Ostia Antica Archaeological Park With Italian Gelato

Took the opportunity to to visit this lesser known Archeological Site as we were staying at an airport close to Rome Airport. €18 to get in (buy a map when you get your ticket €2.50). We didn’t and could have done with it. We also downloaded Rick Steve’s free audio walking tour to walk around the site. Great afternoon and we were able to see actual teams of archeologists working on a new excavation. Allow 2-3 hours. And take plenty of water.

This was our favorite tour in Rome. Having a guide was priceless for the knowledge and ability to bring the experience to life.

How did I not know this place existed? My whole life, I had wanted to see the ruins of Pompeii to truly understand what daily life was like in ancient Rome. I’ve been fortunate enough to visit Pompeii, but Ostia Antica makes it pale in comparison when it comes to preserved physical structures and understanding how a real Roman city actually functioned. The variety of still-standing buildings is astonishing, ranging from luxurious homes and apartment complexes to shops, warehouses, and even massive public bath complexes. Walking through the streets gives you a vivid, tangible sense of how the city operated and how different levels of society lived side by side. Chiara and Federico are exceptional, insightful guides with a wealth of knowledge. They go beyond simply presenting facts—they truly help you imagine what it felt like to live in Roman times. Through detailed explanations and thoughtful storytelling, they show how Roman society was structured and how it functioned on a daily basis. They are personable, engaging, and incredibly passionate. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to experience the true, living history of Rome in a way that feels both authentic and unforgettable.

This tour was particularly interesting as it offered an opportunity to get outside the city center and experience a fascinating aspect of ancient Roman history. Ostia Antica is a must for anyone interested in getting a better understanding of this period. The local guides, Chiara and Federico did a great job explaining the history and culture of Ostia. I strongly recommend this tour for anyone interested in Ancient Rome.

The tour of Ostia Antiqua was excellent - Federico was very knowledgeable and passionate about the importance of this area to the Roman Empire. Federico communications and interpersonal skills were also excellent and overall our expectations were exceeded. Thank you!

We could not be more pleased with our decision to take a half day and go to Ostia Antica, an excavation site of the old port city that was the gateway to Rome. And our guide Federico grew up in the area and was very knowledgeable about this gem in his back yard! If you want to get away from the hustle of Rome and learn about the history of the place, take this trip! There is a place for gelato and coffee and food right outside the site.

Awesome tour of Ostia Antica. We were transported back to Roman times with an eye-opening and informative immersive archaeological experience to be remembered. Thanks to Chiara and Federico for providing us with a memorable day that I encourage others to have as well!

This was a fabulous experience. Both guides (Federico & Chiara) were extremely knowledgeable and answered all our questions. What a wonderful and enjoyable time. And the archeological site was fantastic! Definitely will book them again if we get to Ostia Antica again (which we hope to do).

This was a great tour! The Chiara and Federico were a great team and were able to make the site of Ostia Antica really come to life. They had a thorough understanding of the subject and were able to impart the info in a clear, interesting manner. We learned so much and were fascinated throughout! Thanks!

If you liked Pompei, you will love Ostia Antica! It’s the remains of an entire Roman city that gave us a feel for what life was like 2500 years ago. Our tour guides were amazing! They were so knowledgeable about the site, but they were also incredibly knowledgeable about the history of the ancient world. We asked a million silly questions and they answered them all with patience and we could tell it was a pleasure for them because they told us fascinating stories and gave us tips about further details that could be found in specific museums in Rome. Also they guided us around the local village, gave us a great restaurant recommendation and treated us to some artisanal gelato. Fantastic experience, 100% recommend!

My wife and I very much enjoyed this tour of the true Roman ruins. The guides were fantastic and seemed to know everything about the Ostia ruins. These ruins are bigger and in many ways better preserved than those in the center of Rome. I highly recommend this tour! We will do a longer one when we go back.

This tour was one of the most interesting tours of our entire vacation through Greece and Italy. The guides were amazing, their deep knowledge and appreciation of the history and the archeology was quite apparent. Ostia Antica is an amazing place. The guides, Chiara and Federico, were invaluable in our enjoyment of it! The train ride down from Rome was easy and pleasant and our guide met us there just per plan.

This was a lovely personal and informative tour. Ostia Antica is a great example of a working port. Also, lovely gelato and a great recomendation for lunch. Thank you.

Wonderful tour of a little known gem. The largest archaeological site in Europe yet few tourists. Chiara and Frederico are great guides, very knowledgeable about the site and the area. This makes a good activity for the day before you fly home as it is close to the Rome airport. Gelato at the end was a fun touch .

Fascinating tour! Federico and Chiara were very personable hosts with amazing knowledge of Ostia Antiche. We were lucky to be the only guests on the tour, so we had lots of attention for our specific questions. The ruins of the ancient city are huge, and we enjoyed the well-preserved mosaics on the floors of the changing rooms for the Roman baths. It was fascinating to see the advanced technology of the Roman builders. Ostia Antiche is certainly as worthwhile to see as Pompeii, maybe better, and very close to Rome. The only downside was that my husband was disappointed that all of the gelato shops were closed that day.

