Via Francigena: From Acquapendente to Rome

Acquapendente is a small town in the province of Viterbo, a few kilometres from the Tuscany region. There you can visit the Cathedral of the Holy Sepulchre which houses a stone from the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

Overnight in Acquapendente

Leave the town through the Porta Romana to reach the Via Cassia, which will then take you to the town of San Lorenzo Nuovo. There, you can visit its historic quarter and the Cathedral of San Lorenzo Martyr in Piazza Europa.

As you leave the village you will have beautiful views of the Volsini Mountains and Lake Bolsena, the largest volcanic lake in Europe. 

Follow the route through woods and olive groves to Bolsena, a charming village steeped in Roman history and from where you can take a boat on the lake to the iconic islands of Martana and Bisentina. 

Overnight in Bolsena

Along rural and wooded paths, you will surround Lake Bolsena. Along the way you will also come across rivers, waterfalls and streams that gives this stretch a real natural charm. 

Further on the road climb, you will go uphill through beautiful cultivated fields until you reach Montefiascone. Here you will have enchanting views over Lake Bolsena and the Cimini Mountains. Get to know the frescoes in San Flaviano, many of them attributed to unknown painters and representing the lives of the first martyrs. 

Also visit the Pope's fortress, an imposing construction that dominates the landscape of Montefiascone. In the afternoon, enjoy an ice-cold glass of Est! Est!!, Est!!!, the wine for which this region is recognized. 

Overnight in Montefiascone

This route takes you along a plain that divides Lake Bolsena from the Cimini Mountains. Don't forget to pack your swimsuit, as you will reach the thermal pools at Bagnaccio. 

These pools are the result of a natural volcanic fountain. The Romans used to bathe there, and as you can see, very little has changed in this place in the last 2,000 years. 

You will arrive in Viterbo, a medieval village heavily bombed during World War II, but is the best preserved in Lazio and residence for the popes in the 13th century.

Overnight in Viterbo

In this part of the Via Francigena, you will follow the route that takes you to Lake Vico which is located in the Cimini Mountains, a beautiful and unspoilt area, surrounded by oak forests. In medieval villages, pilgrims took this route to avoid a marshy plain where the risk of malaria was very high. 

Once you cross Lake Vico, spend the night in Caprarola, whose countryside is dominated by the Renaissance mansion, Villa Farnese, originally a fortress.

Overnight in Caprarola

Depart from Caprarola and follow a path that crosses the summits of the Cimini Hills. These volcanic mountains are densely surrounded by forests and are part of the Apennine Mountains. 

Sutri is located on a hill in Toba. During Roman times, it occupied a commanding position in Etruria, where you can discover the incredible Roman ruins, specifically the Roman amphitheatre that was dug into the hill.

You will also get to know the Etruscan necropolis, which was also formed on a rock, and the Mithraeum, an ancient place of worship that became the Madonna del Parto Church with beautiful frescoes. 

Sutri is also located on the Via Cassia, a road connecting Rome with northern Italy. You will walk along certain sections of this ancient route.  

Overnight in Sutri

Today's tour includes walking through fields, rivers and stunning waterfalls, such as Monte Gelato, which has a great place to relax, swim and take a break. 

Follow the route that becomes a Roman road that eventually takes you to Campagnano di Roma, named in 1076. Every time you get close, you can see it appearing through the landscape.

Overnight in Campagnano di Roma

On your route today, you'll pass by the Madonna del Sorbo Shrine which is dramatically located on a rocky spur over the Sorbo Valley. Get to know the Etruscan ruins of Veii, which in the 6th century were a centre of manufacture of terracotta sculptures in Etruria.

In its heyday, Veii was as large as Athens and had a population of about 100,000. Spend time here exploring the ruins before continuing to Isola Farnese, where you'll spend the night.

Overnight in Isola Farnese

From Isola Farnese, you will follow the authentic route on the Via Francigena along the Via Trionfale. Although this is the official route, keep in mind that you will walk through the suburbs of Rome, making it a noisy place with plenty of traffic. 

If you do not want to take this route you have two other options: the first is to take a train to Rome and the second is to request a transfer (with an extra cost) at the beginning of the Via Appia Antica, which takes you to Rome. 

If you choose to follow the Via Trionfale, you will walk through two immense parks: Insugherata and Mount Mario. You will be able to see the centre of Rome with its emblematic buildings, particularly St. Peter's Basilica, from the 139-metre top of Mount Mario, in the northwest of the city.

This is an amazing place to sit down and enjoy a picnic, before walking along the Viale Angelico to complete your day.  

Overnight in Roma

After breakfast, your trip will come to an end. You can head to Rome Fiumicino Airport to catch your flight or continue touring Italy.

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