What to see in Monte Porzio Catone in one day

Monte Porzio Catone is small, but in one day you can put together the villas of the popes, a town laid out in the seventeenth century and a ruined Roman city. This is the order we suggest, without rushing. It is not an official route: it is what we would tell a friend coming from Rome.

Before you set off

Three stops on the route are worth booking or checking:

• the Barco Borghese is visited with a guide, booked in advance;
• the Tusculum archaeological park and the town’s museums have opening times that change through the year;
• Villa Mondragone is not open every day: you can see inside only during events.

The official links are in the linked articles. For getting here, see how to get here from Rome.

1. The old town on foot

Start in Piazza Borghese, where the bus stops, and climb the main street: from the Palazzo Borghese, the town’s gateway, to piazza Porzio Catone, with the Garibaldino monument, and on to piazza del Duomo. The story of how the town was laid out is in the walk through the old town.

2. The main church and the town museum

The church of San Gregorio Magno stands at the top of the main street, where the castle once was. In the rooms of the complex is the Museo della Città, with archaeological finds, papal bulls and documents: opening times change, check the town council’s website.

3. The Wine Museum

If your plan allows, stop at the Wine Museum, in the old railway station, opened in 2024. It is the easiest way to understand Frascati before you drink it.

4. Villa Mondragone and the Barco Borghese

Then leave the centre towards Frascati. Along the road is Villa Mondragone, to look at at least from outside, and in front of it the Barco Borghese, with its underground route through Roman rooms from the first century BC. This is the stop that needs booking.

5. Tusculum

Above the town, Tusculum deserves part of the day: theatre, forum and acropolis, to be visited on foot in comfortable shoes. A short detour takes you to the gate of the Tusculan Hermitage, which cannot be visited but can be reached by car.

6. Evenings at the Observatory

If the day turns into evening, the Astronomical Observatory runs visits and evenings booked in advance, which change through the year: dates and details are on the official website.

And then?

If you stay for dinner, Il Tinello is a few steps from the centre. Best to let us know in advance.

In short

• Suggested order: old town, main church and museum, Wine Museum, Villa Mondragone and the Barco, Tusculum.
• To book or check: Barco Borghese (guided, booked ahead), Tusculum, museums, Observatory.
• Not open inside: Tusculan Hermitage; Villa Mondragone only for events.
• Directions: how to get here from Rome.