Extend Your Trip: Visit 7 Exceptional European Cities Beyond Rome

Orvieto perches dramatically on a volcanic plateau in Umbria, offering spectacular cathedral views and underground cave systems. This medieval hilltop town captivates visitors with its Gothic Duomo featuring stunning frescoes, ancient Etruscan ruins, and world-renowned white wine. The city provides an authentic Italian experience away from crowded tourist centers. Cobblestone streets wind past artisan shops and traditional trattorias. Underground tunnels reveal centuries of history carved into volcanic rock. The panoramic countryside views stretch across rolling hills dotted with vineyards and olive groves, making it an ideal destination for those seeking cultural immersion and natural beauty.

How to get there from Rome. Take a direct train from Roma Termini station to Orvieto station. Regional trains run hourly throughout the day. From Orvieto station, catch the funicular railway that climbs directly to the historic center. The funicular operates every 10 minutes and provides scenic views during the ascent.

How to travel to and from Orvieto. Return to Rome via direct train connections for international flights. Limited local transportation requires planning for onward travel to other Italian destinations. The train station provides easy access back to major transportation hubs.

Major activities. Duomo cathedral visits, underground cave tours, Etruscan museum exploration, wine tastings at local vineyards, medieval street walking tours, artisan pottery workshops, countryside hiking trails, and panoramic viewpoint photography

Recommended restaurants. Traditional Umbrian trattorias serving wild boar and truffle dishes, family-run osterias offering homemade pasta, wine bars featuring local Orvieto varieties, gelaterias with regional flavors, and casual cafes serving regional specialties

Viterbo is medieval Italy's best-kept secret, featuring perfectly preserved 13th-century walls, cobblestone streets, and the stunning Papal Palace where seven popes once resided. This UNESCO World Heritage candidate captivates visitors with its authentic atmosphere, natural thermal springs, and the remarkable San Pellegrino quarter with ornate Gothic facades. The city offers an immersive medieval experience without tourist crowds, making it ideal for travelers seeking genuine Italian culture. Its strategic location provides easy access to Tuscany's southern reaches while maintaining affordable prices. Viterbo represents everything visitors love about Italian hill towns but with the added bonus of papal history and rejuvenating hot springs that have attracted visitors since Roman times.

How to get there from Rome. Take a direct train from Roma Ostiense or Roma Tiburtina stations to Viterbo Porta Fiorentina. Regional trains run hourly throughout the day. Alternatively, drive via the A1 autostrada north, then exit at Orte and follow SS204 west directly to Viterbo center.

How to travel to and from Viterbo. Return travel to Rome is straightforward via frequent train connections. For international flights, Rome's airports are 90 minutes away by train and bus combination. Viterbo serves as an excellent base for exploring northern Lazio and southern Tuscany before returning to major transport hubs.

Major activities. Explore the medieval Papal Palace and San Lorenzo Cathedral, wander the perfectly preserved San Pellegrino quarter, relax at natural thermal springs like Terme dei Papi, visit Villa Lante gardens, walk the ancient city walls, and take day trips to nearby Etruscan sites and Lake Bolsena.

Recommended restaurants. Enjoy traditional Tuscia cuisine at family-run trattorias serving wild boar, handmade pasta, and local Est Est Est wine. Popular spots include Taverna Etrusca, Il Richiastro, and Osteria del Borgo. Local specialties feature chestnuts, mushrooms, and regional olive oil.

Perugia commands hilltop views across Umbria's rolling countryside, making it an essential stop between Rome and Florence. This medieval university town combines ancient Etruscan walls with Renaissance art treasures, including works by Perugino and Pinturicchio. The historic center pedestrian zones showcase perfectly preserved Gothic architecture while vibrant student life energizes cafes and piazzas. Chocolate lovers discover Perugian heritage at Baci factory tours. Underground Rocca Paolina fortress reveals hidden medieval streets. The city offers authentic Italian experiences without overwhelming tourist crowds, plus easy access to Assisi, Gubbio, and wine regions. Perfect for travelers seeking culture, history, and genuine local atmosphere.

