Which one to choose in Rome
Two ancient sites in Rome. Appian Way has 36 tickets and tours to book; Ostia Antica has 19 tickets and tours to book. The table and the two notes below put them side by side; the full pages have what to see, the ticket and the timing for each.
Rome, Italy
The Appian Way is the Roman road begun in 312 BC from Rome towards southern Italy, and its first 16 km out of the city still run past tombs, catacombs and villas. Long stretches keep their original basalt paving. Now a protected archaeological park on the UNESCO list since 2024, it is the best place near Rome to walk or cycle through ancient countryside.
Rome, Italy
Ostia Antica is the ancient port of Rome at the old mouth of the Tiber, 25 km from the centre of Rome, preserved by river silt and sand dunes. Its streets of brick apartment blocks, warehouses, baths and bars show ordinary Roman city life better than anywhere outside Pompeii and Herculaneum, with far fewer visitors.
| Appian Way | Ostia Antica | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Tomb & Necropolis | Ancient City |
| Civilisation | Roman | Roman |
| Founded | 312 BC | 350 BC |
| Entry | Road free; park sites EUR 8 each; catacombs extra | EUR 18 (8-day park pass); under-18s free; first Sunday free |
| Hours | Road open at all times; catacombs about 9 or 10 am to 5 pm, some closing at lunch; park sites 9 am to dusk | 8.30 am to 7 pm Apr–Sep, to 4.30 pm in winter; last entry an hour before closing |
| Time needed | Half a day; a full day by bike | 3 to 4 hours |
| Booking | No booking for the road; book bike tours ahead at weekends | Pay at the gate or in the Musei Italiani app; no booking needed |
| UNESCO | yes | — |
| Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide | 36 | 19 |
| Official website | yes | yes |