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Top 10 attractions in Bolsena
Borghese Gallery and Museum
The Borghese Gallery and Museum was originally a 17th-century countryside villa built by Cardinal Scipione Borghese in northern Rome. The villa and its collection were nationalized in the early 20th century and converted into a museum, still surrounded by extensive gardens today. The gallery is renowned for its Baroque marble sculptures and Renaissance to Baroque paintings, featuring masterpieces by Bernini, Canova, Caravaggio, Raphael, Titian, and others, all displayed within this compact two-story building. The highlights on the first floor are almost all by the young Bernini: in room 2, "David" twists his entire body, frozen in the moment before releasing the stone; in room 3, "Apollo and Daphne" captures the fleeing maiden as her fingertips sprout laurel leaves; in room 4, "The******of Proserpina" shows Pluto's fingers sinking deep into the marble-carved flesh; while room 6's "Aeneas, Anchises, and Ascanius" was sculpted when he was just over twenty—the hard stone takes on the soft textures of skin, foliage, and drapery in these statues. Room 5 houses the "Sleeping Hermaphroditus," an ancient Roman copy of a Greek original, with the buttoned mattress beneath added by Bernini in 1620, so lifelike it could deceive; at the center of room 1 stands Canova's reclining statue of Napoleon's sister Pauline, the goddess holding a golden apple, with a hidden mechanism in the base allowing the entire sculpture to rotate. Don't rush through the entrance hall either—underfoot lies a 4th-century gladiator mosaic floor, while overhead is Mariano Rossi's ceiling fresco depicting Romulus being welcomed to Olympus to meet Jupiter. Gallery 7 features ancient Egyptian-style displays, while gallery 8 showcases original works by Caravaggio, including "David with the head of Goliath," "Sick Bacchus," and "Boy with a basket of fruit." The second floor is a gallery displaying a condensed history of Italian painting, with Titian's "Sacred and profane love" and "Venus blinding Cupid," Raphael's "The entombment," Correggio's "Danaë," Rubens' "Susanna and the elders," Cranach's "Venus and Cupid as honey thief," Botticelli's Madonna, and Pinturicchio's 1473 "Crucifixion" all lined up in sequence. The art museum has long implemented a reservation system with entry by time slot. Each slot is limited to 2 hrs with a capped number of visitors, and peak season quotas often get booked up well in advance—plan ahead to secure your spot. Once inside, consider focusing first on the Bernini sculptures on the first floor and Caravaggio's works in Hall 8, then leisurely head to the second floor for the paintings. Two hours is just enough to thoroughly cover the highlights.Rome · 91.2km from Bolsena
Torre Alfina Castle
Acquapendente · 12.8km from Bolsena
Castel Sant'Angelo
The Fort Sant'Angelo was originally a family cemetery built by Emperor Hadrian. It was later converted into a papal fortress in the 6th century AD. It is said that in 590 AD, Pope Gregory saw an angel in the sky above the fort and named it the Holy Angel. Fort. Castel Sant'Angelo, located on the Tiber River, at the western end of the ancient Roman region, there are several bridges leading to the west bank of the Tiber River, the more important one is the bridge to the Castel Sant'Angelo (PonteSantaAngelo). When walking through the Pont Sant'Angelo, you may wish to take a closer look at the shape of the bridge and the various exquisite carvings on it. The bridge designed by Bernini can be said to be a masterpiece of Baroque decorative art, but only two of the angel statues on the bridge are made of The statue, sculpted by Bernini himself, has been moved to the church of Santa Adreadelle Fratte for proper preservation, and two replicas have been placed on the bridge. The history of Castel Sant'Angelo in the 2nd century AD, the Roman emperor Hadrian designed the Castel Sant'Angelo and personally directed its construction as the resting place for himself and his successors. Over the centuries, Castel Sant'Angelo has undergone a number of changes: first as a fortress to stop the Visigoths and Ostrogoths from invading, then as a prison, and later converted into a splendid papal palace. Now as a museum, in addition to the collection of stuccoes, frescoes and the residence furniture of the Pope, ancient weapons are also an important and precious collection here.Rome · 91.4km from Bolsena
Il Paese delle Fiabe
Viterbo · 17.3km from Bolsena
Centro Storico di Celleno Vecchia
Celleno · 15.7km from Bolsena
Camping Pineta
Bolsena · 852m from downtown
Pompeii Archaeological Park