How to get there from Rome. Take high-speed train from Roma Termini to Terontola-Cortona station, then regional train to Perugia. Alternatively, drive via A1 motorway north to E45 toward Perugia. Direct buses run from Rome Tiburtina station to Perugia.

How to travel to and from Perugia. Regional trains connect to major Italian cities including Florence and Rome. Small Perugia airport offers limited European flights. Most international travelers need to return via Rome or Florence airports. Car rentals provide flexibility for exploring Umbrian countryside before departure.

Major activities. Explore Palazzo dei Priori art gallery, walk underground Rocca Paolina medieval streets, visit Perugina chocolate factory, climb Campanile for city views, tour Cathedral and Fontana Maggiore, stroll Corso Vannucci pedestrian street, day trips to nearby Assisi and wine tastings in surrounding hills

Recommended restaurants. Traditional Umbrian cuisine featuring truffle dishes, wild boar, and local wines at family-run trattorias. University area offers affordable pizza al taglio and student-friendly osterias. Local specialties include torta al testo flatbread and Sagrantino wine. Perugian chocolate shops provide sweet treats.

Lecce is Puglia's baroque masterpiece, earning the nickname 'Florence of the South' for its stunning limestone architecture and ornate churches. This captivating city showcases centuries of history through its Roman amphitheater, medieval streets, and elaborate baroque facades carved from local golden stone. The compact historic center invites leisurely exploration, while authentic Puglian culture thrives in local markets and traditional workshops. Lecce offers an immersive Italian experience without overwhelming crowds, combining artistic heritage with genuine southern Italian warmth. The city serves as an ideal base for exploring Puglia's coastline, trulli houses, and olive groves, making it perfect for travelers seeking cultural depth beyond Rome's tourist trails.

How to get there from Rome. Take a high-speed train from Rome Termini to Bari Central Station, then connect to a regional train for the final leg to Lecce. Total journey requires one transfer and advance booking recommended. Alternatively, fly from Rome Fiumicino to Brindisi Airport, then take a bus or rent a car for the 45-minute drive to Lecce.

How to travel to and from Lecce. Lecce offers limited international flight connections, requiring travelers to return via Rome or connect through major European hubs. Regional trains provide easy access to other Puglian destinations. Car rental enables flexible exploration of the region before returning to Rome for international departures.

Major activities. Explore Basilica di Santa Croce's intricate facade, visit the Roman amphitheater in Piazza Sant'Oronzo, wander through the historic center's baroque churches, browse local artisan workshops specializing in papier-mache and cartapesta, take day trips to nearby Otranto and Gallipoli beaches.

Recommended restaurants. Savor traditional orecchiette pasta with turnip tops, sample local burrata and focaccia barese, try rustico leccese pastries, dine at family-run trattorias serving Puglian specialties, enjoy aperitivo culture in historic piazzas, taste regional wines like Primitivo and Negroamaro.

Matera is one of the world's most extraordinary ancient cities, famous for its cave dwellings carved directly into limestone cliffs. The Sassi districts showcase thousands of years of continuous human habitation, earning UNESCO World Heritage status. These stone houses, churches, and cisterns create a moonscape so dramatic that Hollywood uses it as a biblical film backdrop. The city transforms at sunset when golden light illuminates the ancient caves. Modern restaurants and boutique hotels now occupy many restored caves, blending contemporary luxury with prehistoric architecture. Matera offers an unparalleled journey through time where visitors sleep in caves that sheltered families for millennia.

How to get there from Rome. Take a high-speed train from Rome to Bari, then connect to a regional train to Matera Centrale station. Alternatively, rent a car and drive southeast via A14 and SS99 highways through scenic Basilicata countryside. Direct buses run from Rome Tiburtina station to Matera but take longer than train connections.

How to travel to and from Matera. Limited direct international connections require traveling back to Rome or Naples for flights to North America. Regional airports in Bari provide some European connections. Most visitors return via Rome for transatlantic flights, making it a destination best combined with other Italian cities.

