Exclusive Ancient Ostia Boat River Cruise, Guided Tour From To Rome
Ancient Ostia River Cruise with Guided Tour and Tickets – From/To Rome
Step aboard for a unique journey through time, nature, and ancient Roman life. This experience combines a scenic 2-hour cruise along the Tiber River with a guided tour of one of Italy’s most important archaeological sites: Ancient Ostia.
Sailing through a protected natural reserve, your guide will share stories and legends about the river that gave life to Rome. Once docked at the private pier in Ostia, you’ll enjoy a brief break before embarking on a 2-hour guided walking tour for an immersive exploration of this ancient Roman city.
Explore well-preserved streets, houses, and monuments:
- The Thermopolium, an ancient Roman “snack bar”
- The Fullonica, a Roman laundry workshop
- The Baths of Neptune, with incredible mosaic floors
- The ancient theatre, offering panoramic views over the ruins
- The Via Ostiense, lined with centuries-old mausoleums
After the visit, you’ll return to Rome enriched with unforgettable impressions of daily life in ancient times.
Ideal for private groups and special events
We also organize private cruises and custom experiences for large groups, schools, team-building activities, and special occasions such as:
- Aperitifs on board
- Private lunches or dinners
- Birthday celebrations or corporate events with exclusive access
Contact us directly for personalized group quotes and availability.
What’s included?
- Scenic 4-hour round-trip river cruise along the Tiber through a protected natural reserve
- Onboard live commentary by an expert guide about the Tiber’s history and significance
- Private dock access to the Ostia Antica Archaeological Park
- Entry tickets to the archaeological site of Ostia Antica
- Guided walking tour of approximately 2 hours in small groups (maximum 25 participants)
- Return transfer to Rome by bus can be organized on request
Option to customize the experience for private groups and events (on request)
Exclusions
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities (recommended)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Option to customize the experience for private groups and events (on request)
Please note
- Stroller / pram accessible
- Public transportation nearby
- This tour is not wheelchair accessible and not recommended for walker users.
- Boat and Ancient Ostia entry tickets are included in the Viator voucher you will receive at booking.
- The ticket is valid only for the selected booking date.
- Please arrive at the meeting point at least 15 minutes before boarding time.
- The departure point is at Ponte Marconi Pier, Via della Vasca Navale 5, 00146 Rome — a short walk from Marconi/Fermi metro stations or the Basilica of San Paolo.
- The boarding time is 9:00 AM. Late arrivals may lose their spot.
Tour and Safety Guidelines
- Live English and Italian commentary is provided on board.
- Only medium and small backpacks are permitted and will be subject to inspection.
- An adult must accompany children.
- Discounts for children and students apply only with a valid ID.
- Pets are not allowed.
- Sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses are strongly recommended during summer.
- The activity involves walking and is not suitable for those with limited mobility.
Changes, Cancellations, and Conditions
- The departure time may vary by 20–30 minutes due to logistical or weather-related reasons.
- The tour may be canceled or rescheduled in the event of adverse weather conditions, poor river conditions, or if the minimum number of participants is not met.
- Changes to bookings are not accepted within 48 hours of the scheduled tour time. No-shows or late changes are non-refundable.
What do I need to bring?
- A valid booking confirmation (printed or digital)
- A fully charged smartphone for communication or navigation needs
- Comfortable walking shoes (the tour involves walking on uneven surfaces and archaeological terrain)
- Weather-appropriate clothing (hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen in summer; a light jacket in cooler months)
- Water bottle, especially during warmer months
- Valid ID for children and students if a discount has been applied
- Personal items only in small or medium backpacks (bags will be subject to security checks)
Cancellation policy
- We will charge a cancellation fee of 100% if booking is cancelled 0 hours or less before the event
Rome River Tiber
Once on board, your scenic cruise along the Tiber River begins. The journey follows a peaceful stretch of river that flows through a protected natural reserve rich in flora and fauna, offering a truly relaxing escape from the city.
