🏰 Palazzo Riario: Stay in History, Live the Renaissance

Experience the grandeur of the Italian Renaissance. Just steps from the Cathedral and the Palazzo dei Papi, this 16th-century residence—once home to Cardinal Raffaele Riario—now welcomes discerning travelers to a charming relais where art, history, and modern comfort converge.

⛪ A Palace of Art, Among Frescoes and Heraldic Symbols

Built around 1500, the palace preserves its noble soul: coffered painted ceilings, crests with horse heads and crescent moons, and original Florentine frescoes nestled in the rooms. Every corner tells the story of an age where power and beauty were one, and hospitality was a privilege for the elite.

📍 In One of Viterbo’s Most Enchanting Alleys, on the Popes’ Path

Via della Torre is one of the city’s most evocative historic routes, and Palazzo Riario occupies its most strategic corner—near the Old Clock Tower and Lavatoio Square. The perfect location for exploring on foot:

• San Pellegrino Quarter (400m)

• Palazzo dei Papi and the Cathedral (650m)

• Civic Museum and Fontana Grande (300m)

• Plus, a front-row view of the Macchina di Santa Rosa (September 3), a UNESCO Heritage celebration.

🛏️ Sleep in a 16th-Century Palace (Without Giving Up Wi-Fi)

Each of the six air-conditioned rooms is unique, tastefully decorated in harmony with the building’s soul. Some feature canopy beds, peperino stone walls, and a “Romeo and Juliet” ambiance, yet all offer modern comforts:

• Private bathrooms

• Free Sky TV

• Top-rated Wi-Fi (9.8/10)

🍷 Hospitality Has a Name—And a Kitchen

The residence is managed by Renato, a beloved host who also runs the nearby restaurant La Chimera (just 100 meters away). Guests can dine in the restaurant’s evocative cave or enjoy room service in true relais style. Bonus: a tiny private garage in the medieval center (fits five cars “like sardines”).

☕ Little Touches That Make a Big Difference

• Always-on hot drink station

• Complimentary sweets

• Italian breakfast with fresh pastries and local specialties, served in a charming underground hall

• Guestbook signed by travelers from around the world

🌍 An Ideal Base for Exploring Tuscia

Easy day trips to:

• Civita di Bagnoregio, the “Dying Town” (45 min)

• Lake Bolsena (45 min)

• Monster Park in Bomarzo (45 min)

• Etruscan necropolis in Tarquinia (1 hour)

• Luxury spa Terme dei Papi (1.2 km) – special guest discount

🍽️ Nearby Culinary Delights

• Enoteca La Torre (1 Michelin star)

• Trattoria Porta Romana, Il Gargolo

• Historic market at Piazza delle Erbe

• Salumificio Coccia with its Slow Food delicacy Susianella di Viterbo

🚉 Easy Access

• 8-minute walk to trains for Rome (Porta Romana station)

• Cotral buses to regional destinations

• Rare and precious private garage

🎖️ Awards and Reviews

• TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award

• Booking.com score: 8.9/10 (9.5/10 for location)

• TripAdvisor: 4.5/5

• Ranked #2 out of 66 specialty lodgings in Viterbo

✨ Conclusion

Palazzo Riario is much more than a hotel—it’s a place of the soul, where beauty isn’t a backdrop but a natural condition. An elegant, authentic, and welcoming oasis for those seeking real emotion and a direct encounter with history.

📌 If you want to experience Viterbo without filters, start here.

Welcome to the Renaissance. Welcome to Palazzo Riario.