Viterbo Day Trip to Civita di Bagnoregio and Calcata

Highlights

• Civita di Bagnoregio
• Calcata
• Viterbo Thermal Baths

What's included

Itinerary

1. 1

   Civita di Bagnoregio

   1h

   Your day begins with a breathtaking sight: Civita di Bagnoregio, a village perched on a crumbling pinnacle of volcanic tuff. Your driver will drop you at the entrance to the iconic pedestrian footbridge, the only way to reach this "Dying City." As you walk across the valley, you’ll enter a medieval world that feels suspended in time. Explore the quiet stone alleys, visit the Church of San Donato in the main piazza, and peer over the cliffs at the dramatic "badlands" erosion that gives the town its hauntingly beautiful nickname.

2. 2

   Calcata Vecchia

   1h

   Next, you’ll venture to Calcata, the "Secret Village" built into a sheer volcanic cliff. Once abandoned and later reclaimed by an international community of artists in the 1960s, the village is a labyrinth of art studios and quirky cafes. After exploring the town’s narrow lanes, a short walk takes you into the Treja Valley "Secret Forest." Here, the lush canopy hides the Monte Gelato waterfalls, where ancient watermills and Roman ruins sit beside cascading pools. It is a surreal, prehistoric landscape that has served as a backdrop for countless Italian films.

3. 3

   Quartiere San Pellegrino

   1h

   The journey continues to Viterbo, known as the "City of the Popes." Your driver will take you to the heart of the San Pellegrino district, the best-preserved medieval quarter in Europe. You will walk through a fairy-tale setting of profferli (external stone staircases) and towers dating back to the 13th century. The centerpiece of this visit is the Palazzo dei Papi, the site of the first and longest conclave in history. You can stand in the grand loggia where popes once addressed the faithful, surrounded by the elegant Gothic arches that define the city’s skyline.

4. 4

   Terme Dei Papi

   1h

   To conclude your adventure, you will visit the historic Terme dei Papi (Thermal Baths of the Popes). These therapeutic volcanic waters have been famous since Roman times and were a favorite retreat for medieval pontiffs seeking healing. You can soak in the monumental 2,000-square-meter limestone pool, fed by the natural Bullicame spring. The warm, mineral-rich waters are the perfect way to relax your muscles after a day of exploring hilltop stairs and forest paths. Your driver will be waiting outside to provide a cozy, private transfer back to Rome while you are still in a state of post-spa bliss.

Before you go

Location