The Colosseum. The Vatican. The Spanish Steps. And … the beach.
Yes, the beach might not be the first thing that springs to mind on your Roman getaway. But a trip to Rome isn’t just a city break. There are stretches of sand that are easy to reach from the city and make for the perfect day trip. These are our favorites.
Rome’s beaches
There’s more than you think
If you’ve got the time and you’re in Rome for more than a long weekend, change up the pace of your trip with a visit to the beach. Rest your feet from all that walking by paddling in the ocean and dipping your toes in the sand. Enjoy an aperitivo with sea views or tuck into tasty seafood caught metres from where you’re sitting. And let the kids build their own versions of Rome’s famous landmarks in the sand.
What to expect on the beach in Rome
History, cool crowds, and more
With many of Rome’s beaches less than an hour away by public transport, it’s easy to take a day trip out of the city for sea, sand, and sunshine. Before you decide on your beach and depart the city, consider what you want from a day trip. If you want to hang out with the bright young things of Rome and even spot a minor celebrity, head to Fregene. If you still want some more Roman history after your time in the city, beeline to Terracina for a crumbling Roman temple and epic views or Anzio for its ancient Roman villa. Sperlonga wins out in the beauty stakes, whilst Sabaudia promises the widest stretch of free beach you’ll find on a day trip from Rome.
That’s the thing with beaches in Italy, they are split between spiagge libere (free beach) and stabilimenti where you’ll be charged for sunbeds and parasols. The choice is of course up to you, just remember some beaches are dominated by stabilimenti so you may struggle to get a decent spot without having to pay.
8 of the best beaches in Rome
Looking for a day at the beach away from the city? Here are eight great beaches near Rome to pick from.
Lido di Ostia
Closest to Rome
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport: approximately 8.5km
Whilst it’s not the Italian beach of your dreams in the beauty stakes, it’s super close to Rome and you’ll be there with just one direct 30-minute train. Its proximity to Rome means it’s super popular with the locals so will likely fill up in the late afternoon when the after-work crowd gets here. It’s busy, vibrant, and fun. Just like an Italian beach should be.
Santa Marinella
Beautiful stretch of sand
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport: approximately 57km
This crescent-shaped beach has fine sand and warm waters, and ticks the box for beautiful scenery. There are fee-based stabilimenti everywhere, so you’ll need to pay for a sun lounger and parasol but it’s par for the course in Italy. This stretch of sand is also a popular spot for windsurfers. To get here from Rome, there are two trains an hour leaving from Termini Station to Santa Marinella, taking around an hour.
Anzio
A history lesson
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport: approximately 68km
Anzio brings the beach fun and the history too. You’ll find the free section of beach at the foot of the ancient Villa Imperiale – which was once home to the Roman emperor Nero and many of his successors. For even more history, 20 minutes away is the Anzio Beachhead Museum, dedicated to the Allied landing here in 1944. On the beach itself, the waters are shallow and warm, simply perfect for paddling. One train an hour leaves from Termini Station and takes around an hour.
Sperlonga
Blue flag beach
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport: approximately 130km
This blue flag beach brings beautiful views. The sand is a gorgeous golden and the waters are clear and warm. The setting is super picturesque too, with a whitewashed city backing the beach and a small harbour. The free part of the beach is limited, with the sands dominated by stabilimenti. The journey from Rome takes around 90 minutes including both train and bus, so it’s a better option to stay over rather than a day trip.
Fregene
Chic and cool
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport: approximately 15.5km
If you’re looking for a party spot on your Roman beach day, Fregene is the one for you. Once a chic hotspot in the 60s and 70s, it still attracts a crowd of bright young things from Rome. Some of the stabilimenti are more upmarket than nearby Ostia. Stay for aperitivo and even stick around after sundown to see some of the coolest players from Rome.
Sabaudia
Free beach everywhere
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport: approximately 97km
Another blue flag beach, this is the place to head if you want to avoid the stabilimenti and enjoy wide stretches of open free beach – something that doesn’t happen often on the beaches near Rome. Dunes back the beach with expensive villas overlooking the sands, plus the area is also known for its Mussolini-era architecture.
Gaeta
Family-friendly
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport: approximately 147km
Easily accessible by train and bus – or a hire car – from Rome, Gaeta has a blue flag beach with a quaint medieval town to explore too. It’s one of the most accessible beaches in the area and a great option for families. The sand is golden and the entrance to the water is shallow – there are no rocks either. There are loungers to rent, or you can simply relax on the sand.
Terracina
Roman temple
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport: approximately 111km
Just 10km south of Circeo, Terracina is easy to get to by train and bus. And the stunning setting is well worth the trip. The Romans built a temple to Jupiter on this site and the ruins remain today – you can hike up to the top for epic coastal views. The beach itself is busy yet clean, with wonderful waters. The historical centre is worth a visit too.
Insider tips:
Hop on the train for a scenic journey.
Visit during weekdays to avoid the busy weekend crowds.
Wear hats and suncream in the intense Mediterranean sun.
When you’ve got more than a few days in Rome, treat yourself and join the locals for a day at the beach. Then you’ll be energised ready to get back to sightseeing in the hustle and bustle of this fantastic city.