I recently took a trip to Italy for my nonno’s 80th birthday, which means travelling to my mom’s hometown of Sperlonga. I spent my summers here as a kid, but never truly appreciated Sperlonga’s true beauty until about 5 years ago. It’s funny how your perspective changes as you gets older. I now find myself daydreaming of its beaches, food, and of course missing my family there.
Sperlonga is a beach town located one hour south of Rome. The Romans will come here for the day or weekend and spend their days lounging on the beautiful beaches. I truly believe that it is one of Italy’s hidden gems, known only to those from surrounding cities.
So if you’re visiting Rome and want a “local experience” or just want to take a break from the busy city and relax on the beach, jump on the train at Termini and take the hour train ride to Sperlonga! Trust me, you will be glad you did.
Here are 5 reasons to visit the quaint town:
1. The linguine alle vongole (Linguine with clams)
Since it’s located on the beach, Sperlonga is known for its seafood. This is a dish you’ll find on any Sperlongan restaurant menu, and for good reason. It’s a simple recipe, but the flavors of the garlic, tomatoes, parsley and clams really come alive. I kindly request that my zia Leonina make this dish for me every time I’m in Sperlonga. I’m craving it just thinking about it….
2. The beaches
White sand. Clear water. What more could one ask for? I’m a big fan of lounging on the beach and getting lost in a good book. Besides seeing my family, it’s what I look forward to most.
3. Bar Gorilla
This bar is known for their amazing cocktails, so if you’re roaming “sopra Sperlonga (the upper/older part of the town)” at night, pop in for a drink from their extensive menu. My favorites include their aperol spritz, mojito, or capiroska alla fragola.
4. The town itself
I’m always mesmerized by Sperlonga’s beauty. A lot of people say that it resembles the Amalfi coast, or even one of those Greek towns with the white-washed buildings. It’s hard not to get lost in its splendor.
5. The mozzarella di bufala
The beach is definitely my favorite activity in Sperlonga, but my favorite food has to be the mozzarella di bufala. We usually pick them up right from the caseificio where they make the mozzarella itself. I find that buffalo milk mozzarella just has so much flavor compared to the cow’s milk versions you can find in Vancouver. You can find buffalo mozzarella here, but since they’re best eaten fresh, it means they’re flown in from Europe, making them quite expensive. Here, I usually eat my moazzarella in a caprese salad, but I prefer to just eat them by themselves in Sperlonga. They’re just so full of flavor that you don’t want to mask their flavor with anything- sometimes simple is truly better!
Ok, I already want to go back! If you have any questions about Sperlonga, please don’t hesitate to comment below!
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