Rome is not just a city full of historical places with ancient ruins that come from the roman empire. It also has beautiful landscapes in the countryside where you can relax and avoid the crowds in Rome. When I traveled to Rome, I didn’t have any plans to go to the countryside or even to a specific place like Bracciano. It crossed my mind during quiet night in the hotel that I would like to see nature in the countryside. I started my research using google maps to find a beautiful lake in Rome. It turned out there is a pretty castle with a stunning lake in Bracciano.
The public transportation is easy and accessible to get to Bracciano from Rome city by train. You can buy the ticket from Omio. The journey is only one hour which is not long while you can enjoy incredible panoramic views, farms, and villages. Not to mention, the passengers on the train were only less than 10 people which was good that there was no hustle during the journey.
Trenitalia Train to Bracciano
My activity plan for one day trip in Bracciano :
1. Breakfast and Lunch in A Local Restaurant
I thought there would be lots of restaurants and cafes open like in Rome where you can easily have options for what you want to eat. Most of the shops are closed due to the lack of tourists in autumn and winter. Unfortunately, I had to wait for lunch instead of getting breakfast.
2. Visit Castello Orsini
I like visiting castles where I can learn the history and architecture style. I was a bit worried if the castle would be closed due to autumn or winter. I also didn’t see any sign of visitors coming to the castle until I went inside. There were only 5 people, which is great to enjoy walking around the castle. I feel like I am walking around in my own house without a queue, rush, and dealing with other people. The ticket can only be purchased at the place.
3. Lake Bracciano
I was expecting there would be some people swimming and wearing bikinis in the lake but it is just empty and quiet because the water is cold. There was only one restaurant open next to the lake where you can have food or just coffee. I had to walk further from the main road to get there.
Final Thoughts
Bracciano is a great place to visit while you want to seek nature in Rome. In fact, countryside and city life have their own characteristics. If you visit Bracciano, swimming and playing in the water is your main priority. I recommend traveling during spring and summer because the water is cold during autumn and winter. However, Autumn and winter are still good to avoid crowds and you still can visit the castle Orsini.
