If you’re wondering which are the best coastal towns near Rome, Italy, perhaps you’re looking for a refuge from the city noise and heat.
Or maybe you want to take long walks on the beach and admire the long sunsets from the Tyrrhenian Coast while sipping white wine.
Either way, this article will help you choose among the 10 best beach towns near Rome which is the perfect destination for your day trip or a few days’ relaxing stay.
The coast near which the city of Rome rises hides some real treasures, starting with the scents of the Mediterranean scrub and the light breeze that cools the beachfront venues on summer evenings.
In this article, you will discover off-the-beaten-path towns such as Fregene and towns that develop around picturesque ports such as Porto Ercole in Tuscany.
Traveling south along the coast, you will find some of the most beautiful beaches in Italy near Rome around the towns of Nettuno, Sperlonga, and San Felice Circeo.
I will also introduce you to the most beautiful lake village near Rome, bathed by calm, crystal-clear waters.
10 Best Coastal Towns Near Rome to Visit in 2024
1. Fregene

I bet you have never heard of Fregene, a coastal town located about 30 km northwest of Rome.
Until the 1950s, Fregene was little more than a small fishing village. From the 1960s onward, and especially thanks to the films by director Federico Fellini, the wide beach of Fregene showed itself in all its beauty to Italians.
Then the town developed with villas, cottages, and tree-lined boulevards. The grand “Federico Fellini Pinewood” offers an oasis of shade and tranquility for those who want to picnic or stop to pick pine nuts.
What attracts Romans to Fregene above all are its many beach clubs. Couples and families rely on beach clubs to ensure a relaxing day of sun and sea.
In addition to offering beach umbrellas and sunbeds, beach clubs offer seafood buffet lunch service, swimming pools, and play areas for the little ones.
Among the most popular are the Saint Tropez, Albos Club, and Point Break (this one is for water sports lovers).
There is also a large and comfortable free beach in Fregene; it is the one that stretches near Bar Kiosko, where the old fishing village also stood.
To top off your trip to Fregene, I recommend dining at a seafood restaurant right near the quaint fishing village, such as the Pioniere and Casa Carmen.
2. Nettuno
If you are looking for a charming coastal village south of Rome, Nettuno is for you. The village is located in the Lazio region, 60 km south of the Eternal City.
The historic center has direct access to a large beach of fine, dark sand, and there is also a small harbor where you can stroll around watching the boats.
If you love history, this village will captivate you. Starting with Forte Sangallo, a 16th-century fortress with a quadrangular shape and very thick walls. Built for defensive purposes on commission of the Borgia Family, today the fort houses the Allied Landing Museum and the Antiquarium (Archaeological Museum).
Nettuno also boasts a medieval quarter with narrow streets and small squares to explore, where you will also find elegant palaces from later eras. Check out the Baronial Palace and the Dorja Pamphilj Palace. Go in search of the Fountain of the God Neptune, which gives the city its name. The refined sculpture in the center of the fountain depicts the god atop a shell pulled by two horses.
Attentive observers will be reminded of the theme of the sculpture at the center of the Trevi Fountain in Rome.
If you are passing through Nettuno, you cannot miss a visit to the beautiful and wild Torre Astura Beach, which boasts one of the most crystal-clear seas south of Rome.
3. Santa Marinella

The town of Santa Marinella stands about 15 km south of the Port of Civitavecchia, where cruise ships visiting the Mediterranean stop.
The hamlet is home to the vacation homes of Romans as well as those who live there permanently and have chosen to be able to gaze at the sea every day of their lives.
Santa Marinella has been inhabited since antiquity, certainly since Etruscan times (8 centuries B.C.), and then was conquered by the Romans, who coveted its harbor.
The sea in Santa Marinella is one of the cleanest on the Latium coast. The coast here is rocky, so it is ideal if you love snorkeling. To provide easier access to the sea, artificial beaches have been created, such as the beach at the Little Paradise Beach Club, Triangle Beach, and Passeggiata Beach. The latter is protected from the waves by a row of rocks, so it is recommended for families with small children.
It is interesting to visit the Odescalchi Castle, the town’s most famous historical landmark. The castle dominates the panorama of the harbor. In ancient times, it was the site of the Roman villa of Ulpianus and was converted into a fortified castle in the 15th century, with three corner towers and a central one.
Another fascinating corner of the municipality of Santa Marinella is located about 5 km south of its historic center.
It is the long Santa Severa Beach, a sandy beach washed by a clean sea. The Santa Severa Castel dominates the beach. It houses a hostel, museums, and an Etruscan-era archaeological site.
4. Anzio
A few kilometers north of Nettuno lies Anzio, a beach town near Rome that is absolutely off the tourist track.
If you’re interested in coming into contact with the authentic ways of the Italians, you can do so here. You’ll meet locals on their beach vacations, or while enjoying a day at the beach away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Many Romans have their second home here, having chosen Anzio as their favorite destination to relax when not working.
Along the Anzio shoreline is an archaeological park with the remains of an Imperial villa from Roman times that must have belonged to Nero. The free beach at Anzio is named Nero’s Caves Beach because of the caves carved into the rock face that reaches into the water.
One of the most enjoyable things to do in Anzio is to walk along the waterfront at sunset.
Start at the Piazza Caduti di Nassiriya, where the statue of Nero is located, and continue looking for the most suitable place to enjoy an aperitif.
For dinner, if you are looking for the perfect compromise between tasty dishes and cheap prices, head to Pizzeria Olindo.
If you stay at least two days in Anzio, do not give up a boat trip to Ponza and Ventotene, two small islands that are a masterpiece of mother nature.
5. Cerveteri

