Tarquinia, the heart of Southern Etruria, Etruscan capital, mediaeval township, archaeological site of international fame and an intense cultural life, rises 133m above sea-level on a plateau from which it scenically overlooks the Marta River valley and the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Its geographical location (90km from Rome, 90km from Grosseto, 163km from Siena, 250km from Florence, 235km from Leghorn, 250km from Pisa, 170km from Perugia, 130km from Rieti, 368km from Rimini, 280km from Naples) makes it a prime tourist resort. Visitors may savour its important traditional heritage, covering 3000 years of history, in its numerous precious archaeological and mediaeval exhibits and the territory's variegated natural features: its nearness to the seaside, the Maremma countryside, the nearby Tolfa and Cimini Mountains and the view of the Argentario Promontory and the island of Giglio.
Strolling through the centre of the town, visitors will come upon its many charming spots and experience the grandeur of its towers. Meandering along its narrow streets, unexpectedly opening out onto large squares embellished by a church façade, they will arrive at the ancient walls of the town bordering the soaring cliffside. From this viewpoint the eye can roam over the suggestive landscape, taking in the merging colours of the golden wheat fields, the green countryside, and the different shades of brown of the lands rolling towards the blue sea.
Tourists may also take in Tarquinia's many Etruscan finds by visiting the aristocratic Palazzo Vitelleschi, in itself a masterpiece of Gothic-Renaissance architecture, now housing the National Museum.
The Etruscan necropolis, just outside the town, includes the most beautiful and well-preserved tombs of the ancient world, which bear witness to the cult of the dead of a fascinating and enigmatic people. They are unique in themselves and only comparable with the Egyptian tombs.
At the foot of the town, its seaside resort, complete with urban facilities immersed in the surrounding countryside, offers visitors several types of accommodation — from camping grounds to self-catering apartments and hotels.
Tarquinia's accommodation facilities are well known throughout the peninsula: the residential areas of Marina Velca, Spinicci, Tarquinia Lido, Sant'Agostino, Riva dei Tarquini and the hotels situated in the town centre offer innumerable comforts.
The climate is mild even in winter, and steady breezes, which make sailing and windsurfing perfect, relieve the summer heat. Its diversified geographical make-up render it also suitable for international sports events such as triathlon, cycling and marathons, which would be difficult to hold elsewhere. 

TARQUINIA – THE CROSSROADS OF ITALY 

Tarquinia enjoys an ideal location favoured by the vicinity of important communication centres: the port of Civitavecchia, with the connections to Sardinia, is only ten minutes away, while it is just 45 minutes to the Fiumicino national and international airport. This favourable position makes Tarquinia a convenient base for future tourism. With some of Italy's most important artistic centers at hand - Rome 50 minutes, Florence and Pisa 2 and a half hours, Siena an hour and a half, Naples 3 hours, Viterbo 45 minutes, Orvieto 1 hour - Tarquinia is the ideal crossroads for a tourist who loves travelling.

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