Rome to Sperlonga: Organize your day trip

Sperlonga is a coastal enclave characterized by wide beaches, rocks and caves. A beautiful and unspoiled destination located between Rome and Naples.

This strange name (in Latin speluncae) originates from its particular conformation. Sperlonga in fact is characterized by the presence of spurs of rock that flow into the sea. This cliffs form many wonderful and thick coves reachable only by boat.

If you love seaside, relax and archaeological findings this is the right place for you. Let’s organize your day trip to Sperlonga, you will visit a beautiful seaside destination easy to reach, a stone’s throw from Rome.

A little bit of history

view of the old Sperlonga by MM – Wikimedia Commons

Sperlonga well known to Ancient Romans, became a holiday destination, a place to rest. In fact Romans loved to spend free time in their “villas” during their “roman holidays”, but the village was also a Roman fishing settlement.

For this reason, many Roman villas located along the sea where equipped with fish breeding tanks.

During time, this fishing village was continually threatened by pirate raids and despite the construction of a series of watch towers, the town was destroyed in 1534 and later in 1622.  Between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries Sperlonga began to develop and many churches and major stately buildings were built.

Later Sperlonga became part of the Kingdom of Naples and then of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, but only in 1958 with the construction of the “Via Flacca” the village became a touristic place.

In 1972 the “Darsena” became the tourist port of the city. With berths and services for tourists, who want to visit the caves and inlets on the coast.

Getting to Sperlonga from Rome

Termini Station by Ingolf – Wikimedia Commons

The best and easiest way to reach Sperlonga is by train. It takes about 1 hour and 18 minutes to reach the Fondi – Sperlonga stop.

If you prefer, you can book the ticket through the Trenitalia website here. You can also buy them at the ticket office/ticket machine; you will pay € 14.00 for round-trip tickets.

Once you reach the Fondi – Sperlonga stop, cross the overpass and go to the area in front of the station. Here you will find the shuttle that will take you directly to Sperlonga at a cost of € 1.50 per way.

Check always the timetables!

What to bring?

Because of the train journey and all the stairs, dress comfortably and wear sneakers.

There are some free beaches so bring some bath towels with you! If you prefer beach chairs and umbrellas then go to the kiosks and rent them.

Don’t forget the camera and sunglasses and bring a packed lunch if you prefer!

My top tip:

If you want to rest and relax I recommend a stop at the Gelateria Dolce Gelato that you will find in Via S. Rocco, 36.
The ice creams here are homemade and you won’t find an ice cream that good anywhere! So don’t miss the chance!

What to visit in Sperlonga

Truglia Tower by Aldo Ardetti – Wikimedia Commons

The town preserves a peculiar characteristic that distinguishes it from other nearby towns, and once arrived at your destination you will notice two distinct places. I call them “old” and “new” Sperlonga.

The “new” Sperlonga is the part that faces the sea, located at the entrance of the town in Via Cristoforo Colombo. From here,with a fairly steep walk through local shops and bars, you will arrive at the Piazza Fontana.

Here you will have access to the sea side and to beautiful coastal scenery, you will reach the “Truglia Tower”. If you follow the small street full of stalls and stands, you will admire this stunning structure.

Along the way, you will find many narrow paved streets made up of stairs that will take you to the “old” part of the village. Follow them and you will find yourself immersed in the unique atmosphere of the historic center, full of shops and restaurants and characteristic souvenir shops.

Villa of Tiberius

the remains of the villa by MM – Wikimedia Commons

Along the undoubtedly charming coast of Sperlonga, Tiberius built his villa. The original villa extends for 300 meters on the beach and includes the “lighthouse of Tiberius” (considered by locals one of the Seven Wonders of the World ). The structure of the lighthouse was found among the coast in 2014 and has walls dating back to the age of Tiberius, which ruled from 14 to 37 after Christ.

The buildings of the Villa were all arranged on terraces facing the sea. You will find:

• a beautiful decorated cave
• the imperial residence
• the habitation of the court
• the spa facility
• fish tanks for breeding
• stables and places for the troops
• a courtyard
• a bread oven and a furnace

When visiting the Villa take a few minutes to admire the landscape. The view embraces the Circeo, the Torre Truglia, the islands of Palmarola and Ponza and part of the Mediterranean Sea!

The Cave of Tiberius

Ruins by Steveilott – Wikimedia Commons

The cave most probably was used by Tiberius as a place for  banquets.

Inside there were several marble groups that concerned some episodes:

• Polyphemus blinded by Odysseus
• the assault on Scilla
• the abduction of Ganymede
• the abduction of Palladio
• Ulysses dragging Achilles

The National Archaeological Museum of Sperlonga

Polyphemus by Corrado Volpicelli – Wikimedia Commons

Just a short walk from the villa you will find this stunning museum.

Here you will visit a part of the structure of the villa and admire the archaeological findings of the cave.

Unfortunately, due to vandalism, many of the statues and furnishings inside the cave have been shattered, but the archaeologists were able to recompose the marble group of Polyphemus thanks to the synthetic marble.

Here Polyphemus is represented drunk and lying on a rock, surrounded by his attackers,  Ulysses is positioned near the head of the Cyclops to make sure that the tip of the pole hits the eye.

This statue shows clear affinities with that of the famous Laocoon. Check here for more information about this statue!

The building complex and the museum are located along the Via Flacca

Visiting hours of the museum: from Monday to Sunday 8.30am-7.30pm; last admission 7.00 pm.

From October to March : free entry on the first Sunday of the month.

Ticket price € 5 – reduced € 2.50

The Churches in Sperlonga

Church of Santa Maria by Pietro – Wikimedia Commons

The church of Santa Maria di Sperlonga was built in 1135 in the historic center of the town and its ancient structure has two naves with galleries. Inside it preserves a canvas with the “Madonna Assunta” on the high altar and a wooden statue of San Leone Magno.

Instead the parish church of the Madonna Assunta in Cielo was consecrated in 1964. Here they venerate San Leone Magno, patron of Sperlonga and San Rocco,  both saints  are celebrated before the first Sunday of September with a huge and beautiful parade.

You will find The  Church OF SANTA MARIA DI SPERLONGA  in Via G. Marconi 6. while THE CHURCH MADONNA ASSUNTA IN CIELO IN PIAZZA EUROPA.