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Ostia Antica Walking Tour

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By Vicky · Published Feb. 23rd, 2024

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This self-guided walking tour of Ostia Antica brings you to all the top sights in the ruins of this ancient harbour not far from Rome. It’s a great half-day trip; the ruins are rather spectacular and there are far fewer tourists/cars/pollution than in central Rome.

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How to get to Ostia Antica from Rome

The train is the best way to get to Ostia Antica from Rome. The train leaves from Roma Porta S. Paolo Train Station , opposite the Pyramid of Caius Cestius and the Protestant Cemetery. It’s also called the Rome-Lido Railway. To get to the train station you can either take the Metro (B Line) or any of several buses.

The train from Rome to Ostia Antica leaves every 22 minutes starting around 5:30 am and ending around 11 pm. The journey itself takes 26 minutes. If you’re using Google to navigate, it occasionally adds an extra train that doesn’t exist in between the trains spaced at 22 minutes. These ‘extra trains’ are a mistake.

The stop you want to get off at is simply called Ostia Antica. From here, clear signs direct you to the archaeological site and it’s a 10-minute walk. First, you have to walk under the railway to cross to the other side, then head across a bridge over a highway. Heading straight onward along a quiet street, you’ll soon reach the car park, ticket office, and the entrance to Ostia Antica.

How much does a train ticket from Rome to Ostia Antica cost?

The cost of the train from Rome to Ostia Antica is €1.50. It’s within Rome metropolitan area, where all journeys are €1.50 if completed within 100 minutes. If you take the bus to the train station, then the entire journey is still only €1.50. Just tap-and-go with your debit card both on the bus and at the gates to get into the train station. The return journey from Ostia Antica to Rome is then also €1.50.

Ostia Antica Walking Tour Map

Information for a visit to ostia antica, ostia antica tickets.

Tickets to Ostia Antica cost €18/2 for adults/reductions (18-25 EU citizens) and are free for children. Audioguides are an extra €5/7 for a short/long version. It’s free (but crowded) on the first Sunday of the month. If you aren’t on a guided tour, audioguides are potentially worth it as otherwise all the ruined walls may look quite similar. However, there are enough information signs around the archaeological area that audioguides are not essential.

Tickets to Ostia Antica actually include all the sites managed by the Archaeological Park of Ostia Antica and are valid for 8 days from the first entry. These other sites include:

• Julius II Castle (5 minute’s walk from Ostia Antica entrance)
• Museum of the Roman Ships from Fiumicino (near Fiumicino airport)
• Imperial Harbours of Claudius and Trajan
• Necropolis of Portus in the Isola Sacra

If you haven’t got a car, the Imperial Harbour and Necropolis of Portus are difficult to reach. However, Julius II Castle is very close to the main Ostia Antica archaeological park, so it’s worth taking at least a short look. The Museum of Roman Ships from Fiumicino is very close to the airport of the same name. Since the tickets are valid for 8 days from first use, if you’re leaving a few days later from this airport you can visit the museum while waiting for your flight. From the airport, it’s a 20-minute walk or there’s a free shuttle bus every 30 minutes to the museum.

Ostia Antica Opening Hours

The historical site of Ostia Antica is open from Tuesday to Sunday. It opens at 8:30 am all year round and closes between 4:30 pm and 7 pm depending on the season. Check the Official Website for more information.

What to Wear to Ostia Antica

The most important thing to wear to Ostia Antica is comfortable shoes for walking. It’s a very large site, and the ground is mostly cobbles, ancient Roman roads, or dirt. Trainers (sneakers) are highly recommended. As for clothes, you are allowed to wear whatever you like (unlike some of the churches in Rome where you have to cover shoulders and knees). There’s not much shade, so it’s best to cover your shoulders anyway to avoid sunburn. Sunglasses and a sunhat are also recommended, and don’t forget the sunscreen either!

More Tips for Visiting Ostia Antica

• Picnics are not allowed, but there’s a good cafe inside, Café degli Scavi, which has reasonable prices and decent food. Take a water bottle and snacks to keep you going when walking around.
• Allow at least 3 hours, and up to 5 hours if you want to see everything at Ostia Antica.
• In winter, many of the floor mosaics are covered up so you can’t see them. However, a few are left uncovered.
• There are toilets at the entrance and at the cafe.
• Save the museum either for the hottest part of the day (mid-afternoon) or go there for a relatively cool break halfway around.

