Roman Forum

Open air museum · Campitelli

Roman Forum

Open air museum · Campitelli

5

00186 Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy

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Roman Forum by Photo by Neale Clark/age fotostock
Roman Forum by Photo by Neale Clark/age fotostock
Roman Forum by Photo by Neale Clark/age fotostock
Roman Forum by MONOCLE
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null
Roman Forum by null

Highlights

Nestled between the Colosseum and Piazza Venezia, the Roman Forum is a sprawling archaeological haven showcasing 2,000 years of political, religious, and social history.  

Featured in Conde Nast Traveler
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00186 Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy Get directions

colosseo.it
@parcocolosseo

Information

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00186 Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy Get directions

+39 06 2111 5843
colosseo.it
@parcocolosseo

Features

restroom
crowd family friendly
crowd lgbtq friendly
wheelchair accessible entrance
wheelchair accessible restroom

Last updated

Jul 25, 2025

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@afar

"The Roman Forum is where ancient Rome began. The sprawling archaeological park gives us just a hint of what the Roman Empire once was—a dominant and diverse society. The Forum itself was the political, social, religious, and commercial focal point for the Roman Republic and eventually the whole Empire—for the most elite members ofsociety as well as the common plebs. Walking through the Forum is a walk through history, from its beginning as a valley with small hilltop communities (8th century B.C.E.) to its rise as the capital of an empire. The ruins of basilicas, temples, public forum spaces, and shops can be explored, and the adventure leads to Palatine Hill, an area ofhigh-societypatrician homes including the house of Caesar Augustus."

Our Favorite Things to Do in Rome
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@afar

"The Roman Forum is where ancient Rome began. The sprawling archaeological park gives us just a hint of what the Roman Empire once was—a dominant and diverse society. The Forum itself was the political, social, religious, and commercial focal point for the Roman Republic and eventually the whole Empire—for the most elite members ofsociety as well as the common plebs. Walking through the Forum is a walk through history, from its beginning as a valley with small hilltop communities (8th century B.C.E.) to its rise as the capital of an empire. The ruins of basilicas, temples, public forum spaces, and shops can be explored, and the adventure leads to Palatine Hill, an area ofhigh-societypatrician homes including the house of Caesar Augustus."

The Perfect Day in Rome
View Postcard for Roman Forum
@afar

"The Roman Forum is where ancient Rome began. The sprawling archaeological park gives us just a hint of what the Roman Empire once was—a dominant and diverse society. The Forum itself was the political, social, religious, and commercial focal point for the Roman Republic and eventually the whole Empire—for the most elite members ofsociety as well as the common plebs. Walking through the Forum is a walk through history, from its beginning as a valley with small hilltop communities (8th century B.C.E.) to its rise as the capital of an empire. The ruins of basilicas, temples, public forum spaces, and shops can be explored, and the adventure leads to Palatine Hill, an area ofhigh-societypatrician homes including the house of Caesar Augustus."

The Perfect Weekend in Rome
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@monocle

"Rome’s cobbled streets and sweltering sun might seem like a hindrance to running but head out early in the morning and you’ll reap all the picturesque rewards that the city has to offer. Group running tours from a number of outfits kick off when the weather’s still cool and the tourists are asleep. These routes afford a plethora of unimpeded sights, such as Castel Sant’Angelo and the Colosseum. If you’re heading out alone, start at the crack of dawn and dart over to the Roman Forum – a singular spectacle at that hour."

Rome
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@cntraveler

Rome's Art & Architecture: Our Guide

"This massive site, found mostly between Piazza Venezia and the Colisseum in Rome's centro storico is filled with remains of what was the commercial, governmental and religious heart of the old Empire. Though you can explore your grounds on your own, this is one site where you may want to get a tour guide to show you around as there is very little signage about what you are looking at." - Laura Itzkowitz

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/romes-art-and-architecture-our-guide
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Eugene R

Google
Very interesting historical landmark. I recommend to take at least 3-4 hours to discover all places. But ticket advance and come early morning. During the day place is very crowds. Also take a water with you. If you will not come with group or guide, watch video on YouTube to understand this place better, it gives you very good experience.

Jennie Chancey

Google
Definitely worth walking through to see all the incredible ruins. There’s no need to pay for tickets if you just want to walk the outer rim and see the view from the adjacent hills and buildings, but if you want the full immersion, tickets can be bought at the gate.

Ross Canning

Google
Amazing ancient architecture. Lots of space roam around, join a group, or stop for a coffee. Can get very busy during the tourist high season. Would definitely go again.

Pawel WIEWIORSKI

Google
Nice place to visit, but nothing really exciting, don’t go with guided because you’ll end up listening 30-40min for stuff you don’t really care 😂, wonder around make some great pictures. Make sure you got some water with you to drink as it’s a lot of open spaces on the sun there.

