Foro Romano
Foro Romano
4.5
About
Located at the foot of Palatine Hill, the Forum is surrounded by ruins of Rome's most important government buildings. It's usually visited alongside the famous Colosseum.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Campitelli
How to get there
- Fori Imperiali-Colosseo • 6 min walk
- Colosseo • 6 min walk
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See what travelers are saying
- NomadeMarseille, France615 contributionsNot to be missed 🤩🤩🤩Exceptional collection of monuments from the Roman Empire. Buying tickets before leaving will save you a certain wait but much less than if you had not purchased them. Very useful audio dike considering everything there is to see.Visited February 2024Traveled with friendsWritten February 15, 2024
- ThebestofKendellDenver, Colorado518 contributionsDon’t skip itI’m sure many people skip this part or don’t save enough time for it but I’d highly recommend taking a leisurely stroll through all the ruins. You can download your own Rick Steves guide and save yourself some money as it’s informative and comparable. As it’s free with the Colosseum tickets, you might as well stop in. Everything looked so beautiful at golden hour too.Visited December 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten February 15, 2024
- thePuffinMilan, Italy98 contributionsThe top of Roman RomeThere is little to say about this area that hasn't already been written, I recommend. Don't enter through the Arch of Titus because there is a long queue at that entrance. Inside you will find several bathrooms and some vending machines for drinks and snacks. The passage through the Domus of Tiberius to go up to the Farnese gardens from which you can enjoy a panoramic visit over the entire forum is splendid!Visited February 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten February 17, 2024
- angeleyes27Brigantine, New Jersey5,363 contributionsLarge impressive site with much history, but horrible ticket processThe site itself has very interesting buildings, some just ruins but still fascinating history. There weren't that many plaques to explain what you were seeing. We tried Rick Steves guide which doesn't need wifi, but it kept freezing. There was blocks of marble all over to use as seats. It is a large site and takes 2-3 hours to see. Take water as it is hot. Ticket process is awful and stressful, but worthwhile if you are a history buff.Visited September 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten February 22, 2024
- BkbakTempe, Arizona1,404 contributionsA MUSTThis was part of our Colosseum ticket. I wish we had utilized an audio guide or some other kind of guide system as the Forum is IMMENSE. I do recommend seeing "Welcome to Rome" first as it helps with the gist of what it once was.Visited September 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten February 25, 2024
- Heiata265 contributionsIn the heart of ancient RomeThe site is huge and incredible. Some parts are very well preserved. Situated in the heart of the city, this gives insight into Rome's long past and immerses you in the heart of ancient Rome's pleasant gardens. Please note, if you have a "Colosseum" ticket (to be reserved in advance), do not queue at the ticket counters, but directly at the entrance (Via Sacra, towards the Arch of Constantine).Visited February 2024Traveled with familyWritten February 26, 2024
- Considered ReviewNorwich, United Kingdom2,538 contributionsThe epicentre of world power for a thousand years - and its still here!Just trying to imagine a tiny sliver of the discussions, betrayals, and world-changing decisions made in this location sends my head into an historical spin. This was the centre of the world for a thousand years. And there it is, right in front of you. Astonishing.Visited October 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten March 6, 2024
- Jan U20 contributionsOverwhelming. consider getting a guided tour.We got the Full experience ticket lasting for two consecutive days, valid for Colloseum and Forum Romanum. Thanks to some computing glitch, the first attempt to buy tickets had money "reserved", no tickets arrived into my email. second attempt was a success. i have yet to check if i was charged twice (i think not, as the ticket provider stated so). Anyways, full experience in roman forum means access to several exhibitions througout the area (villa, domus augusta, pottery showcase and the byzantine basilica maria antiqua). I was originally sceptical towards contemporary writers being cited "palace so large that eyes hurt and pyramids seem puny" but the ruin complex is truly large and multilayered. The southern part (towards circus maximus) resembles nearby caracalla spas; the part at domus augustus had videomapping teaser and some beautifully restored frescoes. the area includes a rosarium with older varieties of roses. beautiful view towards west (vatican). you gradually descend through the ruins of another palace towards maria antiqua, and walk amond the columns and temples of the ancient forum. therea re multiple ways to enter/exit the area.Visited March 2024Traveled with familyWritten March 17, 2024
- Simona GiovanardiFerrara, Italy3 contributionsthe past at handThe Roman Forum is a must see if you are in Rome. It's like taking a step back into the heart of ancient Rome, among ruins that tell stories of politics, commerce and daily life from millennia ago. Even with the crowds, the charm of the Forum does not fade; can you imagine what it was like to live in those times. The Roman Forum is one of those experiences that leaves you with something, a piece of history that you can almost touch with your hands.Visited March 2024Traveled soloWritten March 26, 2024
- Anne AHawick, United Kingdom178 contributionsSo much historyI have always had an interest in ancient Roman history, but hadn't realised how much until we entered the Roman Forum. If these stones could talk. The experience was quite something. To imagine the Ides of March, and think of Julius Caesar, Brutus, Mark Antony and the like. We just used our imagination and what we had gleaned from our guide book. Wonderful experienceVisited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten March 26, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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Donna
64 contributions
May 2024 • Solo
This was a difficult review to write. I visited Rome (in July) years ago and being surrounded by the ruins of the Roman Forum was an experience that is forever etched in my memory. I wandered freely through ruins, multiple times throughout the day and evening, taking in the history in a peaceful almost reverent environment.
