Frascati sits in the green folds of the Alban Hills, the most storied of the Castelli Romani towns. Since the Renaissance, popes and cardinals built grand villas here for breezy summers above Rome, leaving a landscape of cypresses, vineyards, and baroque silhouettes. The town’s name is synonymous with its crisp white wine—Frascati DOC—poured in convivial “fraschette” taverns alongside paper-thin porchetta and pecorino.

History lingers in the Scuderie Aldobrandini museum, the cathedral on Piazza San Pietro, and the ruins of ancient Tusculum crowning the ridge above town. Villas such as Aldobrandini still dominate the skyline; their terraces deliver huge views stretching from the Roman Campagna to St. Peter’s dome on clear days. Beneath those vistas, life is simple: an espresso at the bar, a slice of pizza al taglio, and a late-afternoon passeggiata.

Practically, Frascati is easy: frequent regional trains connect it to Roma Termini in about 25–35 minutes; spring and fall bring ideal weather for vineyard walks; and the compact historic center rewards slow wandering. Expect contactless payments to be widely accepted, service included on bills, and comfortable shoes essential for cobbled hills.

Frascati

Welcoming and walkable, Frascati is the kind of Italian hill town that invites lingering—on piazzas, under vine-draped pergolas, and over a glass of the area’s signature white. The town anchors wine country, with family estates pouring Frascati Superiore and the dessert-style Cannellino di Frascati.

Top sights include the Belvedere of Villa Aldobrandini for golden-hour panoramas, the elegant Piazza San Pietro and cathedral, the Scuderie Aldobrandini museum, and the Tusculum Archaeological Park above town, where fragments of an ancient theater and city walls meet chestnut woods.

• Where to stay: Compare stays on VRBO Frascati (vineyard cottages, historic flats) and Hotels.com Frascati (central boutique hotels, classic villas).
• Getting there: Fly into Rome (FCO or CIA), then train/bus to Frascati. Search European flights and rail on Omio flights and Omio trains. Roma Termini → Frascati regional trains run ~every 30–60 minutes, 25–35 minutes, about €2.50–€3.50. From Ciampino, local buses (Cotral) or taxis reach Frascati in ~20–30 minutes.
• Good to know: Book winery tours in advance (most estates host small-group tastings), and carry a light layer for breezy evenings on the hill.

Day 1: Arrival, Old Town Stroll, and a Sunset Over the Villas

Morning: Travel to Rome and onward to Frascati. From Roma Termini, hop a regional train to Frascati (~30 minutes; tickets on Omio trains). If flying into FCO/CIA, compare routes on Omio flights and plan to be in town after lunch.

Afternoon: Check in to your stay via Hotels.com or VRBO. Stretch your legs through the historic center: pause in Piazza San Pietro to admire the cathedral’s façade and peek inside. Continue up to the Belvedere below Villa Aldobrandini for sweeping views across the Roman plain—on clear days you can pick out the dome of St. Peter’s.

Evening: Ease into the local rhythm with an aperitivo and dinner. For a classic table with a view, book Cacciani (since 1922): try their seasonal fettuccine with guanciale and pecorino, then pair roasted lamb or rabbit alla cacciatora with a bottle of Frascati Superiore. Another beloved option is Ristorante Belvedere dal 1933, whose terrace glows at sunset—order house-made pasta and grilled meats, and finish with ciambelline al vino dipped in Cannellino di Frascati. Nightcap: stroll the lanes for a creamy gelato and the evening passeggiata.

Day 2: Tusculum Hike and Winery Immersion

Morning: Start early with espresso and a cornetto at a neighborhood bar near Piazza San Pietro (counter service is quick and excellent value). Lace up for a hike to the Tusculum Archaeological Park: trails lead uphill through chestnut woods to the ancient acropolis and the remains of a small theater. The loop from town is 2.5–3.5 hours roundtrip at an easy-moderate grade; bring water and sun protection.

Afternoon: Clean up, then dedicate the day to wine. Book a tour and tasting at Minardi Frascati Winery (Antico Casale Minardi), a family-run estate known for hands-on experiences, or at Cantina De Sanctis, an organic producer with volcanic-soil vineyards and cellar tours. Expect guided walks through vines, a cellar visit, and tastings of Frascati DOC and Cannellino with local breads, oils, and cheeses (typical tasting €20–€40 per person; 2–3 hours). If you’d like to roll pasta, many mid-day sessions combine a short cooking class with a flight of wines.

Evening: For dinner, choose between rustic and refined. In Frascati, truffle-scented pastas and Roman staples star at La Vecchia Frasca (cozy, family-run). For a destination meal 10 minutes away by taxi in Monte Porzio Catone, book Epos Wine & Food at Poggio Le Volpi, the estate restaurant overlooking vines; tasting menus feature wood-fired breads, seasonal vegetables, and pairings of the estate’s elegant whites and reds. Reserve ahead for sunset seating.

Day 3: Grottaferrata Abbey, Market Flavors, and Departure

Morning: Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at a local bar—order a cappuccino and a bomba (sugar-dusted cream doughnut) or a slice of crostata. Then head 10 minutes by bus or taxi to Abbazia di Santa Maria di Grottaferrata, a Byzantine-rite monastery founded in 1004. Visit the church, cloister, and small museum (modest dress and quiet voices appreciated). Time permitting, browse nearby food shops for pecorino, porchetta, and olive oil from the Castelli Romani.

Afternoon: Return to Frascati for a last walk and light lunch before you depart. If you didn’t dine there yet, book La Taverna dello Spuntino in nearby Grottaferrata—a vaulted, 17th‑century inn famous for country cooking and house antipasti—or stay in town for a casual platter at a fraschetta: cold cuts, porchetta, and a carafe of house Frascati. Trains back to Roma Termini take ~30 minutes; search schedules on Omio trains. For onward flights within Europe, compare options on Omio flights.

Evening: Departure day—if you have extra time, pop into the Scuderie Aldobrandini museum to trace the story of Tusculum and the villas, then grab one last espresso before heading to the station or airport.

• Local tips: Reservations are wise for Cacciani, Belvedere, Poggio Le Volpi, and winery tours. Many wineries close on certain weekdays; check availability when planning. Taxis are easily arranged by your hotel/host; ask for a quote before longer vineyard runs.
• Ballpark costs: Regional train Roma Termini–Frascati €2.50–€3.50; taxi Ciampino–Frascati €30–€40; winery tastings €20–€40; mid-range dinner €25–€45 per person before wine; destination restaurant tasting menu €60–€90.

In three days, you’ll taste the best of the Castelli Romani—vineyard air, villa views, and generous Roman country cooking. Frascati rewards unhurried travelers, and its easy link to Rome makes it a perfect, delicious detour you’ll want to repeat.