Rome is famous for its magnificent ancient ruins, romantic narrow streets of the Old Town, world-class museums, and unparalleled restaurant scene. But how about the beaches? Within an hour, you have some awesome Tyrrhenian Sea stretches to choose from, which include some of my favorite European spots for sunbathing and swimming.
The beach scene around Rome is dominated by stabilimenti balneari, or private beach clubs that are not free. A rental car will be a perfect option to reach all the seaside towns without hassle, but you can also use trains and buses.
For a sunny day out, check out these top beaches near Rome that would make for a perfect day trip from the Eternal City.
Lido di Ostia
If you’re looking for the closest beach to Rome, Lido di Ostia is the one. Once a potent ancient Roman port, today it’s a quintessential Italian lido with straight streets all leading to the sea, plenty of pizzerias and pasticcerias, and a villa-dotted Lungomare promenade. The beaches here are mostly private, with a few islands of spiaggia liberi (Italian for a free beach). For full-day seaside leisure, I would absolutely advise going with stabilimenti, as the free ones lack facilities and can be in slightly worse shape. Prices are usually around 10-20 EUR for a sunbed and an umbrella. Bahia, V Lounge, and Tibidabo are among the best and most popular private beach choices in Ostia.
How to reach Lido di Ostia from Rome: as a municipality of the Italian capital, Ostia is served by the ATAC public transportation company. Frequent trains run from Piazza di Porta San Paolo to Lido Centro station in Ostia. The price is 1.50 EUR one-way, and the duration of the trip is 62 minutes.
Fiumicino
Yes, this is the town next to the busiest airport in the country. Surprisingly, Fiumicino is very low-key and chill. Don’t expect much from the beaches here; it’s not the Riviera Amalfitana, after all. You’d want to come here if your primary goal is to feel the breeze and have gelato on a terrace overlooking the Tyrrhenian blue. The breakwaters almost entirely protect the town’s coast, so it’s all calm and placid. The free beach will be good for a family picnic, but if you want to swim, it’s better to choose one of the stabilimenti like Tirreno or Papaya Beach.
How to reach Fiumicino from Rome: there’s a direct bus shuttle from Rome Termini train station run by Infobus. It takes 1 hour and costs 8 USD.
Lake Bracciano
How about lounging by the volcanic lake just 1 hour away from the Eternal City? The region around Rome is full of surprises, and Lake Bracciano is one of them. While comparisons with Garda or Como are not applicable here, it’s still a superb day trip idea from the Italian capital that boasts clean, family-friendly beaches and plenty of attractions to explore for the perfect family vacation in Italy. Don’t miss the picture-perfect Anguillara Sabazia town cascading above the crystal-clear lake waters. Tiripitì Beach nearby will let you have the best views and take a refreshing dip. Arcobaleno is another popular private beach club with sports facilities and SUPs.
How to reach Lake Bracciano from Rome: Trenitalia train connects Rome S. Pietro station with major towns on Lake Bracciano like Anguillara Sabazia and Bracciano. It doesn’t go directly to the beaches so you will have to change to a local bus.
Anzio
A direct train connection with the capital, picturesque historic center, and fine sandy Tyrrhenian stretches place Anzio among the best beach destinations near Rome. Here you’ll have a full Italian seaside town experience. Think the pretty and narrow streets you’d expect in any charming small town in Italy, an atmospheric harbor with boats, and a long promenade with restaurants and cafes. The beaches of Anzio are well-maintained, scenic, and clean. Moreover, they have a Blue Flag certification meaning that you’re good to enjoy the water to the fullest. If you have time and are still deciding between Ostia and Anzio, confidently choose the latter.
How to reach Anzio from Rome: hop on a direct Trenitalia train from Roma Termini to Anzio. The price is 3.60 EUR one-way, and the journey takes little more than an hour.
Nettuno
The Lazio coast is at its finest at Nettuno, a striking Tyrrhenian village. It’s also among Italy’s most scenic urban beaches; you will bathe next to an ancient castle and the colorful old houses of the historical part. After lounging on the sand, check out the streets of the village for an inspired meal or a piazza coffee break. Beaches here are mostly private, with a small free section to the western end of the coast.
How to reach Nettuno from Rome: it’s very straightforward; you will only need to take a direct train from Termini to Nettuno, which costs 3.60 EUR and takes 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Ladispoli
Ladispoli is a poster child for a stereotypical beach town near Rome. You’ve got a fair share of private beach clubs blending with the free zones, the pizzerias in the center won’t leave you hungry, the prices are more affordable, and the Tyrrhenian Sea is ever charming. Plus, there’s an epic 16th-century Odescalchi Castle right on the sea nearby that makes Ladispoli a perfect day outing from Rome…and a fairytale wedding venue too.
How to reach Ladispoli from Rome: the journey will take only 40 minutes, and the train to Ladispoli-Cerveteri station departs from Termini in Rome. The price is 3 EUR.
Torvaianica
One of the best free beaches near Rome, Torvaianica is long, sandy, and glorious. If you enjoy dunes, you will be at home here. While the cleanliness could be better, there are still a series of beach clubs for the elevated experience. Torvaianica is also a nice off-season escape to feel the sand between your toes and breathe in the salty air. More splashy water fun awaits you in Zoomarine, a large local water park with slides, rides, and pools.
How to reach Torvaianica from Rome: a car would be the best option here. Alternatively, take a train from Rome Piazza di Porta San Paolo to Cristoforo Colombo station in Lido di Ostia and change for a local bus to Torvaianica.
Lido di Castel Fusano
Combine seaside relaxation with a natural break at Lido di Castel Fusano, a scenic Tyrrhenian resort area south of Rome. There are fewer crowds than in neighboring Lido di Ostia, and you have a fantastic Pineta di Castel Fusano recreation area. This sprawling urban park with maritime pine trees and olm oaks is a refreshing break from the buzzy Roman center. As for the beaches, they are almost all private and have good facilities for a short getaway. Kursaal Village and V Lounge Beach are good picks, with swimming pools and restaurants.
How to reach Lido di Castel Fusano from Rome: hop on a direct metro city train at Piazza di Porta San Paolo. The price is 1.50 EUR, and it takes 1 hour to reach Castel Fusano.
Santa Marinella
Just an hour away from Rome, a beautiful Tyrrhenian Riviera calls your name. Santa Marinella is the closest you get to an upscale resort town in the vicinity of the Eternal City. Think intricate villas, palm tree-dotted promenades, expensive seafood restaurants, and chic in the air. Also, you’ve got one of the best beaches near Rome here, a gorgeous sandy coast with infinite blue panoramas and all the necessary facilities. Of course, there are private beach clubs too, but they feel more organic than, say, in less-picturesque Fiumicino.
How to reach Focene from Rome: it’s a really easy and cheap (4.60 EUR) Trenitalia direct ride from Roma Termini that will take you about an hour.
Focene
If you rented a car in Rome and fancy a beach that is very close to the city, Focene fits the bill. There is a part with obligatory stabilimenti balneari in the eponymous beach town as well as the largely undeveloped and wild stretch next to the lagoon. In fact, the latter is popular with nudists, so don’t be surprised to see people skinny dipping. The town is situated parallel to the runway of Fiumicino Airport, so the roaring of planes taking off and landing will be your accompaniment.
How to reach Focene from Rome: I would not advise you to go there without a car, it’s simply too wild and too far away from the public transport stops. But if you rented one, it’s an easy 50-minute ride with plenty of parking on site.