Fast forward….. The Forum is now an area surround by a fence and a ticket is needed. As a museum professional I understand and applaud the need to protect the ruins, reduce the crowds, and have a revenue stream for the upkeep. Because everyone is now forced into a restricted area during set open hours the crowds are condensed and all streaming along the designated paths. It also seemed like most people were there as a part of an organized group, moving as one, so you had to try and navigate around or through them. Lots of selfies taking place which means people are not aware of what is going on around them which added to the difficulty of walking around the Forum.
I did find that the ruins on the edges of the Forum were less visited, especially by the large groups. The groups are on a schedule so they are hitting the “highlights” not the entire area.
There are very few labels describing what you are seeing so before you go familiarize yourself to what you are looking at, especially if you are not on a tour. There are some good websites that have descriptions and sketches of when it was built and current photos so you can identify the ruins. Unfortunately, I was not able to paste any links here.
Purchase the first available ticket in the morning, fewer crowds. You can purchase tickets onsite but the line was long so save yourself the hassle and book online. If you are going on your own, not taking a tour, buy your ticket from the official site, Parco archeologico del Colosseo. There are a lot of sites charging you more, beware. The ticket gives you access to the Forum, Colosseum, and Palatine Hill. But be sure you know what you can and can’t see with the ticket to avoid disappointment. You must show an ID along with your ticket to enter, and not a photocopy.
There are companies that offer tours that will give you information as you walk along the path as well as special access. In addition to going on my own I did join a tour that gave an underground Colosseum experience that included the Forum and Palatine Hill (I will review that tour) and it was absolutely worth the cost.
I did give the Forum only 4 stars, which hurt my heart. If the review was only about the ruins (or from my first visit) the stars would be off of the chart but this review was about the entire current experience. The crowds, noise, and rude selfie-takers slightly marred the overall experience. But, how can you visit Roman and not go to the Roman Forum.
Imagine yourself walking the cobble stone path, conducting day to day business, and walking by the temples devoted to gods/goddess. Try and let everything else melt away because walking among the ruins, immersing yourself in the history that surrounds you is priceless.
Fast forward….. The Forum is now an area surround by a fence and a ticket is needed. As a museum professional I understand and applaud the need to protect the ruins, reduce the crowds, and have a revenue stream for the upkeep. Because everyone is now forced into a restricted area during set open hours the crowds are condensed and all streaming along the designated paths. It also seemed like most people were there as a part of an organized group, moving as one, so you had to try and navigate around or through them. Lots of selfies taking place which means people are not aware of what is going on around them which added to the difficulty of walking around the Forum.
I did find that the ruins on the edges of the Forum were less visited, especially by the large groups. The groups are on a schedule so they are hitting the “highlights” not the entire area.
There are very few labels describing what you are seeing so before you go familiarize yourself to what you are looking at, especially if you are not on a tour. There are some good websites that have descriptions and sketches of when it was built and current photos so you can identify the ruins. Unfortunately, I was not able to paste any links here.
Purchase the first available ticket in the morning, fewer crowds. You can purchase tickets onsite but the line was long so save yourself the hassle and book online. If you are going on your own, not taking a tour, buy your ticket from the official site, Parco archeologico del Colosseo. There are a lot of sites charging you more, beware. The ticket gives you access to the Forum, Colosseum, and Palatine Hill. But be sure you know what you can and can’t see with the ticket to avoid disappointment. You must show an ID along with your ticket to enter, and not a photocopy.
There are companies that offer tours that will give you information as you walk along the path as well as special access. In addition to going on my own I did join a tour that gave an underground Colosseum experience that included the Forum and Palatine Hill (I will review that tour) and it was absolutely worth the cost.
I did give the Forum only 4 stars, which hurt my heart. If the review was only about the ruins (or from my first visit) the stars would be off of the chart but this review was about the entire current experience. The crowds, noise, and rude selfie-takers slightly marred the overall experience. But, how can you visit Roman and not go to the Roman Forum.
