Ostia Antica Archaeology Tour
- Private Tour
- $ 1039
- Semi-Private Tour
- $ 229 /PP
- Category
- History, Excursions
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Location
- Rome
- Tour an excavated city outside of Rome with an archaeologist or classical historian
- Visit ancient baths and an ancient restaurant to get a feel for daily life
- Ostia Antica Archaeological Site
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 docent. 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 semi-private 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 Ostia Antica?
FAQ
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 docent'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 semi-privately, 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.
Tom came to Rome on a Fulbright Fellowship in 1991 after completing his architectural studies at Harvard. Tom was the founder of Scala Reale, an association of scholars leading small-group study walks that was acquired by Context in 2004. Currently Tom is dedicating himself to the fields of cultural and environmental sustainability, architecture and design through his teaching and his design firm TRA_20. He is the author of the book Rome Works: An Architect Explores the World’s Most Resilient City, and the editor of the Still Sustainable City blog sustainablerome.net which was chosen by Guardian Cities as Italy's best city blog.
Cecilia is an art historian and a native Roman with a Master's degree in Medieval and Renaissance art from the Sapienza University of Rome. Although her specialty is painting and decorative arts, she has a broad knowledge of the history of Rome and a personal passion for ancient history, which she shares on many antiquity-themed itineraries. Cecilia has worked actively in the past as a lecturer, teacher, and curator of exhibitions. She had been a staff member of the didactive service of the Vatican Museums, the Galleria Doria Pamphili and the Galleria Colonna where she still frequently consults. As a licensed guide for Rome and Florence and with a specialized teaching degree, she has more than 20 years of experience in leading highly-qualified tours.
Liz, a native of San Francisco, California holds degrees in architecture from the University of California at Berkeley and Università degli studi "La Sapienza", Rome. She specialized in restoration and urban design. Her restoration projects have brought her to work in direct contact with the rich historical layers of Rome and Italy. She has been leading study walks for Context Rome since its beginning and has lived in Rome since 1988 practicing architecture, researching design and lecturing at university study abroad programs.