Claireabella Curzon

Google
Absolutely amazing tour! We booked via Get Your Guide. Family ranging from 7-70s, the organisation was fantastic from the start, clear meeting point and instructions of the tour. The tour guide was superb, she explained the area, gave lots of insights throughout the route. The tour included the visit to the Forum, ruins, pallastine hill and full colesseum tour including the underfloor. Not cheap but superb value! It was the best tour of the visit by far. The underground is exceptional, seeing and walking in history... Absolutely amazing tour, highly recommend.

Christina Beebe

Google
Great experience and really enjoyed our time here. So much history, and beautiful grounds all around. Loved seeing all the sculptures and learning about these strong female figures from Roman history. I suggest going in the morning or later afternoon, as it was SO HOT when we went. Bring sunscreen, bucket hats, parasols, for lots of sun. We paid for a guided tour so I am unsure about the entry wait times.

Casey Perepelecta

Google
Walk Through History at the Roman Forum! Stand where Julius Caesar was cremated and honored as the leader—and later, dictator—of Rome. Explore ruins dating back to 400 BC and walk along the Via Sacra, Rome’s first and most sacred roadway. The Roman Forum is massive, with layers of history at every turn—plan for extra time even if you take a guided tour (which I highly recommend). Pair your visit with the Colosseum and set aside the entire afternoon. Eat well beforehand, as it’s a single-entry ticket, and wear sturdy walking shoes—the grounds are vast, uneven, and absolutely unforgettable.

Jun Herrera

Google
A great walk along the Ruins of Rome called Roman Forum. There are a lot of hidden treasures here that you can only see in person with your own eyes. Even if it's all ruin structure, you can see how the city is built and how another city has been built over the old structure. It is mind-blowing and a vast ancient Roman Times history to behold.
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Alex H.

Yelp
So much to see and so much to do once you are done with the colosseum next door It has a museum and so many ruins to walk about and hike lol I mean wear comfortable shoes and be careful as it's uneven and slippery at times and it was sprinkling a little that day but I love that there are all the free water fountains to refill a bottle of water This is a big chunk of your day or all day if you do this with the colosseum A lot of people at times but the sites really make you think and contemplate
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Maxine P.

Yelp
The Roman Forum is near the Colosseum and you can enter if you visit within 24 hours using your Colosseum ticket. The grounds cover a fairly large area and can be warm if toured in middle of day. We used an audio tour to provide more information about the different ruins. It's amazing to see all the different structures. The Forum was government buildings,temples, also later on churches. Bring bottle of water, there are fountains to refill. Worth touring, just be prepared for standing and walking a lot if you combine the Palatine and Forum together.
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Sara G.

Yelp
This is where ruins go to mingle and tourists go to sweat. It's like walking into a really confusing group chat from 2,000 years ago, where nobody deleted their messages and everyone spoke in Latin. Once the bustling epicenter of Roman life including politics, religion, business, betrayal, casual and often stabbings, you know, it's now a glorified rock garden with excellent tourism advertising. And don't worry if you can't tell your basilica from your bathhouse, just follow the nearest tour guide waving a flag and shouting dates no one's writing down. Definitely go see this chaotic, sun-drenched maze of broken glory, ancient gossip, and just enough signage to keep you confused in 4+ languages. Just remember, you are not the problem if nothing makes sense.
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Lexie K.

Yelp
So fascinating to see this! Total must see. It's crazy to think that only 25% is left of what was originally here. Highly recommend taking a tour through. They explain so much more to you than the signs say.
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Britney M.

Yelp
The Roman Forum The ruins of Ancient Rome. Literally, takes you back in time. Like you are in the Twilight Zone lol It's so cool though! Tons of fun to walk around and immerse yourself in the ancient ruins. And there's a ton of great photo opportunities! It's just so pretty. You can't go wrong with visiting the Roman Forum! 10/10
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Jessica S.

Yelp
How lucky are we, that we have access to these incredible places in 2024? How fortunate that there are teams dedicated to preserving the structures, the histories, the meanings? And there is so much - SO much - history, meaning and story here. We opted for a guided tour because we wanted to take advantage of their advertised ability to get access to all the places we wanted to get access to (this was a combo tour, the Colosseum and the Forum, and they lied about what they'd be able to do for the tour group.) We were there in mid-August, so it was hot. And crowded. The Forum was much easier to maneuver because of the sheer amount of space available for tourists, but it was still crowded. Our guide pointed out some of the interesting structures, told us some of the history and meaning behind what we were looking at and kept us moving at a decent pace. I do admit that after a while, my mind kind of turned off. Like, I wanted - I so badly wanted - to hear it all and absorb all the history - but the heat, the standing in the sun, my own exhaustion...it all conspired to beat me. After a while, I wandered off a bit, taking pictures of things in the opposite direction of where our tour guide was pointing, zoning out on the things I was seeing. And I'd like to end this post with appreciation for the many water fountains sprinkled around the grounds of the Forum. We definitely took advantage of them, refilling our water bottles every time I saw a fountain, even if it meant breaking from the group to do so. The hydration helped, for sure.
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Sharon B.

