Is Ostia Antica Worth Visiting? An Alternative to Pompeii
Is Ostia Antica is Worth Visiting?
Is Ostia Antica worth visiting? That is the question that many tourists ask. I believe that these historic ruins are worth visiting as they provide a look into daily life during the Roman Empire that is far different than the Roman Ruins in Rome.
Ostia Antica is located about 30-45 minutes from Rome using public transportation and features 2,000-year-old Roman Ruins. The city was founded around 600 BC and eventually became an important trading city on the Tiber River during the height of the Roman Empire. When Rome fell around 500 AD, the harbor was abandoned and eventually filled with mud. That mud-covered Ostia Antica preserved it until it was ultimately excavated and opened to the public in 1975. Archeologists believe that more than 60% of the town is still buried in mud and yet to be excavated.
The ruins are in remarkable shape and include Roman roads, mosaics, an amphitheater, and bathhouses. When I walked through Ostia Antica, I really could picture what it would have felt like during the days of the Roman Empire.
Is Ostia Antica is Worth Visiting? An Alternative to Pompeii - Table of Contents
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Why Ostia Antica is Worth Visiting - It's Easy to Get There from Rome
One reason why I feel Ostia Antica is worth visiting is its location. It only takes 45 minutes from Rome’s Termini Station. To get to Ostia Antica from Rome, I took the Blue Line to Piramide. From Piramide, I transferred to the Roma Lido Line. The Roma Lido Line took me all the way to the Ostia Antica Train Station. The Roma Pass covers both train rides. From there, it is a simple 10-15 minute walk to the ruins. I wasn’t sure which way to go at first, but it was apparent that all I had to do was follow the people. Everyone who got off the train was headed to the ruins.
Ostia Antica is open six days a week from around 8:30 am to 7:00 pm, depending on the time of the year. When the days are longer, the ruins stay open later. Ostia Antica is closed on Monday. The tickets cost €18. I used the second free entry from my 72-hour Roma Pass and did not have to pay to gain entry. Something worth noting is that admission to Ostia Antica is free on April 25 as Italians celebrate liberation day.
The Ruins of Ostia Antica - A Great Alternative to Pompeii
I had never seen anything like Ostia Antica before. When I entered the ruins, I wanted to walk through every inch of the ruins and inside every dwelling or structure. My advice is to walk quickly through the initial section. Most of the spectacular ruins are later along the route, and I wish I had more time to walk through them.
The pathway meets up with an old Roman Road, which took me past numerous broken statues towards the giant Roman Amphitheater. Before coming upon the amphitheater, I stopped at one of the highlights of the ruins, the Baths of Neptune.
The Baths of Neptune contained the ruins of over 20 Roman Bathhouses and had both hot and cold water. The piping system was able to remove the wastewater and keep it separate from the incoming water.
The Baths of Neptune feature spectacular mosaics that have withstood the test of time.
Following the Bath of Neptune, I continued onto the Roman Amphitheater. Archeologists believe the Amphitheater was constructed around 12 BC and could hold around 4,000 people. It was in remarkable shape and provided an incredible view of the ruins.
Be sure to walk up to the top of the Roman Amphitheater to get great views of Ostia Antica.
Below are a couple of additional photos from the top of the Amphitheater at Ostia Antica. This location was my favorite location for photographing the ruins.
I continued walking down the Roman Road past a merchant area as well as areas of housing. This part of the ruins was in remarkable shape and made me feel like I was walking down these streets over 2,000 years ago. Typically, the markets were located on the lower floors and the merchants lived on the upper floors.
Throughout my walk through the ruins of Ostia Antica, I took over 200 pictures. I tried to take photos of the signs so I could remember what each building was. It would be impossible to put a picture of everything worth seeing on this website.
As I continued down the old Roman Road, the buildings became more buried and overgrown with plants. These ruins still need to be excavated.
Eventually, I reached the Tiber River, turned around, and walked back to the entrance.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time visiting Ostia Antica. I can definitely answer my initial question, “Is Ostia Antica worth visiting?” The answer is a resounding yes!
Guided Tours
Personally, I do not feel a guided tour is necessary to enjoy the sights of Ostia Antica. Still, I know many people enjoy taking a tour guided by an expert. Below are various tour options for Ostia Antica.
I am an affiliate partner of Viator. If you book a tour using one of the links below, I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no additional cost to you. If a tour interests you, I would greatly appreciate it if you would consider booking using one of my links.
 Ostia Antica Guided Tour Including the Ancient Theater and Baths - $214.18 Explore Ostia Antica on this 3-hour private tour. |
 Ostia Antica - Visit The Ancient Port of Rome - $152.56 This tour is perfect for those who simply can’t get enough of Ancient Roman ruins. Ostia Antica was the port town to Ancient Rome, this was where materials were delivered from ships all over the Empire and where the rich would vacation. This tour gives you a chance to wander the abandoned streets with more liberty than most of the archaeological sites in Italy. |
 Semi Private Tour of Ostia Antica, Rome's Ancient Harbor City / MAX 6 PEOPLE - $142.39 This intimate and safe Semi Private tour with MAX 6 people GUARANTEED, will take you on an adventure back in time to a once flourishing cosmopolitan harbor city on the outskirts of Rome! Thanks to the amazing preservation, Ostia is often referred to as ‘the better Pompeii’. |
 Ostia Antica by Electric Bike - Include Guided Tour of Ancient Roman Port & City - $186.96 THe ancient port of Rome, Ostia is one of the best preserved roman towns from antiquity. Come and cycle an electric bicycle through Roman countryside towards the Mediterranean sea as we reach the old port. Stop for a guided visit of this archaeological site plus visit the town of Fiumicino by the sea for a sumptuous lunch. On our return journey to Rome we will use the metroline. |
 Ostia antica walking tour - $212.39 We'll do together a walk through the Roman ruins in this old town. Its history, rich and fascinating, is witnessed today by the countless monuments that are worth visiting because in excellent condition. The first settlement can be traced back to the beginning of the 4th century B.C. Only at the end of that century a squared fortified encampent (castrum) was built. This military camp, called Ostia from the Latin word Ostium meaning "mouth of the river", was established at a distance of around 16 miles from Rome, as a military outpost to keep under control not only the access to the Tiber and the nearby areas, in order to defend Rome. |
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After Visiting Ostia Antica - Visit the City of Ostia
After spending over 3 hours at the ruins, I walked back to the Ostia Antica train station and took the Roma Lido Line, two stations further to the Lido Central Station. From Lido Central, I walked through the town down to the Mediterranean Sea. During my walk from Lido Central Station to the Mediterranean Sea, I walked past many beautiful houses.
This trip was the first time I had ever seen the Mediterranean. Even though it was March, the air temperature was warm. I was able to wade into the Mediterranean Sea, which was the first time I’d set foot in the Mediterranean’s water.
I highly recommend walking out on the Ostia Pier. The pier provides a great view of the nearby beaches.
To get back to Rome, I walked back to the Lido Central Train Station and took the Roma Lido Line back to Piramide.
Right next to the Lido Central Train Station was an outdoor mall that had a few nice shops and restaurants. After getting on the Blue Line, I disembarked at Cavour and was back at my hotel. It was a wonderful day trip from Rome, and I would highly recommend it to everyone.
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