The best beaches near Rome

While summer is a popular time to visit Rome, the warm weather can be too much for some visitors. Fortunately, there are dozens of beautiful beaches in Lazio, the region surrounding Rome, and many of them can be reached by public transport from the Eternal City.

In Italy, there are some free beaches, but most are divided into private beach areas called stabilimenti . Visitors pay a daily fee that provides a clean beach, sun loungers and an umbrella, a dressing room, an outdoor shower, a good bathing area, and toilets. Some private beaches also offer access to a bar or restaurant. Rates will vary based on location, time of year, and even how close your beach chair is to the ocean. You can expect to pay between € 10 and € 30 per person, per chair.

Most local residents buy season passes for stable access. If you plan to stay for a week or more, it is worth investing in a short-term pass so that you get a prime spot on the beach of your choice.

If you want to escape the summer temperatures in Rome, here are some beaches that are within walking distance of the city. Keep in mind that, especially on weekends, these beaches will be full of Romans who have the same idea as you: escape the heat and crowds of the city.

Sperlonga Beach

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+39 329 061 9127

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If you want to visit a nice town with really good beaches, Sperlonga is the best option for a beach day from Rome, although it is a bit further than the other options.

Sperlonga beach is one of the blue flag beaches in Italy, which means that the sand and water are clean and the beach is ecological. Most of the beach areas are private, so you will pay a fee for their use. Sperlonga is a picturesque town with narrow streets that rise up the hill from the sea. In the city, there are shops, cafes and restaurants.

Sperlonga has been a popular seaside destination since Roman times. Emperor Tiberius had a villa south of the city that you can visit, along with the Tiberius Grotto and the archaeological museum.

Playa Ostia Lido

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While it may not be as glamorous as other Italian beaches, Ostia Lido is the closest to Rome. Ostia beach is known for its dark sand and the water is clean enough for swimming. There are several public areas of the beach, which means you can spread a towel wherever you find a spot.

If you are interested in sightseeing during your trip to Ostia, stop to see the ancient Roman ruins at Ostia Antica, the ancient port of Rome. If you are flying out of Fiumicino airport, Ostia Lido is a good alternative to staying in an airport hotel.

Playa Santa Marinella

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+39 347 619 3258

Santa Marinella is north of Rome, about an hour by regional train from Termini Station, Rome’s main train station. There are two or three trains an hour most of the day and it is about a five minute walk from the station to the beach.

Santa Marinella has beautiful sandy beaches, both with free access and private, clear water for swimming. Like most Italian beaches, they are very crowded on weekends. In the small town of Santa Marinella, you will find bars, shops and good seafood restaurants.

In the days of ancient Rome, Santa Marinella was a Roman seaside resort and the Etruscan ruins of Pyrgi are about eight miles southeast of Santa Severa, another spa town.

Fregene Beach

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+39 06 6656 2111

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Fregene is the next seaside town north of Ostia and is a popular spot for young Romans looking to have fun in the many bars and clubs that line the seashore. The quality of the water and the beach is good, not great, so it might be a better option if you want to go there in the afternoon for a few hours in the sun and then stick around for the party scene.

To get to Fregene, take the train from Roma Termini to Maccarese-Fregene station. From there, frequent local buses connect to the beach.

Playa Anzio

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Although it’s a bit further from Rome, a visit to Anzio will reward you with clean beaches and water, the ruins of an ancient villa that once belonged to Emperor Nero, and the Anzio Beachhead Museum, which recalls the Allied beach landing during the Second World War.

To get to Anzio from Rome, take the train from Termini to Anzio Colonia. From there, you’ll be a short walk from several beautiful beaches, the Villa Imperiale, and the war museum. If you continue one more stop towards Nettuno, you will be a little further from the tourist attractions but close to other wide beaches with many services.

Unmissable museums on your trip to Rome