Ostia Lido

Ostia is Rome’s seaside district. It feels like a small coastal town, with shops, cafés and restaurants open all year round, yet central Rome is just a train ride away. The coast faces west, so the sun sets right over the sea: it is the best moment of the day in every season.

The promenade and the Pier

The seafront promenade runs for kilometres along the coast and is perfect on foot or by bike, early in the morning or at sunset. The best-known meeting point is the Pier at Piazza Anco Marzio, a walkway stretching out over the water: from the end you can see the whole coastline, from Fiumicino to Castel Porziano.

Beach clubs and free beaches

Along the coast you will find two kinds of beach:

• Beach clubs (stabilimenti): you pay for a sunbed and umbrella and get showers, a bar and often a restaurant. In high season, especially at weekends, arrive early or ask whether you can book.
• Free beaches (spiagge libere): free access, bring your own umbrella. The Romans’ favourites are the “Cancelli” of Castel Porziano, along the Via Litoranea heading south: wide beaches among dunes and Mediterranean scrub, wilder and quieter.

The strip of sand by the water is open to everyone, even in front of the beach clubs: you can always walk along the shore.

Castel Fusano pine forest

Just behind the coast lies the Castel Fusano pine forest, a large park of maritime pines with paths for walking, running and cycling. Inside you will also find a stretch of the ancient Via Severiana with its original Roman paving. In summer it is the ideal spot for some shade in the hottest hours.

The Porto Turistico di Roma

At the end of Ostia towards the mouth of the Tiber is the Porto Turistico di Roma marina: sailboats, shops, cafés and restaurants along the quays. It makes a lovely evening stroll, and the sunset from the pier is spectacular.

Getting around Ostia

• On foot and by bike: Ostia is flat and the promenade is long and continuous. A bike is the easiest way to get around.
• Train: the Metromare railway (still called the Roma–Lido by everyone) stops at several stations in Ostia (Lido Nord, Lido Centro, Stella Polare, Castel Fusano, Cristoforo Colombo) and links the district with Rome and the Ostia Antica excavations. The nearest station to our apartments is Lido Centro, about a 10-minute walk.
• Bus: local lines connect the stations with the seafront; in summer some lines reach the Cancelli beaches.
• Car: handy for the more distant beaches and for day trips. In the streets near the apartments parking is free on the white lines. On summer weekends traffic towards the sea can be heavy: set off early.

Practical tips

• Swimming season: May to September; in June and September the water is warm and the beaches are less crowded.
• Sunset: check the time and be on the promenade half an hour before. In summer the sky glows until late.
• Low season: from October to April Ostia is peaceful, perfect for seaside walks, runs in the pine forest and crowd-free trips to Rome.

Our favourite places

The sea is a 4-minute walk from the apartments. Here are the places we go to ourselves and recommend to our guests:

• Salus Beach (Lungomare Paolo Toscanelli 117): our favourite beach club, with a restaurant and pizzeria on the sand.
• Don Pepe (Lungomare Paolo Toscanelli 125): Spanish cuisine by the sea, excellent paella.
• Krapfen Paglia (Piazza Anco Marzio 18): Ostia’s favourite breakfast, freshly fried krapfen and a good cappuccino, next to the Pier.
• Rivareno Gelato (Via della Stazione Vecchia 10/12): our favourite gelato.
• Ostia che… Pizza! (Via Danilo Stiepovich 254): thin-crust pizza with quality ingredients, open in the evening.

Opening hours and closing days may change: check before you go. For more tips, message us on WhatsApp.

A photo memory

Would you like beautiful photos of your holiday? Leila Leam, a professional photographer who lives in Ostia, arranges a sunset photoshoot on request, on the seafront or the Pier, for couples, families and portraits.