We will be in Rome in October, for a week. We are thinking of seeing one of these as part of a private tour (with a driver) and the other on our own, using public transport. Which is easier to reach by public transport? We would prefer train over bus, what ever w do.. Any other considerations in choosing between the two for a private tour? (Cost is not a factor).
Thanks for your help.
We really enjoyed exploring Ostia Antica. Here's some details to get there:
Catch the train from the Metro Piramide station. Get off the Metro at the Piramide station, go up the escalator, turn left immediately and head down the steps to enter the Roma-Lido station. Your Metro ticket is all you need to continue on the train to the Ostia Antica stop. Cross the highway with the pedestrian bridge and walk straight. You'll see it down a lane towards the left.
I love both of these sites, but Villa Adriana is a real pain to get to via public transport and Ostia Antica is a breeze. So definitely use the drive for Villa Adriana and just take the local train to Ostia. Villa Adriana was where the 'heaven' scenes of the Gods were filmed for Angels in America. One of my favorite great ruins.
I used Rick's audio guide for Ostia Antica - very interesting. I didn't feel I missed anything by not having a private tour. Be sure to print out the map that goes with the guide.
+1 for using train to Ostia - so easy! Also RS audio guide is great.
Thanks. It appears to be unanimous.
Now I am wondering---is Hadrian's Villa even worth visiting at this time,bgiven that the Maritime Theatre is closed for renovations?
Whether HV is worth it without the Maritime Theater is really up to you. There's certainly lots more to the site than just that one particular spot, but it is one of the highlights. Do you plan on going back to Rome in the future? If so, you might save HV for that trip.
My grandson and I visited Ostia Antica yesterday. Travel from central Rome via the Metro B and the Lido line (transfer at Piramide) was a snap, and included in my Roma Pass and my grandson's three-day Metrebus pass (he's 14, so he did not need a Roma Pass to get into the sites).
Ostia Antica is a much more pleasant, low-key, uncrowded experience compared to Pompeii. The stone pines (those distinctive umbrella-like trees) provide welcome shade and a pleasant aroma to the entire site. We had a great time. By the way, the restaurant just outside the Ostia Antica ticket office, between the footbridge and the parking lot, is very nice too.
A private tour might be a good idea at Ostia Antica, as explanatory signage at the site is skimpy and not very helpful.
I have not been to Ostia Antica yet but from what I understand it would be the best choice for DYI by train. We did spend a day touring the Villa d'Este and Hadrian's Villa by bus, as Phillip noted. We had a nice lunch at the restaurant opposite Hadrian's Villa before entering. It was easy enough but our bus ride back was packed, I mean jammed to the gills. I was about the last to board and spent my time standing between the doorwell and the windshield. 20 minutes into the traffic packed journey our bus driver put down her cellphone long enough to tell me that I shouldn't be there, but I believe even she recognized that I really didn't want to impersonate a spider squashed on the windshield and she resumed her conversation as I alternately inched forward and was pressed back again. So it would seem if a private tour is an option, I would do it for Hadrian's Villa. You don't mention the Villa d'Este; have you already been there? It was beautiful and a couple of hours was sufficient. The theater is a highlight as noted, but if it is closed and you don't wish to visit the Villa d'Este along with H's Villa, I would consider perhaps saving it for another time as well. There was a small but interesting museum at Hadrian's, the space is vast and one can wander for hours. Our visit was in late April. Safe travels, and have a wonderful trip.
I have been in Rome for this month, and took the metro, then train to Tivoli, Ville d' Est, near Villa Adrianna. The bus trip was a bit difficult, the previous bus broke down and we picked up all of their passengers. Hot, and crowded for sure. The Villa was a beautiful site, lots of fountains and tourists, but take your time and enjoy if you go. Locals were very helpful!
I most highly recommend a visit to Ostia Antica, use Rick Steve's directions and audio guide, terrific! Take the Rome metro to train at Pyramide (all one ticket), and just relax and enjoy the 30 min train ride to Ostia Antica. Rick's directions are perfect. Plan the whole day, do the site for the morning, and then take the train the toward Lido and spend the afternoon and early evening at the beach! Plan to rent chairs, or a chairs with an umbrella for a fee of about 20 euros and have fun with your family. I believe there is a free beach there too. It is lovely, relaxing, and fun, very romantic too. I went swimming, they have lifeguards! The gelato is wonderful. Then the 60 min ride back to Pyramide stop is easy, then catch the metro to your stop in Rome.
Rick was right about the Museum in Garbetella near the metro stop, it is a great place for kids, mine are grown, but it is a museum
in an old but cleaned up power plant so the kids can see the inner workings of the plant. Then go to see St Pauls in San Paolo.
Thanks, everyone. After reading how large Hadrian's Villa is, and the amount of walking, I think we will skip it on this day. One of our group cannot walk more than 20 minutes at a time (hence the driver). I will just have to plan a return visit to Rome!
We will plan on seeing Ostia Antica later in the week when our adult kids arrive. They (and we) will be up for lots of walking.
Will it still be warm enough for the beach in mid-October?
