Lido di Ostia is a typical resort town, which is recommended for those who want to combine swimming in the sea and sightseeing in Rome. It is located on the Tyrrhenian Sea, about 20 km from the capital.
Lido di Ostia
The town of Lido di Ostia is the closest seaside resort to Rome. The Italians call it Lido di Roma. The name of the city can be translated as "Ostia beach". Here you will be met by sandy beaches, fish dishes in coastal restaurants and crowds of vacationers.
Lido di Ostia was founded in 1884, after draining the swamps. The first inhabitants of the new settlement were peasants coming from Ravenna. Since 1924, a railway was laid from the capital, and the Romans drove en masse to the sea. After World War II, a tourist boom began.
Lido di Ostia stands on the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea, about 20 km from Rome. The population is about 100 thousand inhabitants. The climate is mild: the average July temperature is about + 26 ° C; the average January temperature is + 7 ° С.
Beaches
On the beach of Lido di Ostia
Why go to Lido di Ostia? To swim without going far from Rome or to cool off after a day spent in the scorching sun in Ostia Antique. Going to Lido on purpose to spend a vacation or a weekend is not worth it, because local beaches resemble the Crimea or Sochi of Soviet times.
Most of the beaches are paid (belong to a hotel), well equipped - with sunbeds, umbrellas, cabins.
There are also public ones, but they are worse equipped and crowded. Sun beds and umbrellas - for the money, but if you come "with your own rug", then sit down and relax completely freely.
They say that it is better to come to Ostia in spring or autumn - the weather is excellent, the sea is relatively warm, restaurants are open, and the coast is not as crowded as in summer. There are many restaurants here. The cuisine is mainly Italian. Om serves Indian food.
Sights
Promenade
Boardwalk
The small, cozy promenade-promenade Pontile di Ostia is a popular place for walking. Families walk here, fishermen sit on the pier, and aircraft fly over the sea beautifully to land on Fiumicino.
Rybakov District
Rybakov District
The Rybakov District (Borghetto dei Pescatori) is one of the characteristic places of Ostia. It is located between the coast and the pine forest of Castelfusano (S. Colombo station)
Pasolini Memorial
Monument to Pier Paolo Pasolini, photo by Caterina Mulieri
To the north of the boardwalk is the port, next to it is a memorial to the poet and director Pier Paolo Pazolini. The monument stands on a vacant lot, on the site of the tragic death of Pazolini.
Church of Mary Queen of Peace
Church of Mary Queen of Peace, photo by Herb Neufeld
The city has the Catholic Church of Mary Queen of the World (Chiesa di Santa Maria Regina Pacis) - there is an old altar with a statue of the Madonna. Above the temple’s altar is an interesting art nouveau painting.
Events and Holidays
On a city holiday
Since 1974, the Rome-Ostia marathon (21,097 km) has been held - it will solemnly finish on the circular Colombo square in Lido di Ostia. And on August 23 in the town celebrate the holiday of fishermen Volcanalia.
What's around
Archaeological Reserve Ostia Antica (Ostia Antica), photo Alvaro de Alvariis
Near the city there is a reserved beach area of Capocotta with sand dunes and rare plants.
On the northern outskirts of Ostia is a relict site of a pine forest - Castelfusano.
The ancient metropolis of Ostia Antica (IV century BC) is a unique object, an archaeological reserve. The area of the ruins is 34 ha. Many fragments are perfectly preserved, the sight is impressive. Decumanus Maximus Street leads to a huge round theater. Around it - residential buildings and taverns, ancient shops, baths, public buildings. You can talk about this ancient city for a long time. I advise you to see him.
Next to Lido di Ostia there is the town of Fiumicino - a famous seaside resort. There are the head offices of Alitalia and Blue Panorama Airlines. Since 1961, in Fiumicino opened a large international airport. Leonardo da Vinci.
How to get from Rome
Lido Centro Station, photo by Markus Kivela
You need to take the metro to Lido di Ostia. When you reach Line B's Piramide ground station without leaving the subway, follow the Lido sign for the Porta S. Paolo railway station, and the train station where this station is the terminal is called Roma Ostia Lido. From here begins the Roma-Lido line. Ferrovie urbana trains leave every 15 minutes. By train, take half an hour to the Lido Centro station, from where the resort coast begins. Tickets for transport in Rome are valid in this direction.
