Ancient Ostia Half-Day Trip from Rome

• View all 3 traveler photos
• Read all 18 traveler reviews
• Add to my wishlist

Follow the sea road to Imperial Rome's historic port at Ostia on a half-day morning tour. It takes only 30 minutes to reach Ostia Antica, at the mouth of the Tiber river, and you’ll have plenty of time to explore the wonderfully preserved ruins. The ruins are convenient, compact and shady, and provide a tantalizing glimpse into daily life in ancient Rome.

Ostia was Rome's flourishing trade and business center, until the port was abandoned following the Barbarian invasions. The archaeological excavations undertaken at the beginning of the 14th century have brought the ancient city back to life. During your walk through the ruins your guide will provide enlightening insights into the cultural and social life of this historic settlement.

Your visit to Ostia Antica (ancient Ostia) starts at Via delle Tombe, which leads you to the Porta Romana, one of the city's three gates. This is the beginning of the Decumanus Maximus, the main thoroughfare that crosses the city from north-east to south-west.

You will then arrive at the Terme di Nettuno, where you can admire the beautiful black and white mosaics representing Neptune and Amphitrite, the theatre built by Agrippa, and the Forum which formed the center of the city. Here you will discover the main public buildings, Il Capitolium, the temple of Rome and Augustus, the Basilica and the large thermal baths.

Near the Forum square you will also find the House of Diana and the Thermopolium, an ancient Roman bar with a marble counter and a fresco depicting the fruit and foodstuffs that were sold there. At the end of Via dei Dipinti, a museum displays some of the ancient sculptures unearthed at Ostia.

The gate of the ruins in Ostia Antica

Seasonal
March 01 to October 31
Tuesday and Friday

Tour departs from centrally located Rome hotels. If you're staying outside the Aurelian Walls or did not confirm hotel pickup - all tours will depart from 5/a Via Farini, located off Via Cavour, Rome. This departure point is a few minutes walking distance from Termini Railway Station and easy to locate.

• From Rome hotels: 8:00am
• From central meeting point: 9:00am

Tour concludes at 5/a Via Farini (centrally located and close to Termini Railway Station). In some cases, it is possible to be dropped off nearby your hotel but this cannot be guaranteed until the day of the tour as it depends on Rome traffic conditions and the location of your hotel. Please ask your tour guide on the day of travel.

Hotel pickup is available from all Rome centrally located hotels ONLY. To view a full list of Rome hotels pickups, click on the 'View Map' icon above. Please list your full hotel name and address at time of booking. If you are staying outside of the central city area, please make your own way to the departure point (5/a Via Farini, Rome).

Cruise Port Pickup:
For passengers arriving into Rome on a cruise ship, you must book separate cruise port transfers between Civitavecchia and Rome. If you choose to combine transfers with a scheduled tour commencing in Rome, take into consideration the traveling time from the Port of Civitavecchia to Rome. It is approximately 1 hour and you should allow minimum 30 minutes to disembark cruise.