Halfway between Rome and Naples there is a village that stands out for its sparkling white, as clear and inviting as the sea water that bathes the shore.
Sperlongamanages to fascinate even the most distracted traveller, making him stop for a while to enjoy the timeless atmosphere of whitewashed houses, narrow streets and romantic hills surrounding incomparable views of the sea.
Certainly, relaxing on the beach is a must, but there are many other things to see and activities that can be organised.
Of course, first of all the beauty of the sea, consecutively awarded for over 25 years with the Blue Flag, and the pleasantness of nature, especially inside the Blue Oasis of Sperlonga, a protected nature area, where you can go on excursions, go seawatching and do other activities.
Starting from the Sperlonga seafront you can easily visit the historic centre of one of the most beautiful villages in Italy on foot or by bike and look for – among truly characteristic streets and alleys – the most suggestive setting for a memorable selfie.
The ancient soul of Sperlonga can be traced in the numerous watchtowersthat dot its coast. In addition to the Torre Maggiore (or Central Tower, today hidden among the houses of the village) we remember the Torre Truglia on the promontory of the town – which divides the Sperlonga beach of the Riviera di Levante from the Riviera di Ponente – the Torre del Nibbio, which today is part of a baronial castle near the town square, and the Torre di Capovento, about 3 km south of the town (of which only a few remains can still be seen today).
The name of Sperlonga, which derives from spelonca(cavern), already gives us an idea of the nature of the territory.
In fact, along the rocky coast, there are numerous cavesand ravines that make the natural landscape even more pleasant. The most famous cave is that of Tiberius, which is located near the homonymous Roman villa.
Inaugurated in 1963, the National Archaeological Museum of Sperlonga is home to the restored statues that once embellished the ancient villa of Emperor Tiberius.
In addition to the importance of the cultural aspect, it is also fascinating for its references to mythology. The themes of the works found, in fact, can be traced back to the legend of Ulysses (it was believed that the promontory north of Sperlonga was the famous islandof the sorceress Circe) and also the route of the visit proposed by the museum intends to accompanythe visitor through the Mediterranean scrub, remains of the imperial villa and cave, embracing Monte Circeo and the Pontine islands.
Just as Tiberius did millennia ago and before that, of course, Ulysses.
Are you dreaming of the perfect location to stay in Sperlonga to explore the surrounding area?
Take a break at the Elaia Garden Hotel!
Are you curious to explore the surroundings?