My family did the Ostia Antica tour with Frederico and Chiara. It was a small group - just us plus one other couple, which was nice since it let everyone ask lots of questions. The guides are knowledgeable, friendly, and speak perfect English. The tour is 3 hours or so and roughly 3 miles of walking. There are a couple of places where you could climb a short steep stairway for a good view of the ruins from overhead but the climbs are skippable if, like a couple of people in our group, you'd rather avoid steep stairs. Ostia is worth the visit - it's different from Pompeii in two ways: first, it was more of a working town than a vacation destination for the wealthy. Second, it was never frozen in time under volcanic ash, but rather had a whole life over hundreds of years before being abandoned and eventually excavated in modern times. It's a large ruin with plenty to see. The guides meet you near the train station by the ruins, so if you're in Rome you have to get yourself out there, but it's easy and inexpensive using the metro and commuter train - take the metro to the Piramide station, which is connected to the Porta San Paolo train station, then switch to the Ostia-Lido commuter train. My teenager is a history buff and this was his favorite thing he did in Italy.

My husband and I drove about 5" from our hotel to the archeological dig at ostia antica. We met Chiara and Federico by the ticket office. They were knowledgeable, friendly and presented this phenomenal treasure from before Christ (BC) onward. This was a Roman shipping port. We learned about burials, tapestries/mosaics, the amphitheater which is still in use today, the spa with multiple pool temperatures, public latrines where socialization occurred, an olden time B&B, and even where firemen were stationed. There was so much more...they were a wealth of knowledge! At the end, we walked a short distance for gelato which was a perfect treat on a hot day! I cannot say enough about this experience! We'll done!

Ostia Antica is a hidden Gem. Lovely and quiet away from Rome. Hosts were very knowledgeable, patient and took the time to explain every little detail about the tour. Would recommend to anyone to make the trek out to Ostia Antica and take part in a small tour 😃

Ostia Antica is an amazing place that was brought to life by our knowledgeable and friendly guides, Federico and Chiara. We had many curious questions and Federico always had an interesting response that gave us a deeper understanding of the history while Chiara added more touches about the culture and daily life that was so intriguing! Without them taking us straight to the most impressive parts, we would've wasted so much time and had no context for what we were looking at. So grateful for the time they spent with us during the tour and the extra time hanging out with them afterwards was such a treat! Do yourself a favor and book Ideas4Travelers, you'll be so glad you did!

We thoroughly enjoyed our tour of Ostia Antica with Chiara and Federico. While the open air museum was more than a 30 minute drive from our hotel, it was well worth it. The gracious guides met us at the parking lot which had ample parking spaces and we practically had the place to ourselves the whole tour. Chiara and Federico guided us to highlights of the archaeological site while enthralling us with interesting facts and fascinating history of the place. They also paced the tour well keeping in mind the limited time we had, which was informed in advance. In hindsight, we wish we had budgeted more time to exploring the place at a leisurely pace and really enjoying the peace and quiet of the place. The museum and the tour are highly recommended!

We really enjoyed our tour of Ostia Antica. It was a relaxing walk through with detailed explanations of each section we went to. There was no rush and any questions we had were answered thoroughly. It was lovely to have an apertive afterwards while still discussing things we’d seen.

As the Concierge at the Beverly Hilton for over 30 years, I have worked with many tour companies. My wife and I took the Monks and Knights tour with Chiara and Federico, and we were thoroughly impressed with their Roman knowledge and interesting presentation. It was a very unique and enjoyable experience. Rome requires the obligatory visits to the Vatican, Colosseum etc., but those visits leave you hot, tired and sick of crowds. Book “Ideas 4 Travelers” for a relaxing alternative . You will experience a side of Rome that leaves you informed, relaxed and very pleased with your Rome visit. They are open to questions, so feel free to partake in engaging conversation. They love Rome and it shows. Another perk… you will have made 2 new friends.

Our family of six recently embarked on a tour of Ostia Antica and we couldn't have asked for a more incredible experience. From start to finish, our tour guides Chiara and Federico went above and beyond to ensure that we had an unforgettable time. The three-hour walking tour took us through the fascinating Ostia Antica archaeological site, where we were able to immerse ourselves in the rich history and culture of ancient Rome. Chiara and Federico's extensive knowledge and passion for the subject truly brought the ruins to life, making the experience both educational and entertaining. But the tour didn't stop there. We also had the opportunity to visit the Borghetto, a stunning castle and courtyard nestled within a medieval citadel. The small group size created an intimate atmosphere where we could ask questions and engage in meaningful conversations. We finished the tour with an Italian Aperitivo. We enjoyed our drinks accompanied by a delectable variety of cheeses and cold cuts, while chatting and sharing stories about Italy and its captivating way of life. It was the perfect way to unwind and soak in the ambiance of this remarkable place. What truly set this tour apart was the genuine care and attention provided by Chiara and Federico. They ensured that every detail was taken care of, including arranging transportation to and from Rome. Their local expertise and love for Ostia Antica added an extra layer of authenticity and enthusiasm to the entire experience. We left the tour with a profound appreciation for Ostia Antica and a new understanding of its historical significance. If you're seeking an unforgettable Italian adventure, I highly recommend booking this tour. Grazie mille, Chiara and Federico - till next time!

