Day trips from Rome to the lakes and Rieti
The guided visits around Lago del Turano and Rieti start at the lake or in town. They are local visits with a guide: a walk to the ghost village of Antuni, a tour of the castle at Rocca Sinibalda, a tour of underground Rieti and, in season, trips on the water. A transfer from Rome is not part of these visits. You get to the meeting point on your own, then join the visit.
That makes a day trip from Rome a two-part plan. Part one is the journey, by car or by train and bus. Part two is one guided visit, booked ahead where the organizer asks for it. The tour cards below show what is bookable in the region with live prices. The table and the sections after them explain the local visits that you reserve directly. Prices are those of 2026 and can change.
Our picks: day trips and tours
The Antuni and Turano day trip is the one that reaches the lake area, starting in Carsoli or Castel di Tora. The Sabina trips start in Rome and suit a day in the hills, and the e-bike options start in Casperia, from a self-guided rental to a ride with a cooking class.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Sabina day trip from Rome: Farfa, Casperia and more
- Pickup and return in Rome
- Farfa, Casperia and Montasola
- Italian breakfast
A full day in the Sabina hills with a local expert, by car or van. It starts in Rome, not at the lakes, and entry fees are extra.
Check availability →
Farfa Abbey and Sabina villages from Rome with lunch
- Farfa guide and abbey entry
- Panoramic stops in the Sabina
- Typical lunch
A day by coach from Rome to Farfa Abbey and medieval villages in the Sabina. The exact time and meeting point arrive only after you book.
Check availability →
Antuni hike, Castel di Tora and Lake Turano tour with lunch
- Guided hike to Antuni
- Lake Turano tour
- Lunch and all entrance fees
Hike, village visit, lake tour and lunch in one day. It starts in Carsoli or Castel di Tora, not in Rome.
Check availability →
E-bike ride and cooking class in the Sabina
- E-bike and helmet
- Cooking class
- Tasting of the dishes
Five hours that combine a bike ride with village explanations and a cooking class. It starts in Casperia.
Check availability →
E-bike tour from Casperia to Roccantica
- E-bike and helmet
- Guided village visits
- Guide in Italian or English
A three-hour guided ride to Roccantica, with any cultural entries included. It starts in Casperia in the Sabina, not at the lakes.
Check availability →
E-bike rental in Casperia
- E-bike and helmet
- Insurance
- Child seat on request
A self-guided rental for 4 to 8 hours, not a guided tour; a guide can be added on request. Entry fees on your route are extra.
Check availability →Tours and day trips from Rome, Rieti and the lakes
Guided tours and day trips in the region, with live prices and availability.
Guided visits compared
Adult prices in 2026. Each row is a visit you reserve with its organizer.
| Visit | Where | Length | Price (2026) | When |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antuni, village only | Castel di Tora | About 2 hours | €6 adult, €3 ages 6 to 16 | Weekends and holidays; weekdays by availability |
| Antuni, village and hermitage | Castel di Tora | About 3 hours | €6 adult, €3 ages 6 to 16 | Weekends and holidays; weekdays by availability |
| Rocca Sinibalda castle tour | Rocca Sinibalda | 1.5 to 2 hours | €14 regular, €8 ages 7 to 14, free to age 6 | Saturday afternoon, Sunday 11:00 |
| Rieti Sotterranea | Rieti, Piazza Cavour | About 1.5 hours | €10 per person | Saturday 11:00 and 18:00, Sunday 11:00 |
| Boat trips and charter | Lago del Turano | Varies | Ask locally | Ask about dates |
For most visitors on a first day trip from Rome, the Antuni walk on a weekend morning, combined with time in Castel di Tora, is the simplest plan. Rieti Sotterranea suits a day in town, and the Rocca Sinibalda tour suits anyone who likes castles and can match the Saturday or Sunday slot.
The local visits in detail
What each one involves, and what you need to arrange.