Yelp
I really enjoyed the Roman Forum more than I thought I would. I did have a superb tour guide named Barbara that took us around for 90 mins. There is so much history there and I learned so much about the Roman Senate as well. This was the heart of Rome. It was busy in the forum at spots but we went in late October when there aren't as many tourists in the city. Highly recommend buying tickets in advance and getting a tour guide.
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Martha A.

Yelp
Walked around during Independence Day so there were absolutely no crowds around. I went back a different day to explore the inside and it was beautiful. To see it all, do plan to be there for more than a few hours. Once you leave, you cannot re-enter so I do suggest you bring snacks if you can and some water.
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Maruko X.

Yelp
The site was once the political, religious and commercial hub of the Roman empire. The Forum fell into disrepair after the fall of the Roman Empire until eventually it was used as pasture land in the Middle Ages. The area was first excavated few hundreds of years ago, and the excavations continue to this day. I think this place is totally worth visiting as convenient and not far away from the colosseum.
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Aaron S.

Yelp
Foro Romano, the Roman Forum was once considered the centre of the Eternal City. It's right next to the Colosseum, and besides Palatine Hill and its history dates back to ancient Rome, the ruins are stunning, the craftsmanship and detail of the building, which survives to this day, are one of the things which makes the city so beautiful. It is free to enter on the first Sunday of every month, outside of these hours, the entry is paid. Due to demand, it is always a good idea to get tickets in demand. It is certainly somewhere you can spend some time while exploring Rome, even if you just decide to stroll through rather than take the tour, in many ways, the fact it's impressive to this date also brings a bit of sadness because many of the buildings are in ruins now and it makes me wonder what it would have been like walking through those 2000 years ago. 4*
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Vlad V.

Yelp
Rome is known for a lot of things. One of those things is the ancient ruins. When visiting Rome, a ticket to Foro Romano also gives you access to the Colosseum and Palantine Hill. I highly recommend buying your tickets far in advance as it's an incredibly popular attraction and one where tickets sell out quick. If you don't purchase your ticket in time, you're going to be forced to buy a ticket from a third party company that buys tickets in bulk and then sells them for an arm and a leg. That is what I had to do. Don't be like me. The Roman Forum is huge. It was the center of town in Ancient Rome and you'll see ruins of churches, various buildings, etc. It's where Romans came to converse and interact. You'll learn a lot about the history of Rome as you make your way through the Forum. Make sure to bring sunscreen and water as it's going to be scorching hot while you're there if you visit during the summer!
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Joe G.

Yelp
Worth getting this included with the colosseum ticket however probably not on its own. You can see most of everything from outside of the ticketed off areas. If you do plan on going there is a bathroom and be ready to a pretty good incline hill you need to walk up to get up to Palatine Hill.
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Ramesh A.

Yelp
It is definitely worth visiting the forum. And it is included with the coliseum tickets, so make use of it. It took approximately an hour and a half to complete walking through the entire ruins. It is a great experience to see all. These structures stood through all these years, and they give us historical evidence. There was a lot of queue to get in the temple. Otherwise, it's free flowing and easy to cover the grounds. On a hot day, it could be tough to get yourself a lot of water bottles.
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Elisabeth P.

Yelp
While waiting for our reservations to The Colluseum, we meandered through the Roman Forum (your Colluseum ticket includes entrance, so don't miss this!). I was impressed by how large the ruins are with lots of temple foundations and a few actual ancient buildings still standing. This was where the Senate met, where Juilus Caesar was assasinated, and where most of the iconic ancient temples were. We didn't have a tour group and tried to stay away from them because they were so loud, but we listened to an online audio tour that was helpful. It would be nice if the museum did a better job of labeling and providing plaques with information. They really rely on the tourist guide industry to do all of the historical points, but considering the cost of exhibit tickets, it would be nice if there was more written information for self-study. My favorite ruins include The Temple of Vesta, having read a lot of historical fiction of ancient Rome, this temple always comes up! It was huge and far more intricate than my imagination had supplied. The Curia Julia, it is huge even as a pile of ruins. When you hear that it stretched farther back and included another story, it's unbelievable. Finally, one of the most intact ancient buildings is still in use, so you can't go in, but the original 1600 year old iron doors are breathtaking. There are so many things to see! Plan to walk in the heat a lot if you're there in summer.. not a lot of shade!
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Jim W.

