11 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Ostia

Ancient Rome's port of Ostia, now landlocked five kilometers from the Tyrrhenian Sea, is Italy's largest excavation after Pompeii. Visiting Ostia from Rome couldn't be easier, whether you make the half-hour journey by direct train or with a full- or half-day guided tour.

Ostia was founded about the fourth century BC, a short distance from the city at the mouth of the Tiber, and became the principal Roman naval base, growing to a thriving city of 50,000 inhabitants. From being Rome's largest suburb and its commercial port, Ostia fell to disuse and malaria after the fall of the Roman Empire. The excavated city, which dates mainly from the second to fourth centuries AD, gives a vivid picture of urban life in Imperial Rome.

Discover the best places to visit with our list of the top attractions and things to do in Ostia.

1. Baths of Neptune

Public baths were a central feature of Roman towns, large facilities that served both social and hygienic purposes. Like most bathhouses of that period, these are richly adorned by mosaic floors. The sea theme of the baths, with fish, mermaids, and Neptune gives them their name.

From the terrace at the northeast corner, you can get a good view of the heating system that kept the proper temperatures in the various sections. At the end of Via dei Vigili, on the left, are the Watchmen's Barracks from the second century AD, with a large central courtyard.

Address: Via dei Vigili, Ostia Scavi

2. Theater

Adjacent to the Baths of Neptune is the semi-circular theater, originally built in the time of Augustus and later enlarged to seat 2,700 spectators. From the highest tier of seating there is a good view of the excavations, particularly of the open Piazzale delle Corporazioni immediately north of the theater, where you can see the columns of the Temple of Ceres.

Along the east side of this square are the offices (scholae) of the various shipping corporations trading with overseas ports, mainly in Africa. To the west of the theater is the House of Marcus Apuleius Marcellus, a second-century home with a peristyle and atrium similar to those found at Pompeii. Adjoining it on the north is a shrine of Mithras.

Address: Decumanus Maximus, Ostia Scavi

3. Capitolium and Forum

Standing on a high brick base and with large sections of its brick walls still erect, the imposing Capitolium was the religious center of the town. Partly because of its elevation, this second-century structure was the only building of ancient Ostia that remained above ground throughout the Middle Ages.

To the south of the Capitolium is the Forum, in the center of town at the intersection of the Decumanus with the Cardo Maximus, the principal transverse street. On the south side of the Forum, you can see the remains of the Temple of Roma and Augustus, from the first century AD, with a statue of the victorious Roma. To the west, beyond a basilica, is a third-century rotunda in the style of the Pantheon, and southeast of the Forum are large second-century baths.

4. Decumanus Maximus

The Decumanus Maximus, the main street of ancient Ostia, more than one kilometer long, starts at the Porta Marina, close to the ancient shoreline. It runs the length of the town, and along it are most of the major public buildings, along with shops and businesses.

Look just before the street makes a slight bend to the right, opposite the intersection of Via della Foce, for a fishmonger's shop, recognizable by the stone table for cutting fish. Farther along the Decumanus Maximus on the left is a well-preserved Thermopolium, a stone counter containing basins for cooling drinks and tiers of shelves to hold drinking vessels.

Opposite are the easily recognizable public latrines. Four small temples built on an older substructure are on the left before the theater.

5. Bakery

The barrel vaulting in the bakery was most likely built in the Severan period, sometime between AD 193 and 235, useful where there are ovens, as they slow down the cooling and do not catch fire as easily as a wood-beamed ceiling.

The bakery is, not surprisingly, opposite the large store buildings for grain, the Grandi Horrea, dating back to the reign of Claudius. Basalt blocks with imprints of hooves suggest that the animals turned the millstones used for grinding the grain, and a number of millstones were found here, made of volcanic stone from Orvieto. An oven made of tufa stones on top of a brick base is almost five meters thick.

6. Horrea Epagathiana & Domus di Amore e Psiche

In a road running parallel to the Cardo Maximus, west of the forum, the Horrea Epagathiana is a group of impressive privately owned warehouses. The gateway is in excellent condition, and the area has a two-story arcaded courtyard.

Opposite, the Domus di Amore e Psiche (house of Cupid and Psyche) is a typical dwelling with an inner courtyard and a well-preserved marble floor. You'll find several other sets of these horrea in Ostia, but these are the largest. The statue of Cupid and Psyche in the house is a reproduction; the marble original is now in the archaeological museum.

7. Tombs

Just beyond the main entrance of the excavation area, along the ancient Via Ostiensis and the parallel Via delle Tombe to its south, are rows of tombs. There are about 60 of these, unearthed in three sets of excavation between 1855 and 1923.

The most impressive of these are on Via delle Tombe, but both streets are lined with individual tombs, some quite large, and columbaria with niches for large numbers of urns. Via Ostiensis leads to the remains of the Porta Romana, the most important of the town's three gates.

8. Porticus della Fontana a Lucerna

Just inside the Porta Marina is the 108-meter block of apartments named for the Fontana a Lucerna, with shops on the ground floor. The decorative portico along the south side of the street was built during the reign of Hadrian, its piers later reinforced. The mosaic floors and heated bathrooms suggest that these apartment blocks were built for affluent residents.

