AN OASIS OF PEACE
Sandy beaches, coastal dunes and nature reserves but also beautiful ruins from the Roman era
OSTIA, THE SEA OF ROME
Lido di Ostia, official name of the seaside resort commonly known as Ostia, is one of the favorite destinations of the Romans, but also much appreciated by tourists from all over the world, thanks to its strategic proximity to the capital which is only 25 km away, easily reachable both by car and public transport. In fact, travellers use it as a base to visit Rome while remaining in a quieter and less expensive context.
THE OLD TOWN
In the center you can walk among Art Nouveau buildings and villas, in harmony with structures of the modern architecture. Admire the Palazzo del Pappagallo with its bright color, and the Church of Santa Maria Regina Pacis, in Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Baroque style. A stop in Piazza Anco Marzio is a must, there are shops, kiosks and bars, the right place for a coffee, an ice cream or an aperitif, with a wide choice of restaurants and pizzerias to taste the typical Roman cuisine.
THE SEAFRONT
The Seafront of Ostia offers everything you expect from a seaside resort: free-access sandy beaches, well equipped lidos, kiosks, bars, restaurants and trendy clubs, outdoor markets as well as sports facilities and a tourist port. The coast, lapped by palm trees, is a suggestive place for romantic walks and enjoying the spectacle of the sunset, perhaps from the long pier with the roundabout overlooking the sea.
HISTORY AND NATURE
Ostia is not just sea and beaches, there are numerous attractions to discover and things to do, from the archaeological ruins of Ostia Antica and walks in the Pineta of Castel Fusano to the discovery of the local marine and wild fauna, as well as the possibility of practicing sports in private structures and well-equipped public spaces, also ideal for enjoying peace and quiet. All this in a path that combines outdoor life with the historical and cultural itineraries of the locality.
OSTIA ANTICA
Located near the modern suburb of Ostia, Ostia Antica is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. It is possible to admire extraordinary buildings such as the Theatre and the Forum, the Piazzale delle Corporazioni, the domus and the insulae (typical Roman houses), the mills, and much more. A beautiful experience absolutely worth living, a real journey through time.
NATURE RESERVE
The Pineta di Castel Fusano urban park is the largest green area in Rome and has been part of the Litorale Romano Nature Reserve since 1996. It is characterized by a rich vegetation that can be traced back to the Mediterranean scrub and populated by hundreds of animal species, especially game and birds. The area is also home to important archaeological sites such as the Castello Chigi and the remains of a stretch of the Via Severiana, a historic road that connected the hinterland with Portus, the port of ancient Rome.
THE MARINA
The Tourist Port of Ostia is a modern, complete and well-equipped structure, an ideal place for walks as well for cycling and running. The piers are home to hundreds of boats while in the land sector there are dozens and dozens of shops as well as numerous bars and restaurants, where you can eat fish or enjoy the famous apericena ostiensi.
MARINE FAUNA
Sighting dolphins, in addition to manta rays, sunfish, sea turtles and dozens of different aquatic birds is one of the most interesting and exciting naturalistic activities to do in Ostia. Thanks to the local Association of Marine Biologists it is possible to go on dinghy trips together with the association's researchers to admire the variety of marine fauna in its natural habitat, an emotion not to be missed!
BIRD WATCHING
Close to the port is the Centro Habitat Mediterraneo managed by the Lega Italiana Protezione Uccelli (LIPU). A coastal pond has been created in the center to give home to hundreds of species of birds, some of which are very rare. You can dedicate yourself to nature photography by walking through a dedicated path and huts equipped for bird watching, a true paradise for bird watching enthusiasts.