When Rome is filled with so many things to do, it's hard to find time to pull yourself away to explore anything outside of the city. But if you've traveled all the way to Italy and don't have the time (or the budget) to be able to explore the preserved ruins of Pompeii, look no further than Ostia Antica.
I had first heard about Ostia Antica while browsing Pinterest and trying to find cool places we could go on one of the rare weekends we actually stayed in Italy and didn't have travel plans, and with the beautiful spring weather settling in, an outdoor adventure was a must. I did not get the opportunity to go to the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii while I was abroad, so I knew I wanted to see some more of the ancient history I loved so much.
Ostia Antica is a very easy train ride from Rome, costing only a few Euros, and really makes you feel like a local since you're heading away from all of the main tourist destinations. We got on the train at the Pyramid stop, which is really close to the Trastevere neighborhood, but I believe you can also take the metro to it as well! Get off at stop Ostia and it'll be about a five minute walk from the station to the gates. The ticket is about 12 Euro for adults, and you can grab free maps in the gift shop.
Ostia Antica is an ancient port city that was used frequently by the Romans until a bigger and better port came along and everyone just deserted Ostia Antica. It was left in amazing condition, and so much of it has been excavated that you could spend hours wandering around. I was awestruck at how much of this ancient city was left standing, and I was blown away by the fact that you were free to wander pretty much anywhere you want. It looks untouched, as if the Romans were walking around it just yesterday.
I'm no tour guide, so definitely grab a map to help you navigate, just make sure you make a stop at the amphitheater (my favorite spot). There's so much to look at so allow yourself to wander and enjoy! If you're hungry, there isn't much around and we stopped at a small place just outside the entrance that wasn't that good, so pack a lunch and plan ahead if you decide to go!
If you plan on going to Ostia Antica or you've been and loved it, comment below!
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