Swap the noisy traffic of metropolitan Rome for the ancient streets of Ostia, an ancient Roman port town just outside the city. Nearly all of the old town has been fully excavated, so the site is a great example of an ancient Roman town with shops, taverns and a theatre for ordinary citizens. It is full of beautiful art and architecture that offers a real insight into daily life in the Empire. Ostia was extremely important to Rome from the time of the Republic, and retained that importance throughout the Imperial period. Located at the mouth of the Tiber, most imports to Rome passed through its port (ostium means ‘mouth’). Remnants of the striking structures of the port can still be viewed in the town today.

Walking around Ostia Antica, it is easy to imagine what life must have been like two thousand years ago. Your guide will paint a picture of the bustling streets and the farmers' markets as you step inside the fast food joints, the baths and various temples, the fire station, grand villas and more humble apartment blocks; you can visit the (very!) public toilets and the town squares, the bakery, and walk onto the stage of the amazingly well-preserved amphitheatre, and really imagine the hustle and bustle of daily life. Transport yourself back to a lost time when people slept, ate, and lived here. Your expert private guide will help you to navigate this extraordinary ghost town and bring the ancient people back to life, as you wander around these evocative ruins.

The Ostia Antica Museum is located within the archaeological site of Ostia Antica, which is near the modern town of Ostia Antica in Italy. The museum houses many fascinating artefacts discovered at the site, providing visitors with additional context about the ancient Roman city.