The Sea, south of Rome
Because there are so many highlights to see in the southern part of the Lazio region, we've broken them down into three blog pages. This blog page about the south of the Lazio region describes the beautiful sea coast from Anzio to Terracina, Sperlonga and Gaeta, with the natural parks and dune beaches. Another blog site on the south of the Lazio region deals with the area of the Castelli Romani (also called the Alban Hills).In this area you can hike around the two bathing lakes Lago di Albano and Lago di Nemi and visit the lovely towns of Nemi and Castel Gandolfo (former papal residence). A third blog page on the south of the Lazio region gives tourist information on Tivoli (Villa d'Este and Villa Adriana), then Subiaco (two Benedictine monasteries), Anagni (City of the Popes), Palestrina (museum with a well-known Nile mosaic).You will also find information about Ostia Antica (archaeological site) and Appia Antica (Roman road).
1. The Sea, south of Rome
Numerous beautiful towns and dreamlike bathing resorts await you on the southern Lazio coast. Visit San Felice Circeo, Sabaudia, Terracina, Sperlonga and Gaeta with the beautiful beaches. The culinary highlights of this area are fish and excellent crustaceans, masterfully prepared in the local cuisine.
2. Anzio & Nettuno
Anzio, a once famous town on the Lazio coast near Rome, is associated with the figure of the Emperor Nero, who had his villa built over the sea. The property can be visited and extends to the lighthouse overlooking the beach.
The town of Anzio has a picturesque fishing port and offers the opportunity for relaxing walks. From Anzio there are ferry connections to the Ponzian Islands (Islands of Ponza and Ventotene). The place also includes some fantastic sandy beaches, whose clean sand and wonderfully clear water invite you to take a bath. The water quality is guaranteed, as the beaches of Anzio have been awarded the Blue Flag several times in recent years.
Anzio. This seaside resort is only 23 km from the Alban Hills / Castelli Romani and can be reached by car in about 30 minutes. The most beautiful bathing beaches are just north of Anzio. You drive up to the Riserva Naturale di Tor Caldara park, which you can visit on certain days. Just before the park, turn left into the small street Via dei Lilla. It is a cul-de-sac and you can park your car here. From here you can easily reach the beautiful free bathing beaches by going down the steps to the bathing establishment.
A little north of Anzio, directly on the sea, is the WWF Tor Caldara Natural Park, an oasis of peace immersed in the greenery on the Lazio coast.
Link: https://www.torcaldaraparco.it - Information about the Tor Caldara Park, also in English.
The remarkable gardens Giardini della Landriana (about 10 hectares of land) are located in a large estate on the Lazio coast, north of Anzio. The peculiarity of these gardens is that they are divided into areas, each of which is distinguished from the others by a very particular botanical characteristic. The Landriana Gardens are open to the public from April to November. In April and October there are two large garden markets.
Link: https://www.landriana.com - Information about Park Landriana.
Nettuno - A small place with a beautiful village center, to stroll and dream with small streets and nice localities. The port of Nettuno is very close and is also worth a stroll. Nettuno is just a few km south of Anzio.
Torre Astura is a medieval fortress on the Lazio coast, about 10 km south of Nettuno. Thanks to its splendid position, Torre Astura has become one of the most characteristic testimonies of the past of the Roman coast. The Tower of Astura was built in the 12th century to protect against numerous Saracen raids. The entire fortress looks like a small fortified island, a real castle on the sea. The fortress is connected to the mainland by a low travertine arched bridge. It is not open to the public but can be admired from the mainland. You can walk here by the castle in the beautiful pine forest and enjoy the long wild beach, which is open to the public only in July and August and maybe on other special days.
Restaurants:
Ristorante Bungalow
Slightly north of Anzio, right by the sea, is this fish restaurant where you can also eat pizza.
Address Via Genova 2, Anzio
Phone +39 06 88 79 72 72
Restaurant Zi Checco a Torvaianica
Good restaurant by the sea, near Torvaianica, north of Anzio
Address Lungomare delle Sirene 1, Pomezia
Phone +39 06 915 71 57
Da Romolo al Porto
Good restaurant located at the port, where you can sit outside, with a nice atmosphere. A typical family restaurant. Only fresh local fish is served on the table.
