Official Information
Official site: https://villae.cultura.gov.it
Official tickets: See the Opening time and tickets section for the official ticketing system, with options for both integrated Villae Pass and single-site tickets.
Address: Piazza Trento 5, 00019 Tivoli RM, Italy
Map: View on Google Maps
Opening Hours
Open most days of the year from mid-morning until late afternoon or early evening. Opening hours shift according to the season and daylight, and there may be partial closures for fountain or garden maintenance. The official website lists up-to-date seasonal timetables, free-entry days, and extraordinary closures, always check before you go.
Villa d’Este is a masterpiece of late Renaissance garden design, renowned for the cascades and ingenious water displays that spill down the hillside above the town of Tivoli, just east of Rome. Commissioned in the 16th century by Cardinal Ippolito II d’Este, the villa features frescoed interiors but is best known for its extensive terraced gardens, where gravity-powered channels (no pumps) animate features like the famous Hundred Fountains, a mossy arcade of stone masks and spouting bas-reliefs, as well as the monumental organ fountain, which historically made music from the force of water. Modern mechanisms sometimes recreate this, but schedules can vary. Throughout the gardens, you’ll encounter shell-studded grottoes, tranquil fishponds, clipped hedges and scenic terraces overlooking the Aniene valley. Pathways wind through the site, designed for rambling exploration rather than a set route; expect stairs and occasionally slippery surfaces, so sturdy shoes are advised. Accessibility for those with limited mobility can be a challenge. Villa d’Este pairs perfectly with nearby Hadrian’s Villa (Villa Adriana) for a full day out, consider using the Villae Pass to visit both. Tivoli’s old town, just beyond the gates, is ideal for a coffee or meal between visits. Crowds peak midday, so arriving early or later helps you appreciate how the gardens’ colors and waterworks change with the light.