How to get around Terracina

Terracina is easy to reach along the coast and vertical once you want to see the best of it.

The city lies on the Via Appia, 56 kilometres south-east of Rome, and 76 kilometres from the capital by rail — one of the better-connected destinations on this coast.

The old town occupies a spur of Monte Sant'Angelo, between the eastern beach and the Lungomare Circe with the western beach.

The Temple of Jupiter Anxur is the climb: 226 metres above the historic centre, on the sea-facing summit. It can be driven, and the view over the Circeo is the reason to do it early.

At the other end of the scale, the Roman cut at the foot of Pisco Montano is at road level on the south-eastern edge of town — easy to reach and almost always driven past rather than visited.

Along the coast, the Circeo lies west and the plain of Fondi opens east.

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. 56 kilometres south-east on the Via Appia; 76 kilometres by rail. The road has been the connection since 312 BC.

In the city. The centre develops from a spur of Monte Sant'Angelo, with beaches on both sides — the eastern beach, and the Lungomare Circe and western beach.

Up to the temple. 226 metres above the historic centre, on the sea-facing summit. A climb or a drive; go early for the light and the quiet.

To Pisco Montano. The limestone cliff of 128.8 metres at the south-eastern edge of the built-up area, where the Roman cut runs at road level with the depth marks on its vertical face.

East and west. The plain of Fondi opens east; the Circeo promontory lies west along the coast.

North. The urban fabric thins progressively towards open countryside and rural hamlets.

Mobility note. The beaches and the cut are at sea level and straightforward; the temple at 226 metres is not, though it can be reached by road.

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.