Ancient Ostia: Day Trips and Tours from Rome
Ostia Antica, otherwise known as Ancient Ostia, is an archaeological park just outside of Rome. The site is the second-largest Roman excavation after the city of Pompeii. Although the town was officially founded by King Ancus Marcius in the sixth century B.C., some of the ruins date back to the fourth century B.C. The town was once used as Rome's trading center and is fascinating to explore. This all makes an Ostia Antica day trip from Rome a must for anyone visiting the capital.
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Ostia Antica, otherwise known as Ancient Ostia, is an archaeological park just outside of Rome.
The site is the second-largest Roman excavation after the city of Pompeii. Although the town was officially founded by King Ancus Marcius in the sixth century B.C., some of the ruins date back to the fourth century B.C.
The town was once used as Rome's trading center and is fascinating to explore. This all makes an Ostia Antica day trip from Rome a must for anyone visiting the capital.
Here’s your guide to Ostia Antica, one of the most insightful day trips from Rome.
How to get to Ancient Ostia from Rome?
Ancient Ostia is very close to Rome. The archaeological site is just over 20 kilometers west of the capital city and is easily accessible by car or public transport.
From Rome to Ancient Ostia by car
The drive to Ancient Ostia takes around 45 minutes. Once you head out of the city, join the Via del Mare heading southwest. Take the exit at Via della Gente Salinatoria, and then turn left onto Viale dei Romagnoli until you reach Ostia Antica.
From Rome to Ancient Ostia by train
Embark upon your journey to Ancient Ostia from the Piramide station (on the B metro line) which is in the southwest of the city.
From there, it's 30 minutes on the Roma Lido commuter train to the Ostia Antica station. Once you hop off the train, the walk to the center takes just five minutes. Tickets cost around €1.50.
Guided tour to Ancient Ostia from Rome
Day tours of Ancient Ostia start at the Ostia Antica train station or park entrance, and last around three hours, with a professional guide.
How much does the entrance ticket to Ostia Antica cost?
Entry fees to Ostia Antica:
- Adults: €19
- EU citizens aged 18-25: €3
- EU citizens under 18: Free
EU citizens under 18 years old, persons with disabilities and their accompanying caregivers, EU professors and students in relevant fields, all qualify for free entry.
What is the typical itinerary of a day tour to Ostia Antica from Rome?
On some guided tours, you will meet your guide at the entrance to Ancient Ostia. On others, the guide will meet you at the Piramide metro station in Rome and travel with you to the ancient harbor town.
Tours have a variety of start times, depending on where the group convenes. For those that start in Rome, you can expect to meet between 8:30 AM and 9:00 AM. Meanwhile, guided day trips of Ancient Ostia that begin at the ticket booth of the site start around 10:30 AM.
Once the tour has commenced, you will take a 2.5- to three- hour guided stroll of the city. During your tour, you'll gain knowledge about the buildings that hold the most historical significance. These include the theater, the forum and the thermal baths.
When the tour finishes, you'll either travel straight back to Rome with your guide or choose to spend a little longer trawling the remains of Ancient Ostia.
What kinds of Ostia Antica tours are available?
Guided tours to Ancient Ostia from Rome
Guided tours are the best way to learn about the town of Ancient Ostia, as you embark on one of the best Rome walking tours. A knowledgeable tour guide or a local archaeologist will show you around, both of whom have a plethora of information at their fingertips.
Half day tour to Ancient Ostia from Rome
A half day tour enables those on a tight timeline to squeeze Ancient Ostia into their itinerary. A tour guide will meet you at a designated point in the city, close to the Piramide train station.
Your train tickets will be taken care of. Your tour guide will escort you from Rome to Ancient Ostia, where they will accompany you through the ruins. At the end of the tour, you'll have the option to stay in Ancient Ostia, visit the modern town or go to the beach.
Semi-private tour to Ancient Ostia from Rome
A semi-private day trip will suit those who want a more personal experience. Tour groups are limited to 12 people, which gives you the opportunity to ask more questions while wandering the excavations.
Private tour to Ancient Ostia from Rome
If you're a history fiend, taking a private tour of the site is the perfect option for you. A private Ancient Ostia day tour allows you to converse with your guide about daily life in ancient times.
With plenty of time for questions, this will enable you to better understand those that lived during the time period. The experience is more personal than other day tours and includes all of the most interesting sites in the park.
How much does a day trip to Ostia Antica from Rome cost?
Prices of guided day trips to Ancient Ostia start at €65 per person and include tickets to the archaeological park, as executed by a professional guide.
Half-day tours and semi-private tours to Ancient Ostia from Rome cost about €60 per person. They usually last four hours, including travel time, and include park tickets and a knowledgeable guide. Some tours include your return train ticket from Rome.
Semi-private tours are limited to groups of 12 people. They include transport from Rome by train, entry fees and a guide in the archeological park.
Private day trips to Ancient Ostia cost about €150 per person for a tour that lasts three hours. They allow for a 1-on-1 experience with a personal tour guide and include a park entrance.
What will you see and do at Ostia Antica?
The entire archeological park is a treasure trove of ancient ruins, but there are a few sites that are particularly striking.
Decumanus Maximus
When exploring Ostia Antica, don't miss the main street — Decumanus Maximus, which runs through the eastern half of the archaeological site, starting at the marina.
Weaving your way down the street, expect to see shops, a courtyard and mosaics that likely date back as far as the fourth century B.C.
Two of the most notable buildings are the fishmongers, which are identifiable by their stone tables used for cutting fish, and their ocean-themed mosaics.
Theater
The large theater once seated 4,000 spectators and was built under the reign of Emperor Augustus.
Nowadays, the best views of the archaeological excavations are from the top tier of the theater, which has been majestically preserved for centuries.
Other sites to see on your Ancient Ostia day trip include the Ostiense Museum, Boacciana Tower and St. Herculanus' Church.
When is the best time to tour Ancient Ostia?
There are regular events held inside the theater in Ancient Ostia throughout the summer months, between June and September. These include open-air concerts, so time your jaunt to the town to coincide with one of these musical affairs.
When is Ostia Antica open?
The excavations are open Tuesday through Sunday and opening hours differ over the course of the year.
- 8:30 AM - 5:15 PM – March 1-31
- 8:30 AM - 7 PM – April 1 - Sept. 30
- 8:30 AM - 6:30 PM – Oct. 1-24
- 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM – Oct. 25 - Feb. 28
In all cases, the last admission is one hour before the site closes.
Tips before you go
- All day trips to Ancient Ostia are done on foot. The city ruins span over 170 acres, so ensure you wear comfortable shoes.
- Ancient Ostia day tours are roughly three hours long and don't include food or drinks. There is a lot of walking on this excursion, so be sure to bring lunch to refuel.
- When you reach Ostia Antica station, it is easy to find the archeological site by following the signposts.