Capitoline Hill
Rome, Italy
Roman Forum, Rome
i
Photo: Wolfgang Moroder, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Ticket
- ≈ €18 — shared with the Colosseum and Palatine, 24 hours; free under 18
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Opening hours
- 9:00 to one hour before sunset; last entry an hour before closing
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Time on site
i
A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 1 h 30 min
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Closed
- 25 December and 1 January
- Entrances
- Via della Salara Vecchia (off Via dei Fori Imperiali), Arch of Titus, via the Palatine
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours, 2–3 with the Palatine
- Location
- Between the Capitoline and Palatine hills; Metro B Colosseo, 5–10 minutes
Key facts
7th century BCthe marshy valley between the hills was drained, creating the Forum
Sourcei
English WikipediaVia Sacrathe Sacred Way, route of triumphal processions
Sourcei
English WikipediaAD 81Arch of Titus — Rome's oldest surviving triumphal arch
Sourcei
English WikipediaAD 203Arch of Septimius Severus erected
Sourcei
English Wikipedia8 columnssurvive from the Temple of Saturn, which held the state treasury
Sourcei
English WikipediaRostrathe speakers' platform, decorated with the prows of captured ships
Sourcei
English Wikipedia1980part of the Historic Centre of Rome UNESCO site
Sourcei
UNESCORoman Forum tickets
There's no standalone Forum ticket: it's part of the Colosseum Archaeological Park pass — about €18, valid 24 hours, covering the Colosseum, the Forum and the Palatine Hill. The Forum and Palatine are one fenced site and you walk between them on a single entry. Under-18s go free but need a booking.
Tickets go on sale on the park's official site about 30 days ahead. When Colosseum slots are gone, a Forum-and-Palatine-only option is sometimes still available on the same site — worth checking before you pay a reseller.
Where is the Roman Forum entrance?
The main entrance is on Via della Salara Vecchia, halfway along Via dei Fori Imperiali. A second gate sits by the Arch of Titus on the Colosseum side, about five minutes from Colosseo metro. You can also enter via the Palatine from Via di San Gregorio.
For a free overview, walk up the Capitoline Hill behind the city hall: terraces there look straight down over the whole Forum.
A short history
In the 7th century BC Romans drained the swampy valley between the Palatine and Capitoline hills. Over the next thousand years it filled with temples, basilicas for courts and business, the Senate house, speakers' platforms and triumphal arches. Cicero and Caesar spoke here; trials, markets and elections all happened here.
After the empire fell the Forum was abandoned and buried under silt; by the Middle Ages cattle grazed on it, earning it the name *Campo Vaccino*, the cow field. Systematic excavation began in the 19th century and is still going on.
What to see at the Roman Forum
- Arch of Titus — by the Colosseum gate, with a relief of the spoils of Jerusalem's Temple.
- Via Sacra — the Forum's main street, still paved with ancient stones.
- Basilica of Maxentius — three colossal arches about 25 metres high.
- Temple of Vesta and House of the Vestals — the round temple and a courtyard of priestess statues.
- Temple of Caesar — where Julius Caesar was cremated; people still leave flowers.
- Curia Julia — the Senate house, rebuilt under Diocletian, with its marble floor.
- Rostra — the platform where orators addressed the crowd.
- Arch of Septimius Severus — below the Capitoline, from AD 203.
- Temple of Saturn — eight portico columns where the treasury was kept.
- Santa Maria Antiqua — the Forum's oldest church, with 6th–8th-century frescoes, open on a schedule.
How long do you need?
Give the Forum itself 1.5–2 hours and add an hour for the Palatine. Information panels with reconstructions stand by the main buildings, but the site makes far more sense with an audio guide, app or tour — otherwise it can read as a field of stones.
How to get to the Roman Forum
Tap a route to highlight it on the map.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
On foot
- Capitoline Hill is about 4 min away on foot.
- Capitoline Museums is about 5 min away on foot.
- Imperial Fora is about 7 min away on foot.
More tips
- Metro line B to Colosseo: 5 minutes to the Arch of Titus gate, 10 minutes along Via dei Fori Imperiali to the main entrance.
- Buses 51, 75, 85 and 87 stop on Via dei Fori Imperiali.
- On foot from Piazza Venezia: 5–7 minutes past the Imperial Fora.
- Main entrance: Via della Salara Vecchia 5/6 — have your ticket and passport ready.
Best time to visit
Arrive at 9:00 when it opens, or come in late afternoon when the light softens and the marble glows. Midday in summer is tough: open ground, hot stone and few trees. A good plan is the Colosseum at 8:30, then the Forum and Palatine on the same ticket.
Is the Roman Forum worth it?
Yes, for anyone curious about Rome's history — you're walking past the Senate house, the Temple of Vesta and the spot where Caesar was cremated. It's quieter than the Colosseum, and you've already paid for it. Read up beforehand or take a guide, and the ruins come alive.
Before you go
Ready: 0 of 5Tick off what's ready — your ticks are saved in this browser.
