I've been a tour guide in Italy for 17 years. My top recommendation is an incredible ancient port city that's way less crowded than Rome.

Located at the park's entrance, just outside the city walls, the necropolis shows how Romans used to celebrate the dead.

Elaborate tombs honor the dead, and mosaics depict the underworld.

There are also tombs with banquet tables where the living would celebrate the life of the deceased.

The main square, known as the forum, was the center of the city's political and social life. The remains of the Capitolium and the Temple of Rome and Augustus can be seen nearby.

From the forum, you can also observe how Roman cities were essentially built in a grid.

The thermopolium, essentially an ancient fast-food restaurant, served hot food and drinks to locals and travelers.

The remains of the service counter and frescoes depicting the menu are still visible.

The House of Diana is a well-preserved residence that belonged to a wealthy merchant in Ostia Antica.

It was decorated with fine mosaics and frescoes, and the house takes its name from a mosaic depicting the goddess Diana.

The Roman Empire was known for its public bathhouses, which were equipped with hot and cold pools, saunas, and massage rooms.

Public bathing was an art form in ancient Rome. Baths served as a place for socialization, relaxation, and personal hygiene for all classes of society.

There are several public and private baths in Ostia Antica.

The public Baths of Neptune featured an open-air palaestra (where patrons once participated in different kinds of exercise) and shallow pools that would've been warmed to different temperatures.

In contrast, the private Baths of the Seven Sages are much smaller and would've been used by residents of nearby buildings. Its circular frigidarium (room for the cold bath) is paved with an incredible mosaic depicting hunting scenes and plants.

The various public latrines (toilets) are where ancient Roma comes to life.

Romans would come in with a stick, and the attendant would give them a clean sponge to attach to the end of it so they could wipe.

It was common for people to sit on the latrines while chatting and gossiping — using the toilets was a social activity.

The theater at Ostia Antica is one of the best-preserved in Italy and seats up to 3,000 people.

In ancient times, it was primarily used for plays, music performances, and gladiatorial games.

Today, it still hosts summer performances of contemporary and classical music, ballet, and more. That means the theater has been in use for about 2,000 years.

The Ostia Antica Museum displays artifacts found during excavations of the ancient port city, including statues, pottery, and jewelry.

These smaller, site-specific museums are often full of little-known treasures. It's definitely worth a visit.

This story was originally published in February 2024 and most recently updated on February 4, 2025.