Antuni and Castel di Tora
Antuni is a ghost village above the lake, and the hermitage of San Salvatore belongs to the same route. You can only visit it with an authorized guide and a reservation. The meeting point is at the turn-off for Castel di Tora, where the Monte Antuni path starts. Time windows are Sundays and holidays 9:30 to 12:30, and in the afternoon 16:00 to 19:00 from April to October. Saturdays and days before holidays run in the morning, 9:30 to 12:30, and weekdays depend on availability. Groups need at least 5 and at most 30 people. The village access is a gravel road and the hermitage a narrow mountain path, so the visit is not barrier-free. Castel di Tora guide →
Rocca Sinibalda castle
The castle was rebuilt as a fortified Renaissance palace from 1532. You see it only on a guided visit with a reservation. Individual visits run on Saturday at 15:30 from November to March and at 16:00 from April to October, and on Sunday at 11:00. The castle is closed on 25 December and 1 January, and during announced special events. Groups of 15 or more paying guests pay €12 each. A private tour with an aperitivo takes 2.5 to 3 hours and costs €600 for up to 12 people, and €50 per person above that. Themed tours take 2.5 hours and cost €30. Rocca Sinibalda guide →
Rieti Sotterranea
The tour meets at Piazza Cavour, next to the remains of the Roman bridge, at a sign for Rieti Sotterranea. Reserve through the organizer. Closed groups under 25 pay €10 per person, groups over 25 pay €7, and a guide fee of €130 to €150 applies to closed groups, so ask for the total when you reserve. Check holiday times too. Rieti guide →
Boats and water sports on Lago del Turano
Boat excursions and full charters for private occasions may be offered. Since July 2025 an electric excursion boat has also been on the lake. A rental point under the bridge at Castel di Tora offers single and double kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and pedal-assisted boats in summer. Ask the operator for the current timetable and prices before you go, and do not count on winter service. Lago del Turano guide →
Plan your own way from Rome
Three ways to reach the meeting points.
By car to Lago del Turano
Take the A24 and leave at Carsoli-Oricola, then follow the SP34 towards Lago del Turano and Castel di Tora. The Guardaparco car park on the SP34 near Castel di Tora is a common meeting point. Check on site whether parking there is free. Driving time depends on traffic and your exact destination on the lake.
By train to Rieti
There is a direct train between Rieti and Roma Tiburtina. One early example leaves Rieti at 6:12 and reaches Tiburtina at 7:59 (train 4256), on certain calendar days only. Works can change the plan. A combination of Roma Tiburtina and Rieti with COTRAL buses is another option. For the Rieti Sotterranea visit, this is the easiest way without a car.
From Rieti to the lakes without a car
Lago del Salto lies about 20 km from Rieti on the Strada Cicolana. A bus relation links Borgo San Pietro, Petrella Salto, Cittaducale and Rieti, so check the current timetable. COTRAL's ChiamaBus runs on request from Monday to Saturday, 8:00 to 19:00, except on holidays, and you reserve by app or call center. Its stops include Petrella, Varco, Castel di Tora, Colle di Tora, Ascrea, Paganico and Rocca Sinibalda. It is not a guaranteed direct link from any beach to Rieti. See getting there for the airport legs.
What to check before you book
Small points that decide whether the day works.
Date and time slot
Most local visits run at fixed slots, often only at weekends. Match your travel day to the slot, not the other way round.
Reservation
Antuni and the castle need a reservation. The Rieti visit works by reservation too. Walking up without one can mean no visit.
Return trip
Train and bus services are thinner on holidays. Look at the last departure back before you commit to an afternoon slot.
Group prices
The €600 private castle tour is a price for the group, not per person. Group rates need a minimum number of paying guests.
Plan the rest of your trip
The places behind the visits.
Day trips from Rome: frequently asked questions
Is there an organized day trip from Rome to the lakes?
The local guided visits start at the lake or in Rieti and do not include a transfer from Rome. Use the tour cards above for what is bookable in the region, and plan your own way to the meeting point.
Can I do a day trip from Rome without a car?
Yes, to Rieti. A direct train links Roma Tiburtina and Rieti on certain days, and COTRAL buses are an alternative. The lakes are harder without a car, because the on-request ChiamaBus needs a reservation and runs only Monday to Saturday.
Do I need to reserve the Antuni walk?
Yes. Antuni is open only with an authorized guide and a reservation. The fee in 2026 is €6 for adults and €3 for ages 6 to 16, and groups range from 5 to 30 people.
How long does a visit to Rocca Sinibalda take?
The guided tour takes 1.5 to 2 hours. Individual visits run on Saturday afternoon and Sunday at 11:00, and the regular ticket is €14 in 2026.
Can I see the lakes and Rieti in one day?
Only if you have a car or a very tight plan. One guided visit plus a walk in one village is a realistic day. Give Rieti its own day when you can.
Is this site the official tourist office?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not the website of the lake municipalities, the Lazio region or the dam operator, and it is not connected to any tour operator or hotel.