The options at a glance
| Option | What is included | Indicative price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official ticket (museum site) | Museum of the Imperial Forums, current exhibitions depending on the rate | €15; €9.50 for ages 6 to 25 | Self-guided visit, tight budget |
| Tiqets ticket with video | Skip-the-line entry, a 25-minute "Ancient Rome" video, the city audio guide app | Price shown at booking | Booking ahead, free cancellation 24 hours before |
| Guided tour of the Forum and imperial forums | Guide, outdoor route | Varies by listing | Understanding the site, not just visiting it |
What the official ticket includes
The museum fills the vast 2nd-century brick complex built into the Quirinal Hill above the Forum of Trajan. You walk through roofed rooms on several levels, ending on a terrace above the forum. Allow 1h30 to 2 hours. The €15 rate applies when no temporary exhibition is on; during one, it can rise. Entry is free for under-6s, Rome residents, and for everyone on the first Sunday of the month: the official site announces free entry on Sunday 1 November 2026 (notice read on 30 October). Details are on our Trajan's Markets page.
Tiqets or the official ticket?
The Tiqets listing (4.2 out of 5 from 40 reviews, seller Ticketstation) gives access to the museum and its exhibitions, plus a multimedia video of about 25 minutes. Cancelling or rescheduling is free up to 24 hours before. A site-specific audio guide and guided tours are not included. It is worth buying if you want to fix your day in advance or bundle it with another site: Tiqets offers combos with the Capitoline Museums or the Vatican Museums at about 5% off. The museum is not a crowded site, so the official ticket on the day almost always works outside free days.
When a guided tour is worth it
Bare brick looks the same without explanation. If you want to know why these "markets" were probably offices of the imperial administration, a tour that links the museum, Trajan's Column and the Roman Forum helps. Compare, for example, the guided Colosseum, Forum and Palatine tour: it does not include the museum, but it puts the area in context. Check on the listing what is included before paying.
Planning the visit
The museum is a ten-minute walk from the Monti district. It is busier on the first Sunday of the month, so pick a weekday at opening time. Morning light on the hemicycle photographs best.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book? Usually not, but it is handy to fix a time; Tiqets cancellation is free up to 24 hours before.
How long should I allow? 1h30 to 2 hours.
Is Trajan's Markets free? For Rome residents and for everyone on the first Sunday of the month.
The Rome Authority editorial team, updated 30 October 2026.
