A short distance south of Rome, pristinely white houses of Sperlonga stack up like children’s blocks on the rocky promontory jutting out over the Mediterranean.
Follow the labyrinthine alleyways towards the 16th -c lookout tower, magenta bougainvillea and clotheslines of colorful dangling washes draped over your head, and you’ll come to “my” apartment. Well, “mine” for a too-brief stay in this cliffside village hanging over the sea.
Sperlonga, on a rocky promontory over the Mediterranean
Magenta bougainvillea drapes Sperlonga twisting alleyways
Colorful hanging washes blend with the floral colors
Twisting Sperlonga alleyways lead to the sea
Shops in the backstreets
A stroll through Sperlonga charm
Chromatic blend of washes hanging and flowers on the walls
Magenta bougainvillea adds color splashes all over Sperlonga:
With just three days for a seaside stay in Sperlonga, the choice had to be made: a B&B with AC in a modern house along the beach near modern hotels below Sperlonga – or an apartment up in the village itself in narrow corkscrew alleyways with a walk down to the beach (distance unknown)? Charm won out: I booked a village apartment with Rocco at Sperlonga Resort, connecting with him in the espresso-cup size main piazza when I arrived. We chatted with his sperlongano friend, Dario – the first of many “locals” I’d meet, thanks to Rocco – and then headed down a twisting alleyway towards the sea, Rocco carrying my backpack.
Choose narrow alleyway charm in Sperlonga – or modern beach facilities?
The tiny main piazza of Sperlonga
Rocco and Dario in the main piazzetta.
Rocco carries my backpack as we head to the apartment
And then we arrived at the gate opening to my flag-stoned terrace overlooking the shimmering, sunset sea and the sweep of beach below in one direction, boats bobbing at anchor in the port below on the other side. And in front of my outdoor table and chair, the formidable cream-colored fortress squatted on the jagged promontory, dropping to the sea.
“Welcome to your apartment, Anna!”
…and in the other direction, view of the boats bobbing in the port
Sweeping view of the beach in one direction
The squat fortress overlooking port and sea
The fortress overlooking the sea, right in front of my apartment
“I didn’t have time to leave fresh fruit in your apartment, Anna, but try these,” dark-haired Rocco urged, as he plucked juicy midnight blue mulberrerries off the bushes in front of the apartment glass door
Rocco urges, “Taste these mulberries”
“My” mulberries
And pre-espresso juicy mulberries from “my bush” would be the start of every Sperlonga day – before my early morning walk through the corkscrew alleyways. After that, down to the beach, just a few steps below.
I’d made the right choice.
(The photos below affirm).
Read more on the Sperlonga wonders
Enjoy the Sperlonga charm:
Sperlonga needs more than a couple days….
Sperlonga noctural magic:
Thank you for sharing this sweet little corner of Italy. Great photos too!
Yes, a gem of a place! Come back soon and we can go together….