Why go
Ostia was the port of ancient Rome, at the mouth of the Tiber. The site keeps an entire town: paved streets, warehouses, baths, a theatre, shops and apartment blocks. It is often compared to Pompeii. It is closer, quicker to visit and usually less crowded than the Roman Forum. It is a good choice for a short stay or a half day with children; see also day trips from Rome.
Getting there by train
- Take metro line B to Piramide.
- Porta San Paolo station is attached to the metro station: it is the start of the Metromare line (the former Roma-Lido).
- Get off at Ostia Antica station, about 26 minutes later according to our page.
- From the station, the park entrance is a few minutes on foot.
A train runs about every 20 minutes from Monday to Saturday. The ordinary Metrebus ticket (€1.50, valid 100 minutes) works for the outward trip: plan a ticket for the return. Check Sunday and public-holiday timetables on the ATAC website before you go. For other lines and tickets, read transport in Rome.
Hours and prices
| October 2026 | |
|---|---|
| Opening days | Tuesday to Sunday; closed Monday |
| Park hours | 8:30 am-6:30 pm until 24 October, then 8:30 am-4:30 pm from 25 October |
| Last entry | One hour before closing |
| Combined ticket | €18, valid 8 consecutive days |
| EU citizens aged 18-25 | €2 |
| Free entry | First Sunday of the month |
| Audio guide | €7 (long route) or €5 (short route) |
The ticket is sold at the ticket office, by cash or card, and on the Musei Italiani app. The Ostia museum keeps different hours: from 25 October it opens at 10:30 am (last entry 3 pm). See the page on Ostia Antica.
How long to allow
- The essentials: about 3 hours, with the decumanus maximus, the theatre, the Square of the Corporations and the Capitolium.
- A longer visit: add the museum and the Baths of Neptune, and allow more time, especially if you like reading the panels.
- Half day from Rome: leave Piramide at 8 am, arrive at opening at 8:30, and be back in the early afternoon. In winter the park closes at 4:30 pm: do not leave too late.
What not to miss
- The decumanus maximus: the main street, to walk from Porta Romana to the forum.
- The Capitolium: the big brick temple of the forum, dedicated to Jupiter, Juno and Minerva.
- The theatre and the Square of the Corporations: their black and white mosaics show ships, lighthouses and animals.
- The Baths of Neptune: a platform gives a view from above of the mosaic of the god and his chariot.
- The thermopolium on via di Diana: an ancient bar counter, with its shelves.
Combining it with the Ostia beach
The same line serves Ostia Lido, the Romans' beach, a few stops beyond the archaeological site. You can visit the site in the morning, then reach the seafront in the afternoon. The combination only makes sense in the beach season, from late spring to early autumn, because in winter the park closes at 4:30 pm. Do not mix the two up: Ostia Antica is the archaeological site, Ostia Lido the seaside resort. All the details are on our page about the Ostia beach.
Tips on site
Picnicking is forbidden in the archaeological area, but there is a cafeteria on site. The ground is uneven and shade is scarce, except under the pines: bring comfortable shoes, water and a hat. Dogs are allowed on a leash. To round off a stay, see also Tivoli from Rome.
