I'm going to Rome in September and would like to do a side trip. I'm trying to decide between Ostia Antica or Tivoli/Hadrians Villa. Has anyone been to either one, opinions good/bad would be appreciated. Is it difficult to get to Hadrians Villa from Tivoli (unforntuately i'm known for getting lost).
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
We spent half a day at Ostia Antica and could have spent more time. We enjoyed it a lot. Our kids were pretty much able to wander, explore, climb wherever they wanted.
Ostia Antica was a working port city so it gives you an idea of what a normal city would have looked like in Rome.
I haven't been to Tivoli so can't give you an opinion for that.
Posted by
Seattle
919 posts
I've been to Ostia and Tivoli. I can't tell you how easy it was to get to either, as both were part of a tour.
Although Ostia Antica was very interesting, and I even had a few minutes completely to myself in the ruins, I much preferred Tivoli. Tivoli was just so lush and green, and all those lovely fountains made the air cooler than it was in Rome; it just felt like a pleasant, relaxing day out. Ostia felt a bit more like an educational day out (not that there's anything wrong with that!).
Both definitely have their merits, and I certainly wouldn't attempt to dissuade you from choosing Ostia Antica.
Posted by
Marin, CA
529 posts
Check out www.ostia-antica.org for a good peek at Ostia Antica. We loved it but we do love ruins.
Posted by
Pico Rivera, CA
594 posts
Just got back from Rome, and I had enough time to visit both sites. Your choice lies on your interest. Ostia is really big and it was nice to able to wander around the ruins and even get up close and personal with the very few remaining frescoes. You defintitely need to set aside a few hours for this trip. Tivoli (Villa D'Este) has it's beauty and charm (I saw a few lovers there), and the fountains there are amazing. It takes longer to get to Tivoli (about an hour from Termini, self trip), but your time spent at Villa D'Este is rather short as the gardens are not that large. So, the choice is, do you want charm, beauty, cooler weather? Or do you want to be able to wander the ruins of an ancient port?
Posted by
Eugene, Oregon, USA
944 posts
Ostia Antica is so much easier. Its just one tram to and back and the tram is covered by the Roma Pass. Tivoli is much harder to get around and the regional buses do not run on time. There is a great deal of walking involved from the bus stops to the sites.
If the local Tobacco shops close, which they do in Tivoli early, you are going to be stuck. The cab ride is expensive.
In comparison, Ostia is a much easier, well defined choice, and the cafe' is pretty good. There isn't much left of Hadrian's Villa anyway. It was mined of cut stone to make Villa d'Este.