The Fountain Gardens of Tivoli - Villa d'Este

Just half an hour's journey from Rome, in the charming hillside town of Tivoli, awaits one of Europe's most spectacular gardens - Villa d'Este.

The journey to Tivoli takes between half an hour to an hour from Rome, depending on your mode of transport, the day of travel, and the time you're traveling. We chose a combination of metro within Rome and then a bus to Tivoli. Unfortunately, we didn't know that the bus company serving Tivoli, Cortal, is different from the bus company operating within Rome. To pay for the journey, we had to specifically download their app, set it up, purchase tickets, and activate them. This is simple when done beforehand with a clear head, but much more complicated when you need to do everything while riding on the bus. I highly recommend reading the post about public transportation in Rome.

The journey itself is an experience - Italy's countryside scenery is simply stunning, with green hills and vineyards stretching along the way.

We got off in Tivoli at Piazza Matteotti and from there walked 4 minutes to the entrance of Villa d'Este. By chance, we arrived on a Sunday that was the first of the month, and it turns out that admission on that day is free. Strangely, we still had to wait in line in the sun, just to be asked if we wanted to rent an audio guide.

Villa d'Este was built in the 16th century for Cardinal Ippolito d'Este, son of Pope Alexander VI. The villa and its gardens are considered one of the pinnacles of Italian Renaissance art, and it's no coincidence that it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The gardens contain over 500 unique fountains, each with its own story and complex hydraulic mechanism that operated without electricity starting from the 16th century!

The Organ Fountain (Fontana dell'Organo) - the most famous fountain in the garden, which once played real music using water pressure. The original mechanism no longer operates, but the sight is still breathtaking.

The Owl Fountain (Fontana delle Civette) - a magical fountain that mimicked bird sounds, also operated by water power alone.

The Hundred Fountains - three rows of 300 small fountains creating a mesmerizing water symphony.

The place is simply beautiful from every angle. The building itself is incredibly magnificent - each room is more decorated and painted than the next, with stunning frescoes and detailed ornaments telling stories from classical mythology.

However, the real star is the garden. The unique and beautiful fountains create a magical atmosphere, and the combination of Renaissance architecture with Tivoli's mountain scenery is simply breathtaking. The visit was extremely enjoyable and wonderfully relaxing.

Important Tips:

• Come with comfortable shoes - there are many stairs and walking sections.

• Bring a hat and water, especially in summer - there are many open areas. Throughout the garden, there are drinking water taps.

• Plan to dedicate at least 2-3 hours to the site

• Plan your trip so you won't be surprised along the way - but don't let this concern deter you from going there. The place is absolutely worth it!

The visit to Villa d'Este adds so much to a trip to Rome. Getting out of the city a bit, seeing the countryside views, and strolling through one of the most beautiful and interesting places. Highly recommended.