Hadrian's Villa, the emperor's residence

Visit · 3 h · 40 hectares of ruins with the Canopus, the Maritime Theatre and the baths, 5 km from the centre of Tivoli

Information

Duration: 3 h
Season: All year
Who it's for: All ages; lots of walking in the sun

What it is

The villa that Emperor Hadrian had built between AD 118 and 138, at the foot of Tivoli. It once covered at least 120 hectares; today about 40 can be visited. It is a city of palaces, baths, libraries and gardens among olive trees and cypresses. What is remembered most is the Canopus, a long pool surrounded by columns and statues; the Maritime Theatre, a round island surrounded by water where the emperor retreated; the Poikile, with its great wall, and the Great Baths. In the museum are copies of the caryatids of the Erechtheion in Athens that adorned the Canopus.

Hours and entry

Open every day at 8:30. In November and December you enter until 15:30 and leave by 17:00; from April to September, until 18:00. Closed on 1 January and 25 December. Free on the first Sunday of the month. It has its own ticket, bought at the ticket office or at midaticket.it, and is also included in the €30 VILLÆ Pass, valid for 72 hours with Villa d'Este and the Sanctuary of Hercules. There is a bar, bookshop and audio guides.

Getting there

The entrance is at Largo Marguerite Yourcenar, on the plain below Tivoli, about 5 km from the centre. The Cotral buses that run from Rome to Tivoli along the Tiburtina stop at the Villa Adriana junction, a walk from the entrance. By car there is parking next to the entrance.

Tips

Allow three hours It is enormous and you have to walk between one monument and the next. Pick up the plan at the entrance.

Hat and water There is almost no shade among the ruins.

Do the two villas in order Hadrian's Villa in the morning, which opens at 8:30; after lunch, Villa d'Este, which closes later.

As a familyWith teenagers

Opening hours and prices can change: check them before you go.