Address Via Porto Innocenziano 19, Anzio
Phone +39 06 984 40 79
Ristorante Baia di Ponente
Good food in a nice atmosphere. Location: Directly on the beach, just outside the center and port of Anzio.
Address Riviera Vittorio Mallozzi 50/52, Anzio
Phone +39 06 983 14 31
Satricvm - Satricum Food & Wine
Restaurant in the countryside in a beautiful location. Excellent gourmet restaurant, with chef's creations - Location: Near Anzio.
Address Strada Nettunense 1227, Le Ferriere, Latina
Phone +39 349 192 31 53
3. Circeo & National park
Mount Circeo is the heart of the Circeo National Park. Among the most beautiful trekking paths in the Circeo National Park are those that lead to the top of the Circeo massif. It is the highest peak of Monte Circeo. Here are the remains of a temple dedicated to Venus or Circe. From up here the view over the surrounding area and the Pontine Islands is spectacular.
The municipality of San Felice Circeo, like that of Sabaudia, is entirely inserted in the territory of the Circeo National Park. The historic center of San Felice Circeo is halfway up Mount Circeo overlooking the Gulf of Gaeta. San Felice Circeo is a medieval village with clubs, restaurants and beautiful viewpoints, it deserves a stroll in the historic center both during the day and in the evening. On the outskirts there is a beautiful public garden with a fantastic view of the Gulf of Gaeta and the Pontine Islands.
The municipality of Sabaudia is fully integrated in the Circeo National Park. The city has a fascist foundation and the historical center is an interesting visit for those interested in rationalist architecture. However, the best things to see in Sabaudia are around the town, in the Circeo National Park.
At Sabaudia there is a wild beach that can be reached via a path in the dunes. Bufalara beach is one of the least known and least visited near Rome. It is also a nice walk in all seasons to discover the Pontine plain where time seems to have stopped.
Torre Paola beach is a long strip of coastal dunes that separates the lake from the sea. Witch's nails and crinoids grow along the dunes. The sea here is often rough and always greenish in color, due to the reflection of the mountain and the currents that guarantee transparent waters all year round. It is one of the most famous beaches of Sabaudia.
Ponte Rosso- At the "Darsena del Lago di Paola" there are two restaurants, both very nice and with a veranda overlooking the lake. The place Ponte Rosso also has a nice garden to relax.
Piscine della Verdesca - Not far from Lake Paola, in the middle of the woods of the Circeo National Park, there is an incredible place. The Verdesca Pools is a small area where a corner of the swamp is still intact. The trees emerging from the water and the pools reflecting the forest foliage are a unique ecosystem.It is easy to find and is in close proximity to the Cerasella Reserve, where there is a picnic area and some wildlife enclosures.
Link: http://www.parcocirceo.it/Eindex.php - Information about the Circeo Parco Nazionale area, also in English.
4. Terracina
Terracina is located near San Felice Circeo and is known as the city of myths and dreams because of its enviable geographical position. The old town with its valuable medieval district and the beautiful Piazza del Municipio is worth seeing. On the mountain above the sea, at Terracina, you can enjoy the beautiful view at the Temple of Jupiter Anxur and visit the excavations (entrance fee).Ships regularly sail from Terracina to the nearby islands of Ponza and Ventotene.
Restaurants:
Essenza - Restaurant
In Terracina, near the sea, with a view of the Temple of Giove Anxur- Seafood restaurant.Good Italian cuisine
Address Via Camillo Benso Conte di Cavour 38, Terracina
Phone +39 0773 36 97 62
5. Islands Ponza & Ventotene
Ponza and Ventotene are two beautiful islands just outside Rome.
Ventonene - This island is one of the last paradisiacal corners of the Mediterranean Sea, as well as being a marine park and a national nature reserve, with beautiful scenarios, mild air and colorful sea with a thousand-year history.
Ponza - This island was popular with the Romans and the Bourbons for its clear waters. The best way to explore the island of Ponza is by boat. You can circle the island and moor at the most beautiful bathing spots.
