Panoramic view of Rieti with Monte Terminillo rising behind the medieval old town | Wikimedia Commons
Eco Hotels in Rieti — Sustainable Stays in the Heart of Italy
Book sustainable hotels in Rieti, the ancient Umbilicus Italiae nestled at the foot of Monte Terminillo. Four Franciscan sanctuaries, Sabine olive groves, a medieval old town with Roman walls, and the gateway to Lazio's wildest mountains — with 1 tonne of CO₂ removed per booking through IMPT.
Why Stay in Rieti
Rieti is one of those Italian cities that few international travellers know and every Italian who visits remembers. Sitting at an elevation of 405 metres in a broad, emerald-green basin known as the Piana Reatina, the city of roughly 47,000 inhabitants occupies what the ancient Romans called the Umbilicus Italiae — the geographic navel of the Italian peninsula. The Roman scholar Marcus Terentius Varro, born here in 116 BC, was among the first to describe Rieti as the centre of the Italian world, and the claim has stuck for over two millennia. A commemorative plaque in Piazza San Rufo still marks the supposed centre point of the peninsula, a quiet assertion of geographic pride that says everything about Rieti's understated self-confidence.
The city is one of the oldest Sabine settlements, pre-dating Rome itself. The Sabines — the ancient Italic people whose legendary abduction by Romulus became one of Rome's founding myths — had their capital here long before the she-wolf suckled her twins on the Palatine Hill. Traces of this pre-Roman heritage survive in the city's layout, its name (from the Sabine word Reate), and in the surrounding Sabina region, which still produces some of Italy's finest extra-virgin olive oil under the Sabina DOP designation. The Sabina olive groves, with their silvery-green canopy stretching across the hills west of the city, have been cultivated continuously for over 2,000 years — among the oldest documented olive-growing areas in the world.
Behind the city rises Monte Terminillo (2,217 m), the highest peak in the Reatine Apennines and central Italy's most accessible ski resort, just 20 km from the city centre. Romans have been coming here to ski since the 1930s, earning Terminillo the nickname "la montagna di Roma" (Rome's mountain). In summer, the same slopes become a paradise for hikers, mountain bikers, and wildflower enthusiasts, with trails climbing through beech forests to alpine meadows carpeted in gentians and orchids. The contrast is extraordinary: you can have breakfast in a medieval piazza, be on a ski lift within 30 minutes, and look out over a panorama that stretches from the Gran Sasso to the Tyrrhenian Sea.
But Rieti's most profound claim to significance is spiritual. The Rieti Valley is known as the Valle Santa (Holy Valley) because of its intimate connection to St Francis of Assisi. Four Franciscan sanctuaries encircle the city like points on a compass: Greccio, where St Francis created the first living nativity scene (presepe) on Christmas Eve 1223, inventing a tradition that spread across the entire Christian world; Fonte Colombo, the "Franciscan Sinai" where he wrote the definitive Rule of the Order in 1223; La Foresta, where he composed parts of the Canticle of the Creatures and underwent an eye operation; and Poggio Bustone, perched high above the valley, where he received divine reassurance and greeted the villagers with his famous salutation: "Buongiorno, buona gente!" (Good morning, good people!). These four sanctuaries, connected by the Cammino di Francesco pilgrimage route, form one of Italy's most moving spiritual circuits — intimate, forested, and free from the overwhelming crowds of Assisi.
The Piana Reatina itself is a geological marvel. This fertile basin was once Lacus Velinus, an ancient lake that the Roman consul Manius Curius Dentatus ordered drained in 271 BC by cutting a channel through the limestone cliffs at the valley's southern edge. The result was the Cascata delle Marmore — at 165 metres, the world's tallest man-made waterfall — just across the border in Umbria near Terni. The drained lakebed became the rich agricultural plain that still feeds Rieti today: a patchwork of market gardens, orchards, and pastures watered by the clear, cold River Velino. The medieval old town rises above this plain, its Roman-era walls and arched gateway still visible along Via Roma, with the 12th-century Cattedrale di Santa Maria and the imposing Palazzo Papale (where Pope Honorius III confirmed the Franciscan Rule in 1223) anchoring the civic and spiritual heart.
