Planning a Day Trip to Calcata Vecchia, Italy: How to Get There & Things to Do

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Plan a magical day trip to the one-of-a-kind village of Calcata Vecchia, just one hour away from Rome!

Calcata Vecchia is a town that emerged in the Middle Ages and has defied the odds of modern construction by balancing on top of a cliffside for a very long time. It has shared its significance throughout the prominent Roman civilization, but now in modern times, has taken on a completely different identity.

Calcata Vecchia is the quintessential Italian hilltop town you’ve likely seen photos of, but it’s also a hidden gem of an art hub.

Experience the village that time has forgotten, its serene location on the cliffside nestled in the Treja Valley, and its endearing community of artists.

In this short guide, discover why Calcata Vecchia is greatly underrated as one of the most beautiful towns in Italy and an incredible day trip from Rome!

Essentials for Visiting Calcata Vecchia

🚗 Calcata Vecchia is the perfect day trip from Rome and only one hour away by car.

🚐 You can also reach Calcata Vecchia with a guided tour or by train and bus (longer journey).

🚶🏻‍♀️You must walk to Calcata Vecchia as the historic centre is for pedestrians only.

⏱ It’s not a large destination and you can plan on visiting for just a couple of hours.

👩🏻‍🎨 Calcata Vecchia is known as the Village of Arts – try to visit during opening hours (avoid 1pm – 4pm) when shops are active and selling their local crafts.

Where Is Calcata Vecchia?

Calcata Vecchia is a small hilltop village and an extension of Calcata Nuova just next door. In Italian, vecchia translates to old in English, so technically, Calcata Old and Calcata New are two parts of one town.

The picturesque Italian town belongs to the Viterbo province, located in the Lazio region. Lazio is home to the capital city of Rome and scores of historic Roman civilization sites.

Calcata Vecchia is situated a little over one hour east of the Tyrrhenian Sea and one hour north of Rome.

Why Calcata Vecchia Is Worth Visiting

The quaint hilltop village is often said to be lost in time or the place that time forgot. As you step through the front gate (the only way to access the village) and down the single narrow path, you’re immersed in a scene from another page in history.

Worn doors, still alleys, and homes made out of tuff rock, everything is simply left in the state as it has always been. Calcata Vecchia effortlessly exhales that magical feeling that most foreign travelers yearn for when visiting Europe.

Out of the many hilltop towns in Italy, it sets itself apart by its unspoiled character and essence of artistry.

For decades, Calcata Vecchia’s quirky reputation was only known throughout the Lazio region but has grown to catch international attention for what makes it unique. After a previous period of neglect, it wasn’t until the 1960s that a group of artists found haven in the remote hamlet of Calcata Vecchia.

The self-proclaimed hippies coveted the small village as a place far from the bustle of big cities and where they could create and peacefully work in their studios.

This theme of Calcata Vecchia’s Renaissance still proudly lives on throughout its streets, which backs its secondary names as Village of the Arts.

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How to Get To Calcata Vecchia

Flying to Rome

The nearest international airport to Calcata Vecchia is in Rome. Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport is, in fact, barely under one hour away from the medieval hilltop town. The international airport in Rome is the busiest hub in Italy.

Finding direct flights to Rome in order to visit Calcata Vecchia is possible for travelers from the U.S., UK, and definitely from within Europe.

By Car

Even with a car, getting to Calcata Vecchia is a bit elusive. It’s not a roadside attraction nor located near a major city. Admittedly, it feels like you’re traveling through the middle of nowhere for quite some time before stumbling upon the village.

With that being said, it’s not a difficult journey to make, but it definitely isn’t as easy as hopping onto one motorway and staying straight.

Calcata Vecchia is sandwiched between a few major roads like the SR2 and SS3. If you’re traveling up or down the A1, it’s still a 30-minute drive from the motorway to reach the village after trailing along country roads and remote towns.

The drive is not challenging but is composed of various twists and turns.

The fact that Calcata Vecchia is hidden out of plain sight is unquestionably its best feature. This is what makes it a hidden gem worth finding. However, it’s an attainable day trip from other destinations in Italy such as Rome, Tuscany, and people visiting Lago di Bracciano.