Yelp
There are multiple gates where you can enter the Forum. The one closest to the Colosseum is the busiest. If you enter there and have a pre-booked ticket (very advisable), walk nest to the big line but on its right side. This line is for those who do not have tickets. When you reach the head of the line, you'll see a mostly empty checkpoint for those with tickets. If you view the Colosseum entrance as 6 p.m. on a clock face, we exited at 3 p.m. and saw no lines there. You may want to check that out (or one of the other entry points) to shorten your wait if you lack tickets. Doing a little reading in advance will definitely enhance your enjoyment of this site. What you'll see is largely a set of monuments and ruins. However, with a little context, it is easier to appreciate why this is an important place. Basically, this was the nexus of important historical events in Rome for over 500 years. Every major figure in Roman history from ~ 300 BC to 300 AD spent time here, rallied supporters here, and in some cases was killed nearby. The site of Julius Caesar's cremation is preserved here. There are triumphal arches, the ruins of early temples, the ruins of great public buildings, etc. Just wander through and read the signs explaining the significance of each plot within the site. The flow of historical figures and events is staggering. This was an amazing place.
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Brandi I.

Yelp
The Roman Forum is MASSIVE!! You don't realize it until you're there to see what's left of the grandeur. See it all, but don't rush it, because there is a lot to see. I would recommend getting tickets in advance as well.
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Ann L.

Yelp
The tickets for the Colosseum also include admission to the Forum, so we headed here after touring the colosseum. Again, as with the colosseum, no signs saying where the entrance is, but a worker at the Colosseum was able to help us out. The line to get in was crazy long and not moving. We were about to give up when a staff member started telling everyone there was another entrance around the corner with no line. We and some others headed in the direction he pointed and we did find the other entrance. We made it through security and were in within minutes of arriving at the other entrance. The side we entered was wonderfully quiet and uncrowded. We had a nice walk through some park-like green space and made our way back to the main area with the ruins, and even that wasn't anywhere near as crowded as other places we had been in Rome. There is a lot to see here, and I'd suggest reading up before going if, like us, you aren't doing a guided tour; signs are minimal, and we were kind of guessing what some things were, but still enjoyed ourselves.
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Kim G.

Yelp
After touring the Colosseum, the most visited attraction in Rome, we wandered over to the Roman Forum Which is walking distance. The Roman Forum sits in the valley between the Palatine Hikl and Capitoline Hill and is a huge open space where many ancient ruins remain. Most notable are the Arch if Titus, athe Temple of Saturn and the Basilica of Maxentius from the Byzantine period. I was amazed at how much of the Basilica of Maxentius remains, you can actually envision it. Unlike other paid attractions, this is basically an open park where you can wander and explore at leisure. Like all of Rome is a Museum in the Sky at night, The Roman Forum is a Museum in the Park. It's exactly what I love about Rome; one doesn't visit ruins, one lives amongst them. The ancient and the current day co-exist. You walk a street filled with 1700 era buildings then all of a sudden, there's an ancient ruin or aqueduct. It's absolutely amazing and exhilarating and never gets mundane. It is quite simply extraordinary. What many may not realize is that Rome has a desert like climate and the summer months are extremely hot and dry. On my last visit at the end of October, 2022, it was 80-85 every day. Unusual for this time of year and it feels much hotter when exploring ruins with the sun reflecting off the stone and very little shade. Bring water and you can fill it up at the many open running water fountains throughout this area and all over Rome. Wear sunscreen, a hat and most definitely wear good walking shoes to manage the ancient and uneven cobblestone with lots of gaps. When I see people meandering in thOng sandals, I know they will pay the price. Yes, those were the footware of the ancient Romans but there is a reason comfortable walking shoes were created! Be smart and enjoy exploring and discovering amongst this ancient Roman gather place.
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John B.

Yelp
Can't go wrong visiting here. Spend the day reading and enjoying history. Hire a free walking tour and learn even more.
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Carrie M.

Yelp
We entered the Roman Forum just because admission came with the Colosseum ticket. These ruins are very grand and definitely worth a visit. There's a decent number of signs with information. This place is HUGE, and I could spend a whole day here if I had the time.
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Michael W.

Yelp
Roman Forum is right next to the Colosseum. These ruins are very popular in Hollywood movies. Most visitors like us will visit the Roman Forum before or after visiting Colosseum. Please be aware the Roman Forum is much more walking than the Colosseum. The Roman Forum is magnificent and many people, including myself, only check out part of the Roman Forum because we are too tired and running out of time! But the area is beautiful when you match them with the pictures or movies. I'm so interested in the history behind the Roman Forum. Please prepare for a lot of walks when you visit the Roman Forum. It is a lot of places that are very interesting and educational in there.
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Sophie N.

Yelp
This is my honest feeling while walking through the Roman Forum and seeing all these ruins from the past and I am gonna share it with you. I admit that my trip to Europe was very long and I went to so many different museums and historical sites every day, so that might be a good reason behind my feeling. While I was walking through the Roman Forum right after my tour was finished I was thinking OMG why they just don't destroy these ugly remains and build beautiful buildings over it .
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Matthew H.