Top Things to See at Ostia Antica

On this self-guided walking tour of Ostia Antica, you’ll visit all the best things to see in this ancient harbour. These include:

• Decumanus Maximus
• Baths of Neptune Viewpoint
• Mithraeum of the Serpents
• Mill & Bakery
• Thermopolium
• Ancient Toilet
• Terme del Foro
• Fishmongers’ Shops
• Terme dei Sette Sapienti
• House of Cupid & Psyche
• Jars in the ground
• Ostia Antica Museum

If you prefer, there’s a great guided tour of Ostia Antica * where you’ll be accompanied from Rome to the site and shown around by a knowledgeable guide.

Ostia Antica Self-Guided Walking Tour Route

This walking tour starts from the ticket office at Ostia Antica.

Directions: Head into the main archaeological site.

1. Decumanus Maximus

You’ll now be on Decumanus Maximus, the main street through Ostia Antica. The same name was given to one of the main streets in most Roman towns. Walking along this street, the first thing you’ll see is the necropolis, or city of the dead, on your left. There are many tombs here, and you can still see fine details on some of them. This cemetery is outside the city walls since the dead were not allowed to be buried inside.

You’ll soon come to the remains of an old gate, the Porta Romana, within what’s left of the walls. You’ll see the base of a marble arch support and a few other bits of marble cladding. Like elsewhere in Ostia Antica, there’s also an information board (in Italian and German) to explain more about what you’re looking at.

Most of the other main things to see in Ostia Antica can be reached directly from the Decumanus Maximus, and this walking tour follows it with a few deviations until the far end of the site before returning via the museum.

Directions: Head through the gate and about 250 metres later you’ll see a viewpoint up some steps on your right.

2. Baths of Neptune Viewpoint

The Baths of Neptune Viewpoint is the first of several on this walking tour of Ostia Antica. From the top of the steps, you can first see the large extent of the ancient ruins here. From this vantage point you can also see the many fine mosaics within the Baths complex. The grassy open area to your left was also part of the baths. It was a space where the bathers could simply sit, relax, and chat to each other, as well as being a sort of changing room.

Directions: Continuing along the main street you’ll soon see the obvious theatre building on your right.

The Theatre is one of the most impressive and best-preserved sections of Ostia Antica. It’s even still used today for performances in summer! If it looks a little small, that’s because originally it was twice as tall, but the top rows of seats have been lost over time. Don’t miss the three carved funny faces at the bottom on your left as you look at the stage.

You’ll also see some remains of a temple in what’s now a grassy area with trees. This temple was probably either dedicated to Ceres, the goddess of grain, or Dionysus, the god of theatre. The square around the temple is known as the Piazza of the Corporations. It was home to the most important guilds in the city, and the floor mosaics give you a clue as to what these were.

Directions: Take a loop around the piazza before returning to the Decumanus Maximus. About 150 metres keep an eye out for the Mithraeum of the Serpents, or Mitreo dei Serpenti, on your left.

4. Mithraeum of the Serpents

The Mithraeum of the Serpents is dedicated to the god Mithras. He was a god imported from the East, perhaps from Persia, and a cult worshipping him developed in the Roman Empire. Many temples to Mithras are underground, or hidden. Today you can still see a wall painting of a snake and some benches. The snake was a common symbol as they evoked the fertility of the earth, and the benches were used for lying on during cult banquets.

Directions: Take the next street to your right and just past the first junction you’ll see the mill on your left.

5. Mill & Bakery

The Mill & Bakery is where grain was ground into flour and turned into bread. Today you can still see several millstones made of dark volcanic rock, almost as if the bakery was functioning yesterday. You’ll also find some of the other tools used in the bread-making process such as mixers and a large oven at the back. Conveniently, the building opposite was the main grain storage depot in town.

Directions: Retrace your steps a few meters and go down the side street, Via di Diana.

6. Thermopolium (Ancient Pub)

The Thermopolium, or Ancient Pub, is one of the most fun places to visit in Ostia Antica and definitely not to be missed. You can still see the bar area, which looks very much like a bar today, and you can imagine the bartenders storing their drinks on the shelves and serving the people coming in. There’s also a wall painting of things on the menu and something like a Biergarten out the back.

