These twin seaside towns have a rich WWII history (Allied landings in 1944) combined with pleasant beaches and excellent seafood. Anzio's fishing port is particularly charming, and the beaches are uncrowded compared to other Lazio resorts.
Anzio and Nettuno are twin seaside towns in Rome's metropolitan area on the Tyrrhenian coast of Lazio, Italy, about 60km south of the capital and easily reached by direct regional train. The two adjoining ports are best known for their rich Second World War history: the Allied landings of January 1944 took place here, and the area holds the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and the Beachhead Museum, alongside a charming working fishing harbour at Anzio. The beaches themselves are stretches of golden-to-greyish sand interspersed with rocky outcrops and low cliffs, open to the sun and the sea breeze with generally modest surf and clear water that shelves gently. They tend to be quieter and more local in feel than the busier resorts further south, with a relaxed, unpretentious vibe centred on Italian families and the towns' fishing traditions. The shoreline mixes organised beach clubs renting sunbeds and umbrellas, typically from around EUR 10-25 a day, with free public and rockier swimming spots. Amenities include showers, seasonal lifeguards on the organised sections, and a strong concentration of seafood restaurants, especially around Anzio's port where the daily catch is landed. Access is convenient: direct regional trains from Rome's Termini station reach both Anzio and Nettuno in around an hour, terminating near the seafronts, while drivers use the SS207 Nettunense. Beyond swimming, visitors walk the fishing port, tour the WWII sites, see the ruins of Nero's imperial villa along the Anzio shore, and catch summer ferries from Anzio to the Pontine islands of Ponza and Ventotene.
Amenities
- beach clubs
- public beaches
- excellent seafood restaurants
- WWII museum and cemetery
Good to know
- Best for
- families, swimmers, fishing, couples
Highlights
- Twin fishing-port towns with quieter, more local beaches than southern resorts
- Rich WWII history including the 1944 Allied landings and American cemetery
- Anzio's working harbour and outstanding fresh-seafood restaurants
- Mix of sandy stretches and rocky swimming spots with clear water
- Summer ferries from Anzio to the Pontine islands of Ponza and Ventotene
Tips for visiting
- Take the direct regional train from Rome Termini straight to the Anzio or Nettuno seafront
- Eat at the harbour restaurants in Anzio where the daily catch is landed
- Sunbed-and-umbrella sets at the lidos run roughly EUR 10-25; rockier free spots cost nothing
- Combine a beach day with the Beachhead Museum and the American cemetery at Nettuno
- Check ferry schedules early if planning a Ponza or Ventotene day trip
When to visit
May to September suits swimming, with June and September the most pleasant; weekdays are quietest. Spring and autumn are good for the WWII sites and port walks without the heat.
Accessibility
Both seafronts are close to their railway stations with flat approaches, and organised lidos offer boardwalk access onto the sand, while some swimming spots are rocky. Specific beach-wheelchair provision is not confirmed.
Frequently asked questions
How do visitors reach Anzio and Nettuno from Rome?
Direct regional trains from Rome's Termini station reach both towns in around an hour, terminating close to the seafronts, so a car is not needed. Drivers use the SS207 Nettunense.
What is special about Anzio and Nettuno beyond the beaches?
The towns are known for the 1944 Allied landings and WWII history, with the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Beachhead Museum, plus Anzio's charming fishing port and excellent seafood.
Are the beaches crowded?
They are generally quieter and more local in feel than the busier Lazio resorts to the south, though Anzio and Nettuno still draw Roman day-trippers on summer weekends.