About this tour
Walk through Ancient Ostia's remarkably intact streets and buildings that once served as Rome's commercial gateway. This 3-hour private guided tour takes you along the main thoroughfare to explore residential blocks, shops, bathhouses and public spaces frozen from the 2nd century AD. You'll study intricate mosaics, frescoed walls and the amphitheatre while your English-speaking guide explains how 50,000 residents lived in multi-storey apartments before the harbour silted up and the city was abandoned.
Highlights
- Mosaic floors and frescoed walls in original condition
- Decumanus Maximus, the ancient main commercial street
- Multi-storey brick apartment buildings of the 2nd century
- Amphitheatre ruins and public bathing complexes
- Taverns and grocery stores revealing daily Roman life
- Skip-the-line access with licensed English guide
What to expect
Your guide will navigate you through the site's grid layout, pointing out how ordinary Romans lived and worked. You'll pass intact shop fronts, examine mosaic patterns that decorated homes and businesses, and see how the Romans engineered tall apartment blocks to house a booming population. The amphitheatre offers perspective on public entertainment. Expect to spend most of the three hours on your feet, wandering unpaved ancient streets with modern protective barriers. The site is open to elements, so you'll be exposed to sun and weather throughout.
Good to know
Wear comfortable walking shoes and carry water—there are limited facilities on site. Prams and pushchairs are permitted. Public transport connects easily to the location. The tour suits all fitness levels, though uneven ground requires steady footing.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.