Another hidden gem along the Tyrrhenian coast near Rome is Cerveteri. The major attraction in town is the Etruscan Necropolis, listed as a UNESCO heritage site.
If you think it is boring or sad to visit a necropolis, you will have to think again. The site is massive in size; it is a “city of the dead” that at the time of its founding must have faithfully traced the city of the living. There are thousands of tombs carved into the rock.
The tombs of the gentry are located in an area accessible by paying a ticket and have a curious “igloo” shape. You can enter and discover carved beds and pillows in rooms with multiple chambers and columns. Another interesting part of the site is the Way of the Underworld, carved inside a rock wall, where there are multi-level tombs that you can explore with a flashlight. This part is free to access.
Of course, in this beach town near Rome, there is also a large beach with beach clubs and public sections. The part of the town with beaches is called “Marina di Cerveteri.”
If you want to try the fine seafood cuisine of the region, the restaurant at the beach club “Six” is for you.
On the other hand, if you are looking for taverns and a more informal atmosphere go to the old town.
If you like wine you should definitely try the “Caere,” which is produced in the vineyards around the village.
6. San Felice Circeo
San Felice is a scenic hill town overlooking the most beautiful coastal part of Lazio. The town is part of the Circeo National Park and is one of the most scenic off-the-beaten-path places you will find in Italy.
Its origins are definitely pre-Roman, as evidenced by the mysterious megalithic walls preserved in the highest part of the village. The name of the village derives from the mythological figure of the sorceress Circe, also present in Homer’s Odyssey. This sorceress, in Greek mythology, was a goddess famous for seducing men and turning them into pigs.
Let’s put aside the fanciful stories, what you will find here are mostly breathtaking views and wonderful beaches near Rome. To admire all the beauty of the coast, reach the San Felice Lighthouse, from which you can also catch a glimpse of the Pontine Islands.
From San Felice Circeo to the southernmost town of Terracina, there are 11 km of beaches, both free and with beach clubs, which attract mainly local tourism.
Another great attraction of the San Felice Circeo area has to do with nature, which is so bountiful here.
Trekking enthusiasts should try climbing the Peak of Circe, which is so named because it houses the remains of a temple dedicated to the goddess. All paths leading to the top are suitable only for experienced hikers, as they have very steep and exposed sections.
Trail No. 750 starts near the Crocette Belvedere. Trail 751, on the other hand, starts from Torre Paola, an ancient Saracen watchtower. The view you will enjoy from the top will repay you for all the exertions of the climb, but I do not recommend it if you suffer from vertigo!
7. Trevignano Romano

