Hello
I have heard that going to Ostia Antica is easier and very similar to Pompeli. My son had planned on Pompeli. Will he be disappointed if we go to Ostia Antica instead? Thank you.
Posted by
5268 posts
The issue is that if one is staying in Rome, a day trip to Pompeii is very very long.
Does your son have a special passion and interest in Pompeii? We cannot really answer for you.
The photos of Ostia Antica look quite impressive to me, and I waited until I visited the Naples. Amalfi Coast area to visit Pompeii.
Posted by
Las Vegas
67 posts
Ostia Antica is easier and quite fascinating. But Pompeii is unique. If at all possible, go to Pompeii, it is worth a day trip, especially if your son has expressed an interest in it.
Posted by
Maryland, USA
533 posts
I haven't been to Pompeii, but I really enjoyed Ostia Antica. We followed the "guided tour" in Rick's Rome book, which takes you to pretty much the same highlights as he shows in his TV segment here. Watch that, and you'll have a good idea of what to expect. (Everything is much more impressive in person, of course, and if you have time to explore on your own - we didn't - the site extends far beyond what's covered here.)
Posted by
Coeur d'Alene
378 posts
I’ve been to both. Pompeii is very large. We were staying in the Sorrento area and drove there. We spent hours there and loved it.
Another trip we were in Rome for five days and went to Ostia Antica for a day trip. Very easy to get to by public transportation. It was a beautiful day, the ruins were great and again we spent hours there.
What Pompeii has that Ostia does not have are the bodies preserved in hardened lava.
If you are up for the long day from Rome, and because your son’s interest is Pompeii, to me, there is nothing better than actually being steeped in the history you’ve studied and desired to see.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
12043 posts
How old is your son? Is he aware/acquainted with Ostia Antica?
Have been to both and each has its unique features, and each provides a look at Roman life at that time.
Did Pompeii on my 1st trip to Italy and Ostia on the 2nd. Had no problem staying interested and engaged with Ostia. Saw similarities, but didn't have any sense of " I've seen all this before- I'm bored"
If you are based in Rome, Ostia makes much more logistical sense.
If you do go to Pompeii from Rome as a day trip, plan for the following day to be an 'off' day