Visiting Civita Di Bagnoregio: A Village Lost in Time

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Civita di Bagnoregio has been climbing to the top of travel bucket lists. The hilltop village is located in the Italian province of Viterbo, located midway between Florence and Rome. If you’ve seen any photos of the astonishing town, it’s no wonder why tourists are flocking to it.

The medieval village is simply one of a kind as it’s only accessible by pedestrians. In today’s modern world, some visitors expect to be able to drive directly up to anything and anywhere.

The fact that you must break a slight sweat to reach Civita di Bagnoregio makes it that much more enjoyable.

This essential guide to visiting Civita di Bagnoregio includes everything you will want to know before going.

The Essentials for Visiting Civita Di Bagnoregio

🚐 The easiest way to visit is by booking a day trip to Civita di Bagnoregio as a guided tour. Group and private tours depart from nearby Rome, Orvieto, and more!

🚙 Alternatively, consider renting a car for one or two days from Rome and set off on a brief road trip to see Civita di Bagnoregio.

🎟 Admission to Civita di Bagnoregio is not free – you can purchase tickets online or at the kiosk in person. Reservations aren’t required.

🛌 It is possible to stay in Civita di Bagnoregio in one of the boutique hotels and renovated stone guesthouse.

👣 Some walking is necessary to reach Civita di Bagnoregio because the bridge that leads to the town is for pedestrians only.

FAQs for Visiting Civita Di Bagnoregio

Is Civita Di Bagnoregio Worth Visiting?

Although Civita di Bagnoregio is a town, its paid entry makes it feel like an attraction. Unfortunately, even Italy isn’t immune to the common tourist traps and underwhelming sights created just to overcharge visitors.

After our fair share of traveling, it’s gotten easier to recognize what is worth it and what’s not.

Without question, the trivial €5 cost to enter the historic center is effortlessly worth it in order to visit Civita di Bagnoregio. Italy has a great deal of celebrated hilltop towns, but none are quite like this one.

Truly, it’s one of the most unique places you can visit in the entire country and perhaps Europe.

The pedestrian bridge which towers over the valley is its most distinct feature that isn’t common to see in other medieval hilltop villages. It alone is incredible to witness and experience first hand.

For travelers who may be doing a road trip through Italy, taking a detour to include Civita di Bagnoregio in your route is highly recommended. Even if you don’t get the chance to enter the old quarter, the stop is worth it to catch a panoramic view of the town isolated on the cliffside.

For How Long Should You Visit Civita Di Bagnoregio?

Although the word “civita” translates to “town” in English, we’d refer to Civita di Bagnoregio as more of a village. The small settlement is comprised of just one main street which runs right in the middle.

Tiny alleyways stretch off to the sides of the town, but there is no outer loop that you may commonly see in bigger hilltop villages, like in Tuscany. If you were to walk directly from one end to the other, it would take you less than ten minutes.

Based on its bite-size coverage area, you don’t need to spend a long time in Civita di Bagnoregio.

This is what makes it such a phenomenal day trip or even a half-day trip. To see a majority of its sites, pick up a souvenir, eat a good meal, and wander the passageways can be accomplished in 2 – 3 hours.

Although a short stay in Civita di Bagnoregio is more popular, it also happens to be an incredible place to spend a relaxing or romantic weekend.

Is Civita Di Bagnoregio Good to Visit With Kids?

Civita di Bagnoregio is firstly a historic site which, understandably, likely won’t excite most older kids. However, if you’re visiting Civita di Bagnoregio with a toddler or young child, this village is surprisingly great.

Since the entire town is free of cars, you couldn’t ask for a safer place to let your kids run amok without having to worry about them getting in an accident.

In the middle of the town, there is also a large central piazza. Aside from adults enjoying a nice glass of wine along the perimeter, the square is usually filled with children jumping around and chasing pigeons.

If you’re a parent who appreciates your kid being entertained with old-fashioned activities, Civita di Bagnoregio will keep you and the little ones happy.

Visiting Civita di Bagnoregio with a stroller is also shockingly uncomplicated, something that can’t be said everywhere in Italy. There is an entirely stair-free route to get from the parking lot to the pedestrian bridge in addition to the bridge itself.

Once you arrive in the old town, it’s a flat path to walk through it and doesn’t require you to go up and down stairs unless you venture off into an alleyway.

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How Long Is the Bridge to Civita Di Bagnoregio?

The begins at the ticket booth and stretches just over 300 meters (about 1,012 feet) to the entrance of the medieval village. From the admission booth to the town’s main gate, expect an estimated 5-minute walk.

It isn’t until you actually begin walking across the bridge that you notice how high it is. Near the end of the bridge, it is also deceptively much steeper than you’d anticipate.

The concrete bridge was built in 1965 and is approximately three people wide.

Can You Stay In Civita Di Bagnoregio Italy?

Yes! In fact, a majority of the homes and apartment dwellings you’ll see in Civita di Bagnoregio aren’t residential but for visitors. The most common type of accommodation you’ll find are renovated palaces (or palazzo in Italian) and historic family homes that have been converted into hotel-style rooms.