Yelp
I do not recall coming to Foro Romano on my last visit to Rome. This is well worth a stop when I'm Rome. The crowds were not too busy in the morning.
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Olive R.

Yelp
Roman Forum is located just across from the Colosseum and was a fascinating to explore. Just to be able to walk around an area where the Romans thrived in social/political and economical areas was really amazing to me. To be able to understand that the Romans had their own way of living and "thriving". There are quite a few stairs and stones to walk on, so be prepared to wear comfy shoes. Wear comfy shoes!!! My feet were not happy with me after walking around. I would recommend a tour for this though. This way, it is easier to understand this cultural and magnificent site.
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Andrea U.

Yelp
The Roman Forum is next to the Colosseum and was considered the center of the ancient city of Rome and the location of important religious, political and social activities. Historians believe people first began publicly meeting in the open-air Forum around 500 B.C. This rectangular-shaped area, sited on low-lying land between Palatine Hill and Capitoline Hill, was home to many of the ancient city's most impressive temples & monuments. Today, the Roman Forum is one of the most famous tourist sites in the world, attracting more than 4.5 million visitors annually.
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Lance L.

Yelp
Well it's Official!! 2020 sucks!!!! Lucky for you, I have a time machine and we are going back to Twenty 16'. But don't you worry, 2016 is only our 1st stop. We will also be going back to Ancient Roman times. So buckle up, enjoy the complimentary laughs and hold on tight! During my 1st trip to the Italian Motherland, Rome was stop #1. "Rome wasn't built in a day" Talk about craftsmanship; the Ancient Romans did not mess around when it came to building their Empire. Despite literally being in ruins today, the Foro Romano or the Roman Forum was the epicenter of Rome. Although this area is not what it used to be when it was built, the fact that many buildings and monuments are still standing thousands of years later proves the quality and brilliance of the engineers and architects who designed and planned out these amazing structures. "When in Rome" "Do like the Romans do" If you are coming to Rome... Yes, have all the Pizza! Yes, drink wine like it's water!! And yes go the Colosseum!!! But since you are going to the Colosseum which is absolutely mind blowing, take the beautiful walk or 3 min taxi ride to the Roman Forum and witness the beauty of something that's "in ruins" but still absolutely wonderful to see. Heck, I would choose any of those still-standing buildings to gladly call home. So now what? Back to Reality! 2020 here we come!! I say forget this year! Let the dust settle and plan a trip to Italy for 2021 or 2022, you WON't regret it! Rome is a magical place and you better believe I tossed some coins into the Trevi Fountain so I can one day return to the eternal city of Rome! As they say in Italian, Ciao!!

Money A.

Yelp
Another site to see near the others in the area. Rich in history but may not be appealing to all. For those who want to enjoy Italy like the current day italians these sites may be for recovery days. Personally, enjoyed the food, people, exploring and the hustle of the daily life.
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Sanjay G.

Yelp
Possibly one of the most important Roman ruins in Italy, the Roman Forum is an ancient site that consists of many ruins that were once the center of Roman public and political life. Right next to the Coliseum, and included on the majority of Coliseum tickets and tours, is the Roman Forum. Since its right next to the Colosseum, and your ticket likely already includes it, we think it makes sense for this to be your next stop in Rome. For centuries, the Roman Forum was the heart of the Roman Empire. The square plaza, surrounded by the government buildings of the empire, was where everything from the political to the religious life of the city took place. Located in the small valley between the Palatine and Capitoline Hills, The Roman Forum was for centuries the teeming heart of ancient Rome: the site of triumphal processions and elections, venue for public speeches, and nucleus of commercial affairs. View from the top of Palentinme hill of the roman forum is awesome. You can get a clear panoramic view of the Roman forum. While wandering here, you feel like you are in the middle of a throbbing modern city, and it is like stepping back two millennia into the heart of ancient Rome. Highlights not to miss are the Temple of Antoninus Pius, the Temple of Castor and Pollux, the Temple of Saturn, the Arch of Septimus Severus, the Curia, the Temple of Vesta, and the Arch of Titus.
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Katherine F.

Yelp
Yes, it is all that. With my jaw on the ground, we wandered thru this remarkable historical site. Words and pictures can not express the depth and breadth of this cultures accomplishments.... in engineering , beauty, scale. Simply unparalleled. Gobsmacked.....
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Nicole E.

Yelp
It's hard to not wonder over to the ruins of the roman forum, it is just steps away from the coliseum. It's astounding that these remains were once a thriving center for Roman and political life. It's sad to see it in such a state, yet beautiful and intriguing at the same time. Take some time to imagine what it all might have looked like. There are placards around to show what the buildings were. The ruins somewhat remind me of the ruins at Pompeii, less damaged and ravaged by volcanic lava, but rather crumbled over the passing of time and the centuries.
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Tiffany D.

