We traveled to Ostia Antica with kids as part of our trip to Rome, Italy, in February 2020. You can read the full trip’s itinerary in our Rome post.
During our time in Rome, we took a day trip to the ancient harbor city of Ostia Antica. The thousands-of-years-old city was well preserved after being covered (and protected) by mud until it was rediscovered – making it an amazing archeological site to visit today.
Ostia Antica is an easy destination from Rome. We took the Roma Lido line from Roma Porta San Paolo station to Ostia Antica station just 30 minutes away. From there it’s a quick 10-minute walk; there is a pedestrian overpass and then some quiet streets before you arrive at the ticket desk. It’s 12 EUR per adult and kids under 12 are free; we also bought the audio guide which was a great addition to the information signs throughout the site. The audio guide provides two tour options: a short one at 26 stops / 3 hours and a long one at 60 stops / 7 hours. With kids, we took the short tour, but this goes to show how truly expansive the site is.
Ostia is believed to have been founded in 620 BC as a crucial spot to access the nearby salt flats. It became a major port and trading center for Rome as it took control of all Mediterranean trade routes. During the 2nd century AD, there are estimates of nearly 50,000 people living in Ostia. Eventually commercial activities moved elsewhere, and with the end of the Roman empire, the port was abandoned and fell into decay.
Visiting Ostia Antica now is extraordinary. It’s not just one or two buildings, but an entire city comprised of residences, businesses, entertainment and more. There is so much to see from the buildings and wall paintings to the preserved mosaic floors and sculptures to the huge theater. And our kids loved it, as they could climb up the stairs of buildings, go under walls and generally explore as they see fit. There is more to see when visiting Ostia Antica than I could attempt to summarize; however, below were a few of the spots that stood out.
Part of a bath complex from AD 41-54, the intricate black and white mosaic floor includes panels depicting weapons, dolphins and men’s and women’s heads to symbolize the winds.
The large theater, which could hold up to 4,000 people, is a focal point in Ostia Antica. It provides panoramic views of the surrounding ruins and also makes a great spot for a lunch break. And for some reason kids just like walking up and down stairs! We also loved the theatrical masks that are part of the architecture next to the theater.
Piazzale delle Corporazioni (Square of Corporations) is a large square next to the theater which includes a number of stations for maritime traders. Unique mosaics are featured on the floor of each station to illustrate what was being sold in that shop.
We spent 3-4 hours walking around and exploring Ostia Antica. Afterward, we took the Roma Lido line two stations further to Lido Central Station in Ostia. Ostia is the modern city that sits on the Mediterranean Sea, where many from Rome go to enjoy the seaside. This was our reason for going as well. Being this close to the Mediterranean, we thought it worth a brief visit. Only a 15-minute walk from the station gets you to the beach. Our kids love any opportunity to play in the sand and run barefoot in the water, so we found this a nice addition to visiting Ostia Antica.