Opposite the pub, you’ll see some steps leading up to a great viewpoint. Head up for views of the Forum and its surroundings.

Directions: Return to the main street and the large open square.

The Forum is the central square of Ostia Antica, similar to several squares, or piazzas, in Rome today. At one end you have the obvious large building, the Capitolium. This is a monumental temple dedicated to Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva, the three most important Roman Gods. At the other end of the square is a less well-preserved temple dedicated to Roma and Augustus, the personification of Rome and the great Caesar.

Directions: Head to the opposite side of the forum from the big Caitolium and take a left up a couple of steps just before the arch. Walk a short distance and you’ll see the next stop on your left.

8. Ancient Toilet

This ancient toilet has remained fairly unchanged since it was used in Roman times. There wasn’t much privacy back then, people just sat next to each other on a bench with holes in it to do their business. A flow of running water then washed everything away from below, very hygienic!

Directions: Return back to the Forum and take the next set of steps to the left, up into an ancient baths complex.

9. Terme del Foro

The Terme del Foro is a bath complex close to the Forum. There are actually many bathing areas in Ostia Antica, and this is just one of them. There were baths of different temperatures, including very cold and quite warm, as well as saunas and areas for changing and chatting and an area for sunbathing. Look out for the hollow bricks surrounding the walls that brought a steady stream of hot air into some of the rooms.

Directions: Leave the Forum and continue along Decumanus Maximus. You’ll soon cross the city walls and come to a splitting of ways. Take the left and you’ll see the fish shops almost immediately on your left.

10. Fishmongers’ Shops

The Fishmongers’ Shops still have sea and fish-related mosaics on the floor, tables for cutting the fish and sinks to wash them in. It’s really like you can imagine a fishmonger working here and selling his fish to the people walking past on the street.

Directions: Continue onwards and take the first street on the right. Just over 100 metres after the junction, turn right into the building complex to find the next baths.

11. Terme dei Sette Sapienti

You’ll pass a few wall paintings, including one of a woman with a lobster and fish near the entrance to the Terme dei Sette Sapienti, or Baths of the Seven Wise Men. A short distance further there’s a great mosaic on the floor showing lots of wild animals.

Directions: Continue through the complex and out to the street on the other side. Directly opposite, don’t miss the mosaic on the floor of the Hall of the Grain Measurers (Aula dei Misuratori del Grano). Walk right, then left after the big trees and then take the first right. The next stop is on your left.

12. House of Cupid & Psyche

The House of Cupid & Psyche was a luxurious dwelling and you can still see intricate floor mosaics, columns, marble and the statue of Cupid & Psyche after which the house is named. This statue was found on a pedestal in a room of this house when it was excavated. What you see here is now a plaster cast in the same place where the original (which is now in the museum) was discovered.

Directions: Head onwards, then make a loop through the area where some artefacts are stored, and towards the museum. Just before you arrive, before the steps up to the building, is the next stop.

13. Jars in the ground

Here you can see many large jars half-buried in the ground. These were used to store liquids such as oil and wine, and they were already partly buried when in use to make sure they didn’t fall over. Some of the jars indicate how much they contain, measured in terms of amphorae , roughly 26 litres. In several of the jars, molds used perhaps to make cakes were found, covered in patterns and carvings of animals and people.

Directions: Head into the museum.

14. Ostia Antica Museum

The Ostia Antica Museum houses many finds from the archaeological park. They’re mainly statues, marble inscriptions, and mosaics. It’s quite small so only takes about 20 minutes to walk around, but it’s definitely worth taking a look.

Directions: From here, leave the museum to the left and take a left again to reach a small road. Walk along here back to the entrance. The road is slightly raised so you get a nice overview of the excavations and can see a fun mosaic in the Terme dei Cisiarii. It’s also a very shady route.

Castello di Giulio II

Key Information: Opening hours of the castle vary throughout the year, and it opens between 10:30am and 1:30pm. Check the full opening hours here . If you just visit the castle, a ticket is €6/2, but it’s free with your ticket to Ostia Antica.

If you still have time, the Castello di Giulio II, or Julius II Castle, is 5 minutes walk from the entrance to Ostia Antica and included in your ticket. Even if you don’t go inside, it’s nice to wander into the medieval hamlet in front of the castle. You’ll find many old buildings here, including the Cattedrale Di Sant’Aurea and several restaurants.