The cruise lasts approximately 2 hours, during which you can enjoy the view from the open deck or stay comfortably on the covered deck in case of rain. As you sail, our expert guide on board will share fascinating insights into the history and mythology of this legendary river — the very waterway that helped shape the story of Rome.
You’ll arrive at the private dock of the Ostia Antica Archaeological Park, where the land portion of the experience begins. After a short break, participants will be divided into small groups of up to 25 people for a guided tour of the site — one of the most important and best-preserved Roman cities in the world.
As for the Tiber itself — known in Italian as il Tevere — it is the third-longest river in Italy and the longest in Central Italy. Originating in the Apennine Mountains of Emilia-Romagna, it flows 406 km through Tuscany, Umbria, and Lazio before reaching the Tyrrhenian Sea between Ostia and Fiumicino. The river has played a central role in the region’s history for millennia, and continues to inspire with its natural beauty and cultural significance.
Ancient Ostia
Ostia Antica: Rome’s Ancient Port City Frozen in Time
Located just 25 kilometers (15 miles) southwest of Rome, Ostia Antica was once the bustling seaport of ancient Rome. Though today it lies about 3 kilometers inland due to the silting of the Tiber River, the site remains one of the most impressive and best-preserved archaeological parks in all of Italy.
The name Ostia comes from the Latin word ostium, meaning “mouth,” referring to its strategic location at the mouth of the Tiber River. This made it a vital hub for trade, commerce, and military operations during the height of the Roman Empire.
Legend credits Ancus Marcius, Rome’s fourth king, with founding the original settlement in the 7th century BC, after conquering the nearby town of Ficana. While the earliest surviving ruins date back to the 4th century BC, historical records and inscriptions suggest that a fortified Roman castrum existed here even earlier.
Visitors to Ostia Antica can wander through remarkably intact Roman streets, exploring houses, public baths, taverns, shops, temples, and even an ancient theatre. Highlights include:
- Beautifully preserved mosaics and frescoes
- The ancient Baths of Neptune
- The well-known Thermopolium, a Roman street food shop
- The impressive forum, temples, and residential complexes
Whether you’re a history enthusiast or a curious traveler, Ostia Antica offers a vivid and immersive glimpse into daily life in a Roman city — without the crowds of the Roman Forum.
Parco Archeologico di Ostia Antica
During the approximately 2-hour guided tour, your expert guide will share fascinating stories, anecdotes, and curiosities about the daily life, habits, and traditions of ancient Romans. Walking on the original Roman pavement of the ancient Via Ostiense, you’ll be fully immersed in the atmosphere of a once-thriving city.
Following the Decumanus Maximus, the main street of Ostia Antica, you’ll explore some of the site’s most iconic landmarks.
Among the highlights:
- The Baths of Neptune, dating back to the 2nd century AD, featuring stunning black-and-white floor mosaics depicting sea gods and mythical creatures
- The majestic Roman theatre, built in the 1st century AD, which once held up to 2,500 spectators and still offers an incredible 360-degree panoramic view of the entire archaeological area from its top tier
This guided walk offers a rare chance to experience Roman history where it happened, among temples, markets, and homes that have stood for millennia.
You can start this experience at the following places.
Via della Vasca Navale, 5
5 Via della Vasca Navale, 00146 RM Roma, IT
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25 years of experience
Tour in The City was founded in 1990 in response to the ever increasing demand for customized guided tours, in order to visit one of the most important art collections in the World, the eternal city Rome.
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Testimonials
Hear From Our Happy Explorers!
Martin G
A hot visit to the Colosseum!
Had to collect tickets from a shop near to the Colosseum – lady there was most helpful in explaining where we needed to go and to download apps to our phones for the self audio guide (also gave us some free water with the heat!). Found the entrance easy and then enjoyed the tour – only issue was that the GPS signal wasnt great inside so it was difficult to sync the audio guide to what we were looking at. Took a break before doing the Palatine Hill and Roman Forum – we went on a very hot day and it was hard work walking around – make sure you have plenty of water!! Surfaces were very uneven – which is understandble considering its an ancient monument.
