Hi,
We are going to be in Rome towards the end of November 2015. My wife wants to go to Pompeii but she has never heard of Ostia. Considering how long it takes to get to Pompeii does anybody think Ostia would be a better choice then Pompeii to see a preserved ancient Roman city?
Thanks,
Dennis
I've seen both and I vote for Pompeii in conjunction with the archeological museum in Naples. Have a great trip!
It's a bit of a slog to get to Pompeii from Rome and back again. Ostia Antica is much easier. It's like Pompeii without the crowds but also without the dramatic storyline. (No volcano.) They're both approximately the same size, fwiw.
It's a snap to get to Ostia from central Rome -- Metro B line to Piramide, and a quick and easy transfer to the Lido train line. It's all covered on a single Metro ticket (or Roma Pass), and takes about 30 - 45 minutes total each way. Then it's about a 5-minute walk from the Ostia Antica station to the site entrance.
Ostia is uncrowded and lacks the cheesy Pompeii-style souvenir stands. There is a nice cafeteria and museum on the site. Large stands of stone pine trees provide welcome shade and a pleasant aroma.
Ostia's demise and deterioration was gradual, while Pompeii was frozen in time by the volcano. Pompeii has more color and more decorations still in situ -- but to me, visiting Ostia, especially on a day trip from Rome, is overall a more pleasant experience.
Rick's 2012 "Rome - Back Street Riches" video (here) describes Ostia Antica in more detail.
Ostia was Rome's seaport 2000 years ago, and was a busy place until the harbor silted up. The floor mosaics still survive and are one of its most impressive sights, along with the theater, the standing apartment buildings, and the spacious ancient public toilets. If you're not heading south to Naples or Sorrento anyway, Ostia will give you a great sight with easier, faster access from Rome.
When you do make it to Pompeii, the smaller sister site at Herculaneum is also well worth the visit, and it has wooden timbers in its buildings that survived the Vesuvius eruption that Pompeii doesn't.
This is a difficult decision: Ostia is much closer. But Pompeii is "more famous" (and for sound reasons). So in the end, you have to weigh those two factors. In my mind, it's 50-50.
I have been to Pompeii twice, and Ostia and Herculaneum once each. I would rate them 1. Herculaneum, 2. Ostia and 3. Pompeii but that is reflecting my own preferences. Pompeii is crazy busy and you are continually dodging groups all fighting to see the same sites led by guides who are trying to make themselves heard. Herculaneum has a wonderful atmosphere - it is largely ignored by the tour groups and it is easy to walk around by yourself. Wonderful mosaics and frescoes insitu - some of the buildings still have their roofs and as someone mentioned, the roof beams are still in place. It was buried by the same eruption as Pompeii.
But Ostia is something else. It is huge and much of it remains relatively unexplored; see Google Earth - Ostia Antica (to distinguish it from the seaside resort of the same name) to get an idea of its size. It is not on the main tour bus route (though I see Viator are offering tours to the site now) so it is quiet and it is a pleasure to walk around it. When I was there I saw no sign of guides, but if you go to the Ostia Antica (http://www.ostia-antica.org) web site there is a wealth of information and photos and videos and you can get a map of the site at the entrance. With it being such an easy train journey you can spend as long or as little as you like at the site.
You can visit Pompeii in a very long day from Rome or you can go to Ostia in a 45 minute rail journey, walk around at your own pace and absorb being in so ancient a town that is much better preserved than Pompeii. It has everything that Pompeii does, except the volcano!
Ostia Antica on this trip. I loved the couple hours we spent there. Walking around and inside all the houses you feel like you are back in time.
Save Pompeii for a return trip when you can visit Naples and Sorrento
Was in Rome in March. Did a day trip to Ostia and had a great time. Nice ruins, good cafeteria, no crowds, super easy to get to by train. Was thinking about Pompeii but way too far for a day trip I think.
Thanks for posting this . we were considering the 2 as well
