Visit the well-preserved ruins of ancient Rome's port in a beautiful park of pines and cypresses less than 15 mi/24 km from Rome. The extensive excavations expose the empire's remarkable architecture—from houses and stores to temples. Practice your oratory in the perfect acoustics of the Roman theater that seats 3,000 and then wander the miles/kilometers of alleyways. Take along water and a picnic lunch. The site is open 8:30 am-3:30 pm late October to mid-February, until 4 pm mid-February to mid-March; until 4:30 pm mid- to late March; until 6:15 pm late March to late August; until 6 pm in September; until 5:30 pm in October, with everyone required to leave 90 minutes after the ticket booth closes. Museum open 10:30 am to closing time. Both the excavations and the museum are closed on Monday.
Nearby is the necropolis of Isola Sacra, the Castle of Pope Julius II in the borgo of Ostia Antica and the fishing port of Fiumicino. To reach the area by car (a 45-minute drive), take Via del Mare 14 mi/23 km from Rome. No turns—just follow the signs to Ostia Antica. Or even better, take the train (a 20-minute ride) from Ostiense station on Line B of the Metro (trains leave every 30 minutes). The train station is just across a footbridge from the excavations. Live music concerts are held in the park throughout the summer months. Daily except Monday 8:30 am-5 pm (till 4 pm in winter, 6 pm in summer). Admission 8 euros. Viale dei Romagnoli 717 (Ostia), Rome. Phone 06-5635-8099 or 06-5635-0251 for tickets. http://archeoroma.beniculturali.it/en/archaeological-site/ancient-ostia.
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