Rome is a fantastic city, rich in history, culture and art. As for the climate, Rome is no stranger to summer temperatures averaging in the high 30’s in the hot summer months. As fun as sightseeing can be, when in the sweltering heat sometimes all you want to do is find a beach! Luckily, although not directly situated on the coast, there are plenty of great Mediterranean beaches nearby. The closest beach to Rome is probably Otsia Lido, which is around half hour away from the city. It’s not one of Italy’s most spectacular beaches, however when it comes to location you can’t beat it in terms of practicality. At the end of the day, when the sun is shining and all you want is to soak up those warm rays, smell the sea breeze, feel the spray of the ocean on your skin, this beach ticks all the boxes.

If you’re feeling slightly more adventurous or perhaps you’re looking to work in a couple of nights at the seaside after a stay in Rome, the picturesque village of Sperlonga is the perfect beach retreat. Sperlonga is a medieval village situated on the cliff top, overlooking several glorious beaches and is about two hours away from Rome. As with many medieval Italian villages, Sperlonga was built to be able to defend itself in the event of an attack. The tall exterior walls surrounding the village, the narrow and twisted maze-like layout of the streets, and the high up position with a view stretching across the Mediterranean so the enemy can’t creep up by surprise are all part of its defensive strategy and make it a very charming and memorable place to visit.

Having said that, to get a true taste of Italy, there is no place like the capital. If you’re looking to get a realistic flavour of the culture, there is no better way to do so then to rent one of the many Rome apartments. This way you’ll be able to easily explore the roman ruins, party with the locals, have your share of great gelato, pizza and pasta and of course the beach is only half an hour away – what more could you ask for?!