You can also take a boat trip from Ponza to the island of Palmarola, which is right next door, with crystal clear water and a seabed rich in fish. An experience here are the Cattedrali, cliffs that drop steeply into the sea. The best way to explore the island of Ponza is by small boats, stopping at the most beautiful bays for swimming and snorkeling.
The islands of Ponza and Ventotene can be reached by boat or express boat from the ports of Anzio, San Felice Circeo and Terracina, with journey times between 1 and 2 hours. You can make a day trip, but it's worth it, e.g. For example, staying overnight on the island of Ponza to explore the island in peace.
6. Sperlonga
Sperlonga is an ancient town with characteristic white houses and narrow streets. From here you can enjoy an impressive panorama over the sea and the surrounding hills, which drop steeply to the sea. The Villa di Tiberio (Villa di Tiberio) is located in the immediate vicinity of the town of Sperlonga and is a large Roman villa that belonged to the Roman Emperor Tiberius in the 1st century AD. The summer residence has a stunning grotto where its guests once dined. The sculptures that once adorned the Tiberius Grotto can be seen in the adjoining archaeological museum
The most beautiful beaches in Lazio, rivaling those of the Circeo National Park and the Pontine Islands, are the Sperlonga beaches. The clear and wonderful water is a guarantee here. Visit the beaches that are just below the historic center and stretch far south to Gaeta and Formia.
Terracina - Mount Circeo in the background
Bathing beaches near Anzio
Circeo - Bathing beach near Torre Paola
Port of Terracina - With connections to the Isole Pontine
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Beaches of Sperlongo
View from Circeo towards Sabaudia
Circeo
Temple of Jupiter Anxur, situated above Terracina
Terracina - Sicht in Richtung Golf von Gaeta
Free bathing beach near Anzio
Sperlonga
7. Gaeta
Gaeta has a medieval old town almost entirely surrounded by the sea. Maritime republic and last stronghold of the Bourbons. Worth seeing the medieval quarter and the Santuario della Montagna Spaccata. From Monte Orlando near Gaeta, accessible on foot with a short hike, you can enjoy incomparable sea views. In the distance in the sea you can see the Pontine Islands and further south Ischia, Procida and the Capo Miseno promontory.
Just like its name, Gaeta is a charming place that makes tourists want to know it better and come back to this cozy settlement again. Mediterranean colors and fresh sea breeze mixed with the scents of Neapolitan cuisine create a unique atmosphere in this Italian city. Walking the narrow streets of Gaeta and looking at buildings of different colors, it's easy to feel the soul of the region.
In modern times, Gaeta is home to an important landmark, the Sanctuary of Montagna Spaccata on Monte Orlando. The name of the sanctuary means the divided mountain in Italian. On part of this divided mountain, tourists will find an important landmark of the region, the church of Santuario della Santissima Trinità, built in the 11th century.
In this case, if you like nature, visit Monte Orlando Park, which occupies an area of almost ninety hectares in the city. The park is in a magnificent location near the Gulf of Gaeta. This is a large and beautiful green park. It is known for its unusual flora including Mediterranean bushes. The fauna of this Italian park is also worth mentioning. It is possible to see the wild hedgehog, green and yellow whip snake, peregrine falcon, cormorant and many other bird species.
After exploring the city, you can relax on one of the beaches in Gaeta and enjoy some leisure activity. Serapo remains the most popular beach. It is very convenient and pleasant to sunbathe here. Even tourists with children find this beach charming and convenient. The soft white sand is warm and clean, and the water near the shore is shallow.
Beautiful thermal baths are located in the southern part of Lazio, on the border with the Naples region, reachable in about 2 hours from the Alban Hills near Rome. Terme di Suio These thermal baths are located south of Gaeta, near Formia
Link: https://www.hotelnuovasuio.it
Other thermal baths located near the "Terme di Suoi":
Terme di Sant'Egidio
Link: https://www.termesantegidio.it
Terme Vescine
Link: https://www.termevescine.it
Terme Arcobaleno
Link: https://www.piscinetermaliarcobaleno.it
How to get to the thermal baths:
from Gaeta head towards Minturno. About 10 km before you reach this place, turn left towards Castelforte. Continue along the Gargliano river. Finally you reach the thermal baths area.
Suio thermal baths, near Minturno
Montagna Spaccata , near Gaeta