Best things to do in Cerveteri

See the ancient Etruscan burial sites at Necropoli della Banditaccia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a look inside nine unearthed burial mounds from the 6th century BCE, carved by hand out of volcanic tufa stone. Descend the narrow stone step passageways to step inside the mounds, which are built as replicas of the Etruscans’ own houses. Watch a film about Etruscan history projected on the inside of three tombs, which explains the construction and rituals of the tombs built for different sizes and classes of families.

Explore a palace known for its fresco decorated walls and lush garden when you see Villa Farnese. Walk through the oval atrium, rooms, halls, and stairways of the palace, al fresco painted from the walls to the ceilings. Wander through the world map room, displaying the world as people knew it in the 16th century. Admire statues, fountains, and terraces leading up to the palace of pleasure, or stroll through the garden outside. Note that you can only visit at certain times, and will be chaperoned through the interior and gardens by a monitor.

Explore an archeological museum dedicated to the Etruscan civilization (the civilization that prefigured the Romans) when you visit Museo Nazionale Tarquiniense. The collection consisting mainly of artifacts excavated locally from the Necropolis of Monterozzi. On the ground floor, you will find sarcophagi, as well as other stone artifacts from the 4th century BCE, displayed in chronological order. The next floor holds pottery from the Villanovan culture, Etruscan pottery called bucchero, and imported pottery from Ancient Egypt, Phoenicia, and Ancient Greece. There is also a collection of gold coins and jewelry. Head up to the top floor to enjoy a view of the city and the countryside, see restored paintings from the tombs of the Necropolis of Monterozzi, and the hall of weapons.

Get a hands-on experience at Giardino dei Tarocchi, an outdoor sculpture park. Wander among artist Niki de Saint Phalle's 22 different representations of tarot card figures. Many of the sculptures, which you can walk around and under, are covered in mosaics of reflective glass. Admire the complexity of the dragon and the sphinx, which served as a home for St. Phalle when the park was being developed.

Formed through thousands of years of volcanic activity, Lago di Bracciano is now a drinking water reservoir, and therefore one of the cleanest lakes in Italy. Go for a refreshing swim in the sparkling blue water, stroll along the edge, or take a relaxing boat ride. For views of the lake and surrounding hills, trek up to the castle in Bracciano. If you wish to tour the whole lake, bikes are available for rent. Summer visitors may camp in many places around the lake.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004, Necropoli di Tarquinia is made up of over 6,000 Etruscan graves, some of which date back as far as the 7th century BCE. Visit the many gravesites scattered around the hillside, and take the stairs down into each burial chamber, where you can press a button to illuminate the space. Most artifacts have been pilfered, or removed to museums, but what remains is still impressive. The walls of these chambers are filled with colorful frescoes that depict the daily life of the Etruscans, and shed light on some of their ideas about the afterlife. Pay a visit to the nearby archeological museum to learn more about the Etruscans and see artifacts from their time.