The Pompeii Archaeological Park is located on the shores of the Bay of Naples in southern Italy, with Mount Vesuvius as its backdrop. In 79 CE, the sudden eruption of the volcano buried the entire town under ash and pumice, inadvertently preserving its streets, houses, shops, and frescoes—freezing the daily life of an ancient Roman town at the moment of disaster. Beyond the ruins, the site also features poignant casts of victims: cavities left by decomposed bodies in hardened ash were filled with plaster by archaeologists, recreating their final moments, with a group of such casts displayed in the Garden of the Fugitives. The tour typically begins at the Porta Marina in the west, where the Temple of Venus, the patron goddess of Pompeii, stands on a high platform to the right of the entrance. Along the main street, visitors can see the rectangular Basilica with its recognizable column remnants and frescoes, followed by the ancient Temple of Apollo nearby. Further ahead lies the central forum, where the columns of the Temple of Jupiter frame the silhouette of Mount Vesuvius in the distance—a classic photo spot. The stone-paved streets outside the forum still bear deep ruts from ancient cart wheels. To the south are the Large Theatre and the covered Odeon, the latter once used for musical performances, with the Temple of Isis reflecting Egyptian influence nearby. Heading north to an intersection, the Stabian Baths offer a glimpse into ancient Romans' passion for bathing. Further east, the House of the Venus in the Shell features a small garden surrounded by a colonnade, with the famous fresco of Venus reclining in a shell still adorning the garden wall. At the southeastern end of the town stands the Amphitheatre, built around 2,000 years ago and capable of seating 20,000 spectators—one of the earliest surviving stone Roman amphitheatres, offering panoramic views from the upper seats. The House of the Faun in the northwest occupies almost an entire block; its excavated Alexander Mosaic is now housed in Naples' National Archaeological Museum. Nearby, the House of the Tragic Poet displays the famous "Beware of the Dog" mosaic at its entrance, with interior frescoes depicting mythological and theatrical scenes. The vast site offers limited shade, so allocate at least half a day for exploration, wear comfortable shoes, and bring water. Those interested in seeing the original Alexander Mosaic and other artifacts can pair their visit with the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.Italy · Pompei
Val d'Orcia
Val d'Orcia is named after the Orcia River and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2004. This vast rural area is famous for its rolling hills, rows of cypress trees, vineyards, and olive groves, serving as a quintessential representation of the Tuscan landscape. UNESCO recognizes it as an exceptional example of the redesign of the natural landscape during the Renaissance, where the layout of farmland, the distribution of settlements, and the natural environment formed a harmonious and unique order. The valley unfolds along the ancient pilgrimage route, the Via Francigena, connecting medieval towns such as Montalcino, Pienza, San Quirico d'Orcia, and Castiglione d'Orcia. Cypress-lined paths, solitary farmhouses on hills, and the gully landscapes formed by wind and rain erosion on clay hills are all highly recognizable images of Val d'Orcia. The valley also produces Brunello wine and Pienza pecorino cheese, making it a pleasant destination for sightseeing.Pienza · 56km from Bolsena
Lungo Lago Capodimonte
Capodimonte · 12.3km from Bolsena
Rocca Farnese
Capodimonte · 12km from Bolsena
Experiences you can't miss in Bolsena
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Featured Cultural experiences in Bolsena
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What travellers say about Bolsena
Brent Joseph3 July 2026
5.0
Amazing gallery! Book early ahead of time. But it is one of the best things to do in Rome.
Borghese Gallery and Museum
Tanja0819 August 2026
5.0
There were no crowds, so there was no waiting either. It was a lovely experience, with a beautiful view from the castle and a café at the top.
Castel Sant'Angelo
M58***9017 October 2026
5.0
Highly recommend our guide, Ruoqing! She took us to see the ruins of Pompeii, including the villa, baths, ancient brothels, and bakeries, and we even met several Pompeian kittens! Her explanations were detailed, bringing the lives of the ancient Romans to life, making the ruins more than just cold stones. Her guided tour was incredibly enriching, and our Pompeii trip was made all the more special by her. ✨
Pompeii Archaeological Park
Todemmy29 October 2019
5.0
Orcia is located in the province of Siena in the Tuscany region of central Italy. Since the Middle Ages, this border region of Orcia has always been a must-go place for pilgrims on their way to Rome. There are countless hostels, hotels, hospitals and post stations in the valley. Over the centuries, it has received a large number of pilgrims and tourists, providing convenience for their travel.
Val d'Orcia
