I will be in Italy the last two weeks in June this year. Ostia Antica looks like an interesting day trip from Rome. What is the beach like? Any tips or good info sites on this area> There isn't a lot of info in RS guide.
Posted by
Newburyport, MA
683 posts
If you have any sense of history, Ostia is worth it. It is not a heavily touristed place, so dont expect to be met by "guides". We dont remember a beach, as Ostia - tho once the world's busiest port- is now many miles from the sea. Ostia is easily reached via the Rome metro
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
1003 posts
I'm not sure what you were led to believe, lucibell, but "Ostia Antica" is not really a town to daytrip to with a variety of sights, it's one ancient site that contains fascinating ruins of a whole town, complete with 3 houses of worship, an amphitheater, and much much more. It is ABSOLUTELY worth the trip, walking around the 'streets' imagining how this city functioned so long ago was kinda mindblowing. But besides the ruins, I don't really think there's anything to do.
informational websiteRick's 'guided' tour
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Ostia Antica does not have a beach, the archaeological sites are well inland now because of silting in the last two thousand years. It's a well recommended day trip from Rome for those with an interest in archaeology, with an emphasis on seeing how the common people lived. It's described in Rick's Rome 2009 book.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
34 posts
I haven't been, but judging from the number of bikini-clad Italian girls on our subway ride, there must be a beach a couple of subway stops down from Ostia Antica if that is your thing...
This was a great part of our trip to Rome - really memorable, pleasant, fascinating.
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
The modern city of Ostia has a beach.
Posted by
Ely, MN, USA
274 posts
Is this a city you would recommend staying in, or are there other beach areas close by that are nicer?
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
7899 posts
Ostia Antica is easily reachable by Metro from Rome (for the low cost of a Euro). As ancient sites go, it is well worth the effort and you could spend a good share of the morning there. Hopping back on the train you can go to the modern town of Ostia and the beaches beyond, spend the afternoon and be back in Rome for a rest before dinner.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
Ostia Lido is where the beaches are. There are several train stops for the town. I seem to recall that certain stops have a little logo on them that indicates easy access to the beach. The last two weeks in June would be the start of the beach season. (Search Ostia in the upper right corner window for more tips.)
Posted by
Eugene, Oregon, USA
944 posts
I've taken the boat ride down the Tiber to Ostia.
You don't want to be swimming anywhere near the mouth of that river. :(