Gaeta is a historic seaside town in southern Lazio, halfway between Rome and Naples. Nicknamed the “Pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea,” it offers golden-sand beaches, medieval charm, and beautiful natural scenery
How to Reach Gaeta the Pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea
By Train
The nearest railway station to Gaeta is Formia-Gaeta, about 6 km away in the town of Formia.
From Roma Termini, regional trains depart about every hour, taking a little over an hour to reach Formia. Tickets usually cost between €8 and €13 one-way.
Once at Formia-Gaeta station, you have two easy ways to get into Gaeta:
- COTRAL bus: Buses run frequently, with some leaving directly from outside the station. The ride takes about 15–20 minutes. A ticket costs just €1.10 if bought in advance through the COTRAL app or at a newsstand. If you wait to buy on board, the price shoots up to around €7. And just like the train, remember to validate your ticket before riding—there are machines on the bus.
- Taxi: Taxis usually wait outside the station and cost around €15–20 to Gaeta. This is the most convenient option if you’re carrying heavy luggage or arriving late in the evening.
And don’t forget: always validate both your train and bus tickets before starting your journey.
By Car
Driving to Gaeta is straightforward. The town sits about 140 km southeast of Rome and 100 km northwest of Naples, along the scenic SS7 Via Appia / SS213 Via Flacca coastal road.
- From Rome: You have two main options. The fastest is the A1 Autostrada south to the Cassino exit, then about a 40-minute drive on the Cassino–Formia road toward Gaeta. If you prefer to avoid tolls, you can take the Via Pontina (SS148) through Latina, then continue past Terracina. This route is slower (around 2–2.5 hours) but follows the coast.
- From Naples: Follow the Domitiana (SS7qtr) north toward Formia and Gaeta. The drive takes around 1 hour 40 minutes.
The closer you get, the prettier the drive becomes—especially the last stretch along the sea.
Once in Gaeta, keep an eye out for ZTL zones (restricted traffic areas) in the historic center. If you’re staying in the old town, ask your accommodation whether they can arrange temporary access or recommend nearby parking.
Where to Stay in Gaeta
Gaeta offers a wide range of accommodations, from simple B&Bs to luxury seaside resorts. Your choice may depend on whether you prefer the atmosphere of the historic old town or proximity to the beach:
- Historic Center (Gaeta Vecchia): These make a great choice if you love history and don’t mind walking stairs). Parking is limited in the old town, so if you drive, confirm with your host where you can park (some provide a permit or private garage, or you may need to use public lots outside the medieval quarter).
- Modern Center & Beach Area: Many visitors, especially beachgoers and families, choose to stay in the newer part of Gaeta near Serapo Beach and the Pineta (the beachside park). Here you’ll find numerous hotels, villas, and apartments within a short walk of the sand. This area is convenient for daytime beach activities and evening strolls along Via Marina Di Serapo or Via Indipendenza.
No matter where you stay, check whether parking is included. Many B&Bs in the old town lack private parking, and street parking can be challenging, so they might direct you to a public lot (sometimes at extra cost). In the beach area, hotels may have parking lots but often with limited spots. If you’re visiting in high season, booking accommodation well in advance is highly recommended, and consider accommodations slightly outside the center if you prefer easier parking and a quieter setting.
Where to Park in Gaeta: ZTL Rules
Parking in Gaeta can be tricky, especially in the summer months, so it helps to know the rules before you arrive.
Like many Italian towns, Gaeta uses a color-coded system:
- White lines – Free parking (rare in the center).
- Blue lines – Paid parking, open to anyone. You can pay at machines or through a parking app.
- Yellow lines – Reserved spaces (residents, disabled permits, loading zones, etc.).
Gaeta’s medieval quarter is protected by a ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato) to reduce traffic. Entry is monitored by cameras, and fines are automatic if you don’t have permission. Unless your hotel provides a permit, avoid driving into the ZTL.
If you want to get as close as possible, look for blue-line spaces near Piazza Traniello or Piazza Caboto, at the foot of the old town. From there, it’s an easy walk into Gaeta Vecchia. When in doubt, park further out and walk or take a taxi for the final stretch.
