Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

The Roman Forum was the political, religious and commercial centre of ancient Rome, and the Palatine Hill above it was where Rome’s emperors built their palaces. Together they form one archaeological park beside the Colosseum. The ruins are fragmentary and easy to misread, so a little background makes the visit far more rewarding. Yes, it is worth visiting, particularly if you spend the time to understand what you are looking at.

Tickets are bundled with the Colosseum, so book through the Colosseum hub; this page explains what you are going to see.

Is the Roman Forum worth visiting?

For anyone interested in ancient Rome, yes. It is the place where Roman politics, law and religion were conducted, and where triumphal processions ended. What remains are columns, foundations, arches and a few well-preserved buildings, set among pines and cypresses. If you prefer finished buildings, the Pantheon and Colosseum are more complete; if you want to feel the scale of the republic and empire, this is where it happened. Many visitors find it works best with a guide or audio guide, because there is little signage.

A short history

The Forum began as a marshy valley between the Capitoline and Palatine hills, drained by the Cloaca Maxima, which Romans traced to the early kings. By the Republic it was crowded with temples, law courts (basilicas), the Senate House and speakers’ platforms. Julius Caesar and Augustus rebuilt and expanded it, and later emperors added arches and new basilicas. After the empire declined, the area was gradually buried and became pasture; it was known as the Campo Vaccino (“cow field”) until excavations from the nineteenth century uncovered it.

The Palatine, according to tradition, is where Romulus founded Rome. Wealthy Republic-era Romans built houses there, Augustus lived there, and later emperors built enormous palaces. The English word “palace” comes from the hill’s name.

What to see in the Roman Forum

• Via Sacra: the main street through the Forum, used by processions.
• Arch of Titus: built after Titus’s death in AD 81, with reliefs showing the spoils of Jerusalem carried in triumph.
• Curia Julia: the Senate House, a surviving brick building that is among the best-preserved structures here, rebuilt in the late third century AD.
• Rostra: the speakers’ platform, named after the ships’ beaks (rostra) that decorated it.
• Arch of Septimius Severus: a large triumphal arch of AD 203.
• Temple of Saturn: eight surviving columns of the portico; the temple housed the state treasury.
• Temple of Castor and Pollux: three tall columns near the Vestals’ house.
• House of the Vestal Virgins and Temple of Vesta: where the priestesses tended the sacred fire. Statues and a courtyard pool remain.
• Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine: huge vaulted arches at the eastern end, giving a sense of the scale of imperial architecture.

What to see on the Palatine Hill

• Domus Flavia and Domus Augustana: the imperial palace complexes of Domitian, with courtyards, halls and a private residence.
• Stadium of Domitian: a long, narrow sunken garden-like space, probably used for private entertainments.
• House of Augustus and House of Livia: a more intimate area with wall paintings. Entry here is sometimes limited, so check the site rules on the day.
• Farnese Gardens: terraced Renaissance gardens with views down over the Forum.
• Palatine Museum: finds from the hill.
• Views: the terrace overlooking the Circus Maximus is one of the best viewpoints in the park.

Is the Roman Forum included in the Colosseum ticket?

Yes. According to the Parco archeologico del Colosseo, the standard ticket covers the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill within a stated validity window, and each site is entered once. Some special areas need extra tickets or timed access. Is the Forum free? Not normally. Free-entry days exist under national rules, but are very crowded; see free Sundays in Rome. Check current details on the official site, because ticket names and rules change.

A simple route

1. Enter near the Arch of Titus or from Largo della Salara Vecchia on the Forum side.
2. Walk the Via Sacra to the Curia and Rostra.
3. Continue to the Temple of Saturn, then loop back by the Vestals’ house.
4. Climb to the Palatine via the path near the Arch of Titus.
5. Finish at the Farnese Gardens and the Circus Maximus viewpoint, then exit on the Palatine side if the route is open.

Our visit-without-the-stress guide gives an order that fits with the Colosseum.

How long do you need?

Allow at least two hours; three if you explore the Palatine properly. Last entry is well before closing, so go earlier than you think.

Is a guide worth it?

For most visitors, yes. Signage is limited, many ruins look similar and the best stories are in the details. A guided walk, such as the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill guided walk, helps. An audio guide or a good map is the budget alternative. For the broader question see are guided tours in Rome worth it?

Best time to visit

Early morning is best for light and temperature. In summer the site has little shade, so avoid midday and bring water; there are drinking fountains. See how to handle Rome in summer heat.

Getting there

Metro Line B to Colosseo, then walk about five minutes. Entrances are near the Arch of Titus and on Via dei Fori Imperiali side. It is also walkable from Piazza Venezia and the Capitoline Museums. Wear flat, sturdy shoes: the ground is uneven.

Nearby

The Colosseum is next door. For the story of the arena before you go in, read our Colosseum history guide.