Imagine yourself walking the cobble stone path, conducting day to day business, and walking by the temples devoted to gods/goddess. Try and let everything else melt away because walking among the ruins, immersing yourself in the history that surrounds you is priceless.
Written June 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
patcal58
384 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
The route is spectacular and takes time, therefore, since the ticket is combined with a visit to the Palatine, I recommend taking into account at least four hours, and therefore check the closing time first which, in winter, is 4.30pm. The ticket also includes entry to the Colosseum which, therefore, I recommend booking online for at least 10:00. With the queue-skipping QR code, waiting times at the entrance to both the Colosseum and the Forum are short, but without online purchasing and booking it is unthinkable to hope to gain access.

Written January 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Family5GetAway
St. John's, Canada329 contributions
May 2023
This place is amazing, like walking through a history book. Some of the ruins are in spectacular condition and the whole area is much larger than I realized. I booked the Colosseum, Forum, Palatine Hill 24 hour combo ticket online a month before the date we visited so we were able to bypass the line of people wanted to purchase tickets. We visited there as soon as it opened at 9am and spent about 3.5 hours between the Forum and Palatine Hill before getting some lunch in the area and heading to the Colosseum for our 2:15 entry time. There was a lot of signage explaining what things were and I also downloaded the app promoted by their website in advance of our trip for more details (although I only ended up needing it to locate the bathrooms and water fountains). We took our time walking around and loved the experience. It definitely got much busier as the morning went on, but it was a large enough area that the crowds are spaced out. Highly recommend that you wear comfortable footwear.
Written May 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Benomark2000
Rabat, Morocco664 contributions
Feb 2025 • Family
The Roman Forum is a magnificent site, full of history, not to be missed. Admission was free on the first Sunday of the month, and as for the Coliseum, a ticket is still given for admission to the Forum, the Coliseum and Mount Palatine. A fascinating walk through the remains of antiquity!
Automatically translated
Written February 2, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wendy H
Wokingham, UK1,731 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
I haven't been inside for years and it was lovely to have the repeat experience. Even better as it was the first Sunday in the month when the museum is free.
It was busy, especially with group tours yet the place remains very atmospheric and special. You can spend so long here. There are information boards around in Italian and English however if you are really interested in this era I would recommend a guide to bring it more to life and deal with the inevitable questions that you will have.
Not too much shade so bring a hat or parasol if you need. Bring water too. I would not recommend heels due to the uneven surfaces but note some ladies did wear.
It was busy, especially with group tours yet the place remains very atmospheric and special. You can spend so long here. There are information boards around in Italian and English however if you are really interested in this era I would recommend a guide to bring it more to life and deal with the inevitable questions that you will have.
Not too much shade so bring a hat or parasol if you need. Bring water too. I would not recommend heels due to the uneven surfaces but note some ladies did wear.
Written April 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MissPerkyAK
Palmer,AK391 contributions
Jul 2024 • Friends
We had tickets in advance without a tour. At 8:45 it was crowded at the entry, but after the tour groups started, there was plenty of space to explore. At 9 everyone entered and it was quick getting in. We did without a tour, but there are explanations of areas throughout with English and Italian. I'm not sure where the Foro Romano ends, and Palatine Hill begins. However, there are some areas as you are ascending that have exhibits. If you don't have the right ticket type, you won't be able to get inside. My aunt had the Roma pass, and they wouldn't let her in. Our tickets worked fine. The gate office didn't indicate that there were parts you couldn't enter with just. Roma pass. Overall, I recommend this visit go early because it gets extremely hot later in the day. We exited through Palatine Hill area around noon and the line was quite long.
Written July 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ERFSU82
Wellington, FL2,003 contributions
Nov 2022 • Family
Entering the Forum is like stepping through a time portal. The history is extraordinary, and the ruins hint at how impressive this area was 2,000 years ago. We spent about an hour wandering the site on our own, which was enough time (especially for our teenagers), although it would be easy to spend more time.
TIP - Watch out for private “tour guides” offering you tickets outside the Forum, especially near the Colosseum. Some will even approach you as you wait in line at the ticket office (which sits between the Forum and the Colosseum). If you can plan ahead, it’s best to buy your tickets online from the official website (for the Parco Archeologico del Colosseo). If you are looking for tickets on the spot, start with the official ticket office, where tickets are least expensive. If they are sold out, a private tour guide may be able to get you in on a tour, but it will be much more expensive.
TIP - Watch out for private “tour guides” offering you tickets outside the Forum, especially near the Colosseum. Some will even approach you as you wait in line at the ticket office (which sits between the Forum and the Colosseum). If you can plan ahead, it’s best to buy your tickets online from the official website (for the Parco Archeologico del Colosseo). If you are looking for tickets on the spot, start with the official ticket office, where tickets are least expensive. If they are sold out, a private tour guide may be able to get you in on a tour, but it will be much more expensive.
