# Riviera d’Ulisse: Rome to Gaeta

> 3-day road trip of about 166 km (103 mi) with 9 stops, from Rome to Gaeta. About 2 h 17 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b11-riviera-ulisse/

**At a glance:** 3-day road trip of about 166 km (103 mi) with 9 stops, from Rome to Gaeta. About 2 h 17 min of driving in total. South from Rome to the ruined garden town of Ninfa, the dunes of Circeo and the cliff-backed beaches and Roman villas of Sperlonga and Gaeta.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 166 km (103 mi) |
| Driving | 2 h 17 min |
| Suggested days | 3 |
| Stops | 9 |
| Route | Rome → Gaeta |
| Countries | Italy |
| Updated | July 10, 2026 |

## Route description

Leave Rome on the SS148 Pontina towards Latina, then head inland to the Garden of Ninfa, planted among the ruins of a medieval town at the foot of the Lepini hills. It opens only on certain days between spring and autumn, so plan around the calendar and book ahead. Sermoneta, on the hill above, has a well-kept Caetani castle and steep lanes.

Cross the flat, reclaimed Pontine plain to the coast at Sabaudia, a 1930s town on a lake behind a long ridge of dunes in the Circeo National Park. A straight coastal road runs along the dunes to Monte Circeo, the headland of Circe’s legend. Continue to Terracina and drive up to the Temple of Jupiter Anxur for the view along the whole bay.

Beyond Terracina the SS213 Flacca follows the cliffs, with tunnels and small coves, to Sperlonga, a white village on a spur above two long beaches. Below it, by the sea, lie the Villa of Tiberius and its grotto, with a museum of the sculptures found there. Parking in Sperlonga is paid and scarce in summer; motorhomes should use the car parks near the beach.

The road ends at Gaeta, a fortified port on a promontory. On Monte Orlando, the Montagna Spaccata is a cleft in the cliff with steps down to a chapel over the waves, and the old town below has a fine medieval quarter. From Gaeta it is about two hours on the SS7 and the Domitiana to Naples. Spring and September are the best months, when beaches are quiet.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Rome** (Italy)
2. **Garden of Ninfa** (Cisterna di Latina, Italy): A romantic garden planted among the ruins of a medieval town, with streams, roses and old church walls. It opens only on selected days from spring to autumn for guided visits, so book tickets in advance.
3. **Sermoneta** (Italy)
4. **Sabaudia** (Italy)
5. **Temple of Jupiter Anxur** (Terracina, Italy): The arched terraces of a Roman sanctuary on Monte Sant’Angelo high above Terracina, with a view along the coast to Monte Circeo. A narrow road climbs to a small car park near the top.
6. **Sperlonga** (Italy)
7. **Villa of Tiberius, Sperlonga** (Sperlonga, Italy): The remains of Emperor Tiberius’s seaside villa with a sea grotto used as a dining room, beside the beach south of Sperlonga. The small museum holds the marble sculptures found in the cave, including the Polyphemus group.
8. **Montagna Spaccata** (Gaeta, Italy): Deep clefts in the cliff on the western side of Monte Orlando, reached through the Santissima Trinità sanctuary, with steps leading down inside one of them to a chapel over the sea. Parking by the sanctuary is limited in summer.
9. **Gaeta** (Italy)

## FAQs

**How long is Riviera d’Ulisse: Rome to Gaeta?**
3-day road trip of about 166 km (103 mi) with 9 stops, from Rome to Gaeta. About 2 h 17 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Riviera d’Ulisse: Rome to Gaeta?**
We suggest 3 days: about 2 h 17 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Riviera d’Ulisse: Rome to Gaeta start and end?**
It starts in Rome and ends in Gaeta.

**Which countries does Riviera d’Ulisse: Rome to Gaeta pass through?**
Italy.