Amidst the bustling streets of modern-day Rome sits an impressive reminder of the city’s early beginnings. A walk through the various sites of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill offers a glimpse into what was once the heart of the Roman Empire. This is a very popular attraction and the complex is huge, so here are some tips and details for your visit!

Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Background

While all that remains of the Roman Forum and Palatine hill today are ruins, preserved buildings, and various artifacts laid in displays, this area was once a place of grandeur and a major hub of the Roman Empire.

The Legend of Romulus and Remus detail the beginnings of Rome around 750 BCE after a king ordered the drowning of the twins for fear they would one day take the throne. Romulus and Remus instead floated down the river and were saved by a she-wolf who sheltered and nurtured them in a cave until they were found by a shepherd. This shepherd raised them and they eventually overthrew the tyrant king who had sent them to their death. Romulus later killed Remus in a quarrel. He then built the city of Rome on Palatine Hill and served as the king of this new city.

Archaeological findings indicate that settlers had lived in the area since around the 1000 BCE. Remnants from the Iron Age, including huts and pottery, have been discovered here. Sometime around 1 BCE, Palatine Hill transformed into a neighborhood of Rome’s aristocracy. The elite built opulent homes and palaces containing intricate decoration and beautiful murals. These residences sat on the hill above the Roman Forum.

The Roman Forum was once the most important forum in Rome where meetings, religious ceremonies, trade, and more took place. This public gathering space served many purposes and held many events over the years, which is evident in what remains of some of ancient Rome’s most iconic monuments.

Getting to The Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are located in the heart of Rome with many restaurants, hotels, and other attractions nearby, so it is common to reach it on foot. The two sites are right next to each other as well, so it’s easy to walk between the two.

If coming from further away, there are many public transport options to get you to these sites. The Colosseo metro station, which is served by Line B, is just near the Colosseum close by. You can also take buses 51, 75, 81, 85, 87, 117, or 118, which stop just outside Palatine Hill, the Colosseum, or the north end of the Roman Forum along Via dei Fori Imperiali. Lastly, tram Line 3 also stops just near the Colosseum. For more info on routes and schedules, visit the transport website.

If you happen to be driving, there are some paid parking lots nearby, like Park Services Colosseum, Garage Park Colosseo, or the Piazza della Consolazione lot. There are also parallel spots in the streets in the area. Note that it can get very busy here and street parking can be hard to come by. Make sure you follow all regulatory signs or you will be fined.

You could also take a taxi. There are various taxi stands around the city, or you can download apps like FreeNow or itTaxi to call a ride. We didn’t use any taxis or rideshares while in Rome because the public transit was great, so we aren’t totally familiar with that mode of transport here.

Entrances

Upon arrival, there are various entrance points listed on the website.

• Arch of Titus: access to a point right between the Forum and Palatine Hill closest to the Colosseum
• Largo della Salara Vecchia: access to the Roman Forum from the popular Via dei Fori Imperiali
• Via del Tulliano: access to the Roman Forum near the Arco di Settimio Severo
• Portale de Vignola: access to Palatine Hill from Via di S. Gregorio
• Foro Romano Street: access to the Roman Forum.

Lines can get very long, especially during the peak summer months. You may be standing in the hot sun for a while as you wait in line, so bring water and sun protection.

Tickets & Fees

Tickets to visit the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are sold through the same website as Colosseum tickets. There are multiple tickets that offer combinations of different Colosseum experiences with access to the Palatine and Forum areas.

If you don’t want to visit the Colosseum, tickets for the Colosseum are sold out, etc. there is the option to buy the Forum Pass SUPER ticket. This ticket costs €18 per adult and grants access to both the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, including SUPER Sites, for a single day.

No time slot reservations are required for this ticket, so if you buy the ticket online, you can just use it within 30 days of purchase. We do recommend you buy the ticket in advance to avoid ticketing lines upon arrival. Make sure to have an ID matching the name on the ticket when you arrive to the site.

Admission is free on the first Sunday of each month. For info on other ticket combinations, discounts, and to buy tickets online, visit the official website.

City Passes

The Roma Pass covers the standard entrance completely or at a discounted rate, depending on the number of covered sites you have visited. 

Other passes, like the Rome City Pass via Turbopass, the Rome Tourist Card, and the GoCity Pass, also cover entry to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill with the Colosseum ticket.

Hours & Regulations

The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill areas are open daily:

• 9am – 4:30pm from January 2nd to March 29th
• 9am – 7:15pm from March 30th to September 30th
• 9am – 6:30pm from October 1st to October 25th
• 9am – 4:30pm from October 26th to December 31st

The SUPER Sites within the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill have varying opening hours. They generally open a bit later at 9:30am and close around 30mins to 1hr earlier. The House of Augustus is closed on Mondays and Livia’s House is closed on Tuesdays.

Hours are subject to change and vary on holidays and depending on the time of year. Check the website for the latest updates.

When entering the sites, you will pass through security. Visitors cannot bring in large backpacks or bags. You also cannot bring in aerosols, glass containers, or sharp objects. Some sites within the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill don’t permit consumption of food or drink inside. There are no lockers available at the complex.

When exploring the area, please stay on designated paths and do not lean on the historic walls or touch any of the artifacts. This will help preserve this historic site for the years to come.