Ostia Antica Beach

While there’s no beach directly at Ostia Antica, it’s only two stops further on the train line, and costs €1.50 since it’s inside the Rome metropolitan area. Visit the ruins in the morning when it’s cooler, then pop back on the train for the short ride to Lido Central. From here it’s a 10-minute walk to the beach, where you can lounge on the sand and cool off in the heat of the afternoon sun. The beach near Ostia Antica is the closest beach to Rome, so it can be crowded, especially in summer and particularly at the weekend.

Best Guidebooks for Exploring Rome

Lonely Planet Rome *

DK Eyewitness Top 10 Rome *

Lonely Planet Italy *

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FAQS: Visiting Ostia Antica

For me, Ostia Antica was the best thing I did on a week-long trip to Rome. It’s very peaceful as there are far fewer tourists as in central Rome, there are no cars and the air is wonderfully fresh. The ruins themselves are super cool and you feel a bit like an explorer wandering around ‘discovering’ the top sights.

To get from Rome to Ostia Antica, take the train from Roma Porta S. Paolo train station. The train leaves every 22 minutes and the journey takes 26 minutes.

A one-way train ticket from Rome to Ostia Antica is €1.50. You can tap-and-go with your debit card, or buy a ticket at the station. If you reach the station by bus, you don’t have to pay again as it still counts as a single journey within the Rome metropolitan area. Just tap-and-go with the same card, or insert the same ticket at the train station ticket barriers.

To get to Ostia Antica from Rome takes roughly 1 hour from accommodation in central Rome. First there’s a bus of 10-20 minutes (depending where you’re staying) to Porta S. Paolo train station, then a train of 26 minutes and finally a walk of about 10 minutes to the entrance of the ruins.

Make sure you wear comfortable shoes, preferably trainers, to Ostia Antica. There’s little shade so take a sunhat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Loose clothes and a top that covers your shoulders are also recommended to keep cool and avoid burning your shoulders.

Ostia Antica was not suddenly abandoned and buried like Pompei, but rather the River Tiber, the lifeblood of the port city, changed its course. Ostia Antica became removed from the river, so lost it’s reason to exist. Barbarian raids and economic decline also led to people abandoning the city.

Ostia Antica is a lot less crowded than Rome at any time of the year. It’s generally busier on weekends, and especially the first Sunday of the month when it’s free. On weekdays in winter you might have the ruins almost to yourself, while during the summer you’ll definitely see other people but it’s way more peaceful than in central Rome. The earlier you arrive, the fewer people there are, so get there at 8:30am when it opens!

Ostia Antica and Pompei are quite similar. While the ruins at Pompei are better preserved, Pompei is also much more crowded. Ostia Antica is scenic because of the lovely trees and grassy areas, while Pompei has the backdrop of Mt Vesuvius, which is also nice. If you’re visiting Rome, Ostia Antica has the great advantage of being much closer, and it also has more shade. That being said, Pompei is much more famous and has a great story to go with it.

There isn’t a beach directly at Ostia Antica, but you can take the train two stops further to Lido Central (still within the €1.50 ticket zone). From there it’s 10 minutes walk to the beach. It’s the nearest beach to Rome so it can be crowded in the summer, and especially on weekends.

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Visiting Ostia Antica- Harbour City of Ancient Rome

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One of my favourite archaeological sites in Italy is the Roman port town of Ostia Antica. You may not have even heard of it because it’s often overlooked by visitors to Rome, as evidenced by the lack of crowds.

I know Rome has so much to see, but Ancient Ostia is only 45 minutes out of the city and definitely worth making the trip for. Not only is it a wonderful site with intriguing ruins and an interesting history, but a day trip to Ostia Antica allows for some peaceful time away from the noise of Rome.

Visiting Ostia Antica- My Self-Guided Tour of the Ostia Antica Ruins

Ostia Antica may not be as famous as similar sites like Pompeii , but in some ways I found it to be more interesting. Ostia Antica gives you a more authentic look at everyday Roman life because Ostia was a working port town, not a wealthy city like Pompeii.

