Ostia, or Lido di Ostia, is the closest beach resort to Rome. It takes just half an hour to get there, and it is a great opportunity to cool off in the sea after a hot day spent in the city jungle of Rome. There are different ways of how to get to Ostia from Rome, so let’s explore them all.
After some research, I decided to put together information I have previously found out and create a complete guide on how to organize a holiday in Ostia. I figured out how to get to Ostia, where to stay & what to see there. I really hope this detailed information will help you plan your trip to this charming town located not far from Rome.
Table of Contents:
When to travel to Ostia
Besides a one-day trip, you can stay in Ostia for a longer period, since the infrastructure is well developed here, and you can find many small cozy hotels, restaurants, open-air cafes. Moreover, Ostia is also famous for its magnificent waterfront. As for attractions, a couple of stops from the beach the old town called Ostia Antica can be found, where many cultural and historical monuments have been preserved.
As Ostia is a sea resort, the best time for its visiting is a summer, plus September and October. This period is considered to be sunny and warm. Tourists can swim, sunbathe, relax in the local cafes, try some water sports and just enjoy the Sun. If you are more interested in culture and architecture, you can visit Ostia-Antica at any time of the year, as the local climate is mild even during the winter time.
How to get to Ostia
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Where do you fly into to get to Ostia? You can get to Ostia from Rome, because the closest international airport is located exactly there. Both direct and connecting flights land in Rome from all over the world. The current flight timetable can be checked via specialized online services such as Aviasales and others. I often use Aviasales when planning my trips, because it can compare a great variety of available flight options at the same time.
How to get to Ostia from Rome
As I have already mentioned before, travellers can get to Ostia from Rome by various means of transport. They include an underground, a taxi or a car.
How to get to Ostia from Rome by public transport
If you prefer public transport, you can get to Lido di Ostia by underground. You need to get off at the Lido Centro stop – it is the area of beaches and the waterfront promenade. If you get off a couple of stops earlier, in Ostia Antica, you will get to the old part of the town, where the famous Archaeological Museum is located.
How to get to Ostia from Rome by taxi
You can also get to Ostia from Rome by taxi or transfer service. Tourists can usually find a taxi at the exit of the airport terminal or directly in Rome. Another option is booking a transfer service to Ostia in advance, which will save you from looking for a taxi on the spot. Transfer services from Rome to the resorts of Lazio are offered by many international booking websites, for example, by Kiwitaxi, Intui.Travel and other similar ones. According to my research, both companies have a lot of positive reviews.
How to get to Ostia from Rome by car
Another popular way of getting to Ostia from Rome is driving by car. Car rental in Rome is a very popular option among tourists, because in this way you can visit not only Ostia, but also other towns and resorts in the surrounding area. Rome and Ostia are connected by the motorways of Cristoforo Colombo and #SP8 (see on the map).
Renting a car in Rome is quite easy. You can book the desired class of car in advance via various online services, for instance, via Discover Cars, Economybookings, etc. Anyway, a car is considered to be one of the most convenient and fastest ways of how to get to Ostia from Rome.
Where to stay in Ostia
After you have already decided how to get to Ostia, it is the time to think of your future accommodation. Despite its tiny size, the resort has a well-developed hotel infrastructure. You can stay for several days or more in Ostia in resort hotels or guest houses. Apartment rentals are also in demand. In addition, Ostia also has several bed and breakfast hotels and even hostels.
The vast majority of Ostia hotels are located close to the local beaches, or have a private beach area. For example, the following hotels located by the sea are popular:
4-star hotels
Fly Deco Hotel 4* is located close to the beach and is surrounded by a garden. Guests can relax on a terrace or in a bar. You can stay in one, two, three or four-bed rooms. Breakfast is included in the price. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel for free. Private parking is provided on site upon reservation and for an additional fee. The reception is open 24 hours and has luggage storage space.
3-star hotels
Hotel La Scaletta 3* is located on the first beach line. Guests can stay in single, double, triple or quadruple rooms. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel for free. Street parking can be found nearby. The reception is open 24 hours and provides luggage storage services.
Hotel Sirenetta 3* is also located on the first beach line. Guests can stay in rooms of various capacities, including family rooms. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel for free. There is no parking though. Luggage storage is available at the reception.
RomeCookSea Guesthouse 3* is located 200 m from the nearest beach. Guests can stay in rooms of various capacities, including family rooms. Breakfast is included in the price. All rooms also have a coffee pot or a kettle. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and is free of charge. Free public parking is can be found on site. It is important to have a parking space in case you choose a car as a way of how to get to Ostia. There is also an ATM at the reception.
Apartments
Apartments are no less popular in Ostia. The best reviews from tourists were received by such apartments as:
- The Sea of Rome is family apartments with free Wi-Fi, an equipped kitchen and a balcony Convenient location is one more advantage of the place.
- B&B Calypso is a 2-bedroom apartment with included breakfast. It is located right by the sea.
- The Tisserand Boutique & Apartment is apartments with a balcony and an equipped kitchen. It is located close to the sea.
What to see in Ostia
People come to Lido di Ostia mainly for beach holidays. However, just 10 minutes’ drive from the beach area you can find the old town of Ostia Antica, where the number of architectural attractions per square meter is simply off the charts. Ostia Antica is an ancient town, where monuments from different eras have been preserved.
For example, there is an open-air Archaeological Museum here. After wandering around the ruins of this huge park, you can see the ancient Roman Capitol and Forum, an ancient Theater, Baths, Taverns and much more. A walk through the park gives a clear idea of how developed life was in Ancient Rome. The open-air Archaeological Park is quite large in size, and it is worth setting aside at least a few hours to explore it.
- The park is open daily from 8.30 am to 6.15 pm.
Where to go from Ostia
Of course, one of the most popular excursion destinations from Ostia is considered to be a visit to Rome. There are so many attractions in the capital of Italy that excursion trips can be arranged at least every day of your holiday. The convenience of such trips is the developed transport logistics. You can get to Rome from Ostia quickly and comfortably either by public transport or by car. The ways are the same as those which tourists use for getting to the resort.
Beaches of Ostia
Lido di Ostia has a fairly extensive beach area, which is a golden sandy shore with a gentle entrance to the sea. The shore is washed by the Tyrrhenian Sea, whose waters are considered to be very warm. The beach season in Lido di Ostia can last up to six months.
In my opinion, the convenience of the beaches of Lido di Ostia is that they are located just half an hour from Rome. You can come here just for swimming, or stay for a full-fledged holiday.
Beaches in Ostia can be paid and free. Private beach areas, for which a fee is charged, usually belong to hotels, but these are relatively small areas. Basically, the beaches in Ostia are public and free. As I found out, a fee may be charged only for the use of sun loungers and umbrellas. In addition, local beaches are equipped with showers and toilets. Besides, you can find a lot of cafes nearby.
The local beaches are almost always crowded due to their short distance to Rome. Keep in mind that the private beaches can be a bit less crowded. The local beaches in Ostia include Gambrinus and Fregene areas.
In conclusion
As you see, Lido di Ostia is a nice variant to go from Rome for a day or two to escape the hustle and bastle of the Italian capital. There are different ways of how to get to Ostia, where to stay there and what to do except actually swimming.
Take a note! When going on a trip to Italy, do not forget to take out travel insurance, which is useful for receiving a tourist visa and for solving emerging medical problems when travelling in another country. You can purchase 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: Tery14
Julia is an experienced traveller, BA in International Relations and Languages and true lover of planning trips in advance. Learn more about the author…
