This post highlights the best beaches near Rome, Italy, picked from personal experiences.
I was born and grew up in Rome. I’ve been exploring the seaside around Rome for over 30 years, and I’m happy to share with you all I know about this subject.
Rome’s historic center lies just 30 km or so from the Tyrrhenian Sea, the nearest beach to Rome being Ostia Lido; therefore, locals improvise their beach trip whenever they can.
Local young people opt for public beaches, while families and the elderly prefer to stay at one of the countless beach clubs available. In this post, I’m going to share my best insider tips and be useful to anyone.
This post includes beaches north and south of Rome. In addition to Ostia, you will learn about the beautiful Fregene Beach, set of Fellini’s films, the wild 300 Steps Beach, and Santa Severa Beach, which features a Renaissance castle.
I will also tell you how to get to the beaches by public transportation, where possible, or where to park your car.
In order to plan your beach day trip from Rome to perfection, make sure to go through the FAQs at the bottom of the post.
Here are the best beaches near Rome
1. Fregene Beach
The town of Fregene stands about 30 km north of Rome.
Fregene is quiet and invites you to explore at a slow pace, biking in the shade of large pine forests or along the bike path that runs the length of the long beach.
Fregene Beach is one of the most convenient beaches to reach for those living in Rome’s northern neighborhoods. The northern edge of the beach, where the “Kiosko” café is located, is my absolute favorite part.
Here you can rent a sunbed and umbrella if you want, but it is not mandatory. The bistro with shaded tables invites you to enjoy a sandwich or even an aperitif with a view of the sunset in peace. All at very affordable prices.
Along the part of the beach with the “Kiosko,” there’s also a group of typical beach houses called the “Fishermen Village.” It is from here that the town developed, being until the 1950s a simple fishing village.
Given its location, this is one of the beaches near Rome airport you could visit during a layover.
How to get to Fregene Beach from Rome
From Roma Termini, take a train to Maccarese-Fregene and then a no. 11 or no. 1 local bus to Fregene beach.
2. Santa Severa Beach
Santa Severa Beach is the best beach near Rome, and you can reach it by train.
The recognition is due to the fact that the water here is very clean, crystal clear in the morning when the sea is usually very calm.
The beach stretches at the foot of a Renaissance castle that houses museums and you can visit. The courtyard of the castle, featuring public restrooms, is free access.
A long beach south of the castle is completely free, known by the name “Black Sands.”
North of the castle, there are both a free beach and beach clubs. On the side of the castle’s entrance gate is an excellent pinseria (pinsa is a type of pizza popular in Rome.)
A couple of minutes walk north of the castle, along the beach, is an excellent seafood restaurant, “L’Isola del Pescatore,” which also makes sandwiches.
How to reach the beach in Santa Severa:
Get a train from Termini to Santa Severa station (€4.10 for a one-hour trip). Then walk to the beach.
3. Cerveteri Beach
Still slightly north of Rome is the historic town of Cerveteri, famous for hosting a UNESCO heritage site.
The town stretches from the hill to the sea, the part with the beach is known as Campo di Mare.
Here too there are some parts of the beach with free access and others with beach clubs where you can rent beach equipment.
For a lunch of freshly caught fish, I recommend the restaurant at the Six Beach House.
If you are passing through here, on the same day you can also visit the beach immediately to the south, which is special, and which I tell you about in the next section.
By public transportation
Take a train from Rome to Marina di Cerveteri. Then a local bus to Campo di Mare.
4. Torre Flavia Beach
South of Cerveteri Beach is Torre Flavia Beach, which belongs to the municipality of Ladispoli.
The beach takes its name from the remains of a Roman turret from the Flavian era.
The part worth visiting is the part included in the Torre Flavia Natural Monument, which has free access.
This area is a reserve because it is home to many species of birds.
There are no beach clubs or bistros here, just wilderness for about two kilometers long.
Bring everything you need along, especially water and the necessary to shelter from the sun.
However, if you walk north or south, civilization will quickly meet you.
Torre Flavia Beach is one of the best beaches near Rome, and surely one of my favourites.
How to get to the beach
Take a train from Rome to Ladispoli, then the local bus line “F” that will take you to Via Roma St., from which you can access the beach.
If you are coming by car, park along Via Roma and then walk along the paths of the nature oasis.
Mind:
- It is forbidden to damage the vegetation and animals in this area.
- Dogs are not allowed on this beach.
5. Trevignano Romano Beach
Please do not jump on the chair if I propose a lake beach.
First of all, it is not just any lake.
Lake Bracciano is one of the cleanest lakes in Italy. Motor boats are prohibited. Moreover, one of the lake’s beaches, namely the one next to the town Trevignano Romano, has been awarded the Blue Flag. And in the entire province of Rome, only two blue flags have been awarded!
Other advantages of a trip to the lake include the fact that the lake is mostly calm and protected from strong winds.
From Trevignano Romano, a short walk along the well-kept lake promenade will take you to the beach, which is located near the Skipper bistro.
Public toilets and a fountain with drinking water are located along the beach.
Also here you can try a restaurant I go to regularly, the Casina Bianca.
How to get to the beach
Take a train from Ostiense or Valle Aurelia stations to Anguillara Sabazia (€2.60 or €2.10, 40-50 min. trip). Then take the Schiaffini local bus to the beach in Trevignano Romano.
