The sun can be relentless in the summer months here in Rome.
With everyone looking for a place to lay their beach towel it can become quite difficult to find the perfect spot. In my search for a strip of sand I wandered into the town of Sperlonga.
Sperlonga is just one hour south of Rome by trail and is very easily accessible. After a short bus ride from Sperlonga’s train station (Fondi-Sperlonga) I was dropped into the middle of this charming little town. The first thing that I noticed was that Sperlonga resembled Greece more than Italy; with it’s small alleys and stacked sun bleached buildings layered with balconies overlooking stretches of sea.
After a short walk through town I heard the shore calling me. I swiftly strolled down the zigzagging stairways past the sun bathing cats and made my way to the beach. Once I reached the sand I started scanning the prices for umbrella and beach chair rentals. Sperlonga does have public sections of beach but I would really recommend renting an umbrella; the sun can be very cruel and during midday it can be dangerous staying in direct sun. Sperlonga has an amazing beach; and they know it, you will be paying an average of sixteen euro for two lounge chairs and an umbrella (depending on how near to the water you want to be positioned). I paid twelve euro for two chairs with an umbrella in the back row; it was a mad dash on burning hot sand to get into the water but definitely worth saving five euro.
The sea was perfect, the water was clean and as clear as glass. From the coast you have a great view no matter where you look; whether up at the white hilltop town or out at the waves lapping in from the sparkling sea. I do have a few warnings though, mainly for your wallet. This town is beautiful but small, that means a bit on the expensive side. I would suggest buying all of your supplies before leaving Rome, packing a lunch and using the spare cash on something cold to drink on the beach.
A train for Sperlonga leaves every hour from Termini station (Rome) and costs €6,50 for a one-way ticket; when you arrive at the Fondi-Sperlonga station their will be a shuttle bus waiting to take you into town (€1 per one-way trip). That shuttle runs between the town and train station every hour all day; making it easy to get into and out of town. You really can’t beat this town; with it’s clean stretch of sand and sea and beautiful hilltop views. If you need a place to get away and cool off make your way towards Speronga.
Photo of Sperlonga by Lostajy
Topic: Tips and Ideas |
10 Comments
Tags: beach, Italy, Rome
About the author
Rob is originally from the United States of America; Seattle, Washington to be more exact. He caught wander lust at a young age and has been moving ever since. He is a dual citizen of the USA and UK giving him the possibility to live and work in an incredible amount of places. He has spent time in multiple countries, living in Canada, France, and most recently Italy. He enjoys seeing new places, meeting new people, and living life as it comes. He looks forward to advising you with your travels.
10 responses to “Beach Towns near Rome: Sperlonga”
Report an inappropriate commentJuly 8th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Just a couple of tips for your day trip from Rome to Sperlonga beach:
Save money by buying a “B.I.R.G” ticket. This ticket costs €10,50 and is valid until midnight of the day of your first train / bus /metro ride. You can use it on regional trains and the Rome public transportation system (ATAC) that includes all city bus lines and the metro network.
Always check out the train timetable on the Trenitalia website. On Sundays, trains from Rome Termini Station to Fondi Sperlonga station don’t leave every hour (there is no train between 8.49am and 10.49am). Same thing for the return (no train from Fondi Sperlonga to Rome Termini between 5.57pm and 7.57pm).
July 9th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Thanks Marion!
The “B.I.R.G” ticket is a great way to cut the travel expenses!
July 9th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
You’re welcome Rob.
August 2nd, 2009 at 1:19 pm
I took your advice and went to Sperlonga. It was as beautiful as you said and my family loved it so much, we went back a second time from Rome. We did find though that the price for a bottle of water in Sperlonga was cheaper than in Rome, and that the beach umbrellas set us back way more than you said. We probably got the most expensive site on the south side but it was the closest from the hot walk from the town(umbrellas are white). We paid 56 euros for two umbrellas and their chairs, but it was such a hot day, we couldn’t walk any further and so we paid it. However the facilities were very clean and nice and so it was worth it. Lovely beach, great day.
August 3rd, 2009 at 3:38 pm
I’m glad you and your family had fun Paola! The umbrellas are getting a bit expensive as summer goes on and it seems that there are less and less open spots. I have had to show up in the early morning to be able to secure a spot usually costing around €22 for an umbrella, beach chair, and lounge chair. One way that I cut costs is to go with a group of about friends, we rent an umbrella or two and also lay out towels on the sand. The cheapest place I have found on the south side has green colored umbrellas.
I hope you and your family get to return soon!
Rob
August 31st, 2009 at 10:45 am
Sperlonga is a really great place to spend a day with sun and beautiful sea, and then is near Rome.
I recommend to everyone
September 7th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Would you recommend Sperlonga in early November?
September 7th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Hi Leigh! I’ve never been in Sperlonga in November because I don’t think there is so much to do there during the winter season. A nice day trip from Rome that I would recommend in November is a day out in Calcata: a very nice medioeval hill-top village filled with excellent, traditional restaurants and “hippie artist” shops.
September 8th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Thank you Marion; I am bringing my two adult children to Rome in November. We have 6 full days and nights there, 4 tours planned. I have been looking at day trips, so far have been told to go to Orvieto, Ostia Antica, and now Calcata. I was thinking of Siena as well (been there). I appreciate any and all advice! However, I am also okay with just hanging out in Trastevere and watching the world go by.
September 8th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
You’re welcome Leigh!
Orvieto would be an excellent choice! The city is really worth a visit for its cathedral, Medieval architecture, good food and wine. And, if you’re not traveling by car and have to use public transportation, Orvieto is with no doubt easier to reach compare to Calcata (trains from Rome to Orvieto are frequent).
Ostia Antica is really interesting too, especially if you and your family are fans of History and Archeology. The visit to Ostia Antica archaeological site won’t take you the entire day, so you’ll have so much time to hang out in Trastevere (one my favorite places in Rome!
).
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