Ostia Antica
Parco archeologico di Ostia antica
The ruins of an ancient Roman port city, with streets, a theatre, shops and mosaics well preserved. Often called the “Pompeii of Rome.”
Ostia Antica lies at the mouth of the Tiber, about 25 km southwest of Rome. It was ancient Rome's outer port, with a population of around 50,000 at its height. The city was later abandoned as the river silted up, which preserved many of its buildings. Strolling along the main street, the Decumanus Maximus, you can see an ancient theatre, the Piazzale delle Corporazioni (Square of the Corporations) with its mosaic office floors for more than forty guilds, a Roman tavern with a counter (the thermopolium), public toilets and multi-storey apartment blocks. It draws far fewer visitors than Pompeii, so the atmosphere is calm. From Piramide station on Metro Line B, transfer to the Roma–Lido suburban railway to Ostia Antica station. The journey takes about 45 minutes, followed by a 10-minute walk. The site is closed on Mondays.
Opening hours
Tuesday–Sunday from 08:30 until sunset (closed Mondays)
Nearby sights
- Janiculum Hill
- Trastevere
- St. Peter's Basilica
- Vatican Museums
- Pyramid of Cestius
- Aventine Keyhole & Orange Garden
- Campo de' Fiori
- Castel Sant'Angelo