I'm getting up in age, status post hip replacement. Ostia Antica sound very interesting. Can I get some input on the value of taking the train/bus out there (45 minutes) and then hiking around there.? Valuable and interesting? Would you do it again? What are the downsides to taking on this adventure. Oh yeah we will be there in the second week of June with my daughter and her family. Thought it would be nice to give them some space on one day.
Thanks
Rich
Its mostly very FLAT. Walking around there is not 'hiking'.
If you are able to wander through a Costco or Super Walmart store you will be fine.
It was an interesting and enjoyable day trip.
The year we went it was closed on Mondays so be sure to check.
We found it to be very easy to take the train and find the entrance. We really enjoyed our visit there! There is more shade available at Ostia Antica than Pompeii or Herculaneum. It was HOT when we went, and I remember standing under an arch for several minutes to cool off. Be sure to take water! There are some very nice mosaics and interesting, well-preserved buildings. Walking should be easy--I don't remember any hills and very few, if any, steps. I believe we had to take some steps at the train stations though. We have also been to Pompeii (twice) and Herculaneum. I would say OA was possibly more enjoyable for us than either of those because there were no crowds. We visited in June.
Hello
I have been to Ostia Antica twice and can definitely recommend it! It is flat but large. So yes, like most places in Europe, you will want to have built up a bit of endurance for walking. You mention a hip replacement---how long are you comfortable walking? 30 minutes? 60 minutes? And then of course you can sit down and rest some.
On our most recent visit a few months ago, we took a tour with City Wonders. Very good guide who met us at the station in Rome, bought our tickets for the train ride out and back, and for Ostia Antica too. All included in the cost of the tour. You will find it more Valuable and Interesting if you take the tour. Although I certainly enjoyed it without the tour on my first visit, I learned a lot with the tour. Here is a link to the tour:
https://citywonders.com/rome-tours/ostia-antica-tour-from-rome
I am happy to answer any questions. Whatever you decide, enjoy your trip!
https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/audio-tours/italy
RS has a free audio tour of Ostia Antica. We used that when we were there. Easy to go at your own pace.
Please let us know what you did and how it went when you get back from your vacation. Thanks
First thanks for your input.
My wife has pretty bad arthritis. I could be dreaming but recall one of the guided private tours offered golf carts. We also have two grandkids coming (8 and 10). They don’t need the cart but as most kids would love riding one. So a total of six of us (2 kids and 4 kids). Anybody recall seeing this?
R
We loved going to Ostia Antica. Some of the mosaics are pretty spectacular. But it's a very DIY kind of thing. There are no guided tours and signage at the sight is minimal, so you sort of have to know what you want to find, know where to find it and figure out what you are looking at when you see it. All doable with some advance preparation, but it's not like Pompeii where you can show up and get a guide. If do you do go, I recommend watching Diana Kleiner's excellent archeology video on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aJO3EfVjyk&list=PLBCB3059E45654BCE&index=17