From these places, driving to Calcata Vecchia is still the most convenient way to reach it.

Train & Bus

Without the use of a car, getting to Calcata Vecchia can be an adventure. If you’re a solo traveler or have a flexible itinerary, then the journey is manageable and maybe even interesting.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to reach Calcata Vecchia by train alone. In fact, Calcata Vecchia is quite out of the way from any major train station.

A few of the nearest train stations to Calcata Vecchia are Cesano Di Roma, Stimigliano and Civita Castellana. However, travellers must keep in mind that there is still the end of the journey to complete by bus or taxi.

If you take a train and land at a station on the east side of the A1 motorway, it’s not possible to find a bus route that heads west towards Calcata Vecchia. To find an active bus route with timetables, it’s recommended to reference the operator’s website directly.

Planning a Day Trip From Rome to Calcata Vecchia

While visiting Rome, it’s completely understandable to want to escape the big city for a day trip or two. Italy is not just Rome and there’s so much to see just nearby.

If you have the time and opportunity to squeeze in an extra activity, a day trip is something you’ll never regret while traveling. Depending on your style of travel, there are a few different ways to visit Calcata Vecchia as a day trip from Rome.

Renting a Car

The first option is to rent a car and drive. From Rome, Calcata Vecchia is only one hour away by car. Whether you’re planning a larger road trip or solely want to visit a car just to see Calcata Vecchia, this choice provides the most flexibility.

In addition to having an adventure on your own time, it’s also much more affordable than people may assume. During the shoulder or off-season, it’s possible to rent a car from Rome Airport for as little as €30 per day!

This is much less than paying for a guided tour and saves you the hassle of having to deal with public transportation.

Taking Public Transportation

The public transportation route to get to Calcata Vecchia from Rome is quite complex. There is no train station within 20-30 minutes of the village, which means you’ll have to rely on taking a bus or a taxi from a nearby station.

This is slightly cheating but it’s recommended to take a train from Rome Tiburtina station to Stimigliano station and then a taxi to Calcata Vecchia. Taxi rides aren’t necessarily inexpensive so this entire expedition will likely cost €30 – €40 for a one-way journey.

Public bus timetables and tickets should be referenced with Cotral directly, the bus operator.

Book a Tour

The travel agencies in Rome is never-ending. Unlike in the U.S., many Italians actually still use travel agencies and don’t only rely on the internet.

Unfortunately, many American travelers may not like shopping for guided tours in person, but honestly, this is the way to get the best price.

If you’re the type who doesn’t mind scouring the numerous agencies for offers, it’s highly recommended you simply ask about guided tours to Calcata Vecchia. Most of the tourism offices will have every kind of tour and excursion imaginable so all you have to do is ask!

If you opt for this route, make sure it includes roundtrip travel from and back to Rome as this is the biggest benefit of booking a tour.

Things to Do in Calcata Vecchia

Take Photos of the Hilltop Village

Without question, the view of Calcata Vecchia from afar is one of its most amazing features. It is circular in shape, and the end of the buildings that sit on the perimeter’s edge are parallel with the cliff it sits on.

The construction and sheer existence of Calcata Vecchia is astonishing and make for some fantastic photos. Drone photography is particularly popular because the shape of the village is most distinct from an aerial point of view.

Unfortunately, there is no designated observation deck in Calcata Vecchia, which is a sign of how underrated it still is. If you are walking or driving by, you can take photos but you must be careful of traffic driving by.

From the main road, there are two points that offer unobstructed views – here and here.

Enjoy a Beer With a View at Alkimie Bar

The hilltop comune is surrounded by lush greenery and a dense wooded forest which leads into a ravine. Valle del Treja Regional Park is the nature preserve which can be seen from the handful of bars and restaurants that are perched atop the cliff and at the edge of town.

After finishing a leisurely stroll around the Centro Storico, relax with a drink at one of the local watering holes. Sit back and listen to nature’s silence from one of the balconies.