Or, you can opt for an exclusive village-style house with a secret garden and view. Most of the places you’ll find to stay in Civita di Bagnoregio are exquisitely upcycled, meaning they maintain much of their antique bones with modern touches.

Needless to say, accommodation in the historic village is unique and a beautiful experience.

Civita Di Bagnoregio Tickets

Ticket Price

When visiting Civita di Bagnoregio, you must purchase an entry ticket. The cost is €5 per person. Entrance is free to Civita di Bagnoregio for the following:

• Children under 6 years old
• People with disabilities, people with health conditions or impairments
• Registered Journalists
• Regularly Visiting Tour Guides
• Guests of Property Owners (ie Airbnb or Hotel customers)

How to Buy Tickets to Civita Di Bagnoregio

There are two ways to purchase Civita di Bagnoregio tickets: in person or online. An entry ticket can only be used once.

If you plan on buying tickets on-site, you’ll do so at the ticket booth located just before the bridge. It is possible to pay in cash or with a credit card, and you do not have to provide any document information, such as your passport.

During the summer, it’s not unheard of to wait in a long line just to buy a ticket, so plan accordingly if you’re on a schedule.

When we visited in the month of October, there was nobody else in line at the ticket office.

Purchasing tickets online and ahead of time is best for those visiting Civita di Bagnoregio during peak season.

Using the website is easy, but it will ask you to select a date/time slot beforehand in addition to entering some ID information. There are no extra fees for booking a ticket online rather than in person.

Did you know? You can also purchase an audio guide at the admission booth for just €3! This is the perfect way to self guide your way through Civita di Bagnoregio.

Opening Hours of Civita Di Bagnoregio

The tourist office where tickets are sold is open from 8am to 8pm, every day (including Sunday). During these hours, the entrance to the pedestrian bridge is staffed with a security guard who checks your ticket for entry.

If you arrive before 8am or after 8pm, it’s technically possible to visit Civita di Bagnoregio for free.

Things to Do in Civita Di Bagnoregio

Visit the Observation Deck

There are some places in the world where the view of them alone is the best part. Civita di Bagnoregio is one of them! We don’t want to discredit the beauty of experiencing the actual village, but the overall view of the town is its most memorable feature.

In fact, visitors who simply don’t have the time or cannot walk the distance across the bridge will be pleasantly satisfied by just visiting the observation deck.

Enter by Caffè Belvedere and walk towards the very end until you reach Terrazza su Civita di Bagnoregio where you’ll be met with the iconic vista of the hilltop town.

Find a Peaceful Courtyard

Given the compact size of Civita di Bagnoregio, there aren’t too many reasons not to walk through every path and hidden corner it has to offer.

You’ll stumble upon ancient stone arches, incredible views of the valley, and quintessential Italian curb appeal that puts all other suburban neighbourhoods to shame.

Throughout the maze of narrow alleys, you may stumble upon a tranquil courtyard, hidden just behind the main piazza. Piazza del Vescovado is comprised of a couple of family homes and is a peaceful nook within the already serene village.

Shop Locally

Civita di Bagnoregio is also known as the “Dying City” due to its low population count. Instead of permanent residents, it currently relies on tourism which, in fact, is thriving.

Hotels, apartments, and village villas are just one economical aspect of keeping it alive. The other part of the equation lies in the crafts and products being sold. There are only a handful of small shops within the village, some of which sell more authentic items than others.

By far, the most fascinating boutique to stop in is Acqua di Civita, which sells perfumes, dreamy aromas for your home, soap bars and more.

People Watch in Piazza San Donato

Nearly every town, city, and village in Italy will have a main square or piazza. While visiting Civita di Bagnoregio, it’s impossible not to come across Piazza San Donato located in the heart of the hamlet.

It is traditionally situated in front of a large beautiful church (Chiesa di San Donato) and lined with a couple of restaurants and bars. Whether you have time for a full meal or just a glass of wine, it’s a wonderful spot to simply do nothing.

Take a seat, soak in the atmosphere and watch the scenes pass by.

Visit a Museum

Just as charming as it feels and picturesque it looks, Civita di Bagnoregio is equally impressive as a geological and historic feat. There are a couple of museums within the village that are worth visiting if you either have the time or have the slightest interest in understanding the town’s history.

For a community that is over 2,500 years old and originally founded by the Etruscans, there’s bound to be some stories it wants to share. The two main museums in Civita di Bagnoregio are:

• Museo Geologico e delle Frane
  • Located on the second floor of the Palazzo Alemanni
  • Open every day of the week from 9am to 5pm
  • Entrance costs €3 per person
• Museo Antica Civitas
  • Includes exhibits and artefacts from the Etruscan period
  • Located inside an ancient house built out of tuff
  • Entrance costs €1 per person

Eat an Amazing Meal

You’ll find a few restaurants in the centre of the village. Each of them is highly rated and sure to blow away anyone who appreciates Italian cuisine.

The restaurants located in Civita di Bagnoregio don’t stray away from traditional and regional dishes and focus on one thing – quality of ingredients. If you’re the type of traveller who tends to remember destinations by amazing food, this is a place you don’t want to skip a meal in.

