Ostia Antica Hours, Location and Info
If you are wondering how an ancient Roman city looked like, then you cannot miss a day trip from Rome to the city of Ancient Ostia.
Located by the sea only 20 miles far from Rome, the harbour city of Ostia, known as Ostia Antica, today is an archaeological site and one of the best-preserved ancient cities from the Roman time all over the world.
A visit to the city of Ostia Antica offers a glimpse into the daily life in ancient Rome. Walking down the main streets, called Decumanus Maximus, you will see a huge thermal complex, known as Baths of Neptune, and the Amphitheater, which is still used today for concerts and representations. Among the highlights standing in the archaeological area there’s the Insula of the Thermopolium, basically a bar. You can still see the counter, the shelves, and even the sink.
Quick Tip: Other than by car, you can also reach the Archeological Site of Ancient Ostia by train with an easy trip from Rome. Keep reading to learn about tickets, opening hours and how to get there!
Topics
Attraction Overview
 Opening Hours: 8.30 am - 4.00 pm (change depending on seasonality, see below for details) |
 Best Time To Visit: 8.30 am or after 2.00 pm |
 Tickets: Needed |
 Accessibility: Partially Accessible |
 Kid-friendly Attraction |
How to Visit
1PLAN YOUR VISIT IN ADVANCE
– Add Ostia Antica to Your Travel List!
2CHECK IN ADVANCE THE BEST TIME VISIT
– Springtime and Summertime: from 8.30 am to 11.30 am;
– Fall and Wintertime: from 10.30 am to 3.00 pm;
3WEAR COMFORTABLE FOOTWEAR
– Summertime: sneakers, sun cream and a hat;
– Wintertime: sneakers, umbrella and raincoat
OPENING HOURS
Closed:
Monday, 1 January, 1 May and 25 December
Note: Opening Hours vary according to Seasonality.
Opening Hours:
from the last Sunday in October to February 15th: Entry Time: 8.30 am – 3.30 pm / Exit Time: 4.30 pm;
from February 16th to March 15th: Entry Time: 8.30 am – 4.00 pm / Exit Time: 5.00 pm;
from March 16th to the last Saturday: Entry Time: 8.30 am – 4.30 pm / Exit Time: 5.30 pm;
from the last Sunday in March to August 31st: Entry Time: 8.30 am – 4.15 pm / Exit Time: 7.15 pm;
from September 1st to September 30th: Entry Time: 8.30 am – 4.00 pm / Exit Time: 7.00 pm;
from October 1st to the last Sunday in October: 8.30 am – 5.30 pm / Exit Time: 6.30 pm;
The Museum
the Museum opens at 9.30 am and closes at the same time of the ticket-office. (entry not allowed to pets and animals).
Taking photos is allowed only WITHOUT flash.
TICKETS INFO
There’s never much line in Ostia Antica. Tickets can be booked directly on-site:
Full ticket: €8,00*
Reduced ticket: €4,00* (European citizens between 18 and 25 years old (only by showing a valid document to attest the age);
*In case of exhibitions inside the archaeological site, the ticket price will be increased of €3,00.
Free tickets under 18 years old; Free entrance for everyone the first Sunday of very month.
You can pay the tickets by Visa, Mastercard and Maestro credit cards.
ACCESSIBILITY
Wheelchair Accessibility Service:
For people with disabilities and/or mobility impairments, by now there is an alternative path which goes only through half site, ending by the Cafeteria!
Call Center:
+39 +39 06 56350215
How to Reach
1FROM ROME TO OSTIA ANTICA
To get from Rome to Ostia Antica you have pretty much 2 option: rent a car or go by train
From Rome To Ostia Antica by Train:
Leave from Rome Train Station Piramide: Piramide is both a train and a metro station in Rome (Blue or B Line). You can reach the train station easily within the city taking the underground.
Once in Piramide take the local train “Roma-Lido” and get off when in Ostia Antica.
Outside Ostia Train Station you will find directions to Ostia Antica Excavations. The archaeological area is approximately 10 minutes far from the station.
The tickets for the local train from Piramide to Lido di Ostia are the same tickets you use for the underground in Rome. The price of the ride is 1,50€.
It will take approximately 30 – 35 minutes to arrive from Rome to Ostia Antica by train. Trains leave from Piramide every 15-20 minutes. Enjoy your trip!
Address:
Vai dei Romagnoli, 717, 00119 Ostia, Roma RM Italy
Get directions from Google Maps
Ostia Antica Ruins
Ostia Antica Historical Facts
Ancient Ostia was founded by the fourth king of Rome, Ancus Marcius, in the 6th century BC.
Due to its strategic position, the harbour city soon became a flourishing trade and business center, which reached its highest moment of expansion during the Roman Empire.
The city also housed a big storage. Goods destined to Rome and other cities in the area, were stored in Ancient Ostia. Hence, Ostia Antica was very important to Rome!
The population amounting to 50,000 inhabitants lived safely inside the city protected by defensive walls. Richest families lived in the so-called domus (independent houses), while common people resided in condos, such as the Insulae of Diana.
Many services were built to serve the growing population such as public baths, a forum or square, a theater, workshops, temples and, of course, houses.
If Pompeii was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, Ancient Ostia was buried by the sediments of the Tiber and hence abandoned by its people. Works carried out in 1935 brought to light amazing findings and with them priceless information about the life in ancient Rome. Frescoes, statues and mosaics are housed inside the museum in the archaeological area. The area of the forum with the temples offer an incredible example of the social and religious life of the city.
People came to Ancient Ostia from all over the Mediterranean for business purposes, bringing with the their costumes and uses. Remains of a Jewish Synagogue is a precious evidence of the presence of the jewish community in the city.
Ostia Antica FAQ
Are you wondering something about this landmark in Rome? Go to our Q&A section and post your question. It will be answered by an official Rome tour guide!
