When international travellers come to Rome, they don’t typically pack a surfboard along with their camera, sunglasses and straw hat. With its art and culture, historic architecture, food, drink and breathtaking landscapes, this part of Italy may not be an obvious choice as a surfing destination.

Yet just outside the city is a coastline exposed to enjoyable swells from multiple directions — and, on the right days, it can be a lot of fun for surfers. It is possible to surf year-round here, but the best time to chase the perfect wave is from September to March, because swells in the Mediterranean Sea are powered almost exclusively by weather.