Visit Tarquinia Italy: Discover the Etruscan Necropolis

High above the wild Maremma coastline in northern Lazio, Tarquinia isn’t just a pretty hilltop town, it’s a time capsule with Etruscan soul. From painted tombs buried beneath rolling fields to crumbling medieval walls that still watch the sea, this place knows how to hold history in its bones. Don’t forget to book Lazio wine tours to complete your journey. Come for the UNESCO-listed necropolis, stay for the wine-soaked lunches and timeless piazzas. Just a smooth trip from Rome, visiting Tarquinia feels like discovering a secret chapter of Italy, where archaeology, local life, and Lazio’s food-and-wine magic collide in all the right ways.

Visit Tarquinia: Top things to do

Explore the Necropolis of Tarquinia

You haven’t really visited Tarquinia until you’ve wandered through its ancient underground world. The Necropolis of Monterozzi is like stepping into the dreams of a lost civilization, an open-air time machine carved beneath the hills. Over 6,000 tombs lie here, but it’s the painted ones that truly stop you in your tracks. The Tomb of the Triclinium? Imagine a 2,500-year-old party scene, where dancers, musicians, and wine-pourers celebrate eternity on the walls.

Visit the Tarquinia national museum in Palazzo Vitelleschi

This Gothic-Renaissance beauty in the heart of Tarquinia doesn’t just impress from the outside, the real magic is inside, at the Tarquinia National Museum. Here, you’ll come face-to-face with beautifully carved sarcophagi, ancient bling that still sparkles, and the legendary Winged Horses statue that once crowned the Ara della Regina temple. It’s the kind of place that turns history from dusty to dazzling.

Lose yourself in the old streets

Wandering through Tarquinia’s old town feels like flipping through the pages of a living history book, only with better lighting and gelato around the corner. The cobbled alleys wind past Romanesque churches, medieval towers, and timeworn palaces that once echoed with the footsteps of nobles and popes. It’s the kind of place where you slow down without realizing it, where every corner begs for a photo, and where the past isn’t behind glass, it’s all around you, woven into the stone.

Walk to the Church of Santa Maria di Castello

The Church of Santa Maria di Castello is one of Lazio’s Romanesque gems, and it knows how to make an impression. Built in the 1100s, its clean, powerful lines and stone columns invite you into a space that feels both ancient and surprisingly peaceful. Step inside for a dose of medieval calm, then head outside and let your eyes wander over the sweeping views of the hills and the sea beyond. It’s the perfect breather between wandering the necropolis and sipping a local wine.

Walk through time at the Roman Aqueduct ruins

Just outside the historic center of Tarquinia, the ruins of a Roman aqueduct quietly stretch across the landscape, reminding visitors that this town’s story goes far beyond the Etruscans. Built to carry water from distant springs to the ancient city, the aqueduct once served both Tarquinia’s Roman and medieval populations. Today, its weathered stone arches stand dramatically against the Tuscan sky, offering a peaceful spot for a stroll or a photo break. You won’t find crowds here, just a tangible sense of the past and a unique glimpse into how Rome’s engineering legacy still shapes the Italian countryside. Bring comfortable shoes and your curiosity.

Visit Tarquinia: Top things to do around

Explore the charm of Tuscania

Just a half-hour drive inland from Tarquinia, Tuscania feels like Lazio’s quieter cousin with a deep Etruscan soul. While Tarquinia wows with painted tombs and world-famous ruins, Tuscania takes a slower, softer approach, think stone churches rising from the fields, winding lanes, and views that stretch across vineyard-covered hills. Its Romanesque churches, especially San Pietro and Santa Maria Maggiore, are masterpieces that whisper stories of centuries past.

A taste of Tuscan Maremma

Fattoria La Maliosa is a peaceful organic farm hidden in the hills of southern Tuscany, just a short drive from Lazio. It’s the perfect place to slow down, breathe fresh country air, and enjoy a glass of natural wine. The estate produces organic red, white, and orange wines, as well as delicious olive oil, all made without chemicals. You can take a walk through the vineyards, join a guided tasting, and watch the sunset from their scenic Skydeck. Local cheese, bread, and olive oil make the experience even better. If you’re looking for a relaxed stop during your wine tour in Lazio or Tuscany, La Maliosa is a great pick for something authentic, beautiful, and easygoing.

Discover wine and archaeology in Cerveteri

Just under an hour’s drive south of Tarquinia, Cerveteri takes your Etruscan adventure to the next level. The Banditaccia necropolis, another UNESCO treasure, feels like a city of the dead carved in stone, with tombs so detailed they mimic ancient homes, complete with “furniture” etched into the rock. It’s haunting, beautiful, and incredibly human. And while the past draws you in, the present invites you to taste it, literally. This corner of Lazio is home to wineries that still draw on Etruscan traditions, producing bottles steeped in the same land their ancestors once walked.

Discover our guide, visit Cerveteri Italy and plan your next trip!

Good to know before visiting Tarquinia