To do in Ostia Lido
Ostia, the “gate of Rome on the Mediterranean“, is the place where the Romans traditionally evade from the chaos of the city to enjoy a refreshing breeze on the beach during the hot summer days or to eat a good fish plate on a sunny winter Sunday, admiring a spectacular sunset. However, Ostia offers much more and deciding to stay for a few days in Ostia is certainly a good alternative for those wishing to visit Rome – which is approximately 23 kilometers away, and can be reached via the railway line Roma-Lido, in a more relaxing environment.
Ostia Lido was founded ex-novo in the early 20th century as a “garden-city” and this makes it an almost unique case in the Italian urban landscape. This big neighborhood grew afterwards very quickly, becoming a sort of independent town, with its restaurants, cafés, discos and beach clubs, shops and markets. Ostia hosts the Castel Fusano pinewood (the largest green area of the capital) and the beaches of Capocotta (the largest free beach in Europe), where one can perform various outdoor activities: jogging, biking, horseback riding as well as windsurfing and kitesurfing, which are ideal sports on this sandy and often windy coast. A new marina, able to host up to 840 boats, has been recently built at the mouth of the river Tiber. Gourmet restaurants and traditional fishermen inns can be found in the area and it is possible to experience the atmosphere of a fishermen hamlet in the lovely “Borghetto dei pescatori”, where every year a festival devoted to the typical local little shellfish takes place: the “Sagra della tellina”.
Considering the proximity of the archeological park of Ostia Antica, Ostia as a whole offers a unique opportunity to combine past and present very close to the historical center of Rome and to the international airport Leonardo da Vinci.
Photo credits by Aldo Marinelli.
Experiences to live in Ostia Lido
Castel Fusano pinewood (the biggest green area of Rome!)
It can be reached by car from the Cristorforo Colombo and then from the Viale della Villa di Plinio or walking from the Castel Fusano stop of the railway line Roma-Lido. The “Urban Park Castel Fusano Pinewood” (Parco Urbano Pineta di Castel Fusano) was established in 1980 and has been, since 1997, part of the Nature Reserve of the Roman Coast (Riserva Naturale del Litorale Romano). Thanks to the presence of paths, fountains and gym equipment, it is the ideal place for outdoor workouts and exercise or for a horseback ride. The pine forest runs down to the sea and is rich in witnesses of the long history of the area: you can find here the remains of a Roman “villa” which has been attributed for a longtime to Pliny the Younger, parts of the ancient Roman Via Severiana (which connected Portus and Terracina) and the 17th century Villa Sacchetti Chigi.
WebsiteCastel Porziano Beach (the biggest free beach in Europe!)
Via Litoranea. Ostia means sea but … which is the best beach to have a swim, play beach tennis, rent a canoe or just lie in the sun reading a good book? We recommend to make a few more kilometers and reach the beaches of Castel Porziano, called “The Gates” (“I cancelli”), where you can still see the beautiful dunes covered by Mediterranean scrub. You can reach Castel Porziano by car or by bus from the Cristoforo Colombo stop of the railway line Roma-Lido. An amazing place also to play sports or just have a drink.
WebsiteBird-watching Center - Centro Habitat Mediterraneo Lipu
Via dell’Idroscalo (near the parking of the marina)
The bird-watching center, located a short walk from the marina of Rome and from the 16th century Tor San Michele, presents the first re-construction of a Mediterranean lagoon ever realized in Italy. It consists in a microcosm of the rich habitats of the Roman cost where over 200 species of birds have already been recorded, including rare species such as the purple heron.
Website“Literature Park” Pier Paolo Pasolini
Lungomare Duca degli Abruzzi, 84 (entrance from Via dell’Idroscalo, parking of the marina):
On the very same piece of land where Pier Paolo Pasolini was brutally murdered, a “Literature Park” (Parco letterario) has transformed this place of death and decay in a small heaven of peace dedicated to the controversial and unforgettable writer, poet and filmmaker who has indissolubly linked his fate to Ostia . The park is adjacent to the Centro Habitat Mediterraneo Lipu, where you can ask for information about the park.
