Most people visit Rome and do the same thing — the Colosseum, the Vatican, a gelato near the Trevi Fountain. All of it wonderful, all of it surrounded by thousands of other tourists doing the exact same thing at the exact same time.

But 15 minutes from Fiumicino Airport, tucked inside the Natural Reserve of Ostia Antica, you can experience the history and landscape around Rome on the back of a horse, moving at a walk through ancient pinewoods, past 2,000-year-old ruins, and out onto the open beach.

This is easily the most unique horse riding experience you'll find near Rome, or frankly, anywhere in Italy. It is bookable right now through Cavago.

Why This Roman Riding Sanctuary Isn't Like Other Riding Centres 

Founded in 2011 by Alessia, continuing three generations of equestrian heritage, the Roman Riding Sanctuary sits inside the Natural Reserve of Ostia Antica — just 15 minutes from Fiumicino Airport.

The trails here cut through ancient pinewoods, run alongside 2,000-year-old Roman ruins, and open onto the beach at Ostia .

Alessia welcomes guests into Italy's equestrian culture, and the landscape does the rest.

"Alessia is an absolute joy — passionate about horses and history. I'd do this again in a heartbeat!" — Tiffany B., verified rider

What’s Included:

• • Director’s seats with arena-side dining

  • Complimentary drinks throughout your visit

  • Access to the Phoenix Garden Lounge for relaxing or networking

  • Exclusive view over the Collecting Ring for behind-the-scenes insight

  • Show programme for each guest

Availability: Selected afternoon and evening sessions from Thursday 18 – Monday 22 December 2025

Price range: Starting from £190 per person

The Rides — What's On Offer (and What Each Costs) 

The sanctuary runs a full programme of guided trail rides, from short introductory outings to full-day immersions. Here is the complete list with prices:

🌲 Pinewood Ride — €87 per person

Duration: 2–3 hours | Level: All levels

• Meet and greet with your horse, including basic grooming
• Guided ride through the ancient pinewoods of the Ostia Antica nature reserve
• Gastronomic tasting with local food and regional flavours
• Helmets provided

Departures: 10:00 am or 4:00 pm (flexible)

🏛️ Ancient Rome Trail — €147 per person

Duration: Half-day | Level: Intermediate–Advanced

• Trail ride bordering the Archaeological Park of Ostia Antica
• Landscape largely unchanged since Roman times
• Full meal at a pinewood restaurant
• Guided introduction to the historic site
• Free shuttle from Ostia Antica train station

Capacity: 1–10 riders

🌊 Beach Ride — €180 per person

Duration: 4 hours | Level: All levels

• Ride through pinewoods and coastal nature reserve trails
• Scenic transition from forest to coastline
• Finish on the beach at Ostia
• Shoreline aperitif during sunset

🌙 Nocturnal Beach Ride — €210 per person

Duration: Evening | Level: All levels

• Night ride through the pinewood reserve
• Coastal trail leading to the beach
• Unique atmosphere riding under the Italian night sky
• Rare experience offered by very few riding centres in Italy

🤠 Cowboy Experience — €90 per person

Duration: 3 hours | Level: All levels

• Ride at a ranch in Tagliacozzo, a medieval mountain town in the Apennines
• Trails through forests, open pastures, and mountain landscapes
• Views of traditional villages at 740 metres elevation
• Western or English saddles available
• Free shuttle from Tagliacozzo train station

Departures: 10:30 am or 4:30 pm

🐄 Cowboy for a Day — €300 per person

Duration: Full day | Level: All levels

• Morning trail ride in the mountains
• Long countryside lunch with beverages
• Wine tasting experience
• Afternoon riding session
• Free shuttle from Tagliacozzo train station

🍽️ Trail Ride with Meals — €99 per person

Duration: 4 hours | Level: All levels

• Guided trail ride through the reserve
• Full meal included during the experience
• Longer ride without committing to a half-day programme
  
  

Quick Ride Comparison 

Multi-Day Riding Holidays Near Rome

For riders who want to stay longer, the sanctuary offers a full range of riding holidays — from a 2-day city escape to a week-long advanced programme. In summer (June to September), multi-day packages move to the ranch in Abruzzo, where guests ride through mountain forests, past castles, medieval villages, and native wildlife.

🌊 The Escape — from €750 per person

2 days · All levels · Ostia Antica, Rome

The entry point to horse riding near Rome — and the most atmospheric short break in the region. Two days based at the Roman Riding Sanctuary in the Natural Reserve of Ostia Antica, pairing guided trail rides with a private walking tour of Europe's best-preserved Roman harbour city.

In summer (June–September), the Escape moves to the Abruzzo mountains — trading coastal ruins for national park trails, medieval villages, and open-air wildlife.

What you'll experience:

• Riding through ancient coastal pinewoods alongside 2,000-year-old Roman ruins
• A private guided walking tour of the Ostia Antica Museum and Renaissance Village
• The option to add a Rome city tour, beach dinner, or wellness centre visit
• All meals included · 4-star hotel included

Book The Escape on Cavago

🌾 Trails & Trips — from €810 per person

2 days · Experienced riders · Tagliacozzo, Abruzzo

For riders who want to spend serious time in the saddle. Set in the mountains above Tagliacozzo — a medieval Apennine town about an hour from Rome — this two-day programme is built around long, immersive rides through open hill country, fishing lakes, and mountain terrain.