If you come by car, there are paid parking lots along the beach (€1 per hour.).
6. Passoscuro Beach
Less than 10 km north of Fregene, you’ll find the town of Passoscuro.
Like other seaside towns near Rome, Passoscuro was nothing else than a fishermen’s village until the economic boom that followed the Second World War.
This is not only a holiday destination, and actually many Romans moved here in search of peace and sea views.
They love it because the beach is large and its sand is soft. There are public beaches along with beach clubs, among which I recommend the “Moai”.
A cheerful event called “Sagra Della Tellina” is held in the town of Passoscuro every spring during the month of May. The Tellina Festival consists of an open-air market where numerous stands offer dishes and products made with tellina (that is a small clam.) The best dish to try here is Spaghetti con le telline.
How to get to the Passoscuro beach:
The best way to reach this beach is by car. However, you could also get a train from Roma Termini to the station of Maccarese-Fregene and then a local bus to Passoscuro.
7. Palidoro Beach
And now I will reveal how to reach a secret beach that only locals know about. Palidoro beach is a long stretch of free, wild, and uncrowded beach.
If you want to find it really empty, come here at sunset.
To reach it, you’d better take a car.
Park in the Bambino Gesù Hospital parking lot, it costs about €1 an hour, and then walk 5 minutes to the beach.
8. Ostia Lido Beach
Ostia is the most popular beach town in Rome’s metropolitan area. You can reach it quickly by car from the southern neighborhoods of the city, or with a city train.
Tip:
I recommend a walk by the “Pontile di Ostia” and along the Pedestrian street “Isola Pedonale” (Via Lucio Coilio to Via dei Misenati) to bask in the local vibe, do some shopping, and find local street food.
If you have additional time and are a history fan, visit the Roman ruins at the Ostia Antica Archeological Park before or after chilling at the beach, the site is a train stop away.
How to get to Ostia Beach by train:
Take a train from Ostiense Station and get off either at Lido Nord, Lido Centro, or Castel Fusano. Then it takes just a short walk to get to the beach. The train runs often.
Cons of this beach:
The water isn’t the clearest around Rome.
9. Cancelli Beach
A few km away from Ostia Beach, going south, you’ll find a long public beach the locals refer to as “cancelli”.
Popular with people of all ages that prefer the free beach, it has an offbeat or hipster vibe and features little kiosks where you can get drinks. There is also a “nudist part” of the beach.
The Cancelli Beach area is highly popular with locals, as it’s one of the very best beaches near Rome.
Come here early in the morning if you want to find a space to park your car.
Tips: Walk to the hamlet of Torvaianica and have some nice seafood with a sea view.
10. Beach of the 300 steps in the Circeo National Park
The Circeo National Park marks the border Lazio and Campania regions.
Here you can see how the farther you get from Rome, the cleaner the seawater. You still can make it a day trip from Rome.
Beaches in southern Lazio are wide, and there are also interesting sea grottoes to explore with masks and fins at the bottom of the promontory.
The beach towns in the Circeo region are:
- Sabaudia,
- Terracina (also hosts the impressive ruins of the Temple of Jupiter)
- Sperlonga
Sperlonga is one of the most beautiful beach towns near Rome.
Its most unique beach of fine golden sand and washed by crystal-clear sea is the Beach of the 300 Steps.
It is so called because you have to descend a long flight of steps to reach it. But the beauty of the scenery will repay your effort. The beach is free but there is the possibility of renting sunbeds and umbrellas.
Getting there by public transport isn’t very convenient.
You could get a Cotral Bus from the Laurentina metro station in Rome to Terracina, (2.40 hours), or a train from Roma Termini to Terracina (€7.00 for a one and a half hour trip); and then get a local public bus to the beach.
11. Beaches in Maremma
If seawater purity is a priority for you, and you are not afraid to travel about 2 hours by car, then I recommend heading north across the border to Tuscany.
The Maremma Regional Park, in addition to immense pine forests, rivers and woods, is home to long beaches of fine sand and clean sea.
We come here every summer, so I will advise you well.
The best beaches we have found here are 2.
The first, easily accessible even with a car and small children, is Alberese beach. Here are kilometers of free beach bathed by turquoise-emerald colored sea. There is a small amount to pay to access by car, about €8 for the whole day.
The other noteworthy beach is Cala Violina Beach. This beach is famous because it is one of about 100 music beaches in the world. The sand grains on this beach contain a lot of quartz, and they produce a distinctive sound when you walk on them.
This beach is very popular and reservations on the official website are required to gain access.
To get to the beach, you have to walk about 1.5 km on foot.
Wrap-up
Concluding this guide to the beaches near Rome, it’s clear that the area offers a wide variety of beach experiences. From the popular shores of Ostia Lido to the secluded stretches of Palidoro, each location provides its own unique appeal.
This post, drawing on personal exploration and practical advice, aims to help you navigate the choices, whether you’re looking for easy access from the city, a quiet spot to relax, or a beach with facilities for families.
Highlighting the importance of clean water, historical significance, and the convenience of public transport, the guide serves as a practical resource for planning a day trip from Rome.
Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor, these insights into the less-known beaches alongside the popular ones offer a comprehensive overview, encouraging you to explore beyond the city’s ancient ruins and immerse yourself in the natural beauty that lies just a short journey away.
