Ostia Antica

Ostia Antica is an ancient Roman port town located near the modern town of Ostia and the mouth of the Tiber, southwest of Rome. It preserves large, well-excavated ruins of a once-busy harbour and urban centre that illustrate Roman civic, commercial and domestic life.

Within the excavations visitors can walk through streets lined with merchant shops, public baths, a theatre, warehouses and the civic forum; mosaics, wall paintings and structural remains are extensive and well-signposted. The site is frequently visited as an accessible alternative to central Rome’s ancient monuments and is noted for its level of preservation and scale.

Ostia Antica developed as Rome’s principal port from the Republican period and expanded in imperial times, later declining as changing coastlines and harbour silted up. Excavations have taken place since the 19th century and continue to reveal details of urban layout and everyday life.

The ruins lie on the Tyrrhenian coast in Lazio, roughly 25 to 30 kilometres southwest of central Rome and close to the Fiumicino area and airport, reachable by regional rail and road.

• Visitor practicalities: The excavated area is extensive and typically takes several hours to explore; wear comfortable shoes and bring sun protection in summer.
• Transport: The site is served by the Roma-Lido suburban rail line to Ostia Antica station, making it an easy half-day trip from central Rome.

What to See #

• Forum of Ostia Antica: The main forum and civic centre of the ancient town, surrounded by temples, shops and public buildings and forming the archaeological heart of the site.
• Roman theatre: A well-preserved Roman theatre with tiered seating and good acoustics used for public performances in antiquity.
• Baths and mosaics: Large public bath complexes that retain mosaics, statues and hypocaust remains illustrating Roman urban life.
• Site museum: The archaeological museum near the site entrance that displays finds from the excavations including sculptures, inscriptions and daily-use items.