European Beaches

A small coastal town an hour outside of Rome, Terracina is one of Europe’s finest beach destinations. With an ancient tradition, the city played a core role during the Roman Empire, where the orator Livy once referred to it as prona a paludes (“situated in the marshes”) for its strategic harbor near the Pontine Marsh on the western coast of Italy.

During its early history, the City served as a maritime port for the Roman Navy and ran along with Appian Way (via Appia), increasing its strategic importance for the Empire. The ancient architecture in the era reflects this rich history, including a number of temples and monuments that reflect the core of Roman culture. Over the years, the core buildings in the area have held up well, and even continued development in the Catholic tradition during the Middle Ages including the Cathedral de Pietro e Cesareo, although the region became a flash point during the Second World War conflict.

Visitors to the area generally arrive by way of economy flights (which takes roughly ½ hour) or by train. Roughly 100 kilometers outside of Rome, the city is easily accessible from the capital, and is a popular vacation spot for both locals, as well as regional travelers from the UK, Italy and France. Most of the resorts in the area feature private beaches, which are known for their relaxing beach fronts as well as local markets, historic buildings and a mix of ancient and modern culture.

Some of the leading hotels in the area are located in the Historic Center of the city, and include Casa Barbara, Trimalcioni and Casa Maria. The majority of hotels in the Center are traditional apartments or villas, which have been converted into rental rooms, offering a wonderful experience for travelers and visitors. Visitors can also enjoy traditional resort hotels outside of the center of the city, where amenities include pools and traditional hotel services.