Rome to Build a Temporary Beach Along the Tiber River

Visitors to and residents of Rome can spend days wandering the streets around the Colosseum, the Pantheon and, of course, Vatican City. But summers in Rome can be blisteringly hot to the point of uncomfortable, and until this year there has been nowhere to cool off aside from rooftop pools reserved for the hotel guests who can afford the access, and public fountains, which the local police recently forbid as a form of cooling off. This summer, however, the mayor of Rome announced plans to debut a riverfront beach of sorts, similar to what developed on the banks of Paris’ Seine River.

Nearly 32,800 feet of space will be dedicated to this temporary beach on the banks of the Tiber River, an area typically ignored by tourists who opt to stroll the cobblestone streets instead of the graffiti-laced quays. With this new project, Mayor Virginia Raggi hopes to alter the landscape and appeal of the Tiber banks and attract more interest in the river as a centerpiece of the city.

The beach area will be located close to Rome’s Marconi Bridge, fairly far south from the main tourist areas of the city. Despite the beach-y atmosphere that will feature truckloads of sand and sunbathing spots, there has been no news as to whether swimming will be permitted. The green water has deterred Tiber swimmers for decades, so the choice of whether to dip may fall to the sunbather.