Villa d'Este

Why Villa d'Este is special
Many consider the Villa d'Este in Tivoli to be Italy's finest Renaissance-era garden. Its terraced, shade-tree landscape is dotted with over 500 fountains.

The villa comprises both gardens and palace
Which is better, the gardens or palace?
Allocate nearly all your time exploring the gardens (the fresco-decorated palace pales by comparison).

Top 5 Villa d'Este garden attractions
Must-sees:

• Organ Fountain
  Water creates musical notes as it gushes through special pipes.
  
• Hundred Fountains
  They line a long path.
• Neptune Fountain
  Beautifully designed and strategically located.
• Oval Fountain
  Produces a water-theatre performance.
• Dragon Fountain
  Jets a water column high into the air.

History in brief
Creation, decline and restoration
Villa d'Este was built for Cardinal Ippolito II d'Este in the mid 1500s. It then slowly deteriorated through neglect and plundering. Restoration began in the 1800s and is all but completed today.

More Villa d'Este tips & insights
Shoes
The gardens are sizeable and hillside, so wear comfortable shoes. Sometimes you may have to navigate steep stairs.

Lunch
The restaurant on the upper terrace provides panoramic views.

Via Ardriana
It is near Tivoli and consists of interesting ruins of the country retreat of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. Consider visiting it.

Nearest big city
Rome is about a half-hour away. This makes Tivoli a popular daytrip from Italy's capital.

There is another famous Villa d'Este
It's a garden and celebrated hotel on Lake Como in northern Italy.

Location in Italy