You are ready for the visit
Ancient Rome: compare and choose
Ancient sites in Rome rated by YesGo. Click a column header to sort.
| Pantheon | 82 | 30 min | ≈ €5 | 17 min walk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colosseum | 73 | 2 h | ≈ €18 | 11 min walk |
| Roman Forumyou are here | 63 | 1 h 30 min | ≈ €18 with Colosseum | — |
| Circus Maximus | 63 | 30 min | Free | 12 min walk |
| Trajan's Column | 60 | 15 min | Free | 7 min walk |
| Capitoline Hill | 58 | 30 min | Free | 4 min walk |
| Castel Sant'Angelo | 57 | 1 h 30 min | ≈ €15–20 | 34 min walk |
| Arch of Constantine | 57 | 15 min | Free | 9 min walk |
| Palatine Hill | 54 | 1 h 30 min | ≈ €18 with Colosseum | 8 min walk |
| Mausoleum of Augustus | 53 | 45 min | ≈ €5, booking | 30 min walk |
| Largo di Torre Argentina | 53 | 30 min | Free from street; walkways ≈ €5 | 13 min walk |
| Pyramid of Cestius | 52 | 20 min | Free | 31 min walk |
| Appian Way | 49 | 3 h | Free | 6.9 km |
| Domus Aurea | 49 | 1 h 15 min | ≈ €18, with VR ≈ €26 | 15 min walk |
| Mouth of Truth | 49 | 20 min | Donation ≈ €2 | 9 min walk |
| Baths of Caracalla | 48 | 1 h 15 min | ≈ €8 | 25 min walk |
| Catacombs of Rome | 48 | 1 h 30 min | ≈ €10–12 with guide | 19 min walk |
| Ara Pacis | 47 | 1 h | ≈ €13–15 | 31 min walk |
| Theatre of Marcellus | 47 | 20 min | Free | 8 min walk |
| Vatican Museums | 44 | 3 h | ≈ €25 | 3.0 km |
| Capitoline Museums | 43 | 2 h 30 min | ≈ €15–19.50 | 4 min walk |
| Baths of Diocletian | 42 | 1 h | Basilica free; museum ≈ €10–12 | 28 min walk |
| Basilica of San Clemente | 39 | 1 h | Upper free; excavations ≈ €10–12 | 19 min walk |
| Imperial Fora | 38 | 1 h | Free from the street; museum ≈ €13–15 | 4 min walk |
| Testaccio | 38 | 2 h | Free | 34 min walk |
| Palazzo Massimo | 34 | 2 h | ≈ €10–12 combined ticket | 26 min walk |
| Ostia Antica | 31 | 3 h | ≈ €12–18 | 22.4 km |
| Hadrian's Villa | 29 | 3 h | ≈ €12–15 | 24.6 km |
Ancient Rome in a day
Colosseum at opening time, then the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill on the same ticket, and the floodlit Colosseum from Via dei Fori Imperiali after dark.
- Colosseum2 h · ≈ €18
- 11 min walk from the previous stopRoman Forumyou are here1 h 30 min · ≈ €18 with Colosseum
- 8 min walk from the previous stopPalatine Hill1 h 30 min · ≈ €18 with Colosseum
3 places · about 5 h 19 min with walks · 19 min on foot in total
Nearby and on the way
How to do it right
- The best free view is from the Capitoline Hill terraces.
- The Arch of Titus gate is closest to Colosseo metro.
- Reconstruction panels stand by the main buildings.
- In summer, water and a hat are essential.
Questions
How much does the Roman Forum cost?
It's included in the Colosseum ticket — about €18 for 24 hours, with the Palatine Hill.
Where is the Roman Forum entrance?
On Via della Salara Vecchia off Via dei Fori Imperiali, or by the Arch of Titus near the Colosseum.
What time does the Roman Forum open?
9:00, closing an hour before sunset; last entry an hour before closing.
Is the Roman Forum included with the Colosseum ticket?
Yes, the standard ticket covers the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine within 24 hours.
How long do you need at the Roman Forum?
1.5–2 hours, or 2–3 hours with the Palatine.
What are the must-sees in the Roman Forum?
The Arches of Titus and Septimius Severus, Via Sacra, Basilica of Maxentius, Temple of Vesta, Curia, Rostra and Temple of Saturn.
Can you see the Roman Forum for free?
From above, yes — from the Capitoline Hill terraces. Entry is free on the first Sunday of the month.
Where was Julius Caesar cremated?
At the site of the Temple of Caesar in the Forum, where people still leave flowers.
Is there shade in the Roman Forum?
Very little — bring water and a hat in summer.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- Colosseum Archaeological Park (Parco archeologico del Colosseo), official website
- English Wikipedia, Roman Forum
- UNESCO World Heritage: Historic Centre of Rome
Top YesGo picks: Rome
Pantheon
Rome, Italy
Trevi Fountain
Rome, Italy
Colosseum
Rome, Italy
St Peter's Basilica
Rome, Italy
Sistine Chapel
Rome, Italy
Archbasilica of St John Lateran
Rome, Italy
Circus Maximus
Rome, Italy
Spanish Steps
Rome, Italy