My mother and I loved the tour by Chiara and Federico. They are lovely, knowledgeable, and patient people, always ready to point out a cat hiding in the ruins or answer a question. We went on a rainy day when the park was pretty much empty, but it did nothing to ruin anybody’s mood. Federico has an abundance of historical information to share about every single feature, however innocuous. I was amazed at the excellent condition of many mosaics and even buildings (like the inn bar!). For an apertivo afterwards, we went to the nearby medieval town (I wish I could remember the name) and sat among the colourful buildings and potted plants. The food was amazing, and the company even better - I would highly recommend taking this tour!

Chiara and Federico who live nearby in Ostia Lido met us at the Ostia Antica train station and walked us to the site gate where we picked up official site audio guides which were excellent. Ostia reminds one very much of Pompeii, but while it is almost as large, it is a great deal more convenient to visit, and much, much less crowded. It was the port for the city of Rome from around 80 BCE through the early 100s CE when due to siltation problems a new port was built nearby, after which Ostia was gradually abandoned and figuratively and literally sank into obscurity. Like Pompeii, the city includes a theatre, a forum, temples, baths, tenements and mansions, a much larger site than we have the energy to explore completely at our age. Our hosts very tactfully guided us through the process of prioritizing our time and energies. After a comfortable, yet informative time in the ruins, we moved on to excellent lunch in the shadow of a castle built by Pope Julius II (think Rex Harrison in Agony and the Ecstasy). Lunch included great local food and a surprisingly lively conversation about things to love and things to hate about living in Italy.”

This October, I took a private tour of Ostia Antica with Chiara and Federico. What a great experience! My walking tour was fun and informative. I love Ostia Antica! Beautiful and atmospheric, with such historical significance. This couple's knowledge of the area is extensive--they are Romans and live in the town of Ostia, and can talk about the history as well as the contemporary scene. Best of all, I feel I made new friends with two exceptional people. Thank you for a great tour!

The most important thing is that Chiara and Federico are very nice and careful people. They just want us to feel good, they are very good communicators and they talk about Ostia with passion and knowledge. The choice of the restaurant is also very good, a small family restaurant with delicious food. And on the Ostia Antica site, pines and flowers smell so good! You really need to do this! Enjoy:)

I’m so glad I decided to visit Ostia! It is quite a little gem, not far from Rome in distance, but a charming place. A big thank you to Chiara and Federico who were able to show me its charm. They are not just guides, but friends. They know all the best food spots, and I tried pasta that I didn’t even know existed accompanied by a pleasant conversation. It was a pleasure to spend time away from the crowds of the city center in the company of two truly professional and amazing hosts.

Chiara and Frederico’s walking tour of Ostia Antica was very well organized. Walking thru this ancient port city and hearing the history was very special. At every turn there was another amazing site. Chiara and Frederico were very knowledgable and explain the workings of this great ancient port city. The walking tour was private and any questioned asked was answered. This is one of the best tours I have ever taken. Plus the lunch @ Borghetto was amazing. Do not miss Ostia Antica and do not miss seeing it thru the eyes of Chiara & Frederico. Wonderful guides.

Very few experiences will surpass this one. I have been around for a long time and have traveled often and taken quite a few tours. This tour was offered with a freshness and openness that let us know that they were genuinely interested in what we thought and wanted to know. As much as I have studied the history of Rome, I discovered several new things on this tour. I have been to Pompeii but found this tour to be far more interesting and without the hassle of traveling from Rome to Naples to Pompeii. After the tour we had a wonderful lunch in Ostia where we were able to talk at length about the area and its history as well as our personal lives and experiences. I feel as though we made two new friends from Rome. Well done Chiara and Frederico!!

We loved our visit to Ostia Antica with Chiara and Federico! They met us outside the Ostia Antica train station- a mere 5 minute walk to the entrance of the archeological park. This is an amazing place and so close to downtown Rome. We were so thrilled with the chance to also visit the Borghetto, a medieval citadel across the street from the archeological park, where we had lunch and enjoyed authentic roman cuisine in a lovely restaurant. Our guests made us feel like old friends deep in conversation over great food and wine. We would definitely recommend that anyone coming to Rome not miss out on this unique opportunity to tour Ostia Antica with Chiara and Federico. Happy travels! Nancy