Compared to Pompeii, my visit to Ostia Antica was much more enjoyable. There were far less people and access to areas was less restricted. I enjoyed being able to freely wander among the quiet ruins at a leisurely pace. Ostia Antica is a large site with so much to see and I easily spent almost an entire day looking around and relaxing amid the ruins.

Before I share with you my self-guided tour of Ostia Antica, here is a bit of background about the harbour city of ancient Rome.

History of Ostia Antica- Its Founding, People and Decline

Ostia was founded in about 620 B.C., where the mouth of the Tiber river once was. The town was named after its location, Ostia meaning “mouth” in Latin. The shoreline has since moved seawards, due to silting, so Ostia today lies three kilometres from the Tiber.

In its earliest days, Ostia’s main resource was salt that it obtained from the nearby salt flats. Around 400 B.C. when Rome began expanding, Ostia was conquered and became Rome’s first colony. It then served as a naval base, protecting Rome from invasion by river. As Rome grew to control the Mediterranean, Ostia’s role evolved to function as a seaport, becoming integral to Rome’s commercial operations.

Now an important seaport, Ostia experienced a building boom that led to great prosperity. In the first half of the second century AD, the city was largely rebuilt. Most of the buildings that have been excavated were built during the reign of Trajan, Hadrian, and Antoninus Pius.

The People of Ostia

Under Domitian (81-96 AD), Ostia was ruled by a small number of aristocratic merchant families who lived near the centre of town.

Immigration and the import of slaves helped Ostia’s population rise to fifty thousand. There were about seventeen thousand slaves brought from Egypt, the Middle East, and Turkey. Most families had at least one slave and there were many who worked in the harbour and store buildings. Not just manual labourers, some slaves were clerks and accountants. Once freed, slaves were often active in the trade of their patron.

Ostia’s Decline

Ostia’s decline began at the end of the Severan dynasty. Political chaos erupted in Rome and many Emperors saw their reign ended by revolt or assassination. The economy soon collapsed, resulting in much of the population leaving Ostia.

In the second half of the third and in the fourth century Ostia was struck by earthquakes and tsunamis. Often the ruins were not cleared because it was not economical to rebuild them.

With the fall of Rome, the port was abandoned. Over time, the harbour silted up and the mud that eventually buried Ostia ended up protecting it from the destruction of time.

Tour of Ostia Antica Archaeological Site- Remaining Structures

Excavations of Ancient Ostia began in the late 19th century and most of the old town has since been uncovered. The remaining structures are plenty and well preserved, including some apartment buildings, upper class houses, temples, hotels, bars, public baths, latrines, workshops, and stores, giving visitors a good idea of what life was like at the height of the Empire in an ancient Roman commercial town.

Here are a few highlights from my self-guided Ostia Antica tour!

The Theatre

Ostia’s theatre was built in the late first century B.C. and could host up to 4,000 residents who would gather here for entertainment. Like most theatres back in ancient times (even today actually), the best seats near the near the orchestra/stage area were for reserved for important people. The theatre used to be twice as high as what you see today. The upper two-thirds have been reconstructed.

Climb up to the top of the theatre for a great view of the Square of the Guilds, which was the bustling centre of Rome’s import/export industry.

Baths of Neptune

An inscription was found that says the Baths of Neptune were built by the Emperors Hadrian (117-138 AD) and Antoninus Pius (138-161 AD).

While much of the structure remains intact, the most impressive thing is the black and white mosaics that tile the floors of the Baths of Neptune.

The mosaics at Ostia Antica are best admired from above and there’s a good viewpoint where you can see a mosaic of Neptune riding four horses through the sea.

Forum Baths

The Forum Baths, were one of the largest baths in Ostia. You can still see a public latrine of twenty marble seats. Water flowed through the channels in front of the seats.

Final Thoughts About My Day Trip to Ostia Antica from Rome

When I think about my visit to Rome, my mind always calls up memories of my day trip to Ostia Antica.

Much like the Roman Forum , Ostia Antica is an impressive site with plenty of ruins. What made me fall in love with it though was the big beautiful trees, cobblestone streets, and relaxed atmosphere. Since Ostia Antica is off the beaten path in Rome , there were few people there and I felt like I made a secret discovery, stumbled across a special place just for me!

If you love history and ruins, but have tired of the crowds of Rome, then I highly recommend visiting Ostia Antica.

