Which one to choose in Rome
Two ancient sites in Rome. Ostia Antica has 19 tickets and tours to book; Roman Forum and Palatine has 162 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
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.
Rome, Italy
The Roman Forum is the valley between the Palatine and Capitoline hills where ancient Rome held its elections, trials, triumphs and markets for over a thousand years. Its temples, basilicas, arches and Senate House lie in a sunken field of ruins, and the same ticket covers the Palatine above, with the remains of the imperial palaces.
| Ostia Antica | Roman Forum and Palatine | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Ancient City | Ancient City |
| Civilisation | Roman | Roman |
| Founded | 350 BC | 750 BC |
| Entry | EUR 18 (8-day park pass); under-18s free; first Sunday free | EUR 18 with the Colosseum; under-18s free |
| Hours | 8.30 am to 7 pm Apr–Sep, to 4.30 pm in winter; last entry an hour before closing | 9 am to an hour before sunset: to 7.15 pm in summer, 4.30 pm in winter |
| Time needed | 3 to 4 hours | 2 to 3 hours with the Palatine |
| Booking | Pay at the gate or in the Musei Italiani app; no booking needed | Timed named tickets, shared with the Colosseum; book ahead in season |
| UNESCO | — | yes |
| Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide | 19 | 162 |
| Official website | yes | yes |