Ostia Antica is an archaeological park in Rome where you can explore the remains of an ancient city built at the mouth of the Tiber. It’s about 25 km from Tiburtina Hotel Holiday, a guest house in Rome, with an estimated journey of 40 minutes, making it a practical day trip for anyone exploring historical places in Rome.
- Location: Viale dei Romagnoli 717, Rome
- Opening pattern: Tuesday through Sunday and public holidays, opening at 8:30 AM; closed Mondays and on December 25 and January 1
- Full-price combined ticket: €18, valid for 8 consecutive calendar days
- Last entry: One hour before closing
What is Ostia Antica?
Ostia Antica preserves the remains of a Roman city whose name refers to its position at the mouth of the Tiber. The park explains that “Ostia” comes from the Latin ostium, meaning “mouth of a river.”
According to the foundation legend cited by the park, King Ancus Marcius founded Ostia in 620 BC as a strategic site for using the salt pans at the river’s mouth.
Within the archaeological area, the Decumanus Maximus connects major landmarks including the Capitolium, the Theatre and the Piazzale delle Corporazioni. The Capitolium was the city’s main temple, dedicated to the Capitoline Triad.
The Ostiense Museum is also inside the archaeological area. Its displays tell the story of daily life in the Roman city, giving you another way to understand the place beyond its streets and public buildings.
How do you get from Rome to Ostia Antica?
Ostia Antica is a day-trip destination from Rome, but the park’s visitor details do not set out a specific route from Tiburtina. The hotel is about 25 km from the site, and the estimated journey is 40 minutes.
For the practical details of getting around the Tiburtina area, how to use Roma Tiburtina station during a Rome stay is relevant background.
The park’s address is Viale dei Romagnoli 717, Rome. Check your route and transport arrangements before setting out so you can plan your arrival around the park’s opening and last-entry times.
How much time should you allow at the archaeological site?
Plan your visit around the park’s closing time, and arrive at least an hour before it: that is when last entry and ticket-office service end. The closing time changes through the year, so the season of your visit affects how long you can spend inside.
The main archaeological area includes several distinct landmarks, and the Ostiense Museum is within the site as well. Walking paths can be uneven, so the park recommends comfortable clothing and shoes. There is no left-luggage service, so arrive without bags that you would need to store.
Tickets, hours and access
The archaeological area opens at 8:30 AM Tuesday through Sunday and on public holidays. It is closed on Mondays, December 25 and January 1.
Closing times vary by season: 4:30 PM from October 25 through February 28 or 29; 5:15 PM from March 1 through March 31; 7:00 PM from April 1 through September 30; and 6:30 PM from October 1 through October 24. The ticket office and last entry close one hour before the stated closing time.
The combined ticket costs €18 at full price or €2 for EU citizens aged 18–25. It is valid for 8 consecutive calendar days and covers the park’s archaeological and museum sites.
EU citizens under 18 and visitors with disabilities and their carers have free admission. You can buy tickets at the ticket office with cash or electronic payment, or through the Musei Italiani app. Prices may increase during temporary exhibitions.
The park has routes for visitors with mobility difficulties or wheelchair users. The route from the ticket office to the Ostiense Museum is wheelchair accessible, and the museum has an access ramp. Visitors with reduced mobility may enter with their own vehicle if it displays the appropriate permit and use the internal parking area.
Check the official site before you go, as the park reserves the right to close sites early or change routes or access to areas for weather, safety, maintenance and other operational reasons.
Rules and facilities inside the park
Picnics and meals are not permitted inside the archaeological area. A cafeteria and dispensers for snacks and hot and cold drinks are available within the park. Dogs are allowed, but must stay on a leash throughout your visit. Drone use, including low-altitude flights, is prohibited because the archaeological area lies within the airport no-drone zone.
FAQs
Where is the Archaeological Park of Ostia Antica?
It is at Viale dei Romagnoli 717, Rome, at the site of the ancient city built at the mouth of the Tiber.
When is Ostia Antica closed?
The archaeological area is closed on Mondays, December 25 and January 1. It opens on public holidays that fall on other days.
Can you buy tickets at the entrance?
Yes. Tickets are sold at the ticket office, which accepts cash and electronic payment. You can also buy them through the Musei Italiani app.
Are dogs allowed at Ostia Antica?
Yes. Dogs may enter the archaeological area but must remain on a leash throughout the visit.