Ostia is the nearest beach town to Rome. Before you go, you need to know which one of three Ostia‘s you are going to visit, however. When Romans talk about Ostia, they generally mean Ostia Lido, the beach town. Tourists will be more familiar with Ostia Antica, the ruins of the old Roman port. And finally, there is the Borgo di Ostia, a medieval hamlet outside the castle and the archeological excavations.

A brief history of Ostia

What is now known as Ostia Antica started its existence in the 7th century BC, during the reign of the 4th king of Rome, Ancus Martius, as a barracks at the mouth (Ostium) of the river Tiber. The settlement was created to control access to Rome from the Tyrrhenian Sea and developed into the main Roman river port. It was supposedly constructed at the site where Enea, progenitor of the Latin tribe, landed after his flight from Troy.

Ostia Lido, suburb of Rome

The official name of what is really a suburb of Rome and not a city is Lido di Ostia. It is located on the coast, about 25 kilometers east of the capital. Except for its beaches, it doen not have very many points of interest for the average visitor.

Ostia Antica

Ostia Antica is a vast area containing the ruins of the ancient Roman harbor. In a way, it can be compared to Pompei, although it perished in a less spectacular and immediate fashion. Ostia was gradually abandoned and silted up, so much so that the former beach town is now about 3 kilometers inland. It is hard to imagine now, but in its heyday Ostia Antica had around 50,000 inhabitants.

Tourist attractions

Ostia‘s main tourist attraction is Ostia Antica. The ruins of this old port can be visited from 8.30 AM until (more or less) one hour before sunset. Admission is 6,50 Euros. Mondays closed. Ostia Antica‘s history is of course less spectacular than that of Pompeii, but its ruins are far better preserved. There is an Ostia Antica stop on the Ostia-Lido railway line.

For the Castle of Ostia you get off at the same stop. It was built towards the end of the 15th century. When, walking through the Ostia Antica archeological site, you notice that there are bits missing of the various buildings, the chances are great that these bits were used when constructing the castle.

Behind the castle, you can visit the Borgo di Ostia, an originally medieval village with perfectly maintained houses and a church dedicated to Santa Aurea.

Beaches

The beach is no more than a short walk from the last stop on the Ostia Lido train line, which leaves from the Stazione Ostiense in Rome.

Ostia, Rome


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Sources

  • Tourist information boards in Lido di Ostia.
  • G. Calza & G. Becatti – Ostia.
  • Touring club Italiano – Guida d’Italia – Roma.
  • Midlarz, Alessandro Giulio – Borghi a due passi da Roma.