Ostia Antica Archaeology Excursion

Our Ostia Antica tour, a popular day trip from Rome, provides an in-depth way to visit this stunningly preserved ancient Roman city. With an archaeologist or classical historian to lead the way, we’ll pick our way through 2000-year-old apartment complexes, visit a bygone restaurant, and learn about bizarre religious cults. 

We’ll begin our Ostia Antica Tour in Rome with a short private car or van transfer toward the coast. Along the way, our guide—an archaeologist or classical historian-—will discuss the regional geography of the area, Ostia's role as Rome's port, and the historic background leading up to the town's rise in the Imperial era. On site, we will spend 3.5 hours combing through the ruins, which include some of the best examples of baths, a fantastic amphitheater, and several Mithraic temples, not to mention a forum with temples. (The cost of this tour does not include a ticket to the site, which costs between €10 and €13 euro per person and must be purchased on site.) As we walk, we’ll focus on the daily life of regular, working class Romans. We'll spend time in the market area with its wonderful mosaics discussing the economy of the empire and the materials and commodities that made their way through here every day. We will also spend time in the insulae (apartment houses) that characterize Ostia and even visit an ancient bakery and fast-food restaurant. 

At the end of our Ostia Antica tour, participants are free to linger on site (where there is also a modern restaurant) or return to Rome with our guide. If you decide to remain and are booking a private tour, you can ask our team to delay the return car or van transfer.  If you are booking a small group tour and will like to stay on site longer, you will need to return to Rome by train. 

Note: The synagogue in Ostia—the oldest in Europe—is located at the far end of the site, but is usually not included on our tour. On private walks, it is possible to shape the tour so that we include it—please let our team know in advance that you would like to visit this area of the archaeological site. 

Why would I tour Ostia Antica instead of Pompeii? There are two reasons many of our clients in Rome choose to visit Ostia over Pompeii. The first is that it's much closer and easier to visit. While it takes up to three hours to get to Pompeii from Rome, Ostia is a quick 25-minute train ride. The second reason is that many scholars feel that Ostia is a better example of a real, working class town than Pompeii. We add a third reason. Visiting Ostia has a lower carbon footprint than visiting Pompeii, and given the crowds at the latter and general "undiscovered" feeling of the former, it's a more enjoyable, enriching experience. 

If you are interested in continuing to explore Ancient Rome, we highly recommend our Roma Antica Forum Tour and our Underground Rome Tour, two exceptional antiquities walks in our Rome Walking Tours program.

Our private tours are limited exclusively to travelers in your party. They are designed to provide a learning experience that is completely tailored to you and your traveling companions. Private tours give you more flexibility with scheduling (you decide when the walk best fits in your trip), the ability to tailor your itinerary (we'll work to match the itinerary to the interests and dynamics of your group), and more personalized time with your guide.

Our small group tours cover many of the same itineraries as our private tours, but they place you with other travelers in groups of 6 or less. They operate on a pre-scheduled calendar, and are designed to provide an opportunity to engage with and learn from other travelers. Most of our small group tours require at least three (3) participants to run, although there is some variation from walk to walk. However, there is some variation from walk to walk. As you sign up for a tentative walk we display the minimum number required in order to confirm.

Are tickets included?
The cost of this tour does not include a ticket to the site, which costs between 10.00 and 13.00 euro per person.

How long is the van ride?
We book a van, and the one-way transfer is 45 minutes (1.5 hours round trip).</p>

Is it possible to spend more time on site on our own?
You are welcome to stay more time on site, but the guide's time with you ends at 1:30 pm. If you booked privately, contact us and we will delay your return transfer. If you booked a small group tour, you can take the train at the Ostia train station to go back to Rome. The ride is 30 minutes and the ticket costs €1.50 per person.

Is this tour mobility friendly?
Ostia Antica is an archaeological site that is still being uncovered, making it very difficult for wheelchairs, walkers, or canes. The average group tour covers about 3 miles. Private tours have the option to cover less ground, and are the best option for those with mobility concerns. All guests should wear comfortable walking shoes.