What to Eat in Gaeta, Italy: Best Dishes
Gaeta’s cuisine is a delicious reflection of its seaside location and local traditions. Here’s what to look for:
The most famous dish is Tiella di Gaeta, a savory two-crust pie stuffed with various fillings. Locals insist you try it. Tiella typically comes with options like octopus and tomato, sautéed greens (like escarole), onions, or zucchini – all baked between thin layers of pizza-like dough.
It’s a bit like a small stuffed pizza or a double-crust calzone, usually about 6–8 inches across. Tiella was historically a fisherman’s food (portable and hearty) and today is a beloved street food.
You can buy tiella by the slice from bakeries and take-away shops. For an authentic taste, try a slice from Pizzeria al Porto on Via Bausan by the harbor – a busy little shop known for excellent tiella and pizza by the slice.
Other renowned tiella makers are Antico Forno Giordano and Pizzeria 2000, which have been highlighted by food experts as top spots for tiella in Gaeta . Enjoy a piece hot or at room temperature – it makes a perfect snack while sightseeing.
Being a coastal town, Gaeta offers plenty of fresh seafood. Local menus feature clams, mussels, squid, octopus (often in that tiella), and fish like seabream or anchovies. A simple spaghetti alle vongole (clams) or risotto alla pescatora (mixed seafood risotto) are great choices at many trattorias.
Gaeta is also famous for its olives – the small, flavorful black Olive di Gaeta are prized across Italy (they even have DOP status). You’ll see these olives in pasta sauces (notably in spaghetti alla puttanesca), salads, or served as appetizers.
Don’t miss trying them; their rich, slightly tart flavor is unforgettable. Many shops sell jars of Gaeta olives to take home as well.
Gaeta’s food scene may not be as famous as larger cities, but the quality is high and prices are often more reasonable than in Rome or the Amalfi Coast. It’s the kind of town where you’ll see nonna-run kitchens and the catch of the day on your plate. Don’t hesitate to explore; even the unassuming trattoria or beach kiosk might serve up the best fried calamari or slice of tiella you’ve ever had. Buon appetito!
What to Do in Gaeta
Gaeta may be small, but it has the soul of a much larger city—where golden beaches, rugged cliffs, medieval alleys, and lively traditions all meet by the sea. Whether you come for relaxation, history, or adventure, here’s how to make the most of your time in the “Pearl of the Tyrrhenian.”
Enjoy the Beaches
Gaeta is famous for its seven beaches stretched along 10 km of coastline. Serapo Beach, right in town, is the most popular—a long sweep of golden sand and calm water, lined with both beach clubs and free public sections. Families love it, but if you’re after quieter coves, head west to Ariana or Arenauta, nicknamed the “300 Steps Beach” for the staircase leading down to its cliffs (and yes, it has a naturist section). To the east, Sant’Agostino is wilder, backed by mountains and loved by surfers. Nearby Fontania hides Roman villa ruins by the sea. Tip: in July and August, arrive early to secure a spot.
Hike Monte Orlando
The green headland of Monte Orlando Regional Park rises above Gaeta, crisscrossed with trails through pine forests and rocky cliffs. A hike rewards you with sweeping views of the bay and landmarks like the 1st-century BC Mausoleum of Lucius Munatius Plancus. Along the way, you’ll pass WWII gun batteries, fort walls, and birdlife—peregrine falcons sometimes circle the cliffs. Even a short walk gives you fresh air and views; more ambitious hikers can follow trails to the famous Montagna Spaccata and its chapels.
Wander the Old Town
Gaeta’s Centro Storico is best explored on foot. Start at Piazza Traniello and stroll the Lungomare Caboto, with fishing boats bobbing in the harbor and the great Angevin-Aragonese Castle looming above. Then slip into the narrow alleys of Gaeta Vecchia, where laundry sways from balconies and centuries-old churches appear around every corner. Stop for a slice of tiella or gelato, sit in Piazza Caboto, and join the evening passeggiata when locals fill the streets.
Stroll Via dell’Indipendenza
In the modern part of town, Via dell’Indipendenza is a kilometer-long pedestrian street with colorful buildings, shops, bakeries, and trattorias. By day, you’ll find nonnas shopping for produce; by night, it transforms into a lively hub of wine bars, aperitivo spots, and craft stalls. It feels like a small village within the city, and it’s one of the best places to soak up Gaeta’s authentic daily life.
