Rome’s nearest beach is at Lido di Ostia , half an hour away by train, and this is where the tourist board will try to point you. However, it’s not by any means the best place to head for. The beaches on the road south from Ostia toward Torvaianica and Capocotta have recently been cleaned up; to get there, take the Ostia train to the Cristoforo Colombo stop, then take bus #071 or #061. Also, if you’re making a day of it, it’s worth travelling south to Anzio or Nettuno - an hour away by frequent train from Termini (every hour), where you’ll find clean, if evenhandedly crowded beaches - and, in Anzio, a nice selection of seafood restaurants.