Set along the Tyrrhenian coast halfway between Rome and Naples, the ancient resort town of Sperlonga has been a top seaside destination for millennia. City dwellers gather here to soak up the Mediterranean rays at one of the many beach clubs along the waterfront, breaking up their basking with a visit to the local archaeological ruins and museum or with a minicruise along the coastline to admire the coastal cliffs in the Riviera di Ulisse Regional Park and swim and snorkel in the crystalline waters of the Blue Grotto.
June, July, and September are the best times to visit Sperlonga, especially if you’re looking to take a dip in the sea. In August, all of Italy decamps to the beach, so you’ll be fighting crowds for a spot on the sand—or a reservation in one of the town’s hip restaurants. Don’t discount Sperlonga in the offseason, either. Even when it’s too cold to swim, you can still enjoy a wander through the white-painted borgo, or hilltop village.
Sperlonga is an easy 2-hour drive from Rome. While there’s no train station, it’s reachable by public transportation if you take a train to Fondi then continue the rest of the way by taxi. Sperlonga is divided between the labyrinthine old town—filled with winding alleys and located on a hill overlooking the sea—and its beaches, past which you’ll find the new town. Walking between them is a cinch, just be prepared for a lot of steps.
The name Sperlonga comes from the Latin speluncae, meaning grottoes. Multiple sea caves dot the coast here. The most famous is the Villa of Tiberius, once a coastal mansion of the Roman emperor, and located right in Sperlonga (about a 30-minute walk from the old town). Not only can you explore the ruins of the once-impressive home, but for a small fee you can see sculptures excavated from the site—along with vases, masks, and more—in the Sperlonga Archaeology Museum.
