Must See Rome - Lago Albano | Captivating Compass

Must See Rome – Lago Albano

Lago Albano & The Pope’s Summer Palace

Are you dreaming (wanderlusting?) of a few “beyond the city center” destinations to consider on your ‘must see Rome’ itinerary? Make sure Lago Albano is on your list! It’s not far from Grottaferratta, so it’s easy to make it all part of the same day trip, especially if you are in a hurry.

Lago Albano, in Italy, is located down the hill from Castel Gandolfo and was formed from 2 volcanic craters quite a few thousand years ago. This town and lake are so lovely on a hot summer day. Even the locals escape Rome for the afternoon breezes that sweep across the lake and up the hill.

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Getting To The Lake

You can walk down the hill from Castel Gandolfo and enjoy Lago Albano by renting a relaxing beach chair or hiring a kayak to paddle around the lake.

If you have rented a car, you will find inexpensive parking along the lake. You can fairly easily walk down to the rocky shoreline and enjoy a dip in Lago Albano with the locals. Or, drive on around and find your perfect beach chair on the sandy beaches with a picturesque view of Castel Gandolfo just up the hill.

Either way, there is an amazing view to enjoy whilst relaxing with a good book, or an Italian picnic.

Virtual Tour- Castel Gandolfo

Make Your ‘Must See Rome’ Choices:

There are plenty of ways to slice and dice your must-see Rome itinerary, but it really comes down three (IMHO).

Do the DIY trip which may (or may not) be the most affordable using this post as your springboard to an awesome few days in the Castelli Romani region. Just keep reading there are loads of details below.
Decide where to stay in Rome for convenience, and book a guided day trip.
Make a memory and book a kid-friendly themed tour in the region. You could see Rome’s hilltowns on a Vespa or a classic car. – Now that’s a way to get your man to take you to Italy!

Of course, mixing and matching any of these ideas is always a good solution too!

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image of sculpture of ange in church in Castel Gandolfo, Italy

Here’s Your Must See Rome-Lago Albano Itinerary:

The Papal Palace & Papal Gardens – The palace has a very unique schedule of open days and times for visiting the palace, so double check their schedule if this is a top priority on your visit. While you may not be into seeing where past Popes hung out every summer, you may really enjoy the gardens and the view of the Castelli Romani region. Take a stroll, get some fresh air and enjoy a gelato!
Lago Albano – when will you get another chance to swim or kayak in a volcanic crater?
The town of Castel Gandolfo – This enjoyable little town is just the perfect place for a quiet meal in a piazza. Wander around town during the day and set dinner reservations for the evening. The view of Lago Albano will be a memory not soon forgotten.

Lago Albano, Castel Gandolfo & Grottaferrata are all in the same area – just a few minutes drive from the Ciampino airport. This region makes a great home base for families. It’s away from the big city chaos of Rome and it’s really affordable for lodging, meals and museum entrance fees. Make the Romani Castelli region part of your ‘Must See Rome’ holiday!