Ostia Antica and my stuff

Thanks Brad, I thought I read here that there was swimming near Ostia Antica, I must have the wrong location--reading the RS book again there is no mention of it. I'll use the search key for a good beach/swimming daytrip from Rome again and see what pops up. Thanks.

I must have missed the swimming. We spent at least half a day wandering the ruins and I don't recall any place to swim.

For general waterproofing, a ziplock bag always works. If it's something valuable like a passport or camera, I put it in a ziplock then put that ziplock inside another just in case one leaks. Bring a collection of various sized ziplocks, they come in handy.

I'm going off of (spotty) memory here, so hopefully I don't send you totally down the wrong path.

Ostia Antica is the old Roman port town. The ruins are fantastic, but the river/sea moved centuries ago and the area is dry.

Ostia (I think) is the seaside resort near Ostia Antica. I didn't see any swimmers, but we were there in December. According to our tour guide, it is a popular swimming spot in the summer. We went on a bus from the old ruins to the water, and I would say the bus ride was probably....20 minutes or so? I have no idea how you get there, unfortunately.

As for protecting your belongings, the safest thing to do would be to find some sort of luggage/locker storage near the beach. Waterproof containers have been discussed on this board before, just do a search. One other idea--they make underwater disposable cameras that obviously can be used on dry land as well. Perhaps you can bring one of these and use it for this day's sight-seeing.

Thanks Liz, I must not have looked at my notes closely enough(Ostia vs.Ostia Antica). I'll see if I can find some more info using the search function. So far, the beaches that come up are in other parts of Europe. Good idea about the waterproof cameras. I guess the correct question should be: Does anyone know of any beaches for swimming as a daytrip from Rome?
edit: Just searched "ostia" and came up with Ostia di Lido and several other threads that discussed the lack of swimming beaches near Rome. I guess I'll just leave my swimsuit at home. Thanks!!

Michelle,

One product you might have a look at is the Splash Caddy waterproof waist packs that are designed to store documents or small Cameras while swimming. Have a look at www.watchfuleyedesigns.com/index.cfm?do=list&categoryid=3 for details.

Some of the models are available from Magellan's.

Happy swimming!

Liz's memory is good. Ostia is the beach area and very popular with the locals. And it is the next stop after Ostia Antica. You can take the train from Rome to Ostia.

Ostia is a "beach town" very popular with Romans because it's easy to get to. You just head to the Piramide metro station and take the Lido train. You can use your metro or Roma Pass to go all the way to the beach! I would go to the LAST stop, CRISTOFORO COLOMBO. There you'll find better beaches and less crowds.

Upon arrival, you just head towards the beach! Michelle, I would choose a private beach. They are cleaner, the sand raked, chairs/umbrellas available, and they have facilities! They also have changing rooms which you "rent" for the day where you can lock your items up for safekeeping. There are variable prices - often dependent on time of year, day of the week, # of folks at the beach, etc... but most run about 10-12 Euros. These "private" beaches also often have snack bars and pools. Note that by Italian law, all persons in a pool must wear a bathing cap! Also remember that despite recent Italian law changes, going topless DOES HAPPEN on these beaches. We took middle school kids on a field trip and you can imaging the boys "interest." We've done both private and public beaches and I guess we've become spoiled by the private beaches.

There are also many lakes around Rome - we head to Bracciano, which is about 10 miles from our house. Umbrellas and chairs at 4 Euros each, great swimming, and many little restaurants surround this lake. To get there you will have to have a car or motorino but it's an easy ride up SS2. There are very limited "lockers" here - nothing like what you see at the private beaches!

Ciao,
Ron

Yea!! I can go swimming in the Meditterranean!! Yes, I realize that technically it is the Tyrrhenian Sea. However, I just have this romantic notion (even though I'm single) of strolling on the beach and swimming in the warm water --it's always cold here in PT. I arrive in Rome on a Saturday (from Florence) and thought I would spend that day orienting myself (to be honest, shopping) then on Sunday would go out to Ostia Antica to see the ruins AND swim. This will be my one daytrip out of Rome, since there is so much to do and see in the city.

Thanks Ron, I won't have my own transportation to get to the lake you mentioned, so where do I get more information about the "private beaches"? How would I know I'm at a private beach? For now, I'll use Cristoforo Colombo as my destination for swimming...Thanks sooooo much!!

Yeah, the short hand for the resort town is Ostia Lido. Don't get your hopes too high - it's a little blue collar, especially compared to some other seaside resorts. But it's definitely convenient to Rome.

Google Earth will help you get a bit of an idea of what's there.

If you take the train from Rome (there is a train that goes directly from Ostiense, near Piramide) there is the stop for Ostia Antica, and then a few stops after that, where everyone usually gets off is Ostia Lido. Once there head towards the water and decide what private beach you want to use. Definitely worth the extra money as you get the chaise lounge and umbrella, changing areas, bathrooms and showers, along with a bar with sandwiches and drinks, and often places that do three course lunches. It is a great way to relax and really see the Italians "up close and personal." The water isn't the greatest, but it is warm enough to swim in and the beaches are nice and sandy and good for long strolls.
I know people want to see the sites in Rome, but sometimes it is great to relax too! Ostia is a great place to unwind.....