T H E P A R T Y C E N T R A L
if you’re ready
to get some sand between your toes and cut
loose at the same time, this is the place. A party town little
more than a Frisbee throw from the city, it’s where Rome’s
ravers, posers and general good timers head as soon as
summer starts, visiting until about October.
Stretching 16km from the
foce del Tevere
(
mouth of the
Tiber), Ostia is more Blackpool than Biarritz, but for many
Romans, the dark sand and riotous nightlife provide blissful
relief from the urban sprawl. Before letting the sun’s rays do
their thing, we’d urge you to take a stroll along the main drag
and enjoy the beautiful Mussolini-era art-deco buildings,
including the Via del Mare post office, with its spectacular-
looking curved portico.
Then to the beach. The best one is near the pine forests of
Castel Fusano (know locally as the Roman Riviera), but most
don’t travel that far, preferring the central public beaches,
where a sun-lounger can be rented for around €8. Spend the
afternoon reclining before heading for dinner at Ristorante
Don Pepe on Lungomare Paolo Toscanelli (
tel: +39 065672408
)
for Spanish delicacies including chorizo in red wine and steak.
Ostia really comes alive after 11pm, and it’s not for the
faint-hearted. The best beats are spun at the chic La Rotonda
Shilling beach bar (
larotonda.it
)
and the Cuba Libre Lounge
Bar (
facebook.com/cubalibrenights
),
both on the main drag.
It’ll be the early hours before you sleep, but the Barcelo
Aran Blu hotel (
barcelo.com
)
is a chic designer bolthole with
sea views. Its central location means you won’t have far to go
for bed – just don’t expect to wake up in time for breakfast.
L I D O D I O S T I A
*
FOR T&CS SEE P187
Rome
need to know
(
50,000
)
capacity of Rome’s Colosseum, one of the
city’s prime attractions
(
€3,000
)
average total of coins tossed into the Trevi
Fountain every day
(
2,000
)
years since Trajan Market, the world’s
oldest shopping mall, was built
easyJet
flies to Rome from 29 destinations. See
our insider guide on page 159. Book
online at easyJet.com
easyJet Holidays
Two nights B&B at the four-star Executive
Hotel in Rome departing from London
Gatwick on 4 June costs £157 per person.
easyJet.com/holidays*
Giulio Cesare
Four-star stay with marble bathrooms
and a roof garden that overlooks the
Vatican. Book at
hotels.easyJet.com
ROME TERMINI > OSTIA LIDO
40
MINS
(
€3 RETURN)
40
MINS
28
KM
FROM
ROME
The chic La Rotondo
Shilling is the
place to be as night
descends
0 8 0
E S C A P E
R O M E
