Beach bound from Rome

If you are looking for Florida or Gulf of Mexico type beaches you will be disappointed. Many of the beaches are of a pebble type of beach or some may call it gravel.

So you've looked at Santa Marinella? And what was it about Ostia Lido that you didn't care for? Here are some photos I took there in May a few years ago, in case you're interested: Ostia Lido They've got a hopping nightlife, if you care for that.

Thank you guys for the info. Micheal your pics are beautiful. I have just read/heard that at that time can be over crowded and not that clean. Santa Marinella I will def look into! Anyone out there been to Sperlonga?

3 hours, by Italian standards, is light years away. In 3 hours you could go to the Amalfi coast or the Argentario and Giglio Island. If you are willing to travel that far, maybe you might want to consider the island of Ponza, in the Ponziane islands, just 45 minutes off the coast from Anzio, near Rome.
Do a Google Image search (key word: "Ponza") and if you like it, I can tell you how to get there.

Ponza does look amazing although I didn't see many good beach spots lots of boats. I guess what I should be asking is what is the best cleanest prettiest beach town outside of Rome? We are defiantly looking to lay in the sun and relax in the blue water....... Is this possible or just a dream?

I loved Santa Marinella. It can get crowded but it is still doable. White sand and beautiful water. It is also a pretty quick train ride from Termini (30-45 min tops) and the beach is a 5 minute walk from the train station. Because it is an easy day trip, I have never stayed at a hotel there. Lake Bracciano is also a great time. The water feels very clean. I don't think they allow motorized boats. The beach itself is more of a dirt beach. But I think the water, the scenery, and the charm of the town make up for that.

Thank you Kristen!

You are welcome! Another note about Lake Bracciano- the train station and the town are at the top of the hill and the lake is at the bottom. So it is a little more involved to get down to the lake. We walked down (it took about 20 minutes) and took the bus back up.

In July the beaches will be crowded, but perhaps not as crowded on weekdays. I would schedule your beachtime for a weekday, if I were you.

One of our consultants had told me once that Orbetello is a great place both for beaches but also hiking. The town sits in a lagoon between a small island and the mainland. There are two causeways both of which have decent beaches. There are direct trains from Rome which take about 1.5 hours each way.

Abe, thank you so much as soon as I started looking in a different direction I found what I was looking for! As I searched Orbetello I found the northern 5 blue flag beaches. Amazing!!! Wish ppl knew what the northern Tuscany beaches offered, stunning beaches! Thank you so much!

I'm going to take you a little "off track" because you mention two nights, and you will be doing more traveling. I don't know where you're going after Rome and the beach, so here goes!

The Adriatic side of Italy has the kind of sand you're looking for. The people in Riccione and Rimini are Very Proud of their Sabbia (sand)! I know it's on the other coast, but if you're heading to Venice or Florence after Rome, it's not really out of your way. This is high season of course for the Italian families, and they will be there en mass! You won't find many non Italians in these towns, but you'll meet lots of young Italians who love the Club Life after dark as well.

The only reason I ever found these places is because we have family there and have been lucky enough to attend two weddings in these towns. NOT an American Tourist hangout for sure!