Written November 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emma S
Basildon, UK198 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
If you visit the colosseum you entry is included and you can go the next day or the next. Take plenty of water and walking boots. We arrived at sunset so got some great photos but was forced to vacate pretty sharpish once it closed!
Written October 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicholas W
Colchester, UK64 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Wide ranging area that requires sturdy walking shoes to access the whole site. Good views at the top of Palentine Hill over the Coliseum. One important point to make, everyone appears to use the entrance nearer the Coliseum which builds up long queues. If you walk round the corner towards the Circus Maximus, you can enter through a second checkpoint which had no queue whatsoever.
Written November 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Warren P
1 contribution
Apr 2023 • Solo
I came to the Forum 10 years ago. Just walked in. Now it’s 18 euro, a long queue, security screening and you can only buy tickets online requiring you to give a lot of personal information. I declined. You can see a lot walking outside.
Written April 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
S O
Chicago, Illinois
Does the Forum have sidewalks or some other prepared walkways? I have some difficulty walking and wonder if it will be too uneven for me
Written February 4, 2025
I bambini sotto 14 anni entrano gratis?
Written February 18, 2020
What are the opening hours in December? Each website says something different :)
Written November 22, 2019
The official website,say from 08:30 to 16:30 in December. They close early.
Written November 25, 2019
Should i visit the Colosseum, the Roman Forum or Palatine Hill first? Which order do you reccomend?
Written August 30, 2019
No specific order as such. Roman Forum is in Palatine hill - these both go together. You can plan based on your time. We did colosseum first and these later.
Written August 30, 2019
Anyone know if the church of Santa Maria Antiqua will be open the first week of October 2019?
Written August 24, 2019
It is open from 14:30, I visited last week!
Written August 26, 2019
Aydın
Istanbul, Türkiye
Hello everyone. I just want to see the Forum and the Palatine Hill. I've heard there is less crowd at the ticket office for the forum, which I plan to visit at 14.30 on Friday. How long do you think I would wait and do you think it's a feasible plan? Many thanks in advance.
Written August 19, 2019
Hi. I visited the roman forum this month and queued for around 30 minutes from 12:00. I suggest going before midday if you want tickets that include the colosseum as these run out quickly, but as you just want to see the forum this should be no problem. Hope this helped, and have fun!
Written August 19, 2019
We just want to tour the Forum and Palantine Hill. Is this ticket available online, if not-I heard there is an entrance somewhere else where the queue is very insignificant compared to the other locations? About how long are the lines to get into just the Forum?
Written July 25, 2019
When we went last month, the Forum and Palatine Hill didn't really get crowded until around noon. Most of the long lines in the morning were to be found over at the Colosseum. I think that if you were to go directly to Forum and Palatine Hill around the time they open in the morning (0830 hours), you won't have a problem. Going in the morning is a good idea also because it's cooler. In the summer months, it really heats up during the day, and there isn't a lot of shade in that area.
Written July 25, 2019
Ciao volevo sapere il costo del biglietto
E se hai dai 18 ai 25 è vero che si paga 2 euro ? Grazie
Written July 18, 2019
confermo. tutti i dettagli li trovi su facilitane sul sito ufficiale dove puoi comprare online i biglietti
per invece lo spettacolo di Piero Angela puoi vedere i prezzi qui "viaggioneifori"
buona visita ne vale la pena!
Written July 18, 2019
I am visiting Rome in July, and want to visit the Forum. All the timed tickets for the Colosseum for our dates are now sold out in the Co-op site. We don’t want to do a guided tour.
We don’t mind missing the Colloseum as we’ve been before but We really want to see the Forum. Is it still possible to buy tickets on the day for the Forum? And would we need to be there early to get them?
Thank you.
Written June 27, 2019
Hi
When we were there in May there were a lot of people selling tickets with their tours to both at the entrance around the Colosseum. We had prepurchased entry tickets, but did book a tour to go with the entrance tickets.
Our ticket included Mamertine Prison, Forum and Pallatine Hill which was very cheap - prepurchased. If you try to buy this kind of ticket, try to book in advance, but I also think you can do so at the Mamertine Prison, get there ready for opening time, and there will likely be less of a queue as it is quieter, however there are less likely to be touts selling tickets there if there are none left.
Remember we were there in May, so likely very different to peak season.
I would say also that we found the guided tour of the Forum incredible and well worth it - unless you have extensive knowledge of everything yourself, the signage and information at the site is very very limited, and we would have had no idea. Also in the heat to have someone focussing on key stories and sites is helpful to avoid wandering around aimlessly getting hot. If you did a tour, you could spend the rest of the day wandering and exploring on your own, which is what we did do. tiqets
Written June 28, 2019
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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