The Fontana a Lucerna-Fountain of the Lamp-sits on the Decumanus Maximus opposite a marble staircase, and the lantern-shaped column that gave it the name can still be seen in its center. Across the Decumanus Maximus lies a large area of houses with gardens.

Address: Decumanus Maximus, Ostia Scavi

9. Archeological Museum of Ostia

The building housing the museum dates back to the 15th century and is known as the Casone del Sale (Big House of Salt), referring to the salt pans that were once along the marshes at the Tiber's mouth. The museum displays finds from the excavations that tell more of the story of the lives of Ostia's residents.

Two rooms are dedicated to the oriental cults popular in ancient Ostia, illustrated by reliefs carved into coffin lids showing priests conducting ceremonies, and a large marble group of Mithras slaying the bull.

Among the museum's highlights are a large marble statue of Minerva that was probably from Porta Romana; a relief from the Temple of Hercules dating from between 80 and 65 BC; a statue of Perseus holding the head of Medusa found in a villa outside Porta Laurentina; and a portrait of Trajan, a rare masterpiece that was found in the theater.

Address: Viale dei Romagnoli 717, Ostia Antica

Official site: http://www.ostiaantica.beniculturali.it

10. Explore Borgo di Ostia Antica

The name of the present town, Ostia Antica, is a bit misleading as it is a great deal newer than the adjacent excavated town. It is dominated by a castle, Castello di Giulio II, built in 1486 to protect the harbor. The castle is triangular, with heavy walls, bastions on the side facing the river, and a massive keep in typical Italian Renaissance fortification style.

Inside is a small museum of ceramics, and from the ramparts are good views of the coastline and beaches. The Renaissance church of Santa Aurea was built at the same time.

11. Go to the Beach

The long stretch of sands in Ostia is the closest beach to Rome, so you can expect crowds, especially in the afternoon and on weekends. But few places will give you a more typical experience of Italian beach culture.

Row after row of colored umbrellas mark the territories of the various stabilimenti, privately operated bathing establishments where, for a fee, you get a lounger, a beach umbrella, and access to changing and rest rooms. You can also buy food and drinks at these, so once you have paid for your spot, you can spend the day here.

Along with access to a strip of beach and ocean, some of the more elaborate stabilimenti have swimming pools and other facilities. Or you can just stroll along the Pontile di Ostia, a boardwalk, and stop for gelato or a cool drink.

Where to Stay in Ostia

There are only a few hotels right at Ostia Antica, but there are several good options closer to the beach at Ostia Lido and in nearby Fumicino. We recommend these highly rated hotels:

Luxury Hotels:

• Surrounded by the green landscapes of the Traiano natural park, QC Termeroma Spa and Resort is about four kilometers from Ostia Antica. Rooms are stylishly furnished, and there's an attractive pool area with waterfalls; parking is free.
• Only a bit farther away from Ostia Antica, but conveniently located in the center of Fumicino, Seccy Hotel Boutique has well-appointed rooms and public areas, and an excellent included breakfast buffet. Seafood restaurants at the picturesque fishing port are a short walk away, and the inexpensive hotel shuttle provides rides to Rome's nearby Fumicino International Airport.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• Right on the beach and only four kilometers from the archaeological site, Hotel Sirenetta has rooms with balconies overlooking the sea. The hotel has a retro vibe and is decorated with Art Deco travel posters. It's an easy walk to the station for frequent trains to Rome and Ostia Antica.
• Hotel La Scaletta is right across the street from the beach, and many rooms have sea views and balconies. The train station and several restaurants are close. Breakfast is included.

Budget Hotels:

• Only a 10- to 15-minute walk from the archaeological site, Domus Gratiae is about the same distance from the train station for frequent trains to Rome, and even closer to restaurants. Attractive rooms have kitchenettes, and flowers are everywhere.
• About 1.5 kilometers from the archaeological site, the Ostia Antica Park Hotel & Spa is also set in gardens and has a pool and solarium. It is a convenient choice if you're traveling by car.

Tips and Tours: How to Make the Most of Your Visit to Ostia

Although you can visit Ostia Antica independently from Rome on the frequent commuter trains from Ostiense, part of the Piramide Metro station, it is often easier and more rewarding to take a tour of its top attractions and things to do. Not only is the transportation from Rome included, but you'll see the ruins with a knowledgeable guide who can help bring the ancient city to life.

• Full-Day Trip to Ostia from Rome: If you want an in-depth tour and are looking to understand the history of Ostia, the Ancient Ostia Small Group Day Trip is your best option. You'll join other tourists and your guide at the Piramide Metro station to travel by train to Ostia for a walking tour through the ruins and museum, with time in the afternoon to explore on your own or sunbathe on Ostia's beach.
• Arriving at Ostia on Your Own: If you choose to go independently, the commuter train to Ostia is included in the daily transport passes for Rome's Metro and buses. The entrance to the ruins is a short walk (well signposted) from the Ostia Antica rail station, and audio tours are available in English.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

Where to Go from Ostia: If you have not already been there, you'll want to see the top tourist attractions of Rome and the treasures of the Vatican.

Exploring More Ancient Cities: If Ostia Antica whets your appetite for more of ancient Rome, the two cities destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79 are nearby. Our pages on Visiting Pompeii and Visiting Herculaneum will guide you to the top sights.