DinaLast Updated on November 10, 2026
If you are searching for the best beaches near Rome, the short answer is that you have several options. Ostia is the closest, Santa Marinella offers the easiest combination of beach and direct train, while Sperlonga probably has the most beautiful water.
Summer in Rome can become extremely hot, with temperatures sometimes approaching 40°C. After several days exploring the historic centre, escaping to the coast can be a welcome break from the heat.
As a Greek, I should be honest: Rome’s beaches cannot easily compete with those in Greece. I would not travel to Rome specifically for a beach holiday. However, if you are already spending several days in the city, some of these places are well worth visiting.
BEST BEACHES NEAR ROME: THE QUICK LIST
- Santa Marinella: Best overall choice with easy train access.
- Anzio: Best for a complete day trip with a beach, harbour and seafood.
- Sperlonga: Most beautiful beach, but it requires more travelling.
- Santa Severa: Most atmospheric option, with a beach beside a medieval castle.
- Ostia: Closest and cheapest beach from central Rome.
- Lake Bracciano: Peaceful alternative for families and nature lovers.
1. SANTA MARINELLA: THE BEST BEACH NEAR ROME BY TRAIN
Santa Marinella is my best overall choice if you want to combine relatively clear water with easy public transport from Rome.
There are direct regional trains from Roma Termini. The journey normally takes approximately one hour, and standard tickets start from around €4.60 each way. Timetables and fares can change, so check your exact travel date on the official Trenitalia website.
From Santa Marinella station, you can walk towards the seafront. There are organised beach clubs—known in Italian as stabilimenti balneari—with sunbeds and umbrellas, as well as smaller areas of free public beach.
The main disadvantage is the number of visitors. Santa Marinella becomes extremely busy during weekends in July and August, and the sunbeds can be positioned very close together. Visit on a weekday and arrive as early as possible.
Who is Santa Marinella best for?
- Visitors without a car
- Couples and families
- Anyone looking for an easy day trip
- Visitors who prefer an organised beach club
2. ANZIO: BEACHES, A HARBOUR AND FRESH SEAFOOD
Anzio is a better choice if you want to spend an entire day by the sea rather than simply swim for a few hours.
Direct regional trains connect Roma Termini with Anzio. The journey normally takes approximately one hour and ten minutes. From the station, you can walk to the town centre, harbour and nearby beaches.
In addition to swimming, you can see the ruins of Emperor Nero’s villa, walk towards the lighthouse and eat fresh fish or seafood pasta near the harbour.
Anzio retained its Blue Flag status in 2026 for selected sections of its eastern and western coastline. This does not mean that all 14 kilometres of coastline have exactly the same water quality, so check the particular beach you plan to visit.
Read my complete guide to planning an Anzio day trip from Rome, including train information, beaches and things to see.
3. SPERLONGA: THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WATER
If the beauty of the beach is your main priority, Sperlonga is probably the best choice on this list. It has pale sand, clearer water and a beautiful whitewashed historic centre built on the hillside.
Sperlonga received Blue Flag status in 2026 for its Levante, Ponente, Lago Lungo and Bazzano beaches.
Travelling without a car is possible, but not particularly straightforward. First, take a train from Rome to Fondi–Sperlonga station. You must then use the local bus to reach the village and its beaches, as the railway station is not located in Sperlonga itself.
Allow approximately two hours for each journey, depending on the bus connection. Sperlonga is therefore best treated as a full-day excursion rather than a quick afternoon at the beach.
Short cruises depart from Sperlonga harbour and visit the Grotta di Tiberio, natural sea caves and the Grotta Azzurra, with time for swimming and snorkelling.👉 Check prices and availability for this Sperlonga boat trip
4. SANTA SEVERA: SWIM BESIDE A MEDIEVAL CASTLE
Santa Severa may not have the most beautiful sea on this list, but it certainly has the most distinctive setting. The imposing Castello di Santa Severa stands directly beside the coast and creates a dramatic backdrop for the beach.
You can reach Santa Severa on a regional train travelling along the Roma–Civitavecchia line. Get off at Santa Severa station and walk towards the beach and castle.
The area has sections of free public beach, organised beach clubs and several places to eat. If the weather is unsuitable for swimming, you can combine the trip with a visit to the castle and the archaeological site of ancient Pyrgi.
My Pretty Travels Tip: Santa Severa is a good choice for photographs and for combining the beach with a cultural attraction. If swimming is your only priority, I would choose Santa Marinella or Sperlonga.
5. OSTIA: THE CLOSEST BEACH TO ROME
Ostia is the closest and cheapest option for a beach trip from Rome. It is officially part of the municipality of Rome and functions as the capital’s seaside district.