Get on the Water
From boat tours along the cliffs to kayak rentals on Serapo Beach, the sea is Gaeta’s playground. You can try paddleboarding, snorkeling in rocky coves, or even diving at sites like the underwater statue of Jesus off Montagna Spaccata. Surfers head to Sant’Agostino when the waves rise, while sailors and fishermen set out from the Flavio Gioia marina. Whether you join a dolphin-spotting cruise, charter a sailboat, or simply sip a drink at a beach bar at sunset, the sea is never far away.
Join the Festivals
Gaeta loves a celebration. The Feast of Sant’Erasmo in early June brings processions, fireworks, and fairs. Summer is dotted with food festivals, surf contests, and open-air concerts. In winter, the Favole di Luce festival lights up the city with dazzling artistic installations from November to January. And every night of the year, the passeggiata—a slow, sociable evening stroll—turns the streets into a living festival of its own.
What to See in Gaeta
For a small city, Gaeta is rich in sights—where natural wonders, ancient churches, and layers of history unfold at every turn.
Montagna Spaccata & Grotta del Turco
Gaeta’s most famous landmark is Montagna Spaccata (“Split Mountain”), a dramatic cliff said to have cracked at the moment of Christ’s death. You can descend 300+ steep steps from the Sanctuary of the Holy Trinity into one of its fissures, brushing the sheer cliff walls on your way to a viewing platform above the Grotta del Turco, a sea cave glowing turquoise in the light. Along the way, don’t miss the legendary “Turk’s handprint,” embedded in stone. Even if you skip the stairs, the sanctuary terrace offers unforgettable views over the bay.
Monte Orlando Park & Mausoleum of Plancus
The green headland of Monte Orlando combines nature and history. Trails lead through pines and wildflowers to lookouts over Serapo Beach, the Bay of Gaeta, and the sea cliffs. At the summit stands the vast Mausoleum of Lucius Munatius Plancus, a Roman general, whose cylindrical tomb dominates the skyline. Around the park, you’ll also find old fortifications, gun batteries, and some of Gaeta’s best photo spots.
Angevin-Aragonese Castle
The twin-fortress castle looming above the old town was built by Angevins and expanded by Aragons, guarding the frontier of the Kingdom of Naples. Though it’s closed to visitors (used by the Guardia di Finanza), its massive ramparts still impress. The best views are from the waterfront or sea, especially at night when it’s illuminated. Occasionally, concerts or events open its courtyards to the public.
Gaeta Cathedral
The Duomo di Gaeta, dedicated to Saints Erasmus and Marcian, blends medieval roots with later Baroque touches. Inside, look for the 13th-century Cosmatesque pulpit, episcopal throne, and richly decorated crypt housing relics of St. Erasmus. Outside, the 12th-century bell tower is a highlight: a tall Romanesque structure built with fragments of ancient marble and statues.
Church of the Annunziata & Cappella d’Oro
Behind a modest façade lies one of Gaeta’s treasures: the Golden Chapel, shimmering with stucco and paintings. It was here in 1854 that Pope Pius IX proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, making it a site of Catholic history as well as artistic splendor. When sunlight filters in, the chapel glows like gold.
Museums & Cultural Corners
Gaeta has a handful of small museums, such as the Museum of the History of Gaeta in Palazzo della Cultura and the Municipal Contemporary Art Gallery in a historic palace. If you’re exploring nearby, the archaeological museum in Sperlonga (15 km away) is excellent, housing sculptures from Emperor Tiberius’s villa.
Best Time to Visit
Gaeta shines in every season, but the experience changes depending on when you go:
- July & August: Peak summer. Expect hot weather (30°C/86°F+), crowded beaches, higher prices, and fully booked hotels. Great if you love a buzzing atmosphere, beach parties, and nightlife, but Ferragosto (mid-August) is especially packed.
- June & September: Ideal months. Warm, sunny days, swimmable sea, and far fewer crowds.
- May & Early October: Pleasant weather (20–25°C), cooler nights, some beach clubs still open.
- April & Late October–November: Best for sightseeing without swimming. Mild weather, peaceful streets, but some hotels and restaurants may close.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): Quiet, cool (10–15°C). Beach life shuts down, but the Favole di Luce Christmas lights festival (Nov–Jan) transforms Gaeta into a magical holiday destination. Note: some attractions, like boat tours and Montagna Spaccata’s steps, may close in bad weather