30 km north of Rome there's a lively medium-sized town on the coast which is quickly becoming one of roman's most coveted spots. The reasons? The sea, first of all; furthermore, 3 among the most beautiful castles of central Italy within a short drive; even a unique UNESCO World Heritage Site. 
In addition to all this (most importantly) the chance to reach Rome in about 20 minutes by train. 

Ladispoli

Ladispoli, the sea a stone's throw away from Rome

Guided tours are available on Sundays at 10.00 from October to May and at 17.00 from June to September.

Alternatively, you can walk the lush path which run along the oasis (which is my favourite activity as soon as spring comes).

Thanks to its 7 km of promenade, where nice lidos and free beaches alternate, you have an embarassing wealth of options about how to spend your day in the warm months. You can even choose between  Torre Flavia's white, fine send or the black sand which characterizes the city center; the latter, if used for a sand bath, is a panacea for those suffering from rheumatism or joint pain.

Dating back to the 12th century, the castle has a spectacular location, overlooking the sea and surrounded by marvellous gardens. It belogs to the ancient family Orsini, whose heir Ladislao Odescalchi found Ladispoli in 1888. Nowadays a part of the fortress is used as wedding venue and to host meetings and cultural events. Unfortunately, it's not possibile to access it otherwise! IG link down below:

https://instagram.com/castelloodescalchidipalo?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Two train stops after Ladispoli (or 15 minutes by car) is a little town called Santa Severa famous for its breathtaking castle which, in contrast to the one in Ladispoli, can be visited almost every day. There's also another big difference here: just outside the castle, built between the 10th and the 11th century, developed a tiny village which preserves almost entirely its original appearance, and the access is completely free. The entrance fee for the castle is 8 €, while the Saracen tower (open only for a few days a year) costs 3 €. You can book your tickets here:

Furthermore the castle houses a brand new hostel, and the rates are extremely affordable. A double room starts from 55 € per night, 65 € if you want sea view and balcony! Have a look at the official website:

https://www.coopculture.it/it/poi/castello-di-santa-severa/

We leave the coast to get to Bracciano, where the third and last castle is located. You can choose to go by car or by Cotral bus, leaving from Piazza Marescotti in Ladispoli at 8.52 am, returning at 2.30 pm from via Lecci in Bracciano.

Official website: • The Etruscan Necropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site 

*** PLEASE NOTE *** during the first Sunday of every month access is FREE OF CHARGE!

• Necropolis of Banditaccia, a UNESCO World Heritage site

As mentioned before, besides using a car, it's possible to reach Ladispoli by train: it's indeed halfway along the railway line which connects Civitavecchia and its port to Rome, the so-called FL5. In detail, Ladispoli is 20 minutes from San Pietro, (i.e. Vatican station), 30 minutes from Trastevere, 40 minutes from Ostiense and 50 minutes from Roma Termini.

This is Ladispoli's green lung and the most popular place for outdoor activities. It covers a large area between Ladispoli city center and its neighbourhood San Nicola and it includes a forest of oaks, holm oaks and ash trees, a botanical garden (rich in exotic species) and a garden of orchids.

From via Roma, where the pedestrian access is located, the Oasis of Torre Flavia extends for 48 ha up to the coast, where it stands a military tower built during the Middle Ages on a pre-existing structure made by Romans. Thanks to its location, this WWF protected area offers shelter and feeding to numerous species of birds, especially during migratory seasons; it's particularly interesting for anyone who like birdwatching.

∆ The Oasis of Palo, Strada Comunale di Palo n. 48

∆ Castello Odescalchi, Strada Comunale di Palo n.13

Ostello | Castello di Santa Severa - Un castello sempre aperto

It is also known as the Orsini-Odescalchi castle and it was built in the 15th century: it combines the functions of a military defence structure and a civilian residence of the feudal lords of the period, the Orsini and Borgia, both papal families. As one of the largest and best-maintained castles in Italy, it also houses a museum. 

∆ The Oasis of Torre Flavia, via Roma n. 141

In Cerveteri, right in the countryside behind Ladispoli, we find the the Etruscan necropolis of Banditaccia, which extends for about two kilometers and contains a huge complex of graves (probably about 20,000 tombs dated between the VII and the I century B.C.) with truly unique characteristics: that's the reason why from 2004 the area has been included within the UNESCO World Heritage sites. The necropolis belonged to the ancient city of Caere (Cerveteri indeed), a flourishing Etruscan town that stood on a tuff hill about 40 km from Rome and not far from the Tyrrhenian coast. Particularly evocative is the "Via degli Inferi", a path crossing the whole necropolis surrounded by unsoiled nature and tombs of various kind throughout its length. Tickets for both the Necropolis and its Museum cost 10 € (reservation is usually not necessary) and the archaeological site is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm (last entry at 4 pm). Here is the adress:

Breakfast, aperitifs, poke, afternoon tea...this place is not just the cutest (and most instagrammable) in the whole city, but it's also BLOODY DELICIOUS! 🍰

https://instagram.com/maviunadolcepausa?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Stylish but with a laid-back vibe, this cafè has the best pastries, together with some american treats such as pancakes, waffles, cookies and sandwiches...for all tastes! Special mention to its large aperitif: 12 € and you'll struggle to finish everything on the board 🍸

Definitely more than a bistrò: here you can have breakfast, dine with some amazing hamburgers (rigorously homemade🍔!) but also buy a piece of clothing or a cute gadget. Vintage lovers, this is the place for you.

https://instagram.com/emporio_conceptstore?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

If you love wine (I mean, you are in Italy so...) you must go there! Their excellent wine list, served with a selection of cheeses and charcuterie, will give a twist to your happy hour 🍷

https://instagram.com/lacantinadiandrea?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

At Osteria al Mercato you will never see gluten free food the same way! Their menù is based of fresh, local food and everything is made from scratch, bread or pasta included. And gluten free, of course. 🍝

https://instagram.com/osteria_al_mercato?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

This beach resort comes with a top quality restaurant, where seafood is the protagonist. Every dish is memorabile, and the view is just *chef's kiss* 🦞

Looking for a cool rooftop bar to enjoy a good cocktail at sunset or after dinner? Then this is your place. And the music is always on point too. 🍹

https://instagram.com/habanita_ladispoli?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Ladispoli, Metropolitan City of Rome, Italy

It is known that, if you are born in Rome, you feel Roman even before Italian: because Rome is a heartfelt emotion made of loud voices, familiar scents, pungent irony, giant resilient monuments, pebbles that easily damage the scooters' wheels...but above all - quoting the master Paolo Sorrentino - Rome is made of Great Beauty. 

"Un sacco bello" di C. Verdone - Porta Settimiana (Trastevere)

(in Roman dialect) <<Ahó sapete che ve dico, io me ne vado! A me me parte pure il pullman pe' Ladispoli! Ma che stamo a scherza', ahó>> [<<Look, know what? I'm livin'! Or I'll miss the bus to Ladispoli! Are you kidding me or what...c'mon>> *italian gestures in the middle*]

When it comes to Ladispoli, however, the average Italian will have stuck in his mind a line taken from "Un Sacco Bello", a famous cult comedy from 1980 starring the actor Carlo Verdone (who is also director and producer):

In the collective imagination, therefore, Ladispoli is still that city the protagonist can't reach, and that basically no one really knows well. Yet...yet when a teenage me moves here, she discovers that Ladispoli exists, and it is also a beautiful city. 

Ladispoli, the sea a stone's throw away from Rome

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