With over 4,700 miles of coastline freckled with some of the world’s most beautiful resort towns and beaches, there’s no doubt that Italy is a top summer destination.
From the pastel-colored towns of the Cinque Terre, the Italian Riviera, to the romantic villages of the Amalfi Coast, there are plenty of beaches to partake in il dolce far niente, the Italian sweetness of doing nothing.
Every week, America Domnai will release a list of the top five beaches in each coastal region to prepare you for the summer months ahead. This week’s list will take a look at the central Lazio region, home to the Italian capital of Rome.
Santa Marinella
Just a roughly 30-minute train ride from central Rome, Santa Marinella has crystalline waters and sandy stretches of beach dotted with multicolored umbrellas and sun loungers. The train station is located only a 5-minute walk from the beach and promenade with shops, bars, and restaurants.
Gaeta
The town of Gaeta is home to Monte Orlando Park, a protected area with Roman ruins, Mediterranean vegetation, and dive sites. The sandy beaches feed into turquoise waters and are surrounded by hills covered with dense vegetation.
Anzio
This port town is home to layers of Italian history, most famously for being the location of the Battle of Anzio during World War II. From here you can take a ferry to one of the Isole Ponziane, including Ponza, Palmarola, Ventotene, and Zannone.
Sabaudia
Renowned for its long stretches of sandy white beaches, backdropped by rolling dunes, green hills, and mountains. The town of Sabaudia itself is home to several fascist-era buildings.
Sperlonga
Aside from its sandy beaches and blue waves, the town is an ideal pick for history buffs. Sperlonga is washed in centuries of Italian history — exploring the ruins of Villa of Tiberius, built during the Roman times, and the Torre Truglia, built in the 16th century.
Asia London Palomba
Asia London Palomba is a trilingual freelance journalist from Rome, Italy. In the past, her work on culture, travel, and history has been published in The Boston Globe, Atlas Obscura, The Christian Science Monitor, and Grub Street, New York Magazine's food section. In her free time, Asia enjoys traveling home to Italy to spend time with family and friends, drinking Hugo Spritzes, and making her nonna's homemade cavatelli.