At a Glance
Getting the Most from Your Stay
Rieti sits approximately 80 km northeast of Rome, reachable in about 1.5 hours by car via the A1 motorway (exit Fiano Romano) and then the historic Via Salaria (SS4), one of the oldest roads in Italy — its name derives from sal (salt), as it was the ancient route along which Sabine traders carried salt from the Tiber marshes inland. Trains run from Roma Tiburtina to Rieti station in roughly one hour via the Ferrovia Laziale, and COTRAL buses connect Rome's Tiburtina station directly to Rieti's Piazza Mazzini. Once in the city, the compact historic centre is entirely walkable — a 15-minute stroll covers the distance from the cathedral to the river. A car is essential, however, for exploring the surrounding valley: the Franciscan sanctuaries, Monte Terminillo, and the Sabina hill towns all require their own wheels or organised tours.
For day trips, the possibilities are outstanding. Monte Terminillo is just 20 km east (30 minutes by car), offering skiing from December through March and superb hiking from June to October. The Cascata delle Marmore, the world's tallest man-made waterfall, lies 40 minutes south near Terni — the falls are regulated by a hydroelectric dam, so check the daily release schedule (usually mornings and late afternoons) before visiting. Norcia, the birthplace of St Benedict and the capital of Italian cured meats, is roughly an hour east across the Sibillini Mountains — combine it with a visit to the extraordinary Piano Grande di Castelluccio, a vast alpine plateau that explodes with wildflowers each June in the famous fiorita. Spoleto, with its Romanesque cathedral and the breathtaking Ponte delle Torri aqueduct, is an hour's drive south through the Valnerina. The four Franciscan sanctuaries (Greccio, Fonte Colombo, La Foresta, Poggio Bustone) form a natural driving or walking circuit around the Rieti Valley that can be completed in a single day or savoured across two or three, with each sanctuary offering a different facet of the Franciscan story in its original, unspoiled setting.
Where to Stay in Rieti
Rieti offers four distinct accommodation zones, each suited to different travel styles — from the medieval heart of the city to mountain lodges at the foot of Terminillo's ski runs.
🏛️ Centro Storico — Medieval Core
The walled historic centre of Rieti, where narrow stone streets wind between the Cattedrale di Santa Maria, Palazzo Papale, and the ancient Ponte Romano over the Velino. Stay here for aperitivi in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, evening passeggiata along Via Roma, and the intimate atmosphere of a medieval Italian city. Hotels and B&Bs in converted palazzi offer character and convenience — everything is within walking distance. Ideal for history lovers and pilgrims beginning the Franciscan trail.
🏔️ Near Terminillo — Mountain Lodges
The road from Rieti to Monte Terminillo (SS4bis) climbs through beech forests past a string of mountain hotels, rifugi, and ski lodges at elevations between 1,000 and 1,800 metres. Stay here in winter for ski-in/ski-out convenience or in summer for cool mountain air and direct access to hiking trails. The village of Pian de' Valli (1,620 m) is the main base, with restaurants, equipment rental, and the cable car station. The city centre is 30 minutes downhill.
🌾 Piana Reatina — Countryside
The flat, fertile plain surrounding Rieti offers agriturismi and country houses set among olive groves, market gardens, and the meandering River Velino. Stay here for tranquillity, home-cooked Sabine cuisine, and easy access to all four Franciscan sanctuaries. Many agriturismi produce their own olive oil, honey, and wine. The city centre is typically 10–15 minutes by car — close enough for evening dining, far enough for genuine countryside peace.
🏘️ Contigliano & Terminillo Road Area
The town of Contigliano and the initial stretch of the Terminillo road offer a middle ground between city and mountain. Expect modern hotels with parking, swimming pools, and views across the Piana Reatina to the Sabine hills. This area suits drivers exploring the wider province — equidistant between Rieti's historic centre (10 min), the Greccio sanctuary (15 min), and the lower Terminillo slopes (20 min).
Sustainable Hotels in Rieti
These six real Rieti-area properties represent some of the best-rated accommodations in the city and its surroundings. Through IMPT, every booking removes 1 tonne of CO₂ at no extra cost — you pay the same price as Booking.com, plus you earn 5% cashback and €5 free credit on your first booking.