What you'll experience:

• 5–6 hours in the saddle each day across Apennine trails
• Riding through the hills and fishing lakes around Tagliacozzo
• Mountain wildlife and open countryside with no crowds
• A picnic lunch on the trail, on both days
• All meals included · 4-star hotel included
  
  

 Book Trails & Trips on Cavago

🐎 Horse Lovers Holiday — from €1,900 per person

4 days · All levels · Tagliacozzo, Abruzzo

Four days in the Apennine mountains, riding through national park terrain, medieval village trails, and open highland landscapes where wolves, deer, and eagles share the same hillsides. Alessia tailors the programme around each rider's ability — so beginners and experienced riders can join the same holiday without either being underserved.

What you'll experience:

• Trail rides through the Simbruini National Park
• Riding past medieval villages perched in the Abruzzo hills
• A real chance of spotting wolves, deer, eagles, and free-ranging wild horses
• A picnic lunch on horseback on the final day
• A farewell glass of local wine in Tagliacozzo's main square
• All meals included · 4-star hotel included (3 nights)

Book the Horse Lovers Holiday on Cavago

🏇 Week for Advanced Riders — from €3,400 per person

7 days · All abilities (advanced-focused) · Tagliacozzo, Abruzzo

The most complete equestrian holiday near Rome. Seven days based in Tagliacozzo, with five long riding days covering the full range of Abruzzo's mountain landscapes — from the fishing lakes to the high ridgelines of the Simbruini National Park. The programme is adaptable: beginners receive a structured mix of lessons and trails; advanced riders go long, with the option to add arena work, jumping, and flat lessons on top of the daily rides.

What you'll experience:

• Five full riding days of 5–6 hours each through national park and mountain terrain
• Riding to medieval castles, fishing lakes, and high-altitude viewpoints
• Wildlife encounters — wolves, deer, eagles, and wild horses on open ground
• Arena lessons (flat and jumping) available as add-ons
• The freedom to choose between a trail ride or structured lesson on flex days
• All meals included · 4-star hotel included (6 nights)

Book the Week for Advanced Riders on Cavago

Which Riding Holiday Near Rome is Right for You? 

Practical Details

📍 Location: Natural Reserve of Ostia Antica, Rome — inside a protected nature reserve, accessible and yet completely removed from the city's noise.

✈️ Getting There: Just 15 minutes from Fiumicino Airport (Rome's main international airport). If you have a long layover, or you're arriving a day early before your Roman holiday begins, this is a completely viable half-day from the airport itself.

🎯 Who It's For: All skill levels. Alessia and her team match every rider to the right horse and the right experience. You don't need riding experience to visit — you need curiosity and a willingness to slow down.

📅 When to Go: The reserve and trails are accessible year-round. Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable temperatures for longer rides. Summer morning rides before the heat sets in are particularly special.

What Riders Say

"An incredible experience! Friendly guides, well-kept horses, and beautiful landscapes. Prices are great compared to others." — Aneta Z., verified rider

"Alessia is an absolute joy — passionate about horses and history. I'd do this again in a heartbeat!" — Tiffany B., verified rider

The word that comes up consistently across reviews isn't "professional" or "scenic" — though it's both. It's "joy". There's a quality to an experience run by someone who genuinely loves what they do that no amount of marketing can manufacture. Cavalieri Di Gaia has it.

How to Book

Cavalieri Di Gaia is bookable directly through Cavago — the platform built specifically for equestrian travel. You can browse all available experiences, check availability and book your ride in one place, with no hidden fees and full support if you need to make changes.

View all Cavalieri Di Gaia experiences on Cavago →

FAQs

• Is horse riding near Rome suitable for complete beginners? Yes. Cavalieri Di Gaia welcomes riders of all experience levels. Their rescued horses are well-matched to each rider's ability, and the guides are experienced at working with first-timers. You don't need any prior riding experience to book a trail ride or beach ride.

• How long do the rides last? Experiences range from a few hours (the Beach Ride, the Archaeological Trail) to full-day adventures (the Cowboy Daily Adventure) and multi-day residential stays. There's something available for every schedule.

• Can I combine horse riding at Ostia Antica with visiting the ruins? Absolutely — and it's one of the best combinations in the Rome region. The Ostia Antica archaeological park is directly adjacent to Cavalieri Di Gaia's territory. Many visitors pair a morning archaeological ride with an afternoon visit to the museum and park on foot.

• Is Cavalieri Di Gaia suitable for families with children? Yes. The sanctuary setting — with the opportunity to groom and bond with horses before riding — makes this particularly memorable for younger visitors. Confirm age and weight specifics when booking through Cavago.

• What should I wear for horse riding near Rome? Long trousers and closed-toe shoes are strongly recommended. Riding helmets are provided. Layers are useful in spring and autumn when temperatures in the reserve can vary between morning and afternoon.

• Is this a day trip from Rome city centre? Yes. Ostia Antica is around 30 minutes from central Rome by car or train, making Cavalieri Di Gaia an entirely realistic half-day or full-day escape from the city without leaving the greater Rome area.

Cavalieri Di Gaia is listed on Cavago — the global platform for horse riding experiences. Browse all available rides, check live availability and book directly online.