A spectacular beach below the whitewashed village of Sperlonga, with fine golden sand, crystal-clear Tyrrhenian water and dramatic rocky headlands. Two main beach sections flank the rocky promontory — both excellent for swimming.
Spiaggia di Sperlonga sits below the whitewashed hilltop village of Sperlonga in the Latina province of Lazio, Italy, roughly 130km south of Rome. A rocky promontory crowned by the medieval old town splits the shoreline into two broad bays: the Spiaggia di Levante to the east and the Spiaggia di Ponente to the west. Both are fine golden sand that shelves gently into clear, shallow Tyrrhenian water, with colours shading from turquoise in the shallows to deeper blue offshore. The bays are wide and open, fully exposed to sun for most of the day, though the headland and surrounding hills give some protection from stronger winds; surf is usually gentle, making this a reliable family swimming beach rather than a surf spot. The atmosphere is relaxed and scenic, mixing free public stretches with private lidos. Towards the rocky ends and around the Grotto of Tiberius the sand gives way to pebbles and clear water that draws snorkellers to the small reefs and caves. Sun loungers and umbrellas rent for roughly EUR 10-20 per set at the beach clubs, which also run bars and restaurants serving fresh seafood and the local mozzarella di bufala. Showers and seasonal lifeguards operate through the summer, and free sections let visitors lay down a towel without paying. Sperlonga is car-accessible via the SS213 coast road with paid parking on the approaches, while regional trains stop at Fondi-Sperlonga station around 10km inland, connected to the village by local bus in season. The cliffside old town, the archaeological museum and the Villa of Tiberius lie a short climb above the eastern bay, making it easy to combine a swim with sightseeing.
Amenities
- sunbed rental €10-20
- beach bars
- restaurants
- showers
- lifeguards in season
Good to know
- Best for
- families, swimmers, snorkellers, photographers
Highlights
- Twin golden-sand bays of Levante and Ponente flanking the medieval promontory
- Clear, shallow Tyrrhenian water that shelves gently for safe family swimming
- Grotto of Tiberius and the archaeological museum a short walk from the sand
- Whitewashed clifftop old town overlooking the beach with sea-view restaurants
- Rocky reef ends offering snorkelling away from the busy central sand
Tips for visiting
- Arrive before 10am in July and August to claim free public sand and roadside parking
- Head to the quieter Spiaggia di Ponente west of the promontory to escape the busiest central stretch
- Sunbed-and-umbrella sets at the lidos run about EUR 10-20; the free zones need only a towel
- Snorkel around the rocky ends near the Grotto of Tiberius for the clearest water
- Combine a morning swim with the cliffside old town and museum before the midday heat
When to visit
Late spring (May to June) and September offer warm water with thinner crowds; July and August are hot and busy, so an early morning arrival is best for parking and free sand.
Accessibility
Both main bays are reached by short, mostly flat walks from the seafront roads and car parks, though the final approach is over soft sand. The clifftop old town involves stairs and steep lanes. Per-beach adapted access information is not confirmed.
Frequently asked questions
How do visitors reach Sperlonga beach from Rome without a car?
Regional trains run to Fondi-Sperlonga station, about 10km inland, where a local bus connects to the village and beaches in the summer season. The journey takes roughly two hours in total.
Is Spiaggia di Sperlonga free or do visitors have to pay?
Both. There are free public stretches where visitors only need a towel, alongside private lidos that rent sunbeds and umbrellas for around EUR 10-20 per set.
Is the water safe for children?
Yes. The sand shelves gently into shallow, clear water and surf is usually gentle, which makes the main bays well suited to families with young children. Lifeguards patrol the main sections in season.