adds up the activities and meals in the plan at their published prices; travel and accommodation not included.
The route
The Rocca Monaldeschi and the Lake Bolsena Territorial Museum
A day trip from Rome by car: Lake Bolsena fills a volcanic crater in northern Lazio, and its great outing is a boat to Bisentina island. This Sunday begins at Bolsena castle, eats on the Cassia and spends the afternoon on the water.
The day, hour by hour
8:00 · Leave Rome. By the Cassia, slower and prettier, or by the A1 to Orvieto and down to the lake. About an hour and three quarters.
10:00 · The Rocca Monaldeschi. The castle above the village holds the lake museum: finds taken from the lake bed, Roman Volsinii and an aquarium with the fish of the lake. Views from the top.
11:15 · Santa Cristina. Walk down to the basilica where the miracle that gave rise to Corpus Christi took place. The catacombs can be seen on a scheduled guided visit.
12:45 · Lunch at Il Pinzale. On the way out along the Cassia, with a veranda among jasmines. It serves lunch on Saturday and Sunday.
14:45 · Capodimonte. Along the shore to the village on the headland, the embarkation point for the island.
15:30 · Bisentina island. Boat and a guided visit of two and a half to three hours through the Farnese churches and chapels. €20; free up to age 6. Bring water and shoes with grip.
18:30 · Return. About an hour and three quarters to Rome.
Time1 h
Change the route
Where to eat
Where to eat?
Lunch is half the plan: book before you set off.
La Conchiglia
What to order: a lake fish, such as coregone, and house pasta
Map
The stops, in order
With where to park at each one.
What to do
Eat
88 €Stay
Services
Getting there
By car or without one?
When to go
When to go to Lake Bolsena and Tuscania
From 5 April to 1 November, when Bisentina island is open, best on a Saturday or Sunday: Il Pinzale serves lunch only at weekends. The island is closed on Monday and Wednesday.
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Best timeGood timeLow season
Tips
Worth knowing first
- 1Book the island
Places on the guided visit are booked on the island's website.
- 2Not a Monday or Wednesday
The island is closed on those days.
If it rains
The island visit goes ahead anyway; bring a waterproof.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How much does Bisentina island cost?
€20 per adult, €15 for ages 6 to 15, boat included.
Can it be done without a car?
It is difficult: buses to the lake are scarce.
Where do you eat on Sunday?
At Il Pinzale, from 12:30 to 15:00, with a booking.
What do I do if the island is closed?
Tuscania, with its Romanesque churches, twenty minutes away.
More plans like this
Other days of walking and good food
geocalia.com/en/italy/lazio/lake-bolsena-tuscania/itineraries/rome-lake-bolsena-sunday-rocca-santa-cristina-bisentina
Prices, opening hours and times are approximate: check them before you go. Each place has its own page on Geocalia.