You can reach Ostia using the Metromare railway, which starts at Porta San Paolo beside Piramide Metro station. A standard BIT public-transport ticket costs €1.50 and is valid on Metromare.
Get off at Lido Centro for central Ostia. For beaches farther south, consider Stella Polare, Castel Fusano or Cristoforo Colombo stations.
The journey takes approximately 35–45 minutes. The railway is undergoing modernisation work, so evening services and departure times can occasionally change. Check the latest information on the official Metromare website before travelling.
Ostia is an urban beach, and I would not choose it because it has the most beautiful sea. However, it is ideal if you simply want to escape central Rome for a few hours without buying an expensive ticket or organising a complicated journey.
There are both organised beach clubs and sections of free public beach. You can also walk along the seafront, visit the pier and stop for fish or seafood.
6. LAKE BRACCIANO: A PEACEFUL ALTERNATIVE
The final option is not beside the sea. Lake Bracciano is suitable for families, visitors who prefer calm water and anyone who wants to combine swimming with a greener natural landscape.
You can reach Bracciano using the FL3 regional railway. From the station, you must walk downhill towards the lake. Remember that this becomes an uphill walk on the way back—something I underestimated when I visited!
As a Greek, swimming in lakes was not something I was accustomed to. Nevertheless, I had a very enjoyable day. The water was calm, there were no waves and the area felt less crowded than Rome’s best-known coastal beaches.
Another option is Trevignano Romano on the northern side of the lake, which received Blue Flag recognition for its Via della Rena beach in 2026. However, reaching Trevignano without a car is less convenient.
FREE BEACH OR PRIVATE BEACH CLUB?
There are two main types of beach in Italy:
- Spiaggia libera: A free public beach where you can use your own towel or umbrella.
- Stabilimento balneare or lido: An organised beach club where you pay for a sunbed, umbrella, changing facilities and other services.
Beach-club prices vary considerably according to the destination, day, season and position of the sunbed. Prices can become particularly high during July and August.
If you want to use an organised beach club at the weekend, reserve your place in advance. If you prefer a free beach, arrive early because the most convenient sections fill quickly.
HOW TO CHECK THE WATER QUALITY
Water quality can change following heavy rain, temporary pollution or another local issue. Do not rely exclusively on an old review or information from a previous summer.
Before travelling, check the official Italian Ministry of Health bathing-water portal. It shows monitored bathing areas, recent test results and any temporary swimming restrictions.
WHAT TO TAKE TO THE BEACH
- Sunscreen and a hat
- Plenty of water, particularly when travelling by train
- A towel or light beach mat for the free beach
- Comfortable shoes for walking from the station
- Both cash and a payment card
- A screenshot or copy of your return ticket
If you buy a paper regional-train ticket, remember to validate it before boarding. Digital regional tickets are activated according to the current Trenitalia conditions.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ROME’S BEACHES
Does Rome have a beach?
Yes. Ostia is officially part of the municipality of Rome and is considered the city’s main seaside district. Most of the other beaches in this guide are located outside Rome’s administrative boundaries.
What is the closest beach to Rome?
Ostia is the closest beach and can be reached relatively easily using the Metromare railway from Porta San Paolo.
What is the best beach near Rome by train?
For the best combination of convenient transport and a good beach, I would choose Santa Marinella. For a more complete day trip with sightseeing and seafood, I would choose Anzio.
Which beach near Rome has the clearest water?
Sperlonga is usually the best choice for clearer water and a more attractive natural setting. Selected beaches in Anzio have also received Blue Flag recognition. Always check the latest official water-quality results before swimming.
Are the beaches near Rome free?
Yes, there are free public beaches known as spiagge libere. There are also private beach clubs where you pay to use a sunbed and umbrella.
Should I use one day of my Rome itinerary for the beach?
If this is your first visit and you have only three days, probably not. If you are staying for five days or longer—particularly during the hottest part of summer—a day beside the sea can be a welcome break.
Can you swim near Rome outside summer?
Swimming may still be possible in late spring or early autumn when the weather is warm. However, many beach clubs operate seasonally, public transport may be less frequent and the water will be cooler.
WHICH BEACH NEAR ROME WOULD I CHOOSE?
For an easy trip without a car, I would choose Santa Marinella. For a beach combined with sightseeing and good food, I would choose Anzio. For the most beautiful water and a full-day experience, I would travel to Sperlonga.
Ostia remains useful when you simply want to escape the city for a few hours, while Santa Severa is the best choice for photographs and for combining the beach with an attraction.
For more inspiration, continue with my complete guide to the best day trips from Rome.
Disclaimer: Prices, transport schedules and beach conditions can change. Always check the latest official information before travelling. This article may contain affiliate links. If you book through one of these links, I may receive a small commission—without any additional cost to you—which helps support the maintenance of this website.
