Pompeii or Ostia Antica

If your time in Rome is very short (4 days or less) I would suggest visiting Ostia Antica. If you have more time I would say to visit Pompeii. Actually, with 4 days or less I would say not to do any day trips but if you're going to do one then Ostia would be my choice.
Donna

hi Donna We have only a bit more than 4 days. We fly in around 4:00 pm on Tuesday and leave around 7:00 am on the following Sunday. Our proposed schedule is Tuesday - get settled and get groceries as we're renting an apartment. Wednesday/Thursday - with a tour guide. Looking at things ourselves later in the day. Going to mass at the vatican city at 5:00 pm if it works out. Friday - day for Pompeii or Ostia Antica/Rome to choose. This is the one that yes when looking at things I wonder if its worth the time traveling to Pompeii. The Ostia Antica reviews sound great but so do so many sites in Rome. Saturday - Wander around Rome for the many sites we didn't see. We hope to reserve the Domus Romane 1:15 english tour on this day. Donna

It is not an equal comparison. The similar is buried cities for different reasons - one by river mud and the other by ash. OA is good for a half day and very convenient from Rome. Pompeii is really a fun day trip from Rome. I would safe Pompeii for another trip and see OA. It is more relaxing and cool - lots of trees - and more park like as compared to Pompeii which is exposed and hot.

You don't say the ages of your sons but OA is more laid back and intimate, not majestic and striking like Pompeii, and the boys can wander more and not be as restricted. Have fun

I agree with Frank that it is not an equal comparison but with the limited time you have I would suggest just staying in Rome and walking the city. There is so much to see and do that you'll be missing even by taking just half a day outside the city. Donna

The previous posters are correct in that it is an unfair comparison. However, Ostia has two amenities conspicuously missing from Pompeii: 1. Shade and 2. A cool breeze blowing in from the sea. Assume you will return to Italy and Pompeii can be at the top of your list of things to see. Italy seduces the traveler and we always plan our return trip while on the plane home from the current trip. Buon viaggio,

I also suggest Ostia Antica for the reasons listed above IF you end up feeling the need for a daytrip. Rome itself can easily consume an entire week. Here are some photos from our trip to Ostia Antica in May 2008. The cafeteria on the grounds is pretty good and very convenient. The Ostia Antica grounds are roughly the same size as Pompeii with perhaps 1/10 the number of tourists. If you go, RS has a self-guided tour, but I recommend doing it in reverse. When you enter, walk quickly to the far end of Ostia (which is laid out along a main central road), then turn around and work your way back. The most interesting stuff is farthest from the entrance. They also have a decent little museum.

I would take the family to OA and use the audio tour of Rick's. We found it to be great and kept us from getting lost. If you want you can take the train on down the line to the beach and have some beach time. I"d also recommend that on the train to OA you stop and see St. Paul Outside the Wall. It's a wonderful, beautiful church and an almost perfect example of the basilica format in architecture.

Agree with Ostia Antica. 1) You have only a short stay in Rome and your time would be better spent exploring that great city. 2) It would be a really long day to go to Pompeii and after a long train ride to Naples and a shorter ride on the Circumvesuviana (or a long ride on whichever mode of transportation) you might not appreciate Pompeii as much as you would without being rushed. 3) Though we hate to admit it we can't see everything, no matter how long we stay. Get to know Rome.
Thanks, Michael for the Ostia pictures. We have been to Rome twice for 7 days and 5 days and still have not had time to visit Ostia. We have been to Pompeii and Ercolano and it seems Ostia compares to Ercolano. Looking forward to visiting Ostia next time around.

I would stay in Rome, and save it for another trip. On my trip I stayed in Rome and Sorrento as bases and saw Pompeii on my way to Sorrento but I did spend a half day while in Rome and went to OA, I wish I hadn't. I enjoyed seeing Pompeii more, and wished I had seen more of Rome while I was there. Don't try to squeeze in too much, it takes away from enjoying what time you do have there.

Ostia was shady and cool - the sculpture museum was amazing - but it was a little short on the "wow" factor. Pompeii was amazing and I'm so glad we went, but it was crowded and hot when we were there in summer. Herculaneum however was incredible. It was cool and shady, uncrowded, and more "complete" feeling. Of the three, Herculaneum would be my choice.

Thank you all, It sounds pretty unanimous from all the comments that there is so much to see in Rome, that we should focus our time there. We'll leave Ostia Antica as a possible 1/2 day excursion on the last day if we want to go somewhere but otherwise stay in Rome. The photos of OA look pretty impressive but we find that every time we read or hear about anything around Rome. Neither my husband or my sons have been off of North America yet so they are a bit concerned I am overbooking them. My boys will be 12 and 14 so should be old enough to appreciate most of it. Thank you
Donna