Visiting Palatine Hill & The Roman Forum

Some Tips

The whole Roman Forum and Palatine Hill complex is huge, and there are ancient structures and ruins everywhere. So we’d recommend bookmarking the main ones you want to see on a map and doing a little research on their history before visiting if you aren’t going with a tour and want to know what you’re looking at. There are limited signs, so you won’t get a whole lot of info on various sites just walking around.

We downloaded the PArCo app, which had a map with free audio guide blurbs about various sites. However, that app doesn’t seem to work anymore and the new app promoted by the official website is the Y&Co – You and Colosseo app. This app appears to be pretty much the same with an interactive map and bits of information on various sites in audio and text form. The information is available in multiple languages too. Since we didn’t take a tour and wanted to explore at our own pace, this was helpful and we’d definitely recommend it!

You’ll be doing quite a bit of walking on uneven stone walkways outdoors, so wear comfortable shoes, dress for the weather, and bring sun protection.

There are several public restrooms about the grounds. You’ll also find various fountains to fill your water bottle at.

Lastly, keep your ticket available if you plan to enter any of the SUPER sites because you’ll be required to present it. You may encounter some lines at the SUPER Sites and other attractions within the complex, such as the Temple of Romulus.

Palatine Hill

After our wonderful morning visiting the Colosseum, we headed just nearby to the entrance near the Arch of Titus. It was already mid-morning, but we were there in February (low season), and the line had already extended down the path towards the Colosseum. Luckily it moved pretty fast.

Once inside, we headed left towards Palatine Hill. Despite being in the heart of Rome in one of the most touristy areas, Palatine Hill felt a tranquil bubble. We walked among the various sites, learning about their histories, and took in the views of the surrounding city from some of the hilltop’s viewpoints.

Some of the main sites to stop by include:

• Palatine Museum: The exhibits hold artifacts recovered from the area spanning over centuries. A ticket with SUPER Site access required.
• House of Augustus: Augustus, or Ottaviano, was the first emperor of Rome. He was born on Palatine Hill in 63 BCE and built his residence here. His home showcases frescoes and mosaics as visitors walk through the residence. A ticket with SUPER Site access required.
• Livia’s House: Livia’s House is a part of the Augustus complex and is thought to be the residence of Augustus’ wife. This house also contains original frescoes. A ticket with SUPER Site access required.
• Aula Isiaca & Loggia Mattei: The Aula Isiaca was a room built under the Domus Flavia as part of the emperor’s newer palace after the previous one had burnt down. The Loggia Mattei is a part of a villa built in the 16th century. Both rooms feature pretty frescoes. A ticket with SUPER Site access required.

• Domus Tiberiana: This massive imperial palace was built around the mid-30s CE. Many additions were made to this structure over the years. A ticket with SUPER Site access required.
• Santa Maria Antiqua: This is an old church originally built in the 6th century. It contains beautiful frescoes from varying periods. A ticket with SUPER Site access required.
• Domus Flavia: Remains of a palace built by the last Flavian emperor. It once contained extravagant residences, beautiful gardens, and public meeting spaces, but it now sits in ruin.
• Fontana Delle Pelte: A fountain behind Domus Augustana that has been restored to have water flow like it once did in ancient times!

• Terraza Belvedere: A terrace offering an amazing view over the Roman Forum.
• Stadium of Domitian: A rectangular complex that was originally built as a pretty garden for the imperial family to enjoy. It was also used for chariot races and structures were built for the emperor and others to watch races from above.

These are just some of the prominent and popular features to visit on Palatine Hill. As you walk about, you’ll definitely come across various other features and ruins that all played a role in the lives of those living here long ago.

The Roman Forum

After wandering around Palatine Hill, we headed back down to the Arch of Titus to begin exploring the Roman Forum. This area was much more crowded at this point. The ruins and buildings of the Roman Forum are all laid out in a more compact area – it would be so cool to see what this area would have looked like at its peak!

Some of the popular features to note here include:

• Arch of Titus: A large marble arch with intricate carvings built to honor Emperor Titus after his death.
• Temple of Venus & Roma: This is Rome’s largest temple. The two massive cells are dedicated to Venus and the city of Rome.

• The Roman Forum Museum: Exhibits that contain artifacts excavated here, including remains from tombs, pottery, sculptures, etc.
• Temple of Antonio & Faustina: A temple built in 141 CE dedicated to emperor Antonius Pius and his wife, Annia Galeria Faustina. A church was later built on the ruins of the temple.

• Column of Phocas: The last monument to be built in the Roman Forum. The white marble column is dedicated to emperor Phocas and was built in the early-600s CE.
• House of the Vestals: This is one of the oldest structures in the city and was the residence of priestesses tasked with tending the Temple of Vesta. The various statues of the priestesses, rooms, and a kitchen still remain. After the abolition of pagan cults in the 4th century CE, the building served other purposes.

• Arch of Septimus Severus: Another large arch made of marble and travertine. It was dedicated to emperor Septimus Severus and his sons.
• Temple of Saturn: A temple dedicated to Saturn, an agricultural god. It was later used as a treasury. Today, only several of the large columns remain standing.
• The Curia: This was a very important building in the forum, serving as a space for Senate meetings and other political events. It was later converted into a church.

Tours

The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill hold so much history. So if you’d like a more structured visit and a tailored look into the history of these sites, a tour is a great option.

There are various tour options offered by individual operators. Many of these can be found online through individual tour company sites or sites like Get Your Guide and Viator.

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