Why go
Anzio has two distinct reasons to go: the sea and the Second World War. Its harbour remains a fishing port and a departure point for the Pontine Islands, while Operation Shingle made the town a crucial Allied landing site during the Italian Campaign. Choose it for a coastal day with historical weight, especially if you prefer a working shoreline to a resort-only escape from Rome.
What to look for
- A fishing harbour with connections to the Pontine Islands.
- The setting of Operation Shingle, the Allied landing during the Italian Campaign.
- Ancient Antium, once the capital of the Volsci before Roman conquest.
Useful to know
- Treat Anzio as a full coastal excursion rather than an add-on to central Rome.
- Decide in advance whether your focus is the harbour, wartime history or onward island travel.
- Check current transport and ferry services before departure.