Rome's Best Beaches Accessible by Public Transport

The best beach near Rome – in terms of travel time, comfort and overall experience – is most certainly Santa Marinella. This lovely beach is located in a quaint bay and has clear water, a great little hole-in-the-wall for a quick takeaway lunch (beneath the Gigi Bar on the boardwalk), and plenty of lounge chairs. There is a small public area to lay out your towel, but space fills up quickly, so plan to arrive early. How to get there: Take the train from any major station in Rome (Roma Termini, Ostiense, Trastevere, or San Pietro) to Santa Marinella. The beach is just a five- to 10-minute walk from the station.

Another great option is Santa Severa, just one stop prior to Santa Marinella. This beach has an impressive castle, making for a very photogenic bathing experience, and some hidden rocky alcoves that lie just behind it. There is a delicious restaurant right on the beach, L’Isola del Pescatore, for a lunch of fresh fish or a sunset spritz. How to get there: Take the train from any major station in Rome (Roma Termini, Ostiense, Trastevere, or San Pietro) to Santa Severa. The beach is a 20-minute walk from the station.

Ostia is the closest beach to Rome and features many stabilimenti (which require a membership to enter) along the boardwalk, as well as a large public beach area. Although Ostia is the quickest option from the city, you’ll be rewarded with clearer water and cleaner sand as you head farther away from the capital. If you do opt for proximity over quality, though, check out the Cancelli: a series of numbered beaches within sand dunes (you’ll need to catch the 07 bus to arrive). How to get there: Take the Metro B to Piramide, and then follow the signs for the trains to Roma-Lido (up the escalator and to the left). Make sure to get off at Lido Centro and not Ostia Antica.

Just north of Ostia lies Fregene, a slightly cleaner and hipper beach. It is a favourite with the trendy crowd of northern Rome and has a delightful evening aperitivo at the Singita Miracle Beach Club, where cushions are strewn all over the beach and a ceremonial gong is hit when the sun goes down. How to get there: Take the Metro A to the Cornelia stop (direction Battistini). Then hop in one of the small buses that go to Fregene, which pass every 10 to 15 minutes.

Ladispoli is another safe bet north of Rome: with its long coastline, you’re always sure to find ample room to lie out, and it is only a short train ride from Rome. And if you enjoy spending time at the beach during the off season, be sure to check out the artichoke festival that takes place here during the second week of April each year. How to get there: Take the train from most stations in Rome to Cerveteri-Ladispoli. The beach is a 15-minute walk from the station.

Just south of Rome lies Anzio, a city best known for being the site of a landing of Allied forces during World War II and the Battle of Anzio. The beach has beautiful water (it has been awarded the Bandiera Blu, which recognizes cleanliness, water quality and sustainable management of beaches in 48 countries around the world), and the ruins of Emperor Nero’s ancient villa make for a delightful backdrop. How to get there: Take the train from Roma Termini to Anzio. The beach is about a 15- to 20-minute walk from the beach.

Continuing further south is Sabaudia, a city characterized by its fascist architecture. This beach is also recognized with the Bandiera Blu award and is less crowded than many others because the train doesn’t stop directly in the town. The extra effort to get there will seem worth it when you see the clear water and expansive beach. How to get there: From Roma Termini, take the train to Priverno-Fossanova and then a COTRAL bus to Sabaudia. From the road, climb down the wooden stairways to the beach.