Shop Local Crafts

The town’s most defining characteristic is the multiple number of art studios and workshops you’ll stumble across. If you visit during warmer months, you’ll notice many open doors which lead to boutique shops or simply the living room of a local artist looking to share their work.

Additionally, the type of art you’ll find in Calcata Vecchia can range drastically.

There are classic art galleries with oil paintings, terracotta ceramics, jewelry makers, puppet creators, and homemade cosmetics. Studios with refurbished furniture and upcycled clothing also call Calcata Vecchia their home.

The famous Italian architect, Paolo Portoghesi, also found inspiration in Calcata who called it home for decades. Another notable artist by the name of Costantino Morosin is the sculptor and designer behind Calcata Vecchia’s Opera Bosco, an outdoor art museum.

The small village is deceptively packed with much to discover, shop for, and crafts to admire. People who enjoy picking up unique pieces during their travels need to make stopping in Calcata Vecchia a must.

Take a Seat in the Main Piazza

There is one piazza (or town square) at the very beginning of the village’s entrance. Based on experience, a town’s piazza is always the best place to sit down, people watch, and observe the life of the village in motion.

You’ll likely see a handful of people funneling in and out of the main church which, pleasantly enough, has the keys to the front door hanging on a hook on the exterior wall.

During certain days, the square is also lined with artists bringing their work to the streets. Tables are propped open and various items are displayed to catch the eye of day trippers.

Out of all the spots in town, this is also the most atmospheric place to have an outdoor lunch, dinner, or drinks during aperitivo hour.

Have Afternoon Tea at Sala Da Tè

Located at the rim of town is an unexpected place to take a breather – Sala Da Tè, a café which focuses on baked goods and tea. Of course, Italy thrives on its coffee culture, so visiting a gem like this in the already “unordinary” village just feels right.

The interior of Sala Da Tè is a gorgeous example of a village style kitchen which makes you feel like you’re visiting the home of a nonna you don’t have. Grab a tea, homestyle cake and sit on the terrace overlooking the nature preserve below. 

Enjoy a Delicious Meal

This may be an unpopular opinion but when it comes to dining, we prefer trying restaurants in secluded towns over big cities. The issue with restaurants in big cities is that quality tends to drop as location becomes more important. Nobody seems to care about paying €15 for mediocre bruschetta if it means you’re looking at the Trevi Fountain. Tsk tsk.

When traveling to smaller towns and villages like Calcata, Italy, the food you find at local restaurants is exponentially better. The reason being, these eateries are focusing on one thing – the food.

For them, it’s unimaginable to present anything subpar. This is usually because smaller destinations aren’t influenced by the temptation of being average for easy tourism.

Calcata Vecchia is home to a few incredible restaurants, all of which serve traditional dishes in a homemade style and setting. Places worth visiting for a good meal include:

• La Piazzetta Via San Giovanni 47
• Il Guazzabuglio
• Opera Ristorante
• Grotta Dei Germogli

Catch a Band at Bard House

Artistry in Calcata Vecchia doesn’t stop at tangible craft. Head to Bard House for live music and the opportunity to catch a local band in action.

It’s quite unusual to find a place like this sub-ground level bar in a quaint Italian village, but it’s just another reason why Calcata Vecchia isn’t just any hilltop town. The performances are free to enjoy while you sit down for a cocktail and ride into the night with some magic from the community’s musicians.

Naturally, Calcata Vecchia isn’t known for its nightlife but an evening at Bard House won’t disappoint.

Practical Information for Visiting Calcata Vecchia

Parking in Calcata Vecchia

The historic town of Calcata Vecchia has a ZTL implemented. In Italy, a ZTL is short for Zona Traffico Limitato which essentially means, certain roads are off-limits to tourists.

The ZTL exists nearly in every historic centre of Italian towns and cities. It’s really important to be mindful of them because if you violate the ZTL, you will get fined. 

Non residents and anyone who isn’t authorised cannot access Calcata Vecchia by car beyond this point (Piazza Roma street). To reach the Centro Storico after driving to Calcata Vecchia, all visitors must park in the designated lot that’s located less than 1 km away.