Tips for Visiting Ostia Antica

Getting There: Getting to Ostia Antica from Rome is only a 45-minute combination Metro/train ride. From Rome, take Metro line B to the Piramide stop. At Piramide stop, walk a few steps to the Roma Porta San Paolo train station- follow signs to Lido. All trains depart in the direction of Lido and leave every 15 minutes. The Ostia Antica stop will be about a 30 minute ride. A normal metro ticket will be good for the entire journey.

Opening Hours: Ostia Antica can be visited year round Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Mondays, January 1, and December 25). The archaeological park opens at 8:30 am but closing time depends on the season and ranges between 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Last admission is one hour before closing. For up to date hours and ticket prices see here .

Admission Fees: Admission is 12.00 euro. Tickets are valid for a single entry only, so if you leave the site you cannot get back in.

Amenities: There is a restaurant inside the site, next to the gift shop.

Information was updated April 2022, but can change without notice. Please confirm directly with service providers.

Ostia Antica Tours

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Why Choose It?

• Explore the temples, amphitheaters, and ruins of Ostia Antica, Rome's answer to Pompeii .
• Immerse yourself in 2,000 years of history in the company of your expert, private guide .
• Experience a day in the life of the ancients as your guide breathes life into Ostia's ruins .

Tour Description

Embark on one of our unforgettable day trips from Rome to visit Ostia Antica, Rome’s answer to Pompeii. Once the port city of the imperial capital, Ostia Antica is the best-preserved ancient Roman city in the region. Home to a sprawling residential area, a working port, and an emporium.

You will get a glimpse of the Roman life of 2,000 years ago and visit the remains of warehouses, apartments, villas, fitness clubs, an ancient Mc Donald’s, a launderette, several temples and a very impressive theater still used during the summer months.

Come and see life as it was 2,000 years ago!

Ostia , the first Roman colony, immediately became a river port – finding itself at the mouth of the river Tiber – and acquired a commercial function to supply Rome with food stuff, particularly wheat, even if its strategic military function as naval base certainly prevailed.

The most ancient buildings currently visible are from the 3rd century BC, notably the Castrum (military camp); of a slightly later date is the Capitolium .

In 68 BC, the town was sacked by pirates. During the sack, the port was set on fire, the consular war fleet was destroyed, and two prominent senators were kidnapped. The town was then re-built, and provided with protective walls. Ostia itself was provided with all the services a town of the time could require; in particular, a famous lighthouse. Ostia even contained a synagogue, the earliest synagogue yet identified in Europe.

Ostia grew to 50,000 inhabitants in the 2nd century, reaching a peak of some 75,000 inhabitants in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD.

Visitors can choose among five themed paths, according to the historical-cultural aspect in which they are mostly interested. So, coming back to Ostia Antica, they will be able to discover other aspects of this site, following another themed path.

1. Along the Decumanus

The commercial street. Marketplaces, public buildings, ways and places of production. The Fulloniche (Fuller’s workshops), the huge Piazzale delle Corporazioni (Square of the Guilds), the tabernae (taberns), the theater and various warehouses.

2. From Porta Marina

Cults and religious communities. The Synagogue, the Mithraea. The Christian Basilica, the Round Temple and the Capitolium. The Campus of the Magna Mater.

3. The Forum and its surroundings

The political, commercial and religious center. The Forum, the Cardus Maximus, the Baths, the Capitolium, the Thermopolium, the Small Market, the Tabernae of Fishmongers (fishmongers’shops) and the Macellum, the Christian Basilica and the Round Temple.

4. Around via della Foce

The districts of the river port. Cults and religious buildings, residential neighborhoods, houses and spas with pictorial remains and mosaics.

5. Porta Marina and its surroundings

Houses and “modern buildings” in Ostia Antica. What’s near Porta Marina, the domus, residential facilities, refreshments, sepulchral monuments.

• Itinerary: Choose from one of the five possible itineraries
• Included: Private licensed guide Car and driver Ostia Antica entry
• Wheelchair accessible: Yes.
• Meeting Point: Hotel Lobby

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Our guides are fluent in English and have a contagious passion for the inspiring cultural heritage of our Italian cities. Experts in their fields, they will immerse you in the hidden histories and intriguing lives of history's great protagonists. So much to see, so easy to miss out: with the help of our guides, visit the most absorbing sites and uncover the stories that have changed the world. Don't miss this fascinating journey!

