Bolsena Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Bolsena
Discover an old town with a castle, churches and piazzas and then enjoy watersport activities on a volcanic lake in this town in the Viterbo province.

Bolsena is a picturesque resort town set on the northeastern banks of Lake Bolsena. It’s a place to explore a medieval fortress, visit the remains of an Ancient Roman city and try watersports on the town’s namesake lake. Bolsena straddles the ancient pilgrim route Via Francigena, in the Tuscan province of Viterbo. The town succeeded the Roman settlement of Volsinii, which some historians believe to have been built on an ancient Etruscan city.

Start your tour in the historic center, where twisting cobblestone lanes lead to centuries-old landmarks and café-lined squares. Looming over the town with turreted towers is Bolsena Castle. Spot Etruscan, Roman and medieval artifacts at the castle’s Territorial Museum of Lake Bolsena. Also within the castle is Bolsena Acquarium, which has displays of aquatic creatures native to the lake.

Go to the Basilica di Santa Cristina, dedicated to the tortured and venerated St. Christina of Bolsena. Visit the church’s catacombs to see the saint’s sarcophagus and the tombs of her followers. Every July, costumed actors reenact scenes and legends from St. Christina’s life.

Take some time out at a pavement café or traditional trattoria and sample wines produced in the surrounding vineyards. The old town streets comes alive at the end of June when they become immersed in a multitude of colors during a festival of hydrangeas.

Make the short drive inland to the Area Archeologica di Poggio Moscini. Here you can see ruins that relate to the town’s Roman, and possible Etruscan, beginnings.

On a sunny day, do as the locals do and head to Lake Bolsena. Find opportunities to go boating, cycling, fishing and swimming. Sit at a lakeshore bench and watch pretty sunsets. Travel to Capodimonte, on the lake’s southern shores, and join boat trips around the islands of Isola Bisentina and Isola Martana.

Bolsena is a 40-minute drive from Viterbo, the capital of the province of Viterbo. Conveniently located between Rome and Siena, it’s a popular stopover on self-drive vacations of Tuscany’s hill towns and wine region.

Vesconte Residenza d'epoca dal 1533
Vesconte Residenza d'epoca dal 1533
P.zza San Rocco 12, Bolsena, Viterbo
The price is AU$175 per night from 6 Dec to 7 Dec
AU$175
includes taxes & fees
6 Dec - 7 Dec
Book a stay at this beach B&B in Bolsena. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Popular attractions Lake Bolsena and Villa Puri Winery are ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (77 reviews)
"Nice ancient residence, lots of antique furniture & ambience, quiet w/comfy bed. Bathroom needed attention so shower wand fits wall & doesnt crash into the bath tub if moved & need a tub plug. Would be nice to add small lotion with bath soap to make this a more kuxurious stay. And the ancient door ..."

Reviewed on 30 Aug. 2024

Vesconte Residenza d'epoca dal 1533
Le vigne
Le vigne
Via Delle Bigne 157/b, Bolsena, Viterbo
Book a stay at this family-friendly country house in Bolsena. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Lake Bolsena and Basilica ...
10/10 Exceptional! (10 reviews)
"Great stay and fantastic place for toddlers."

Reviewed on 30 Aug. 2024

Le vigne
La Fraschetta
La Fraschetta
Via Cassia Nord 148, Bolsena, Provincia di Viterbo
The price is AU$116 per night from 9 Nov to 10 Nov
AU$116
includes taxes & fees
9 Nov - 10 Nov
Book a stay at this beach farm stay in Bolsena. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Lake Bolsena and Bolsena Harbour are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
"Bellissimo agriturismo. La proprietaria premurosa e accogliente ci ritorneremo!!!"

Reviewed on 18 Feb. 2024

La Fraschetta
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Palazzo Catalani Resort
Palazzo Catalani Resort
4 out of 5
Via Montecavallo 26, Soriano nel Cimino
Stay at this 4-star spa aparthotel in Soriano nel Cimino. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Palazzo Chigi-Albani and Castello ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (146 reviews)
"It’s more than a 10 ! It’s a 12 Just amazing resort - my “room” was an entire apartment… what a pity staying there only one day."

Reviewed on 25 Sep. 2024

Palazzo Catalani Resort
Castello Izzalini Todi Resort
Castello Izzalini Todi Resort
Vocabolo Castello 16/A, Todi, Perugia
Stay at this apartment in Todi. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Necropoli Preromana Di Montecchio and Santa Maria ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (5 reviews)
"Comfortable but not fancy. A true country setting."

Reviewed on 6 Sep. 2019

Castello Izzalini Todi Resort
House in Val d'Orcia excellent families CIN IT052024C2APXZK7PD
House in Val d'Orcia excellent families CIN IT052024C2APXZK7PD
RADICOFANI
Stay at this vacation home in Radicofani. Enjoy a garden, cable/satellite TV service, and in-room fireplaces. Popular attractions Rocca di Radicofani and Pasticceria ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (40 reviews)
Wonderful stay
"Beautiful home and location. Silvano is excellent host."

Reviewed on 17 Apr. 2024

House in Val d'Orcia excellent families CIN IT052024C2APXZK7PD
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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