Planning your trip to Sperlonga? Whether you have just one day, a weekend, or a whole week, this guide shows you how to make the most of your time. From ancient Roman ruins and quiet beaches to lively piazzas and local food, here’s how to balance relaxation with exploration in this seaside gem.
1 Day in Sperlonga Itinerary: Best Things to Do in One Day
Only have one day in Sperlonga? This itinerary covers the highlights – from the Old Town and Villa of Tiberius to the beach, Torre Truglia, and an evening passeggiata.
Morning
Arrive early. The old town is magical in the morning when it’s quiet, the light bouncing off whitewashed walls. Stop for a simple Italian breakfast – a cappuccino and cornetto – at a café in Piazza Fontana or Bar Centrale. Don’t linger too long though: before it gets too hot, head to the Villa of Tiberius. The archaeological site usually opens around 9:00 AM, and it’s worth being one of the first inside. You’ll walk among Roman ruins, explore the small museum with its incredible sculptures, and step into the emperor’s grotto where banquets were held nearly 2,000 years ago.
Lunch
Come back into town and treat yourself to a meal by the water. Places like Lido Tre Conchiglie or Il Porticciolo serve seafood right on the beach, with views of the waves. Order spaghetti alle vongole or a fresh seafood salad, and finish with gelato at Dolce Gelato – that’s non-negotiable.
Afternoon
This is your time to enjoy the sea. The main beach, Spiaggia di Levante, is easy and beautiful, with soft sand and shallow, clear water. Rent a lounger and umbrella at one of the lidos, swim, nap, sip a cold drink, repeat. If you’re not the type to sit still, you can book a short boat trip to explore the coastline and nearby caves. Either way, make the sea your afternoon plan.
Evening
When the heat softens, walk to Torre Truglia. The golden-hour views from up there – the town on one side, the sea on the other – are unforgettable. From there, wander back into the old town as the lights come on. Aperitivo is essential: grab a spritz or a glass of local wine at Il Gorilla or a little piazzetta bar. For dinner, you can go elegant at Gli Archi or MarVino, or casual with pizza in town. Try local dishes if you can – tiella di Gaeta, or baked fish with Gaeta olives. End your night with a passeggiata along the belvedere, looking out at the water and the lights of the town.
2 Days in Sperlonga Itinerary: How to Spend a Weekend
Two days in Sperlonga give you time to explore deeper. Day one covers the essentials, while day two adds in hiking, hidden coves, Terracina, or a boat trip – plus plenty of beach time.
Day 1
Do the one-day plan above. See the main sights, enjoy the beach, and have a proper evening in the old town.
Day 2
Start with breakfast somewhere different – maybe Crème Caramel up in the old town. Then dedicate the morning to something active. You could head out of town to Montagna Spaccata in Gaeta, a dramatic cliffside sanctuary with incredible views. Or, if you prefer to stay local, walk further west along the shoreline to find hidden coves beyond the main beach.
Lunch today can be simple. Grab a slice of pizza, a mozzarella panino, or arancini from a local bar and eat it picnic-style under your umbrella. In the afternoon, either take a boat tour (the grotto and sea caves are popular) or drive over to Terracina to see the Temple of Jupiter Anxur high on Monte Sant’Angelo – on a clear day, you’ll see the whole coast laid out in front of you.
Come back to Sperlonga for the evening. Walk the promenade at dusk, when locals gather and the air cools. Depending on the night, you might catch live music in Piazza Fontana or a craft market. For dinner, change it up: if you had pizza yesterday, go for seafood risotto or gnocchi alla Sorrentina at a more elegant spot like Scylla. End the night with limoncello – the southern Italian way of saying “you’ve had a good day.”
With three or more days in Sperlonga, you can slow down and soak up the local rhythm. Switch beaches, visit the market, try water sports, or head into the hills for wine and olive oil tastings.
Day 3
Sleep in, grab breakfast late, and check out the town market if it’s Wednesday or Saturday. Switch beaches – head to Spiaggia di Ponente on the west side of Torre Truglia, where the atmosphere is younger and there are fun beach clubs. Rent a paddleboat or stand-up paddleboard for something different. If you’re curious about local flavors, spend part of the afternoon at a winery or olive farm in the hills around Sonnino – the olive oil and wines here are excellent. Dinner could be a change of pace too: try a countryside trattoria where meat and pasta are the stars.
Day Trips from Sperlonga: Best Places to Visit Nearby
Use Sperlonga as your base and explore the area. Easy day trips include Gaeta, Terracina, the Pontine Islands, Monte San Biagio, and even ambitious journeys to Naples or Pompeii.
- Gaeta: A historic port town just 30 minutes away, with a medieval quarter, the Montagna Spaccata sanctuary, and the famous tiella.
- Terracina: A Roman temple with a view, forum ruins, and a lively town center.
- Ponza (Pontine Islands): From Terracina or Formia you can catch a ferry to Ponza. Spend the day exploring turquoise coves and eating seafood in the harbor.
- Monte San Biagio & Lago di Fondi: Inland, quieter, and more authentic. Try the local aged sausage if you go.
- Naples or Pompeii: Ambitious, but doable in a day if you take an early train from Fondi station.
Tips for Visiting Sperlonga: How to Enjoy It Like a Local
Don’t overpack your schedule. The magic of Sperlonga is in the slow moments: lingering over gelato, chatting with shopkeepers, or watching the sunset from the belvedere.