The parking lot is located here and costs €2 per hour. There is a wooden trail (Via Luigi Cadorna) that gets you to Calcata Vecchia in ten minutes. Alternatively, you can walk along the main road which takes just slightly longer. 

There is also the option of taking a risk with street parking. Street signs are, in general, a huge gray area in many parts of Italy (especially south of Rome). Choosing to street park when it’s not technically allowed is up to the traveler’s discretion.

From our personal experience, the entire street was lined with parked cars for about one kilometer, so we did what everyone else did. We did not end up getting a ticket and did not see any other street-parked cars with a fine.

Be Prepared to Walk

Since parking is not within arm’s reach, expect a brief walk of at least 10 minutes to even enter the town. In case you are visiting with older people, young kids, or anyone with physical challenges, it’s important to keep this in mind.

You’ll want to set aside enough time to wander through the walled town. Calcata Vecchia’s magic lies within all its hidden corners, narrow streets, and unexpected stairwells. It is not an enormous place, so attempting to walk down every single street isn’t particularly a lofty goal.

Much of Calcata Vecchia remains unchanged, including the lack of updates to the bumpy cobblestone paths. If you need to, think of walking through the ancient village as a light hike.

Visiting Calcata Vecchia With Kids

The fact that Calcata Vecchia is a walled town that’s only accessible by pedestrians actually makes it a lovely place to visit with kids.

Particularly for parents with young children, they’ll be relieved that they can somewhat keep an eye off their kids as they run around without having to worry about car traffic.

Older children may enjoy the many shops with displays of their whimsical crafts, including paintings, puppets, and clothing. In terms of activities, there aren’t any designated things to do for kids, so a little bit of imagination may be required.

Personally, our toddler was most interested in the many cats that freely inhabit Calcata Vecchia.

Locations on Google Maps are Inaccurate

Similar to many medieval villages in Italy, the blueprint of Calcata Vecchia is a bit of a labyrinth. There are some street names that you’ll see signs for as you walk around, but then there are many nooks and crannies left unaccounted for.

If you see a restaurant, shop, or hotel on Google Maps, do not rely on the location you’re seeing online. As businesses are required to submit an address, the physical and exact location could be completely different.

Embrace the willingness to get a little lost and search for places the old-fashioned way.

When to Visit Calcata Vecchia

The weather in Calcata Vecchia is quite typical for each season. Winters are cold but without substantial snowfall, spring is wet, and summers can be scorching. Fall in Calcata Vecchia (and Italy in general) is perfection.

For exploring a medieval village on foot, you’ll want to avoid the months of July and August because it can be unbearably warm.

Our visit to Calcata Vecchia was during the first half of October, and we still found ourselves among a modest crowd. The village is not a secret by any means, but the extensive tourism you will encounter during high season may cause you to have a less charming experience.

Travellers who want the best chance of experiencing events or festivals in Calcata Vecchia during their visit, may be interested in enduring the heat of August. Generally, most towns in Italy will host events during August on a weekly basis, if not more.

Where to Stay In Calcata Vecchia, Italy

Suite d’Artista Calcata (Best Artist Retreat) – CHECK PRICES

Opera Suites (Best Village Location) – CHECK PRICES

Officina Alchemica (Cutest Rustic Accommodation) – CHECK PRICES

More Italian Towns to Explore:

• The Medieval Village of Brisighella
• One Day Itinerary for Matera
• 20 Hidden Gem Towns in Italy
• Visiting the Village of Civita di Bagnoregio
• Best Small Towns of Tuscany
• Charming Towns in Abruzzo Worth Visiting

Calcata Vecchia Travel Resources

☔️ TRAVEL INSURANCE: EKTA or VisitorsCoverage

✈️ FLIGHTS: Skyscanner, CheapOair or Kiwi.com

🚙 CAR RENTALS: Discover Cars or Rentalcars.com

🚊 TRAINS & BUSES: Busbud, Trainline or Omio

🛳 FERRIES: Direct Ferries

🛌 ACCOMMODATION: Booking.com, Agoda or Trivago

☎️ ESIM / CELL PHONE DATA: Airalo

📸 TOURS & ACTIVITIES: GetYourGuide or Viator