Families with young children or traveling couples who are no longer too young might opt for an easier and more “quiet” tour. Trevignano Romano is the most beautiful lakeside coastal village near Rome. The village is located about 50 km north of Rome, on the shores of beautiful Lake Bracciano, which is part of a protected nature reserve.
Lake Bracciano is one of the cleanest lakes in central Italy, and consequently, swimmable. There are few international travelers who come here, coming from northern Europe and staying for several weeks in the campgrounds surrounding the lake.
Trevignano Romano is the prettiest village on Lake Bracciano because it spreads right along the shores of the lake.
Staying in one of the village’s two hotels, for example, Hotel Malì, you will have easy access to the charming lakefront promenade of about 1.5 km. The well-kept path, with its flower beds, gardens, sculptures, cafes, and small restaurants, leads to the beaches of Trevignano Romano, which are among the best beaches on Lake Bracciano.
The historic center is a maze of narrow streets, one of which goes up to the village’s vantage point, where there are the remains of the ancient Orsini Fortress, dating from the 14th century.
Start your day with fragrant croissants from Forno Franchini and sample gelatos from the 4 gelato shops in the village. My favorite gelato in Trevignano Romano is that of Pasticceria Ermete and that of Caffé Bar Sandro.
For a dinner based on lake fish, I recommend the restaurant Il Prato. If you prefer pizza or typical pub fare, Johnnie Fox’s is located at the top of a hill and enjoys a nice cool breeze on summer evenings.
8. Sperlonga
If you wish to satisfy your desire for coastal views that bring a smile to your face, there is Sperlonga. Sperlonga is located about 130 km south of Rome and stretches on a rocky promontory that slopes gently into the sea. It is one of the most scenic small towns south of Rome.
This is one of the most desirable seaside resorts along the coast that stretches between the cities of Rome and Naples. Prices for stays here are more expensive than in other locations such as Anzio or Cerveteri, but there are good reasons for this.
First, the beauty of the beaches and the sea. The sea that washes Sperlonga, as well as that to the north and south of the town, is among the cleanest in Italy. Sperlonga’s long beach is composed of soft grains of golden sand.
Fabulous sunsets over the Tyrrhenian Sea can be seen from Sperlonga’s historic center and especially from its belvedere. The houses in the historic center are all painted white, giving Sperlonga the charm of a Greek coastal village.
A stone’s throw from the village is also a historic landmark worth a visit: the remains of the Roman Emperor Tiberius’ villa. What remains is a large cave that must have contained a banquet hall. In the cave were monumental statues representing Ulysses, the sea monster Scylla, and the Cyclops Polyphemus, now preserved at the Sperlonga Archaeological Museum.
In short, come here if you visit Rome and would like to go to Sardinia but would not have time!
9. Tarquinia


The hilltop town of Tarquinia, located 90 km north of Rome, has also earned a place on the list of UNESCO heritage sites. The reason is the presence, just outside town, of an Etruscan necropolis with tombs with extraordinary frescoes (dated 7-3 centuries B.C.). The frescoes are the best preserved we know of that are attributed to Etruscan art and are also a valuable source of information about this pre-Roman civilization.
The historic center of Tarquinia is also worth a visit or a stay. The village is absolutely off the beaten path. Among the best things to do in Tarquinia is to visit the old part with its many medieval towers and defensive walls. From here you can also enjoy relaxing coastal views over the Latium countryside.
Tarquinia is also home to one of Italy’s most important archaeological museums, full of fascinating Etruscan artifacts and housed on the three floors of a Renaissance palace.
If you visit Tarquinia in the summer you will spend more time in the part of the town that runs along the sea, known as “Marina di Tarquinia.” Here there is a pleasant waterfront promenade that will take you to discover free beaches, beach clubs, small restaurants, cafes, and gelato shops.
10. Porto Ercole

Romans who go to relax in the coastal towns near Rome know that to find a truly crystal-clear sea you have to sport a little north or south.
The beaches of Tuscany are very famous among Italians and less well known to foreigners.
150 km north of Rome is the Argentario peninsula, which is washed by the waters of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park.
This peninsula is a real jewel. Connected to the Tuscan mainland by three narrow strips of land, at its center it features Mount Argentario, while its perimeter is dotted with enchanting bays.
Porto Ercole is the most charming of the three villages on the Argentario peninsula. It develops around a small harbor overlooked by a promenade with restaurants, cafes, and souvenir stores.
The old part of the village stands on a hill overlooking the harbor and offers a beautiful view of the bay. A scenic road starts from the old town and takes you to Forte Stella, a fortification built by the Spanish.
When you have had your fill of the panorama devote yourself to discovering the beaches. Starting with the famous La Feniglia Beach. This wild, sandy beach is 7 km long and bordered by a forest of Mediterranean scrub and pine trees that you can explore by bicycle or on foot.
La Feniglia Beach is perfect for families with children because the sea water remains shallow for many meters.
Another beautiful beach that is easily accessible is Giannella. If, on the other hand, you don’t mind walking for about 20 minutes downhill (and on return, uphill), visit the wonderful Cala Gesso Beach. The water that washes this little beach is emerald green in color; it is a much sought-after beach; arrive early in the morning to find a spot.
Given the richness of the coastal landscape, Porto Ercole remains one of my favorite towns to stay near Rome in the summer.
Wrap-up – Best Coastal Towns near Rome
With this blog, I hope to have convinced you that the beach towns near Rome can offer you many beautiful beaches, clean seas, and cultural activities. Thus, even if you have only a few days available for your trip to Italy, you will be able to visit both Rome and the extraordinary Tyrrhenian coast, rich in scents and fascinating villages with ancient origins.
Towns like Fregene and Anzio are even perfect if you want to relocate near Rome and stay close to the sea.
Although most of these towns are off the beaten path, if you plan to visit them in the summer, remember to book a bit in advance. Local tourism in Rome during the summer months, can be intense.
Further Readings:
A Guide to Visiting Fregene Beach and Town near Rome
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