Ostia Antica day trip from Rome
A day trip to Ostia Antica from Rome: in through Porta Romana and along the Decumanus Maximus to the Baths of Neptune, the theatre and the Piazzale delle Corporazioni with its mosaics, the Thermopolium bar and the Casa di Diana, the Capitolium and Forum, the Ostia Museum, then the medieval village and the Castle of Julius II. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 1 days
Ostia Antica in 1 day
Day 1
Ostia Antica Archaeological Park (Porta Romana and Decumanus Maximus)
The entrance by the old city gate, Porta Romana, and the start of the Decumanus Maximus, the Roman main street lined with tombs, shops and warehouses.
Baths of Neptune
Bath complex by the main street with a large black-and-white mosaic of Neptune riding sea creatures, seen from a terrace.
Theatre of Ostia
Roman theatre built under Augustus and enlarged later, still used for summer performances, with masks decorating the stage.
Piazzale delle Corporazioni
Square behind the theatre ringed by the offices of shipping and trading guilds, each marked by mosaics of ships and goods.
Thermopolium of Via di Diana
A Roman bar with its marble counter, shelves and painted wall still in place, where hot food and drinks were sold.
Casa di Diana
Multi-storey Roman apartment block named for a relief of Diana, with a courtyard and a Mithraeum inside.
Capitolium and Forum of Ostia
The main temple of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva, standing high above the forum square, the civic heart of the city.
Ostia Museum (Museo Ostiense)
Small museum on the site with statues, portraits, sarcophagi and reliefs found in the excavations of Rome's port city.
Borgo di Ostia Antica and the Castle of Julius II
The small walled medieval village near the site, with the Renaissance castle built for the future Pope Julius II to guard the Tiber.
Getting there
The Roma-Lido train from Porta San Paolo station, next to the Piramide metro stop, reaches Ostia Antica in about 30 minutes; the site is a short walk from the station over a footbridge. By car it is about 30 minutes from central Rome.
Staying in Rome? This day fits into those city plans, and in the Trip Builder it is one click under each of them.
When to go to Ostia Antica
Spring, from March to May, and autumn, from September to October, are the best times, warm without the summer heat. July and August are hot and the site has little shade, so go early in the morning. In summer the theatre hosts open-air performances in the evenings.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Ostia Antica on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Ostia Antica on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Ostia Antica on GetYourGuide
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for Italy from Airalo
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Ostia Antica
- The archaeological park is closed on Mondays; check the season's closing time, which is earlier in winter.
- The site is large and has little shade: bring water, a hat and comfortable shoes for the old Roman paving stones.
- Go on a weekday morning to have the streets and houses almost to yourself; it is far quieter than the Roman Forum.
- Allow at least half a day: the stops in the plan cover only part of the excavated city, and side streets are worth exploring.
- Climb to the top of the theatre for the best view over the ruins and the Piazzale delle Corporazioni.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Baths of Neptune: dalbera from Paris, France, CC BY 2.0
- Borgo di Ostia Antica and the Castle of Julius II: Giuseppe Rampolla, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Casa di Diana: Dennis G. Jarvis, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Ostia Antica Archaeological Park (Porta Romana and Decumanus Maximus): Jean-Pierre Dalbéra from Paris, France, CC BY 2.0
- Ostia Museum (Museo Ostiense): AlMare, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Piazzale delle Corporazioni: Livioandronico2013, CC BY-SA 3.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
