Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
the United States
Mexico
the Dominican Republic
South Africa
Australia
Fiji
Archaeological site · Roma, Lazio
Parco archeologico di Ostia antica
The ruins of ancient Rome’s port, about 30 km from the center: streets, houses, baths, a theater and mosaics of an entire Roman town. Day trip by train.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Parco archeologico di Ostia antica
Ostia was the port of ancient Rome, at the mouth of the Tiber. Founded as a military colony, it grew as a commercial city through which the grain and goods that supplied the capital arrived. With the silting of the river and abandonment, it was gradually covered by earth, which helped preserve streets, houses and shops.
The visit is a walk through an entire Roman town. The main street, the Decumanus Maximus, passes the theater—still used for performances in summer—and reaches the Capitol, the main temple. Behind the theater, the Piazzale delle Corporazioni preserves black-and-white mosaics that marked the offices of shipping companies, showing ships, fish and symbols of the cities of origin.
Scattered around the site are baths with mosaics of sea gods, multi-story apartment buildings, bakeries, warehouses and a thermopolium, a kind of bar with a counter and shelves. Unlike the Roman Forum, there you can enter houses and understand how ordinary people lived.
The area is large, flat and planted with pine trees, and usually has far fewer visitors than sites in central Rome. There is a small museum with sculptures found in the excavations.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Half a day, with 3 to 4 hours at the site, plus the train trip.
Best time
In spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). In summer (June to August) arrive early, because the heat can be intense. Check opening days before you go.
How to get there
Roma–Lido train, which departs from Porta San Paolo station, next to the Piramide metro station (line B), to Ostia Antica station. The trip takes about 30 minutes and the entrance is a 5-minute walk from the station. Rome's regular public-transport ticket is usually valid for this section.
Tip
Wear sneakers and bring water and a hat: the site is large and the stone ground is uneven. Pick up the map at the entrance and choose a route, because you can’t see everything. On some summer evenings the theater hosts performances at night.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Parco archeologico di Ostia antica
How to go from Rome to Ostia Antica?
By the Roma–Lido train from Porta San Paolo station, next to the Piramide metro (line B). In about 30 minutes you reach Ostia Antica station, a 5‑minute walk from the entrance.
Is Ostia Antica worth it if you've already seen the Roman Forum?
Yes. In Ostia you can enter houses, baths and shops and get a fuller sense of a Roman town, with far fewer people.
How much time to allow for Ostia Antica?
Half a day: 3 to 4 hours on site, plus about an hour for the round‑trip train.
Do you need a car to go to Ostia Antica?
No. The local train arrives close to the entrance and is the simplest way to make the trip.