Location: Bolsena
Top Things to do in Bolsena
Top 10 Things to do in Bolsena, Italy
Bolsena is a town and comune of Italy, in the province of Viterbo in northern Lazio on the eastern shore of Lake Bolsena. It is 10 km (6 mi) north-north west of Montefiascone and 36 km (22 mi) north-west of Viterbo. The ancient Via Cassia, today's highway SR143, follows the lake shore for some distance, passing through Bolsena.
Restaurants in Bolsena
1. Lago di Bolsena
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 899 reviews
Reviewed By MeridianManchester - Manchester
This is one of several lakes to the north of Rome and is very peaceful and picturesque. There are three main lakeside resorts, Bolsena, Capodimonte and Marta but in between are many Beaches although the sand is not terribly inviting. That was not deterring people from paddling, sunbathing and fishing. There are a number of restaurants around the lake including one with a Michelin star. The main town is Bolsena which has many restaurants, bars and local shops and is a pleasant place to while away an hour or two drinking coffee and generally lazing about. There is a castle, some Roman ruins and museums and the main church of Santa Cristina is worth a visit. We were there in July and the town had a buzz but was not overcrowded with tourists although that might change in August.
2. Basilica of Saint Christina
3. Castello Rocca Monaldeschi
Overall Ratings
4 based on 368 reviews
Reviewed By JohanAbsynth - Cape Town Central, South Africa
We enjoyed the castle from the outside as we only arrived in the late afternoon in Bolsena.There are spectacular views of the lake from up there with a few benches if you need a rest.Would've like to spend more time there.Bolsena itself looks to have an interesting centro storico.
4. Comune di Bolsena
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By Bob D - Kitchener
There is so much to see in Bolsena, You could start at the castle on he hill and walk down to the Piazza. From the main piazza a 3 minute walk to the chiesa de Santa Cristina. Back to the main piazza and then a 5 minute walk down to the lake where there are several restaurants serving great food and local fish. There is a convenient car park close to the lake, several bars and local vendors. The lake is a great photo opportunity and a super place to visit. If you are travelling in May, the weather is pleasant, reaching 25 degrees in the early afternoon, and cooling nicely for the evening walk
5. Museo Territoliale Del Lago Di Bolsena
Overall Ratings
4 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By Ilya M - Москва, Россия
This was a kind of a castle visiting tour where nobody bothers you and you can go and see whatever you like and do it as you like. There are many things you can touch even sit on some historical beds and chairs. Castle itself is quite nice no wonder it was used for many special events like weddings of celebrities etc. Don't miss great views of Bolsena lake from the castle walls. Best time to go there is a work day afternoon.
6. Pietre Lanciate
Overall Ratings
4 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By accidentaltourist_8 - Bucks
A basalt rock outcrop left after volcanic upheavals and now visible just outside Bolsena. A remarkable rock formation. It is very well explained on the signboards at the site and reminded me of the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland (although the latter is somewhat more impressive).
7. Pilgrims' Path
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Hiking trail that encompasses the Franchigena Way, the path pilgrims took from Northern Europe on their way to Rome.
Reviewed By Family152 - England
We walked the VF from Siena to Rome this summer, and passed through Bolsena, approaching from Acquapendente the day before (23km, 14 miles) ending at Montefiascone the day after (18km, 11 miles). The whole trip was about 200 miles, and we stayed in hotels and agriturismos, booking a taxi to the next stop for our luggage each day.
The walk from Aquapendente to Bolsena was at first very straightforward and well signposted, though not terribly direct - it passes through fields of corn and flat agricultural land, almost doubling back on itself before climbing a hill and dropping onto the SR2 just outside San Lorenzo Nuovo. The section immediately after San Lorenzo Nuovo is not well marked and it would almost be easier to do the very first part on the main road. The 'official' route drops down sharply to the right behind a house on the bend of the road (avoiding the path marked 'private, beware of the dog'), goes down a grassy track and past another farm with a dog warning - although in this case a farmer waved us through and a lady quietened the dogs. It then climbs back up to the SR2 before taking a well marked wide gravel uphill road on the other side of the road. The waymarked approach to Bolsena passed the rubbish tip and cemetery!
From Bolsena to Montefiascone the path, although shorter in length, felt harder.There was quite a lot of ascent and descent, with a general climb from lake level to Montefiascone on the hill.The first part of the route out of Bolsena is marked, but not terribly clearly. A map is helpful! There is a beutiful section looping round a high meadow, and a path deep into an oak forest, emerging in a field with grapevines. The final part of the walk was well signposted until the outskirts of the city. There is a very welcome place to fill up with water - the Fontanelle di Sambuco - near the top of a hill.The walk through the outskirts of Montefiascone is rather unpleasant, but the centre is lovely.
Recommended for the walks are walking poles (there are a number of steep sections and the use of a pole both protects the knees and increases stability) and a decent insect repellent as there are large numbers of vicious flies particularly in wooded areas.
8. acquario di Bolsena
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 143 reviews
Reviewed By ian m - Lytham St Anne's, United Kingdom
We visited the acquarium with our family and we found it to be small but informative with around 30 exhibits Containing many of the lakefish found in lago Bolsena.The entrance charge for the castle includes the acquarium,and at e5 seems good value.
9. Area Archeologica di Poggio Moscini
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By i_ward102 - Lincoln, United Kingdom
Remains of the old roman town....totally unspoilt and un commercialised. We had the place to ourselves....a hidden gem!
10. Villa Puri Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Winery located in a scenic spot overlooking the Bolsena Lake offering tours and wine tasting.
Reviewed By brian from Belfast - Belfast
Villa Puri Cantina is the sales outlet for the Puri Winery. All of the wines are produced locally. The Cantina has a range of bottled wines and sells both red and white wine by the litre - remember to bring your empty water bottles. I was told that they like to sell at least 15 litres in each sales but this (thankfully) proved to be false. I visited the Cantina a couple of times a week over a three week period during Juy 2006 and drank a lot of their beautiful red wine - could not be bettered on quality nor price. 1 litre of red in 1.5 euro and the white is 1.30 euro. An agreeable experience.
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