It wasn’t part of my initial plan, and perhaps that’s why the trip to Castel Gandolfo became so memorable.
Before my first visit to Italy, a friend had to convince me that I should go to Rome first since it’s the capital of Italy, and then explore other cities. Hmm, once I arrived in Rome, I didn’t regret it at all—in fact, I even fell in love with the ancient city. I stayed in Rome for four days, and on the third day, we took a trip to Castel Gandolfo. We rode a motorcycle to this small town southeast of Rome. This trip made me fall in love with lakes.
A TRIP TO CASTEL GANDOLFO: THE POPE’S SUMMER RESIDENCE
Traveling to less mainstream places always feels more exciting because I’m curious about what I might discover there. I enjoy observing local life and culture in its more authentic form. But if it weren’t for my friend from Vietnam suggesting we visit Castel Gandolfo, I wouldn’t have known that this town of 8,900 residents even existed.
Castel Gandolfo is a small town located 25 km southeast of Rome, in the Lazio region, nestled in the Alban Hills. It’s best known for Lake Albano and, of course, the Pope’s Palace. If you take the train to Castel Gandolfo, you’ll step out right in front of the stunning view of Lake Albano with its peaceful and serene vibe.
This area draws tourists primarily because of the Pope’s Palace, which serves as the Pope’s summer residence and is also open to the public as a museum. When the Pope visits Castel Gandolfo, groups of pilgrims often follow, coming to see this charming small town.
THINGS TO SEE & DO IN CASTEL GANDOLFO
As soon as I got off the motorcycle, I was immediately mesmerized by the scenery before me. It was spring in May, with cool, fresh air. Before me lay a blue lake, as blue as the sky above. The surface was smooth, like a carpet. As I got closer, the water sparkled like crystal. A few people were busy practicing kayaking. On the cliffs above, numerous restaurants and cafés lined the streets.
It was a Sunday, which probably explained why almost all the restaurants, cafés, and shops in Castel Gandolfo were closed. Only a handful were open, but that was fine with me. It allowed me to enjoy Castel Gandolfo without having to share it with many other tourists.
Since the town is small, you can easily explore Castel Gandolfo in one day. There’s no need to stay overnight—a day trip from Rome will do. But despite its size, the town has several landmarks and points of interest worth visiting:
1. Lake Albano
Lake Albano is one of the reasons Castel Gandolfo is called one of Italy’s most scenic towns. I only had time to sit by the lake and take photos, but with its calm atmosphere, it seems perfect for a lakeside picnic, much like Lake Bled in Slovenia. Having lunch at one of the lakeside restaurants would also be delightful.
For 10 Euros per hour, you can rent a paddleboat to explore the lake after exchanging your passport or ID. Other activities include kayaking or hiking the trails behind the restaurants.
2. Pontifical Palace and Gardens
The Pope’s summer palace, built in the 17th century by Pope Urban VIII, is open to the public as a museum. You can explore both the palace and its beautiful gardens during your visit. The palace is located in the heart of Castel Gandolfo, just a few minutes’ walk from the lake.
3. Church of San Tommaso da Villanova
Situated in the main square near the Pope’s Palace, this church is an architectural gem designed by the renowned Italian Renaissance master Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
4. Exploring the town and nearby villages
My favorite part of the trip was wandering through the streets, passing colorful houses adorned with flower pots, and walking up and down the hills, through small alleyways that led to the countryside. The people were friendly and greeted us with “Buona Sera,” meaning “Good Evening” in Italian.
On the way back to the parking lot after descending the hill, I stumbled upon a pick-up truck selling fresh fruits and vegetables. Spontaneously, I bought a box of strawberries for just 5 Euros.
HOW TO GET TO CASTEL GANDOLFO
We went to Castel Gandolfo by motorcycle, and the trip took only 30 minutes. By car, it would take about the same amount of time. If you prefer public transportation, you can take a train from Termini Station to Castel Gandolfo. As I mentioned before, the train drops you right in front of the picturesque Lake Albano. The platform has only a sign that says “Castel Gandolfo.” Since there are no ticket sales there, it’s best to buy a return ticket at Termini or online. The fare is 2.10 Euros each way, and don’t forget to validate your ticket before boarding.
Walking is the best way to explore the town and nearby villages, but if you’re planning to travel to other villages, it’s more convenient to rent a motorcycle or a car.
It was a lovely day in this stunning lakeside town. As the evening approached, I headed back to Rome to do some shopping around Via Condotti.