Things to Do in Rieti
Rieti packs an extraordinary density of history, spirituality, natural beauty, and culinary excellence into a compact province. From medieval cathedrals to alpine summits, from Franciscan pilgrimage routes to the world's tallest man-made waterfall, this is a city that rewards the curious traveller at every turn.
Cattedrale di Santa Maria (Duomo di Rieti)
Rieti's Romanesque cathedral, consecrated in 1225 by Pope Honorius III, dominates the spiritual heart of the old town. The bell tower, rising beside the unfinished façade, dates to 1252 and its tolling still marks the hours across the Piana Reatina. Inside, the nave is lined with frescoed chapels, and the baroque high altar houses relics of Santa Barbara, patron saint of the city. The adjacent porticoed baptistery and the vaulted crypt — built over earlier Roman structures — add layers of history reaching back two millennia. The cathedral square, Piazza Cesare Battisti, is the natural starting point for any exploration of Rieti.
Palazzo Papale (Papal Palace)
This imposing 13th-century palace, connected to the cathedral by an elegant loggia, was built as a papal residence when the popes frequently stayed in Rieti during the turbulent politics of medieval Rome. It was here that Pope Honorius III formally approved the Franciscan Rule in 1223, cementing Rieti's place in the history of Christianity. Pope Nicholas IV was elected in the palace in 1288. Today the Palazzo houses the Diocesan Museum, with sacred art spanning eight centuries, and its grand arched loggia — the Loggia Papale — offers one of the finest views over the Velino river and the Sabine hills beyond.
Ponte Romano (Roman Bridge)
Rieti's ancient Roman bridge spans the River Velino at the foot of the old town, a reminder that the city has been a crossing point on the Via Salaria since Republican times. The single-arch stone bridge, rebuilt and restored over the centuries but retaining its Roman foundations, offers postcard views of the medieval buildings reflected in the clear waters of the Velino. The river walk along both banks is one of Rieti's loveliest strolls, especially in the golden light of late afternoon when the cathedral bell tower catches the sun.
Museo Civico di Rieti
Housed in a former monastery adjacent to the church of Santa Lucia, Rieti's civic museum charts the history of the Sabine people and the Rieti Valley from prehistoric times through the Roman period to the Middle Ages. Highlights include Sabine funerary objects, Roman mosaics unearthed from the Piana Reatina, medieval manuscripts, and Renaissance paintings by local masters. The museum provides essential context for understanding why this small city punched so far above its weight in ancient and medieval Italy.
Santuario di Greccio — Birthplace of the Nativity Scene
Perched on a rocky ledge 15 km southwest of Rieti, the Franciscan sanctuary of Greccio is where St Francis created the world's first living nativity scene (presepe) on Christmas Eve 1223. The tiny chapel where the event took place — carved into the cliff face — is one of Christianity's most intimate and moving spaces. The sanctuary complex, still an active Franciscan monastery, clings to the mountain like a swallow's nest, with breathtaking views over the Rieti Valley. Visit on Christmas Eve for the annual re-enactment, a tradition unbroken for 800 years.
Monte Terminillo — Skiing & Hiking
At 2,217 metres, Monte Terminillo is the highest peak in the Reatine Apennines and central Italy's most historic ski resort — "la montagna di Roma." Just 20 km from the city centre (30 minutes by car), it offers downhill and cross-country skiing from December through March, with runs ranging from gentle nursery slopes at Pian de' Valli (1,620 m) to challenging descents from the summit. In summer, the mountain transforms into a hiking paradise: trails through ancient beech forests lead to alpine meadows rich in wildflowers, with panoramic views stretching from the Gran Sasso massif to the distant glimmer of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Cascata delle Marmore Day Trip
The world's tallest man-made waterfall (165 m) lies just 40 minutes south of Rieti, near Terni in Umbria. Created in 271 BC when the Roman consul Manius Curius Dentatus drained the ancient Lacus Velinus — the lake that once filled the Rieti basin — by carving a channel to the River Nera, the falls are a thundering spectacle of engineering and nature. Today the flow is regulated for hydroelectric power, with dramatic release times throughout the day. Walking trails at the base and summit offer different perspectives on the three cascading tiers. Combine with a visit to Terni or the medieval village of Piediluco on the lake below.
