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How to get to Gaeta from Naples
When to travel to Gaeta
Gaeta is considered to be a charming southern town on the Tyrrhenian Sea shore in Italy. There is everything for a comfortable and eventful holiday including kilometers of sandy beaches, a warm and gentle sea, historical monuments and attractions, an amusement park in the closest surroundings of the resort, as well as wonderful countryside in every sense. It is also convenient that Gaeta can be reached relatively quickly; such large cities with the international airports as Rome and Naples are located nearby.
The best time for visiting Gaeta is the period from May to October inclusively when the sea is warm enough to swim and sunbathe. The other time of the year is good for long distance strolling and visiting some natural attractions near here.
How to get to Gaeta
Where do you fly into to get to Gaeta? You can get to Anzio from Rome or Naples. Closest international airports are located exactly in these cities. Flights land here from all over the world. There are both direct and connecting flights either to Rome or Naples. The current flight timetable can be checked via specialized online services such as Aviasales and others.
By rented car: Rome is located 142 km from Gaeta. The cities are connected with highway No. SR148. You can get there by car in just over 2 hours, passing through picturesque Italian towns such as Latina, Aprilia, Sperlonga and Terracina (see on the map). Renting a car in Rome is generally a very good idea for travelling around the region of Lazio, where Gaeta is situated. In order to rent a car, it will be enough to have a passport, a driver’s license and a bank card. You can book the desired class of car in advance via various online services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings, etc.
By public transport: You can also get to Gaeta by public transport, although you need to make a small change. Trains from Rome to Gaeta run every hour throughout the day. The travel time including a change usually takes about two hours. You can check the current train timetable and purchase tickets in advance at the Raileurope booking service.
How to get to Gaeta from Naples
By rented car: You can get to Gaeta from Naples in similar ways. The distance between the cities is about 95 km; they are connected with highways No. A1/E45 and SS7. The travel time by car normally takes about 1 hour 20 minutes, depending on traffic congestion (see on the map). Car rental in Naples is no less popular than in Rome, because the surrounding area of the city also offers a lot of interesting places to go. In addition to Gaeta, you can visit, for example, the Amalfi Coast, Vesuvius National Park, the ancient city of Pompeii, etc. You can also book the desired class of car in advance via various online services, including Discover Cars, Economybookings, etc.
By public transport: Public transport also runs from Naples to Gaeta, although, just as in the case of Rome, a short change is required. The total travel time varies from 1.5 to 2 hours. You can check the current train timetable and purchase tickets in advance at the Raileurope booking service.
Where to stay in Gaeta
Gaeta is a popular summer holiday destination, so there are quite a lot of accommodation options for every taste. These are mainly apartments, bed and breakfasts, hotels of various star categories, guest houses and vacation homes. The price of the issue greatly depends on the class of the chosen place to stay. Staying in B&B hotels and apartments is generally cheaper than staying in 3* and 4* hotels. Not all accommodations in Gaeta are located on the first beach line, but this should not be too much of a concern since the town is small and you can walk to the beach in 5-10 minutes from anywhere.
Hotels in Gaeta are very diverse, you can find budget options like B&B, and you can also find options in a higher price category and with more services. Hotels are generally located close to the sea so you can enjoy the sea views. There are some popular options:
B&B Il Giglio Marino 3*: this bed and breakfast hotel is located close to the local beach. Guests can stay in rooms of various categories, including studios. Breakfast is included in the price. All rooms are also equipped with a coffee pot or a kettle, among other things. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and is free of charge. Public parking nearby is provided by appointment and at an additional cost. The front desk is open 24 hours a day. Luggage storage can be found at the reception;
Grand Hotel le Rocce 4*: the hotel is located on the shore and has its own private beach, swimming pool and fitness room. The hotel also has a restaurant and a bar. Guests can stay in rooms of various categories. Some rooms have garden or sea views. Some rooms also have terraces. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and is free of charge. Free private parking is provided on site. The front desk serves guests 24 hours a day;
Hotel Gajeta 3*: the hotel is located on the shore and within the walls of a historical building. There is a roof terrace with panoramic sea views. There is a restaurant and a bar on site. You can stay in rooms of various categories. Breakfast is included in the price. Some rooms have a balcony or a terrace. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and is free of charge. Free private parking is available on site. The front desk is open 24 hours a day and provides luggage storage services;
Summit Hotel 4*: the hotel is located on the seashore and has its own private beach. In summer a free shuttle service is available to Gaeta town centre. The hotel has a restaurant, a bar and a spa area. Guests can stay in rooms of various categories. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and is free of charge. Free private parking is provided on site. The spa area includes a sauna and a Turkish steam room. The front desk is open 24 hours a day and provides luggage storage services.
What to see in Gaeta
Contrary to expectations, Gaeta can offer not only a comfortable beach holiday, but also an exciting excursion program. Gaeta is considered to be an ancient town and known since the times of Ancient Rome. It is not surprising that many historical sights from different periods have been preserved here. From the times of the Roman Empire, archaeological monuments remain in Gaeta, including the ruins of defensive buildings, fortresses and so on.
Another dominant monument in Gaeta, dating back to the early Middle Ages, is the castle, which was built partly during the Angevin era of rule, partly under the Aragonese rulers. The castle has several towers that are visible from almost anywhere in the town. The castle is located on a hill, and it’s worth going up here because it offers the best views of Gaeta and the sea shore.
Not far from the shore you can stumble upon another historical monument called the Cathedral of St. Erasmus. The cathedral was built in the 10th-11th centuries and has a tower made in the Arab-Norman style. Its construction dates back to the 12th century. The inside of the cathedral is no less delightful than the outside; many artistic objects from the early Middle Ages have been preserved here. Religious buildings in Gaeta that are also worthy of attention include the Church of the Annunziata, the Chapel of St. Francis and other sites.
All lovers of natural attractions are recommended to visit the Monte Orlando Natural Park in Gaeta, located on the cape of the same name, and the Riviera di Ulissa Nature Reserve. Both places have beautiful sea and forest landscapes, which can be explored along special walking routes. The terrain in the local parks is very diverse. There are rock formations, sandy beaches, and forests; in addition, the reserve is home to a huge number of rare birds and rare plant species. Many people come to the reserve to go diving, because here, in the rocks, there are quite a lot of underwater caves and rock faults, while the sea in Gaeta is the cleanest, which makes the conditions for diving ideal.
Take a note! When going on a trip to Italy, do not forget to take out a travel insurance, which is useful for receiving a tourist visa and for solving emerged medical problems when travelling in another country. You can purchase an insurance via online services, for example, via EKTA and others. You can choose from different modes, including quiet, active or extreme rest.
Photo above the article: Josef Grunig
The author is Julia Mam
Julia is an experienced traveller, BA in International Relations and Languages and true lover of planning trips in advance. Learn more…
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Julia is an experienced traveller, BA in International Relations and Languages and true lover of planning trips in advance. Learn more…