Martin G
FamilyOfFive
Amazing place to visit, weak audio guide
Such an amazing place to visit, it’s easy to understand why this is a must see! The sites were fantastic, but the audio tour was too generic. There were some interesting clips, but not enough about what we were looking at when we were at different points and too much generic history. In retrospect we would have got a lot more from a guide, but it was very nice to go at our own pace.
FamilyOfFive
Eva N
Unforgettable experience!
This tour was nothing short of amazing! From start to finish, everything was organized, engaging, and informative. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and brought the history of the Colosseum to life with fascinating stories, little-known facts, and a real passion for Ancient Rome.
The skip-the-line access was a huge plus—no waiting around in the hot sun! We also got upgraded for an Arena tour and got to explore areas that aren’t always open to the public, which made the experience feel exclusive and even more special.
Eva N
Poppy B
Very good customer service from Dolly
I was due to travel in August on this holiday however due to operational reasons, the tour may not have run and I was made aware straight away. I dealt with a women called Dolly and she offered me alternative options and we decided to refund the tour which was done promptly. Dolly gave me some brilliant advice and some useful insight to Rome.She was fab!
Poppy B
Tom P
Good day out
Really enjoyed the experience, can’t remember the tour guide’s name but he was very good. Very informative and detailed on the tour which kept me engaged about the history. It wasn’t as busy as usual which was also a pleasant experience. Highly enjoyable, many thanks.
Tom P
James C
Well worth it
Really well organised and our guide was great. Really informative and engaging. You wasn’t rushed and had a nice flow to it.
Would highly recommend this. Not sure you’d capture everything without the guide.
James C
Testimonials
Hear From Our Happy Explorers!
Martin G
A hot visit to the Colosseum!
Had to collect tickets from a shop near to the Colosseum – lady there was most helpful in explaining where we needed to go and to download apps to our phones for the self audio guide (also gave us some free water with the heat!). Found the entrance easy and then enjoyed the tour – only issue was that the GPS signal wasnt great inside so it was difficult to sync the audio guide to what we were looking at. Took a break before doing the Palatine Hill and Roman Forum – we went on a very hot day and it was hard work walking around – make sure you have plenty of water!! Surfaces were very uneven – which is understandble considering its an ancient monument.
Martin G
FamilyOfFive
Amazing place to visit, weak audio guide
Such an amazing place to visit, it’s easy to understand why this is a must see! The sites were fantastic, but the audio tour was too generic. There were some interesting clips, but not enough about what we were looking at when we were at different points and too much generic history. In retrospect we would have got a lot more from a guide, but it was very nice to go at our own pace.
FamilyOfFive
Eva N
Unforgettable experience!
This tour was nothing short of amazing! From start to finish, everything was organized, engaging, and informative. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and brought the history of the Colosseum to life with fascinating stories, little-known facts, and a real passion for Ancient Rome.
The skip-the-line access was a huge plus—no waiting around in the hot sun! We also got upgraded for an Arena tour and got to explore areas that aren’t always open to the public, which made the experience feel exclusive and even more special.
Eva N
Poppy B
Very good customer service from Dolly
I was due to travel in August on this holiday however due to operational reasons, the tour may not have run and I was made aware straight away. I dealt with a women called Dolly and she offered me alternative options and we decided to refund the tour which was done promptly. Dolly gave me some brilliant advice and some useful insight to Rome.She was fab!
Poppy B
Tom P
Good day out
Really enjoyed the experience, can’t remember the tour guide’s name but he was very good. Very informative and detailed on the tour which kept me engaged about the history. It wasn’t as busy as usual which was also a pleasant experience. Highly enjoyable, many thanks.
Tom P
James C
Well worth it
Really well organised and our guide was great. Really informative and engaging. You wasn’t rushed and had a nice flow to it.
Would highly recommend this. Not sure you’d capture everything without the guide.
James C
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