How to get around Gaeta

Gaeta sits between two cities and is organised around one hill.

It is 133 kilometres south of Rome and 96.5 kilometres north of Naples, on the coast between them — which makes it a natural stop on that journey rather than a day trip from either.

Within the comune, Monte Orlando rises between Gaeta Vecchia and Serapo, so moving between the old town and the main beach means going around or over a hill.

The old town is walled and walked, on the promontory that ancient Caieta occupied.

Monte Orlando itself is the walk worth making, carrying the Plancus mausoleum and the clearing around it, with the gulf below.

Along the coast, the Via Flacca — the extension of the Appian Way that served Caieta in antiquity — still links Gaeta westward past Sperlonga towards Terracina.

Two Italian rules apply here as everywhere in the country. A ticket bought from a kiosk or machine must be validated on board before the journey starts, or an inspector will issue an on-the-spot fine. And driving into a historic centre usually needs a ZTL pass, with the boundary marked in black on a yellow sign.

From Rome. 133 kilometres south. From Naples, 96.5 kilometres north. Gaeta sits roughly between the two on the coast.

Along the coast. The Via Flacca runs west towards Sperlonga and Terracina; in antiquity it was the extension of the Appian Way that linked Caieta to the capital.

In the old town. Walled since Roman times, extended in the fifteenth century, and walked rather than driven.

Across the hill. Monte Orlando separates Gaeta Vecchia from Serapo; the two halves of the town are either side of it.

Up Monte Orlando. The walk to the mausoleum of Munatius Plancus and the clearing within the former villa, overlooking the gulf.

The outlying Roman sites. The villa of Lucius Marcius Philippus in the Arcella area, and the aqueduct remains near the villa of Hortensius.

Mobility note. The beaches are level and easy; the old town is a fortified promontory and Monte Orlando is a climb.

Validate your ticket. If you buy a ticket from a kiosk or machine, you must validate it on public transport before you start your journey. Officials patrol and issue an on-the-spot fine if your ticket is not validated.

ZTL. You need a pass to drive into the historic centre of many Italian towns in a private or hire car. The boundaries are marked with the letters ZTL in black on a yellow sign, and a camera reads your plate.

Strikes. Transport strikes in Italy are often called at short notice, which matters most if your visit depends on a single connection.

Taxis. Use only officially licensed taxis, which carry a taxi sign on the roof and a company name and number on the side.