Yelp
Wow! Ruins of the Roman era and when one enters or steps foot onto the grounds, it feels like one is swept to that period in time! Even though it is in ruins, it's picturesque! The ruins can paint the picture on how everything may have looked back in ancient times! It's so mesmerizing and it basically took me all afternoon to walk everywhere in this designated area. The gardens and monuments are admirable and serene! I was simply at bliss even though my legs were not wanting to be on ground anymore! Luckily, there's benches at the gardens if one has time to be at leisure and to allow your feet a break. Classic Rome to be treasured here!
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Emily M.

Yelp
The Roman Forums, a must see when in Rome, right next to the Colosseum. Spacious enough for many tourists to walk around and explore. The only downside is because it's mostly dirt, the concrete portions do get very muddy! Also it's all outdoors so if it rains, you will get caught in the rain. Bring an umbrella. This attraction is included in the Roma Pass plus it lets you skip the line- worth getting!
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Steven M.

Yelp
I would absolutely be lying if I said that I knew what this place was or wanted to come here prior to doing so early today. I ended up doing a tour that started at the coliseum and ended here. When you walk through the gates here you couldn't even begin to imagine just how insanely beautiful the area is here. After you go up a few flights of stairs you start to see just how massive this place really is. There is so much history, statues, marble, and buildings scattered through the property that you probably miss more then you see. When you make your way down the hills and reach the area towards the end you are surrounded by some of the most beautiful and ancient buildings you will probably ever see. At the very end of the property lays the rock that Ceaser was killed on and though it might now look like much, there is flowers and change scattered across it. I didn't know what this place was before but after spending a couple of hours walking around the property I fell in love with this place. If you are visiting Rome you should absolutely make it a point to come here, you won't regret it!
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Charlie K.

Yelp
The Roman Forum is located near the entrance of the Colosseum. If you purchase your tickets online, they group these tours together so you can visit the Colosseum, Forum and Palatine Hill within 2 days time of first usage. Tons of history and great things here, I'd suggest taking a tour of this if you're heading to the Colosseum. You will definitely not be disappointed - Best, Charlie
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Josiah G.

Yelp
Gosh we didn't get to spend a lot of time here but, it was a wonderful experience. Visiting different parts of the ruins. Checking out palantine hill was fantastic. Suggestions- Your tickets are good for 2 days.
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Anton K.

Yelp
The Roman Forum while intriguing at first lance, ultimately cries out for interpretation and clarification. There is so little left from the original structures that the visitor finds it difficult to envision more than stone floors and pillars. There are few written description as you walk from one end to the other. To fully appreciate the forum requires a guided tour, pictures of the original structures, a guide book, an audio-guide or a smart phone app.. Rick Steves has a good one. Tickets can be purchased individually but most visitors buy the combo-ticket, (Forum, Colosseum and Palantine Hill. Tickets can be purchased on line and are time specific. If you are purchasing your ticket on site get your ticket at the Palantine Hill entrance, it is a shorter line. The "Forum was the center of Roman social, religious and political life. Notable structures include: Arch of Titus (82 BC), Arch of Septimius Severus (293 C.E.) celebrating his victory or the Parthians (Iran), the Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine (the giant statue of Constantine is now in the Capitoline Museum), the Curia Julia (Roman Senate) which was started by Julius and finished by Constantine, the Rostra or public speakers platform, the Temple of Castor & Pollux (the twins), the Temple of Concordia (167 BCE) which was dedicated to the goddess of peace, Concordia, Temple of the Divine Julius (42 BC) the cremation site of Julius Caesar, the Temple of Saturn (79 BCE), the Temple of Vespasian (87 CE), and the Temple of Vesta and the House of the Vestal Virgins. It is a little round temple where the sacred flame was kept perpetually alive by the Vestal Virgins. The forum lies in what was a marshy area drained by Cloaca Maxima, the world's first large scale sewer system. It is in an open area that lies between the Capitoline and Palantine Hill. There area few public water fountains but the summers can see temperatures well above 90 degrees F. with little shade.
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Steve V.

Yelp
This place was great for everyone in our family! We bought our tickets online ahead of time, which has a small fee, bu guarantees your day and a shorter line to pick up your tickets onsite. The tickets are timed and once you go in, you cannot leave and come back. We walked the entire floor including the part that is across the street. There was some back tracking involved in doing that. You could really feel the history and there are some great photo ops. There is an indoor exhibit and tunnels to walk through. The garden at the top was great as well and offers great views of the entire grounds. Our kids liked running around and there is one of those "street fountains" in the garden to refill your water bottle with. We were there about 2 hours, but felt like we could have used more time.
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GT W.

