If a few days in the capital city start to take their toll, then escape to the beach and rest your tired feet. Ostia beach is situated around 30-40 minutes outside of Rome and gives you the opportunity to wind down with a cold drink or ice cream while you laze on the beach and soak up the sun.
A great benefit of this beach is that you have the chance to buy your souvenirs and gifts while you relax, as the majority of vendors will approach you and offer their goods without you having to move an inch. If this doesn’t sound like your idea of relaxation then there are also quieter sections of the beach.
Lido di Ostia, Rome, Italy
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Rather than stick to the main stretch of beach in the centre of Ostia, most Romans head to the 'cancelli', literally 'gates'. Each 'gate' leads from the road, through the sand dunes and down to the beach. Most have toilet and shower facilities, as well as a cafè or restaurant and sunbeds and umbrellas are usually availabe to hire.
What does vary, is the atmosphere. Expect to find children friendly beaches, but further down the coast, there are more party beaches and of course, a nude beach!
Another great, if far more expensive, beach destination near Rome, is Santa Marinella. An hour's train journey brings you to this lovely little beach. It's much more stress free in terms of getting there, but the train ride costs a lot more and you have to pay 2 euro just to set foot on the sand. Sunbeds and umbrella prices are hire, but it's worth going if you want a complete change of scenery.