Today Ostia Antica is one of Italy's best-preserved archaeological sites — and, unlike Pompeii, it's reachable from Rome in 30 minutes.
Three reasons to choose it:
- Less crowded than Pompeii and the Colosseum: even in high season the site is navigable at a calm pace.
- Variety: from four-storey apartment buildings (Roman insulae) to warehouses, baths, restaurants, a synagogue, a mithraeum, a 3,000-seat theatre still used for summer performances.
- Location: 30 km from Rome's centre, 12 km from Fiumicino. Perfect as a stop before an evening flight, or as an alternative to the Colosseum for those who've already visited the historic centre.
Decumanus Maximus — Ostia's main street running east to west, lined with residential quarters, commercial premises and religious buildings.
Neptune Baths — among the largest baths outside Rome. The floor mosaic of Neptune on a chariot pulled by sea horses is among the best preserved in the ancient world.
Roman Theatre — built by Agrippa in the 1st century BC, enlarged by Septimius Severus. 3,000 seats, brick-tiered seating. Still hosts summer performances. Climb to the top for an overview of the entire site.
Square of the Corporations — the Empire's commercial hub. 70 offices of maritime agents from across the Mediterranean, identified by their floor mosaics: elephants for African merchants, lighthouses for those from Alexandria, dolphins for fishermen.
Insula of Diana — the typical Roman apartment building: 4 floors, brick balconies, a courtyard fountain. Shows how the middle class lived in Ostia.
Baths of the Seven Sages — erotic and ironic frescoes on the walls. Among the most amusing moments in the site.
Tickets: €12/adult, free under 18. Available online at coopculture.it. The main route is wheelchair accessible.
Depart Rome centre at 9:00 → arrive at excavations 9:40 → visit 3 hours (until 12:40) → back in Rome by 13:20.
Depart Fiumicino at 15:00 (before an evening flight) → arrive 15:15 → visit 2 hours → return to airport 17:30.
Full day (5 hours visiting)
Morning: excavations 9:00–13:00. Lunch: waterfront trattoria in Ostia. Afternoon: beach or Giulio II Castle until 17:00. Return to Rome or Fiumicino.
From Fiumicino: only 12 km, 15–20 minutes. All terminals reachable from the excavations in under 20 minutes — perfect for pre-departure visits.
From Civitavecchia: 90 km, about 1 hour. Less common but feasible for very long port calls, combined with the Lazio coastline.
Included: dedicated driver, return transfer to excavation entrance, waiting throughout visit, water on board. Not included: entry ticket (€12/adult), lunch, gratuities.
How long for the visit? 3 hours for a satisfying tour of the main core. 4–5 hours for a complete exploration.
Good for children? Yes. Wide paths, colourful mosaics, the theatre and Roman apartments fascinate from age 6 upwards. Far less chaotic than the Colosseum.
Can I leave from Fiumicino? Yes. The airport is only 12 km from the excavations — perfect before an evening flight.
Can I combine it with the beach? Yes. The Ostia seafront is 3 km away. In summer, visit the site in the morning and spend the afternoon at the beach.
Ostia Antica is one of Rome's most authentic cultural experiences — far from the Colosseum crowds, close to the city. Contact us via WhatsApp at +39 351 875 2759 to book or request a personalized itinerary.