Yelp
Buy a ticket that combines the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Forum. Though the Colosseum is an iconic wonder of the world, the Forum and Palatine Hill are just as interesting and actually take more time to explore. Some Yelp reviewers call this an "open-air museum" which is a good analogy, though you are literally walking within the ruins of the Roman Empire instead of seeing bits and pieces of history like you would find in a museum. It's more like a park filled with dozens of buildings in various states of ruin. The Roman Forum is in a sunken valley between the Palatine Hill and Capitoline Hill. This open space is home to various ruins from ancient Rome including the Temple of Saturn, Arch of Septimius Severus, Arch of Titus, and Basilica of Maxentius from the Byzantine period. The Basilica of Maxentius has a lot of mass compared to the other ruins and is quite impressive to behold. There's also a tiny museum that's worth popping in a few minutes. Overall, I fear that many visitors to Rome will tick the Colosseum but will skip over the Forum and Palatine Hill and that is a shame because all three are equally impressive.
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Joe K.

Yelp
This is one of the places you must visit in Rome if you visit. The importance of the Foro Romano's impact on civilization is unquestionable and the ruins here bring some of that era to life. I spent only a fraction of the time I would have liked to have spent here as it was part of a guided tour that included the Colosseum and Palatine Hill. However just seeing the ruins from above was incredible. Do watch your belongings going in and out of the area as pick pockets are present. Just be smart and you'll be fine.
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Brian V.

Yelp
If you are ever in Rome, make sure you visit the Roman Forum. It's amazing to see from a distance which we did at the beginning of our trip in Rome, but once you get to take a closer look at all the ruins, it's fascinating. It's so amazing when you think about how the Roman Forum used to be a popular place people would go to every day. We learned about how it used to be a center for politics from our guide and we got to admire the intricate designs of all the old, broken-down buildings. The fact that we could all get so close to something hundreds of years old and basically relive it as we walked through it made the experience really special. I'm so glad I took pictures.
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Annette B.

Yelp
There is SO much to see here, that it is practically mind-blowing. I recommend getting a guided tour from whichever tour you prefer because there really is a lot to take in. The arches, ruins, and array of other sites here are just phenomenal. It's truly a special place to take in, considering all the history around you.
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William W.

Yelp
The day before our visit to the Roman Forum, our private guide to the Vatican gave us the most valuable tip; you'll be disappointed by the interior of the Colosseum, but you'll be amazed by the Forum and the great pictures you can take of the Colosseum from there. But go in the late afternoon. He was right!!! The following day, we were standing in front of the Colosseum and thrilled to be there. Such a mighty structure standing the test of time, an icon whose images you've seen your entire life. But as promised, we were underwhelmed by the interior. Then we proceeded to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. With so many underwhelming, overbilled sites across Rome, the Forum was a rare attraction that actually exceeded its reputation! With such wonderfully refurbished ruins, you can vividly imagine what it was like to walk the streets of the centerpiece of the Roman Empire 2,000 years ago. We marveled at the sophistication that existed so many thousands of years prior to our existence. The craftsmanship and details were remarkable for such a primitive time. We've visited many, many ruins throughout the world, Turkey, Egypt, Malta, Peru, Hungary, you name it. But these were so expansive, so advanced for its time, so aesthetically pleasing, so historically important. And you'll have perfect, unobstructed views of the Colosseum's exterior from here. But what about the block-long lines during the high season? Here's the trick! Go on a Sunday afternoon around 3.5 hours before sunset (about 5:00 p.m. during the summer). Visit the ticket office just down San Gregorio Street from the southwest corner of the Colosseum (don't stand in line at the busier ticket office at the Colosseum). Buy tickets for the Forum and Palatine Hill only. You'll have no line, no stress, no hordes of tourists. Within the first hour, you'll begin to notice that you practically have the place to yourselves. The throngs of people who visited the site early in the morning are worn out and back at the hotel. The sun will dip to the perfect angle for glorious shots of the western walls of the Colosseum. About two hours in, you'll almost be alone in the compound as you're now 30 minutes from closing time. Spend another half hour leisurely strolling through these magnificent ruins. One hour before sunset, they close up shop after you've spent 2.5 hours on a peaceful visit to one of Rome's most iconic locations!
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Jacklin A.

Yelp
If you're looking to feel like you've truly gone back in time, this is a very cool place. Within the walls, you feel completely immersed in old-time Rome and it's history. We chose to go through without a tour, so we didn't get much out of it. Just sort of strolled through, read some of the description cards, and moved on. Not much to do here. What is nice - if you buy a ticket to get into the coliseum, you get entrance to the Roman forum and palatine hill for free (good for 2 consecutive days!).
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Kevin W.