WebsiteMarina of Rome (Porto Turistico di Roma)
Lungomare Duca degli Abruzzi 84
The “Porto turistico di Roma”, established in 2001, is a large marina located south-east of the mouth of the river Tiber. It can host 840 boats on a surface of 22 hectares. It includes a very large pedestrian area with a long portico and many shops, cafes and restaurants.
WebsiteTheater “Teatro del Lido”
Via delle Sirene 22
The Teatro del Lido is the first of the so-called “belt theaters” (“teatri di cintura”) of Rome, born with the aim of bringing the theater culture in the suburbs of the capital. The theater is located in a historical building, the former clinic Vittorio Emanuele III (designed by Marcello Piacentini), overlooking the seafront, which also houses the Municipal Library Elsa Morante. The theater offers a varied and original programme, established through the direct participation of the citizens.
FacebookTheater “Nino Manfredi”
Via dei Pallottini 10
The theater is located not far from train station “Lido centro” and the Regina Pacis church, in the very center of Ostia. The “Nino Manfredi” was founded by a group theater lover who managed to convert a cinema in a hall with 300 seats and, above all, to convey nationally renowned actors to Ostia.
WebsiteVictoria Regeneration SPA
Lungomare Toscanelli 196
And for those who want to relax, nothing better than a nice massage in front of the sea! All wellness services at a short distance from the pier of Ostia.
WebsiteWhere to eat in Ostia Lido
Red fish
Corso Duca di Genova 22
Fashionable and modern seafood restaurant near the beach and the shopping area of Ostia Lido, built in the former bus depot ATAC (“Ex DEPO”), recently renovated. The restaurant has an outdoor terrace and is an excellent alternative for a delicious aperitif.
WebsiteOfficina culinaria
Via degli Acilii 15
The restaurant is located in the center of Ostia, next to the waterfront, an area characterized by small villas in the “Roman Baroque” style. The restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine with fresh fish and meat choices. An original touch is given by high quality street food.
WebsiteVecchia Pineta
Piazzale dell’Aquilone 4
Very famous restaurant inside a beach resort dating back to the 1930s. It is specialized in seafood and has a very beautiful terrace literally “on the sea”.
WebsitePovero pesce
Lungomare Paolo Toscanelli 120
Simple and nice seafood restaurant in front of the pier of Ostia. informal and welcoming atmosphere, with outdoor tables.
WebsiteBreakfast, coffee, ice cream
Krapfen Paglia
Piazza Anco Marzio 18
This café has been one of the most famous of Ostia since 1953. The receipt of the delicious krapfen is still secret and there is no child in Ostia who does not know them. It is ideal for a tasty breakfast in front of the sea.
WebsiteQui concept store
Piazza Giuliano della Rovere 5/A
This is the first concept store of Ostia, where you can have a coffee, a piece of cake or a light lunch and have a look, at the same time, at the design furniture or at the fashion clothing. It is a very good option for a coffee break or a glass of wine not far from the seafront and next to the pedestrian area.
FacebookSalus caffè
Lungomare Paolo Toscanelli 119
The Salus Village is one of the numerous beach resorts of Ostia. Its restaurant and café (which offers a wide range of pastries) offer the opportunity to have a drink next to a swimming pool in front of the sea.
La Rotonda - Shilling
This ethnic beach resort is also a café, a restaurant and a disco. It is located exactly were the highway Cristoforo Colombo meets the sea.
WebsiteBar della Pineta
Viale Mediterraneo 85
This little kiosk is located inside the Castel Fusano pinewood and is easily accessible from the station “Castel Fusano” of the railway line Roma-Lido. It is a very nice place to have a coffee or a smoothie immersed in nature.
TripAdvisorIce cream parlor - Gelateria Carletto al Borghetto
Via dei Pescatori 25
In this small gelateria you can buy excellent ice creams and sherbets, or the now famous “white coffee”, and then taste them in the enchanting Borghetto dei Pescatori, a fishermen village where every year a festival devoted to the typical local little shellfish takes place: the “Sagra della tellina”.
FacebookIce cream parlor - Gelateria Miami Beach
Lungomare Paolo Toscanelli 63
You can find in this gelateria on the seafront a wide range of ice creams, sherbets, smoothies and more. They also offer something really special: ice cream for dogs!
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