Lago di Piediluco
This crescent-shaped lake, 20 km south of Rieti, is Lazio's second-largest natural lake and one of central Italy's most peaceful waterside retreats. The tiny village of Piediluco huddles at the foot of a medieval fortress, its colourful houses reflected in water so still it looks like polished glass. Rowing is the main sport — Italy's national rowing centre is based here — and visitors can rent kayaks, canoes, or small boats to explore the reed-lined shores. The lake is a natural prelude or sequel to visiting the nearby Cascata delle Marmore.
Sabine Olive Oil Tours
The Sabina region west of Rieti produces Italy's first DOP-certified extra-virgin olive oil — Olio Extravergine di Oliva Sabina DOP, recognised since 1996. The olive groves here have been cultivated for over 2,000 years, and many estates offer guided tours of their ancient groves, stone mills, and modern pressing facilities, followed by tastings of the golden-green oil with bruschetta and local bread. The town of Fara in Sabina, 30 km west, is the heart of the olive oil district, with the historic Abbazia di Farfa — one of the most powerful medieval abbeys in Italy — nearby.
Medieval Town Walk — Walls, Gates & Piazze
Rieti's historic centre retains its medieval street plan within sections of well-preserved Roman and medieval walls. Begin at the Porta d'Arci gateway on Via Roma, follow the ancient wall circuit past the Teatro Flavio Vespasiano (named after the Flavian emperor born nearby in Cittareale), through Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II — the lively heart of daily life — and down to the Ponte Romano. The walk passes Renaissance palazzi, hidden courtyards, and small churches with unexpected frescoes, finishing at the river with views of the cathedral and Palazzo Papale rising above the Velino. Allow 1.5 hours with stops.
Walks & Trails
Rieti and the surrounding valley offer walks ranging from a gentle stroll along medieval walls to multi-day pilgrimage routes through the Apennine foothills.
🚶 Centro Storico Walls Walk (2 km, 45 minutes, easy)
Begin at Porta d'Arci on the northern edge of the old town, where the Roman-era walls are most visible. Follow Via Roma south through the medieval core, passing the Teatro Flavio Vespasiano (Rieti's 19th-century opera house, named after the Flavian emperor), Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II with its cafés and daily market, and the Cattedrale di Santa Maria. Continue through the Palazzo Papale loggia for river views, then descend to the Ponte Romano. Cross the bridge and follow the Velino embankment path back north for a riverside perspective on the old town's medieval skyline. Flat, paved, and suitable for all ages. Best in the early morning or late afternoon light.
🕊️ Cammino di Francesco — St Francis Way (80 km circuit, 4–5 days, moderate)
The Cammino di Francesco is one of Italy's great pilgrimage walks, connecting the four Franciscan sanctuaries around the Rieti Valley in a circular route of approximately 80 km. From Rieti, the path leads southwest to Greccio (birthplace of the nativity scene), then south to Fonte Colombo (where Francis wrote the Rule), east to La Foresta (where he composed the Canticle), and north to Poggio Bustone (where he received divine reassurance). The trail passes through oak and holm-oak forests, over grassy ridges, and along quiet country lanes, with each sanctuary offering overnight accommodation in the Franciscan guesthouses. The walk can be done in 4–5 days at a contemplative pace, or individual stages can be walked as day hikes from Rieti. Well-marked with the tau (T) symbol throughout.
⛰️ Monte Terminillo Summit Trail (12 km return, 5–6 hours, challenging)
From Pian de' Valli (1,620 m), take the marked trail (CAI path 401) through dense beech forest, emerging above the tree line into open alpine meadows carpeted with wildflowers in June and July. The trail climbs steadily to the summit of Monte Terminillo at 2,217 m, where the panorama is staggering — the Gran Sasso massif to the north, the Sibillini Mountains to the east, and on clear days, the shimmering line of the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west. The descent follows the same route or loops via the Rifugio Angelo Sebastiani (1,820 m) for a hot meal. Bring layers, water, and sturdy boots. The trail is snow-free from late May to early November; crampons may be needed in early season.