Major activities. Explore the ancient Sassi cave districts, visit rock churches with Byzantine frescoes, stay in converted cave hotels, take guided tours through underground cisterns, enjoy sunset viewpoints, discover Casa Grotta museum, walk the Via del Corso, and photograph the dramatic stone architecture.

Recommended restaurants. Dine in cave restaurants serving orecchiette pasta and lamb dishes. Try Osteria al Casale for traditional Lucanian cuisine, Alle Fornaci for refined dining in ancient caves, or local trattorias serving caciocavallo cheese and Aglianico wine in atmospheric stone settings.

Trieste captivates visitors as Italy's multicultural port city where Austrian, Slavic, and Italian influences blend seamlessly. This northeastern gem offers stunning Adriatic coastlines, elegant Habsburg architecture, and world-renowned coffee culture. The city boasts magnificent squares like Piazza Unità d'Italia, one of Europe's largest seafront squares. Literary enthusiasts appreciate its connections to James Joyce and Italo Svevo. Trieste's unique position as a former Austrian port creates an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in Italy, making it perfect for travelers seeking authentic cultural immersion away from typical tourist crowds.

How to get there from Rome. Travel from Rome to Trieste by high-speed train with one connection in Venice, taking approximately 4.5 hours total. Direct trains run several times daily. Alternatively, fly from Rome Fiumicino to Trieste Airport with a connection, though train travel proves more convenient and scenic.

How to travel to and from Trieste. Trieste offers moderate international connectivity with flights to major European cities. Direct train connections reach Vienna, Ljubljana, and Venice easily. The city serves as an excellent gateway to Slovenia and Croatia, though flights back to North America require connections through major European hubs.

Major activities. Explore Piazza Unità d'Italia, visit Miramare Castle, tour historic coffee houses like Caffè San Marco, walk along the Grand Canal, discover Roman amphitheater ruins, take the funicular to Opicina for panoramic views, browse antique markets, and enjoy Adriatic beaches.

Recommended restaurants. Savor fresh seafood at waterfront trattorias, experience traditional Triestine cuisine blending Italian and Austrian flavors, visit historic osmiza taverns, enjoy excellent local wines, sample Central European pastries at traditional cafes, and dine at Michelin-recommended restaurants featuring regional specialties.

Split combines ancient Roman architecture with modern Croatian coastal charm along the Adriatic Sea. The UNESCO World Heritage Diocletian's Palace forms the city's living heart where locals work and live within 1,700-year-old walls. Croatia's second-largest city offers stunning beaches, vibrant nightlife, and serves as the perfect gateway to nearby islands like Hvar and Brač. The Mediterranean climate provides warm summers and mild winters. Split balances historical significance with contemporary energy, featuring excellent seafood, affordable prices, and friendly locals. The compact old town allows easy walking between major attractions while the Riva waterfront promenade buzzes with cafes and street performers.

How to get there from Rome. Fly from Rome Fiumicino to Split Airport with Croatia Airlines or other carriers, taking approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. Airport buses connect to Split center in 30 minutes. Alternatively, drive via A1 highway through Slovenia and Croatia in about 8 hours, or take overnight ferries from Ancona, Italy to Split port.

How to travel to and from Split. Split Airport offers direct flights to major European cities and seasonal routes to North America. Ferry connections reach Italian ports and Greek islands. The city serves as an excellent base for exploring the Dalmatian coast and nearby countries. Bus and train connections link to Zagreb and other Croatian destinations.

Major activities. Explore Diocletian's Palace and underground cellars, climb Marjan Hill for panoramic views, relax at Bacvice Beach, take day trips to Hvar and Brač islands, visit the Cathedral of Saint Domnius, stroll the Riva waterfront promenade, discover local markets, enjoy sunset cocktails at beach bars, and experience Split's renowned nightlife scene.

Recommended restaurants. Villa Spiza offers exceptional fresh seafood in a tiny authentic setting. Bokeria serves modern Croatian cuisine with creative presentations. Zinfandel provides upscale dining with wine pairings. Street food includes cevapcici and burek. Waterfront restaurants along Riva serve grilled fish and local wines. Diocletian's Wine House features extensive Croatian wine selection.