# A Sunday at Lake Bolsena from Rome: the Rocca, Santa Cristina and Bisentina 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.

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/italy/lazio/lake-bolsena-tuscania/itineraries/rome-lake-bolsena-sunday-rocca-santa-cristina-bisentina · Revisado: 2026-11-12

## El día
- 08:00 · Salida: 1 h 45 by car (Along the Cassia or the A1 to Orvieto and down to the lake)
- 10:00 · 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
- 11:15 · Basilica of Santa Cristina and its catacombs (The basilica of the miracle; check the Mass times)
  - 5 min by car, 2 km
- 12:45 · Il Pinzale (Lunch from 12:30 to 15:00 on Saturday and Sunday · booking) · Il Pinzale, €€
  - 30 min by car, 20 km
- 14:45 · Capodimonte, the village on the promontory (Stroll around the headland before boarding)
  - 15 min by boat
- 15:30 · Boat and guided tour of Bisentina island (Boat and guided visit · €20 · book on their website) · Isola Bisentina, From €20 per adult
- 18:30 · Vuelta (About an hour and three-quarters to Rome)

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.

## Cómo llegar

### By car
By the Cassia or the A1. Park in Bolsena beside the lakefront and in Capodimonte beside the landing stage.

## Consejos

### Book the island
Places on the guided visit are booked on the island's website.

### Not a Monday or Wednesday
The island is closed on those days.

## Un consejo más

### If it rains
The island visit goes ahead anyway; bring a waterproof.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### 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.