Daytrip: Lago del Turano, Castel di Tora, Rocca Sinibalda

The heatwave that is engulfing Italy and Rome is finally letting up, but the summer season is still far from over – so now is the time to go look for some colder weather away from the city.

The surroundings of Rome, particularly as you approach the Apennines and the border of the Abruzzo region, offer a number of viable options, with Lago del Turano (Lake Turano) probably the closest to Rome.

What is Lago del Turano?

Even though it looks like one of the many glacial lakes located around this part of the country, Lago del Turano is actually artificial and it was created in 1939 through the building of the dam by the same name.

It falls under the jurisdiction of Rieti, the closest large city to it. It is located 80 kilometers from Rome proper (50 miles roughly) and is actually comprised of two separate reservoirs: Lago del Turano and Lago del Salto (also artificial). The two are linked by an underground underground tunnel that is 9 kilometers (roughly 5,5 miles) long.

Lovers of nature, assemble!

Lake Turano lies at the heart of a natural park area – Riserva naturale Monte Navegna e Monte Cervia: come here for birdwatching or wildlife photography (a large population of wolves is in the woods here) or enjoy hiking and trekking.

A destination for sports enthusiasts and foodies

A provincial route goes around the lake, so locals use it for bike races. On the actual lake you can also practice kayaking, paddleboard or sailing, while paragliding can be also done from the mountains above Turano itself.

The shores along the lake are peppered with restaurants, cafes and beach clubs where you’ll be able to rent deck-chairs and the like and relax for a few hours.

Lago del Turano is also a destination for lovers of good food – truffle, particularly – which you can enjoy at cheaper prices than in downtown Rome.

Where history and natural beauty meet

The provincial route we mentioned above crosses over the lake spectacularly to lead to one of the two villages dominating the lake: Castel di Tora (the other one being Colle di Tora. There are two more small towns by the lake, called Ascrea and Paganico, and they all deserve a visit).

Castel di Tora, in particular, has been used in Italian movies and TV shows whenever a medieval setting or a quaint hamlet was required. As you can easily imagine, it is authentic and scenic, and it will provide a beautiful backdrop for your photographs and videos. It is also been picked as one of “Borghi più belli d’Italia”, Italy’s official list of its most beautiful villages, which draws a steady number of tourists to it.

An actual fairytale castle for you to visit: Rocca Sinibalda

We recommend you explore thoroughly all four villages while spending your day here, but we would be remiss not to bring up Rocca Sinibalda, a mere 15 kilometers (9 miles) north of Castel di Tora and Lago del Turano.

The landmark here is the stunning Castello Cesarini, originally built in the 11th century and restored in the 1600s. It is open to the public and can be visited upon booking with the help of a professional guide who will guide you through the premises.

Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, we recommend you always reach out in advance to learn about possible closures and other disruptions, at this address. If you manage to visit, don’t forget to bring your vaccine passport with you!

How to reach Lago del Turano and Rocca Sinibalda

While guided tours can depart occasionally from Rome to visit Lago del Turano or Rocca Sinibalda by coach, there is no direct connection to either of them by public transport. Its proximity to the Eternal City more than makes up for this, though – it’s just a little over 1 hour 20 by car to get to either the lake or Castello Cesarini (make sure you check for any ZTLs being enforced in the villages you will be visiting).

Roads are winding but not unpleasant once you leave the A24 highway at Carsoli-Oricola, and you can count on little to no car traffic as you leave Rome behind.

If you don’t feel comfortable driving yourself to these daytrip destinations, get in touch today and ask for a quote to be take there by van or car, depending on the number of people in your party.

The same company helping us out with airport transfers, Gianni Conti Car Service, will be able to accommodate you and offer you a ride to and from the area – no need to book a car yourself and deal with the documents required or the research to be done to learn about Italy’s rules of the road or driving bans!

Group tours and skip-the-line tickets