Restaurants in Civita di Bagnoregio worth visiting include:

• La Cantina di Arianna
• Osteria al Forno di Agnese
• Il Pozzo dei Desideri
• Alma Civita

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Renting a Car to Visit Civita Di Bagnoregio

Whether you’re renting a car or driving your own vehicle to see Civita di Bagnoregio, it’s undoubtedly the most direct way to visit. Departing from Rome, the route to Bagnoregio is primarily along major motorways that are tolled.

Alternatively, the no toll directions will take you the same amount of time but include scenic views and other charming countryside towns. Even for drivers sitting behind the wheel for the first time in Europe, this is a realistic and easy option.

For travellers looking to visit Civita di Bagnoregio on their own time, renting a car in Rome and driving is expectedly affordable and uncomplicated. It’s surprisingly assumed that the only place to rent a car in Rome is the airport, but in fact, it’s possible throughout the entire city.

This way, you can take a short metro ride to the rental agency within the city centre instead of trekking all the way back to the airport.

Driving a car in the centre of Civita di Bagnoregio or across the bridge is not possible. Furthermore, it’s not allowed to leave your car at the beginning of the bridge as a tourist. 

Civita Di Bagnoregio Parking

Arriving by car or not, visiting Civita di Bagnoregio will require some level of walking. If you aren’t coming to see the historic village in peak season, you’ll be lucky enough to park in one of the closer lots.

The nearest parking lots to the entrance of the pedestrian bridge are:

• Parcheggio “Alberto Ricci”
• Parcheggio “Ex Cantina Didattica”

If you park in Parcheggio “Ex Cantina Didattica”, you are better off following the road named Via Bonaventura Tecchi down to the pedestrian bridge.

For visitors who found a spot in Parcheggio “Alberto Ricci”, you can take the stairs near the Terrazza su Civita di Bagnoregio observation deck as a mild shortcut to reach the lower road of Via Bonaventura Tecchi.

During the summer months and peak hours, expect to park in the Parcheggio Battaglini lot. This parking lot is a 20-minute walk to the ticket booth at the beginning of the pedestrian bridge.

Parking is mostly metered and you are very unlikely to find free parking for tourists. The average parking fee in any of these lots is around €2 per hour.

How to Get To Civita Di Bagnoregio Without a Car

Bus or Train

Despite popular belief, it’s not always possible to travel entirely by train in Europe. There is no train station in Bagnoregio in order to reach Civita di Bagnoregio directly by train.

Instead, it’s feasible to take a train to the stations in Orvieto or Viterbo, which are both bigger cities nearby.

If you’re visiting Civita di Bagnoregio from the north, it’ll make the most sense to take a train to Orvieto. For people coming from the direction of Rome, the train station in Viterbo is a more convenient destination.

Whichever train station you land in, you’ll need to hop on a bus to complete the journey to Civita di Bagnoregio. Bus routes are operated by Cotral and leave multiple times a day to Bagnoregio on a daily basis.

BUS STOP LOCATIONS: In Viterbo, the main bus station where you will find buses to Civita di Bagnoregio can be found here. In Orvieto, the major bus terminal is here.

Guided Tours of Civita di Bagnoregio

Without a car, visiting Civita di Bagnoregio can sound like a hop, skip and a leap when it comes to accessibility. If you’re not the type of traveler who enjoys autonomous adventures, it is recommended to book a guided tour instead.

Naturally, tour excursions provide the benefit of obtaining some quality information and knowledge on the village itself, but they have another major advantage – transportation.

A majority of guided tours will most importantly include the cost and logistics of transportation, which alleviates any possible stress of planning a visit to Civita di Bagnoregio. Simply hop on, hop off, enjoy the sights, and hop back on again.

The Best Way to Get To Civita Di Bagnoregio From Rome

Rome is located less than two hours away from Bagnoregio. This makes a Civita di Bagnoregio day trip intriguing to those who may want to spice up their Rome itinerary.

Visitors who don’t have the luxury of a limitless vacation will want to maximize their time and get to Civita di Bagnoregio as quickly as possible. If this is the case for you, using the train and bus is not recommended.

Instead, consider renting a car for €30 – €50/day or book a guided group tour. For the typical traveler, joining a tour that departs from Rome is certainly easier and requires virtually zero effort on your end.

Where to Stay In Civita Di Bagnoregio

Civita B&B (Best Budget Stay) – CHECK PRICES

Corte della Maestà Antica Residenza (Best Rustic Stay) – CHECK PRICES

L’Incanto di Civita (Best Terrace) – CHECK PRICES

Piazza San Donato Casa Vacanze (Best Newly Designed Hotel) – CHECK PRICES

More Towns in Italy to Explore:

• A Pocket Guide to Calcata Vecchia
• The Medieval Village of Brisighella
• Capracotta: The Highest Mountain Town in Molise
• Putignano – Puglia’s Best Kept Secret
• Italy’s 20 Best Hidden Gem Towns

Travel Resources for Visiting Civita Di Bagnoregio

☔️ 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

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