🌊 Velino River Path (5 km one-way, 1.5 hours, easy)
Follow the banks of the River Velino from the Ponte Romano in the old town downstream through the Piana Reatina. The flat, partly paved path follows the crystal-clear river through fields, past old watermills, and alongside dense riverside vegetation alive with herons, kingfishers, and dragonflies. The walk ends at the Ponte delle Sorgenti, where natural springs feed the Velino with cold, mineral-rich water from the surrounding mountains. Return the same way or arrange a taxi pickup. This is Rieti's most peaceful walk — a world away from the city just 2 km behind you.
Nearby Cities to Explore
Rieti's central position — between Rome, Umbria, and Abruzzo — makes it an ideal base for exploring some of central Italy's most rewarding destinations.
Rome, the Eternal City, needs no introduction — the Colosseum, Vatican, and Trastevere are just 80 km southwest. Terni is the gateway to the Cascata delle Marmore and the Valnerina, Umbria's most dramatic valley. Spoleto enchants with its Romanesque cathedral, Roman theatre, and the soaring Ponte delle Torri aqueduct spanning the valley. L'Aquila, capital of Abruzzo, offers a stunning Renaissance city centre and the gateway to the Gran Sasso National Park, Italy's highest Apennine peaks.
Rieti Travel Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Rieti called the Umbilicus Italiae (navel of Italy)?
The ancient Romans considered Rieti the geographic centre of the Italian peninsula. The Roman scholar Marcus Terentius Varro, who was born in Rieti in 116 BC, described it as the "Umbilicus Italiae" in his writings. The city's position in the fertile Rieti plain (Piana Reatina), surrounded by mountains on all sides and equidistant from Italy's major coasts, gave it this symbolic status. Today visitors can still see a commemorative plaque in Piazza San Rufo marking the supposed centre point of the peninsula.
Are there eco-friendly and sustainable hotels in Rieti?
Yes, Rieti and the surrounding Sabina region offer a range of eco-conscious accommodations from historic centre hotels to countryside agriturismi and mountain lodges near Terminillo. Through IMPT, you can book from over 8 million hotels worldwide including sustainable options in Rieti, with each booking removing 1 tonne of CO₂ from the atmosphere at no extra cost — the price matches Booking.com. You also earn 5% cashback on every booking and €5 free credit on your first stay. IMPT partners with 25,000+ green-certified properties globally.
How do I get to Rieti from Rome?
Rieti is approximately 80 km northeast of Rome, reachable in about 1.5 hours by car via the A1 motorway and the Via Salaria (SS4). Trains run from Roma Tiburtina to Rieti station in roughly 1 hour via the Ferrovia Laziale. COTRAL buses also connect Rome's Tiburtina station directly to Rieti's city centre. Once in Rieti, the historic centre is compact and walkable, while a car is recommended for visiting the Franciscan sanctuaries and Monte Terminillo.
What is the connection between St Francis and Rieti?
The Rieti Valley is known as the "Valle Santa" (Holy Valley) because of its deep connection to St Francis of Assisi. Four Franciscan sanctuaries surround the city: Greccio, where St Francis created the first living nativity scene in 1223; Fonte Colombo, where he wrote the Franciscan Rule; La Foresta, where he composed part of the Canticle of the Creatures; and Poggio Bustone, where he received divine confirmation of his mission. These four sanctuaries form a walking and driving circuit called the Cammino di Francesco (St Francis Way), one of Italy's most important pilgrimage routes.
How does booking with IMPT help the environment?
When you book any hotel through IMPT, 1 tonne of CO₂ is removed from the atmosphere per booking — equivalent to roughly 2,500 miles driven by an average car or the carbon absorbed by 50 trees in one year. IMPT works with over 25,000 green-certified partners worldwide, and you receive €5 free credit on your first booking plus 5% cashback. You pay the same price as Booking.com — sustainable travel costs nothing extra. Every booking in Rieti directly contributes to verified carbon removal projects while you enjoy the city's Franciscan heritage, Sabine cuisine, and Terminillo mountain adventures.