# Roman Forum, Rome

> The Roman Forum was ancient Rome's main square: temples, law courts, the Senate house and triumphal arches along the Via Sacra. There's no separate ticket — entry comes with the Colosseum pass (about €18 for 24 hours), together with the Palatine Hill. It opens at 9:00 and closes an hour before sunset; allow 2–3 hours for both.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/roman-forum

- City: [Rome](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome), Italy
- YesGo score: 63/100 (Yes, go)
- Time on site: 1 h 30 min
- With kids: Fine with kids
- Ticket: ≈ €18 — shared with the Colosseum and Palatine, 24 hours; free under 18
- Opening hours: 9:00 to one hour before sunset; last entry an hour before closing
- 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
- Coordinates: 41.89220, 12.48520
- Facts checked: 10.11.2026

## Key facts

- **7th century BC** — the marshy valley between the hills was drained, creating the Forum (source: English Wikipedia)
- **Via Sacra** — the Sacred Way, route of triumphal processions (source: English Wikipedia)
- **AD 81** — Arch of Titus — Rome's oldest surviving triumphal arch (source: English Wikipedia)
- **AD 203** — Arch of Septimius Severus erected (source: English Wikipedia)
- **8 columns** — survive from the Temple of Saturn, which held the state treasury (source: English Wikipedia)
- **Rostra** — the speakers' platform, decorated with the prows of captured ships (source: English Wikipedia)
- **1980** — part of the Historic Centre of Rome UNESCO site (source: UNESCO)

## Roman 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](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/colosseum), the Forum and the [Palatine Hill](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/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.

> **A route through the Forum and Palatine** Start at the Arch of Titus, walk the Via Sacra to the Capitoline end, then come back and climb the Palatine — the Farnese Gardens terrace looks over the whole Forum. Shade is scarce: carry water and a hat, and come at 9:00 or after 15:00 in summer. Drinking fountains are dotted along the way.

## How to get to the Roman Forum

1. Metro line B to **Colosseo**: 5 minutes to the Arch of Titus gate, 10 minutes along Via dei Fori Imperiali to the main entrance.
2. Buses 51, 75, 85 and 87 stop on Via dei Fori Imperiali.
3. On foot from [Piazza Venezia](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/piazza-venezia): 5–7 minutes past the Imperial Fora.
4. 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

Tick off what's ready — your ticks are saved in this browser.

- [ ] Book the Colosseum park ticket — the Forum is included
- [ ] Bring your passport for the named ticket
- [ ] Pack water, sunscreen and a hat
- [ ] Download a Forum map or audio guide
- [ ] Leave time for the Palatine

## Ancient Rome: compare and choose

Ancient sites in Rome rated by YesGo.

- [Pantheon](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/pantheon) — YesGo score 82/100 (Yes, go) · 30 min · ≈ €5
- [Colosseum](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/colosseum) — YesGo score 73/100 (Yes, go) · 2 h · ≈ €18
- [Roman Forum](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/roman-forum) — YesGo score 63/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · ≈ €18 with Colosseum
- [Circus Maximus](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/circus-maximus) — YesGo score 63/100 (Yes, go) · 30 min · Free
- [Trajan's Column](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/trajans-column) — YesGo score 60/100 (Yes, go) · 15 min · Free
- [Capitoline Hill](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/capitoline-hill) — YesGo score 58/100 (Yes, go) · 30 min · Free
- [Castel Sant'Angelo](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/castel-sant-angelo) — YesGo score 57/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · ≈ €15–20
- [Arch of Constantine](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/arch-of-constantine) — YesGo score 57/100 (Yes, go) · 15 min · Free
- [Palatine Hill](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/palatine-hill) — YesGo score 54/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · ≈ €18 with Colosseum
- [Mausoleum of Augustus](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/mausoleum-of-augustus) — YesGo score 53/100 (Yes, go) · 45 min · ≈ €5, booking
- [Largo di Torre Argentina](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/largo-di-torre-argentina) — YesGo score 53/100 (Yes, go) · 30 min · Free from street; walkways ≈ €5
- [Pyramid of Cestius](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/pyramid-of-cestius) — YesGo score 52/100 (Yes, go) · 20 min · Free outside
- [Appian Way](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/appian-way) — YesGo score 49/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · Free
- [Domus Aurea](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/domus-aurea) — YesGo score 49/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · ≈ €18, with VR ≈ €26
- [Mouth of Truth](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/bocca-della-verita) — YesGo score 49/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Donation ≈ €2
- [Baths of Caracalla](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/baths-of-caracalla) — YesGo score 48/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · ≈ €8
- [Catacombs of Rome](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/rome-catacombs) — YesGo score 48/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · ≈ €10–12 with guide
- [Ara Pacis](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/ara-pacis) — YesGo score 47/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · ≈ €13–15
- [Theatre of Marcellus](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/theatre-of-marcellus) — YesGo score 47/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free
- [Vatican Museums](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/vatican-museums) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · ≈ €25
- [Capitoline Museums](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/capitoline-museums) — YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · ≈ €15–19.50
- [Baths of Diocletian](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/baths-of-diocletian) — YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Basilica free; museum ≈ €10–12
- [Basilica of San Clemente](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/san-clemente) — YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Upper free; excavations ≈ €10–12
- [Imperial Fora](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/imperial-fora) — YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free from the street; museum ≈ €13–15
- [Testaccio](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/testaccio) — YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Free
- [Palazzo Massimo](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/palazzo-massimo) — YesGo score 34/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · ≈ €10–12 combined ticket
- [Ostia Antica](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/ostia-antica) — YesGo score 31/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · ≈ €12–18
- [Hadrian's Villa](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/hadrians-villa) — YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · ≈ €12–15

## 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.

1. [Colosseum](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/colosseum) — YesGo score 73/100 (Yes, go) · 2 h · ≈ €18
2. [Roman Forum](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/roman-forum) — YesGo score 63/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · ≈ €18 with Colosseum
3. [Palatine Hill](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/palatine-hill) — YesGo score 54/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · ≈ €18 with Colosseum

## Don't mix it up

The Roman Forum isn't the Imperial Fora, a later group of squares on the other side of Via dei Fori Imperiali that you can see free from the street. Trajan's Forum and Column belong to the Imperial Fora.

## Tips

- 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.

## How we checked

History and monuments from English Wikipedia; entrances, shared ticket and hours from the Colosseum Archaeological Park and 2026 guides. Prices vary between sources, hence the 'checking' badge.

## Sources

- Colosseum Archaeological Park (Parco archeologico del Colosseo), official website
- English Wikipedia, Roman Forum
- UNESCO World Heritage: Historic Centre of Rome

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