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Guided or self-guided tour of Ostia Antica, - Rome Forum

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We will be staying in Ostia Lido for one night. The next morning we want to visit the Ostia Antica site and then continue on by train to Porta San Saulo/Piramide then Termini where we will be staying at a nearby pensione. We will leave our luggage at our pensione in Ostia Lido while we visit Ostia Antica.

I have found a $70/person, 3 hours tour from getyourguide.com where you meet the guide at the Ostia Antica train station. Does this sound like a good thing to do? My preference would be for a self-guided (less expensive) audio tour at my own pace but I haven't found such. With a guided tour I am always free to go back and see something again that particularly interests me.

I know that this is a "personal taste" decision, but what are your thoughts and alternatives to a guided visit?

I just now saw bad reviews of getyourguide.com. Any suggestions for booking a tour guide. I guess I could ask the owner of the pesione in Antica Lido where I am staying.

Of course, it's totally up to you. A good guide is worth their weight in gold, as they can draw your attention to things you might otherwise miss as well as tailor the tour to your interests. They can help bring ruins like the ones at Ostia to life. A bad guide not so much.

Also of course, you don't HAVE to have a guide to enjoy Ostia Antica, but you will definitely enjoy it more with a good guide.

If you do decide to do self-guided, walk all the way to the far end of the park when you arrive, then work your way back toward the entrance. The most interesting parts are far from the entrance.

Happy travels.

On one of my visits, I downloaded Rick Steves audio guide. Other than the fact he annoys me, the audio guide was informative and easy to use.

https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/audio-tours/italy

One another visit, I booked: https://citywonders.com/rome-tours/ostia-antica-tour-from-rome

The guide was definitely more informative and you could ask questions.

Rick Steves has a free audio guide, with a little map: https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/audio-tours/italy

I've been to Ostia Antica several times, I just use a good guide book.

My blog posts on Ostia Antica, in case you are interested:

https://spanishstepsapartment.wordpress.com/2018/06/13/ostia-antica-a-great-day-trip-and-the-site-of-my-childhood-nap/

https://spanishstepsapartment.wordpress.com/2018/06/30/ostia-anticas-black-and-white-mosaics/

Hi Spanish steps, in your blog entry you mention a serviceable cafe at the site. Could you give me any more information about that? Roughly what they may serve and wether it's pricey? If we visit it will be March 3rd (by chance the free sunday). Is the site likely to be heaving with people or just busy (with still a little room to move). Thank you.

The cafe isn't large, there are some indoor tables and some outside. If memory serves, there were various pasta dishes (hot, cafeteria type), paninis, bags of chips (crisps), fruit, pastries, soda, water and the espresso wasn't bad.

I wouldn't think the crowds will be bad. I've visited 3 or 4 times during high season (September) the park wasn't in anyway busy or crowded.

We went by ourselves and had no problems. Most things are labeled in several languages.

Thanks everyone for the info. Especially to SpanishStepsApt for the pictures. They really make me excited about visiting this site.

Oh. I see that CityWonders tours of Ostia Antica don't operate on Wednesdays which is the only day practical for me to visit. Does anyone have a good recommendation for a good guide? I won't be visiting until July.

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Welcome to Ostia Tours!

We organize private and small group tours of Ostia Antica and Italy. You will not stand in lines. You will not be bothered by large groups of people. You will love our services!

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OUR TOURS IN OSTIA ANTICA

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Guided visit of Ostia Antica, the oldest and best preserved port town of the Roman Empire. Read More...

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Guided tours calendar

Calendar of guided tours and workshops for children in April with Visit Ostia Antica

Also for the month of April we propose a series of events to discover the beauties of the Roman coast, between archeology, nature and art.

For INFO and RESERVATIONS write to: [email protected] or call or send a text message to the following numbers: 371 1094599 (Paola) – 340 0654224 (Maria Rita).

YOU CAN READ THE DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ALL ACTIVITIES WITH THE RELATIVE PRICES BY CLICKING HERE: Description of guided tours April 2017 .

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Visite guidate, tour per famiglie e archeotrekking alla scoperta dell’Antica Roma e dei suoi porti alla foce del Tevere.

Guided tours, family tours and archeotrekking to discover ancient Rome and its ports at the mouth of the River Tiber

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