The white village and the Grotto of Tiberius
On a rocky spur overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, between Terracina and Gaeta, Sperlonga is one of the most beautiful seaside villages in Lazio, one of the "Borghi più belli d'Italia": a maze of white houses, narrow lanes, steps, arches and small squares with views over the sea, which recalls the villages of the Greek islands. On either side of the village stretch long beaches of fine golden sand, with clear water, which have often been awarded the Blue Flag. Sperlonga has an ancient history: its name derives from the Latin "spelunca", cave, after the large natural cave that opens at the foot of the cliffs, a short distance south of the village, which in Roman times was part of the luxurious seaside villa of the Emperor Tiberius.
The Villa of Tiberius and its Grotto form one of the most fascinating archaeological sites in Italy: the cave was transformed into a spectacular banqueting hall, with fishponds and islets, where the emperor dined with his guests, surrounded by a group of colossal marble sculptures depicting episodes of the Odyssey, such as the blinding of the Cyclops Polyphemus and the attack of the sea monster Scylla on Ulysses' ship. In 1957, during the construction of the coastal road, thousands of fragments of these sculptures were found in the cave, attributed to the Rhodian sculptors Agesander, Athenodorus and Polydorus, the same authors as the famous Laocoön group in the Vatican. The reassembled groups are displayed in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Sperlonga, next to the villa.
Tip: visit the villa, the grotto and the museum in the morning; spend the afternoon on the beach and the evening in the white village.
Where it is
More things to see in Lazio
Where to stay near Sperlonga
Tours and activities nearby
Offers from GetYourGuide. Some links are affiliate links: if you book we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.