Daily life in Ostia Antica (private tour)
Description
Relive a piece of ancient Rome history, immersing yourself in this unique archaeological site on an unforgettable tour. The tour allows you to visit in depth a good part of this extraordinary archaeological site that covers about 50 hectares, in which ancient ruins and nature merge to create suggestive landscapes. Founded according to tradition by King Anco Marzio in a strategic area from the military and commercial point of view, Ostia was the first Roman colony, port of the city of Rome at the mouth of the Tiber river. Along the way you will be able to observe the grandiose theater dating back to the Augustan era, the Baths of Neptune and its mythological mosaics, the remains of the imposing Capitolium that towers over the Piazza del Foro and the famous insulae and tabernae. A unique archaeological site in the world where it is really possible to relive the daily life of the ancient Romans in a chronological span of 8 centuries.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Necropolis, Terme di Nettuno, Theater, Piazzale delle Corporazioni, Terme del Foro, Capitolium, Tabernae
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(57)
Our tour of Ostia Antica with Paola was one of the highlights of our trip to Rome and Sicily. Paola's background in archeology and deep knowledge of the area (as an academic expert, nearby resident, and general frequent visitor of the site) made for one of the best tour experiences we've had anywhere. She immediately led us away from the crowds, and despite the fact that it was an unusually busy day at Ostia Antica (due to free admission), we did not encounter too many other visitors during most of the tour, and felt like we were seeing many sites that would have gone overlooked by almost all visitors without her skillful navigation of the site. The whole tour was extremely engaging and we were blown away seeing the mixture of Roman apartment buildings (insulae), villas, everyday sites (restaurants, shops, warehouses), and religious sites (especially from the Mithra cult), tombs, etc. that are seemingly endless and so well preserved at Ostia. The extant mosaics and other decoration still preserved in buildings at Ostia are breathtaking. If you have an extra day in Rome, or are interested in Roman history/art/archeology and have seen the Roman Forum/Coliseum before, I highly recommend visiting this site as a "can't miss" and this tour in particular.
Our private tour guide Paola was a great communicator and very knowledgeable. It was an enjoyable experience and highly recommended.
We had an amazing tour at Ostia Antico with Paola. It was thoroughly interesting and fascinating. We learned so much and would highly recommend going here. She was wonderful.
Detailed tour of Ostia Antica with comprehensive and well presented information about life and history of the city. Paola is clearly passionate and educated about the area and provided an excellent tour of the ruins.
We are glad that you enjoyed our tour and the knowledge of our dear Paola. We hope you enjoy the rest of your holiday!
no visit because bp health on the day of the visit! If I can be reimbursed...??? I'm a taker... I expect a positive response if possible!
We are really sorry about you not being able to attend our tour. However, you contacted us about your issue less than 2 hours before the tour, when our policy clearly states "Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)". In order to be available for your tour, the assigned guide blocked a slot on her calendar and refused any other job for the day (and thus deserves to be paid). We have also bought your tickets in advance. We have offered to wait a couple hours for the healthy one of you to join us so that you could, at least partly, live the experience, but you refused. There is nothing else we can do in this sense.
Our guide Paola has deep knowledge and passion for the subject. Along the way, we also learned a lot about current life in Italy. Would definitely book again. Thank you so much!
Wir freuen uns, dass Ihnen Ihr Besuch gefallen hat. Wir freuen uns darauf, gemeinsam weitere Teile des Archäologischen Parks Ostia Antica zu erkunden!
We had a private tour with Paola in early June. She is an excellent guide for Ostia Antica. She is not only very knowledgeable about the site and its amazing history but also very personable. We really enjoyed spending the afternoon with her walking through the site and learning about so many aspects of daily life there. Highly recommended.
Our private tour of Ostia Antica was an extraordinary experience—an absolute must for history lovers and anyone looking to explore an ancient Roman site without the crowds. From the moment we arrived, our guide’s passion and expertise were evident. She brought the ruins to life with vivid storytelling, historical context, and a deep understanding of Roman daily life. Unlike other archaeological sites, Ostia Antica feels wonderfully immersive—you’re able to walk along original streets, step into ancient baths, shops, and apartment buildings, and really imagine what life was like in this once-thriving port city. One of the true highlights was the remarkably well-preserved mosaics. From intricate black-and-white designs in the bathhouses to vibrant patterns in public spaces, the artistry was stunning. Our guide did a fantastic job pointing out the symbolism and craftsmanship in each piece, giving us a new appreciation for Roman aesthetics and engineering. What made this tour truly special was the peaceful atmosphere. With fewer tourists than Pompeii or the Roman Forum, we felt like we had the site to ourselves, allowing for a more personal and contemplative experience. This private tour was a perfect blend of education, exploration, and inspiration. We left with a deeper understanding of ancient Rome and memories we’ll never forget. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Rome or the surrounding area—Ostia Antica is a hidden gem, and having a knowledgeable guide made all the difference.
Thank you for your kind words! Passion and enthusiasm characterise our guides, who seek to provide Ostia Antica the "gem" status it deserves.
The ruins are amazing. Having a knowledgeable guide like Paola was invaluable. Not only did we learn about ancient Roman life and history but Paola was able to tie this into our current events. She was very passionate about Roman history at Ostia Antica.
Thank you for sharing this! We are glad to hear about your pleasant experience with Paola, she truly is our diamond!
Parco Archeologico di Ostia Antica is an amazing site! It is large, complicated, and has a great deal of history and variety. My husband and I are so glad we decided to visit this site on a private tour with an archaeologist as a guide. Paola was extremely helpful, organized, efficient, and informative! There is too much to see at this site (and they continue to excavate). She presented the site to us in a way that helped us see what was here and how they lived, worked, and played. Our tour was fascinating. Paola was an excellent guide!