Yelp
The Roman Forum is exactly what you expect to see when site seeing ancient Rome. Some tips prior to visiting, - Assuming you booked your trip ahead, prebuy your ticket online for the day you plan to visit. Buy the ticket that includes the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and the Roman Forums. It is only 12 euros plus a processing fee of 1.50 euros. - Wear sunscreen, very little shade! - See the Colosseum first before visiting Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum, you would spend the most time here and the crowds are a lot less at the other two sites. There was no queue here to enter. Pretty much walked in and explored on my own. Palatine Hill over looks the Roman Forum. So many buildings and amazing architecture masterpieces here. I could just stand and stare and picture how huge these buildings used to be. The 3 huge columns were my favorite of the sites here. Expect to spend some time here. Lots of great photos to take. Also right outside the forum, make sure you check out the Julius Caesar Statue.
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Mike F.

Yelp
I had no idea that the Roman Forum was so expansive! You can literally spend the entire day just taking in all the ruins and getting a feel for what things must have looked like way back then. We bought a package deal online before arriving in Rome which also included the Roman Forum. Well, after spending and hour to an hour and a half at the Colosseum, we spent the rest of the day taking in everything at the Forum! There is that much to see! Some of the highlights of fragments of things you will see in here: -Temple of Castor and Pollux -Temple of Saturn -Temple of Vesta -Temple of Venus and Roma -Temple of Antoninus and Faustina -Temple of Caesar -Temple of Vespasian and Titus -Temple of Romulus -Arch of Septimius Severus -Arch of Titus They also have a small Museum with plenty of fragments and pieces of sculptures that were found around the area. Plenty of signs with great information on them to help fill you in on what was there and what it was used for during those times. This ended up being a pleasant surprise to me and I greatly enjoyed my time in here. No visit to Rome would be complete without a long, thorough trip thru the Roman Forum! 5 stars.
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Kanchan B.

Yelp
Amazing! We made a mistake with our tour, and so I could only see the ruins of the Forum from a distance, viewing its ancient and deprecated marble columns from Palatine Hill, as I didn't realize how massive the site is and had booked an afternoon tour, not realizing the Forum site was closing down at 4:30pm, on the Saturday we were touring. Still, even from a distance, the Forum captures the imagination. From my studies, I know it was the meeting place, where the citizens of Ancient Rome would have meet to have shopped, gossiped, listen to public speeches so in modern parlance it would be a combination between a town hall and a mall. In my minds eye, I could totally imagine a parade of Romans - Julius Caesar, Marcus Aurelius, Emperor Hadrian- all of them walking the streets around the Forum and oh gosh, the scale and grandeur is still apparent, even amidst the ruins! I totally need to return and spend a whole day here, with an guided audio tour! Yelp 270/ 2018
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Sin A.

Yelp
**My visit took place in January of 2020** The Roman Forum is an immense place to visit. A payed tour is not required you can go and walk around freely around the historic landmark. The great structures are sure to take your breath away. There are different buildings you can go into while you are on the lower level of the forum. As you walk the ruins, you can see some of the broken down pillars of what used to be. A sense of nostalgia hits you as you think what could have been if you live in those times. Although it can get crowded, this place is big enough where you won't be shoulder to shoulder with other people. A map is giving to you per your request so that you have a general idea of where you are at. Pro tip... you can use Google maps too . There is a trail that gets you to the upper level where you can reach the Palatine Hill and a garden that overlooks the whole forum. I highly recommended. Follow me and my adventures @Sin_Aguayo_Canelito fb:Sin Aguayo
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Cristina G.

Yelp
If you are doing a tour of the Roman Forums, you are likely doing a tour of the Colosseum. We did the easiest thing which is to buy tickets in front of the Colosseum from someone who spoke English. We also confirmed with the company beforehand that this tour included the Roman Forum. We unfortunately had a very boring tour guide for the Colosseum portion, but since this is a lengthy tour, our guides switched halfway through so we had a more engaging guide for the Roman Forums. We were able to learn a ton about the Roman Empire itself, what the structures were originally built for, and what life was like for the Romans. This entire experience was amazing. This was absolutely one of the highlights of my trip to Rome and I walked away with a new appreciation for its history. I won't go into the details much because you will learn all about it and I am sure you will take a million pictures (as did I), but make sure you're wearing flats (sneakers or other comfy closed-toe flats) because the grounds are rocky and dusty. Don't make the rookie mistake of wearing sandals.Try to avoid going on a rainy day as well because your shoes will be destroyed (that dust could turn into messy mud REAL QUICK). Don't miss a trip to the forums. Trust me, you will not be disappointed.
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Joy D.

Yelp
We carried our Rick Steve's portioned out book with us to tell us where to walk and to bring back to life each section of what we were looking at. It takes a little imagination but like most historical sights, is astonishing once you take a breath and think about what it took, in both imagination and physical strength to create these cities so long ago! We recommend the Colosseum and Palatine Hill if you have not seen these as well. *Beware of people who will harass you while you stand in line, who wear Skip the Line jackets and look like these people, or are these people, and sell overpriced and outdated and/or already used tickets. They are onsite known scammers. Stay away from them.