Rome is one of the world’s best cities for anyone looking to explore ancient ruins and deeply dive into an area’s history. With so many incredible sights and places to visit, it can be daunting to choose the most important ones to visit during your trip.
To make it easier for you, we’ve created this comprehensive guide to the must-see ancient Roman ruins in Rome.
Best Ancient Ruins in Rome
Colosseum
Without a doubt, the most popular attraction in Rome, the remains of the world-famous Colosseum, are a must-see for anyone traveling to Rome, especially first-timers. The size, architecture, construction, and sheer historical importance are awe-inspiring as soon as you see it.
Consider taking a guided tour to get the full experience. Underground tours take you deeper into the Colosseum’s history than you would normally be allowed to go. However you see it, the Colosseum is a mystical place. Explore the imposing structure, stand where gladiators stood all those years ago, and experience it for yourself. It’s truly breathtaking.
Palatine Hill
The centermost of the ancient Seven Hills of Rome, Palatine Hill, is a key place to visit during any excursion to the Roman ruins. The massive hill, now much more of a huge open-air museum, offers some of the best views of the many sets of ancient ruins while housing a few of its own.
Flavian Palace—or at least what’s left of it—resides on Palatine Hill. The ancient ruins of Circus Maximus can be seen from Palatine Hill, one of the only ways to grasp its sheer size. While it isn’t just one set of ancient ruins, Palatine Hill is a must-see for the full experience; book a guided tour here.
The Regia
As part of the Roman Forum, the Regia are ruins that most people will see while exploring the city without knowing what they are. These buildings were originally constructed as homes for the first Roman kings thousands of years ago before serving as the Pontifex Maximus’s seat.
There isn’t much left of the Regia; all you’ll find is the remains of the ground floors. But suppose you’re interested in being in a place with such deep history and Roman importance. In that case, the Regia is located in the Roman Forum close to the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina.
Temple of Saturn
Located within the Roman Forum, the Temple of Saturn was an ancient temple constructed in honor of, you guessed it, the Roman god Saturn. Its original construction is a bit of a mystery, as it’s a hotly debated topic among Roman historians. However, it is believed to have been around 500 BC, making it one of the oldest structures. You can explore the temple on a guided tour in Rome.
The remains that you see today are actually what’s left of the third phase of construction, which was done to rebuild the temple after a devastating fire in 360 AD. So the ruins there today, even though they aren’t from the original structure, are still over 1,650 years old.
Arch of Septimius Severus
While in the Roman Forum, check out the incredible, well-preserved Arch of Septimius Severus. Constructed very early in the third century, the arch was built to honor Emperor Septimius Severus’ victory against the Parthian Empire.
After over 1,800 years, much of this incredible structure still stands today. Its three massive open archways invite tourists and visitors to walk through and admire the arch’s beauty. On an ancient Rome half-day guided tour, you can explore the forum.
Temple of Caesar
Located within the Roman Forum and built on top of Julius Caesar’s famous cremation site, the Temple of Caesar stands tall and is a must-see for anyone in the area. As the name implies, this temple was built in honor of Julius Caesar, one of the most recognizable rulers in Roman history.
Over 2,000 years ago, in March of 44 BC, Caesar was unexpectedly assassinated, bringing his rule to a screeching halt. This temple was commissioned to commemorate him after his death. After nearly 15 years, it was completed in 29 BC, and its ruins still stand today.
Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine
The single largest structure remaining within the Roman Forum, the Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine, is impossible to miss when you get to the Forum. Construction began in 308 AD under the orders of Emperor Maxentius but was completed five years later under the rule of Constantine the Great, which is why it’s named as such.
Much of the amazing structure, including its roof and three massive open-air archways, remains today, making it one of the best-preserved structures in the Roman Forum.
Arch of Titus
Another breathtaking arch that remains standing to this day is the Arch of Titus. Located between the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, it’s easy to find, and y
Commissioned by Emperor Domitian to commemorate his brother, Emperor Titus, it was completed and inaugurated in 81 AD. This arch has stood for nearly 2,000 years and remains in almost all its glory.
As the name might suggest, this is another structure built with the famous Julius Caesar in mind. Curia Julia was originally built as the senate house for Ancient Rome, an important structure in Roman politics and history.
Curia Julia
The impressive structure was built right in the middle of Rome due to its political use but was converted to a church — the Church and Saint Antonio — in the 7th century via Pope Honorius I’s orders. Almost the entire building still stands today, offering visitors an incredible experience to stop by and check out.
Temple of Antoninus and Faustina
One of the best-preserved examples of ruins from Ancient Rome you need to check out is the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina. A romantic story behind it. The temple was built under Emperor Antoninus’s orders to honor the memory of his wife Faustina back in the middle of the 2nd century.
When the emperor died two decades later, the temple was renamed to honor them, becoming the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina. Sometime between the 7th and 9th centuries, it became part of the San Lorenzo and Miranda Church instead of the temple it was originally built to be.
Atrium Vestae
Located within the Roman Forum, the Atrium Vestae ruins are the remains of an ancient palace where it was believed that the Vestal Virgins (relating to the goddess of the hearth, Vesta) lived long ago.
There isn’t much left to see except a few statues remaining where the structure’s walls used to stand. Walk through the courtyard and look for the remains of the walls, with the statues looming in the distance. It’s a surreal experience rich with history.
Forum of Trajan
The impressive Forum of Trajan, constructed in the early 2nd century, was constructed under Emperor Trajan’s orders following his victories in several important military battles. The centerpiece of the forum, Trajan’s Column, stands tall over the rest of the ruins.
In its heyday, the Forum of Trajan was the site of several important public buildings and libraries. Today, you’ll find the ruins of many of these buildings, the well-preserved column, and what is left of the well-known Trajan’s Market. It’s a forum worth checking out, offering something different than the Roman Forum and Forum of Caesar.
Mausoleum of Augustus
To see one of the most historic buildings in Rome, you should consider checking out the incredible Mausoleum of Augustus, where the very first emperor in Roman history — Augustus — was laid to rest. The great-nephew of Julius Caesar, Augustus, ruled Rome for nearly fifty years before his death.
However, the mausoleum is not just Augustus’s burial place; it is also the final resting place for his wife and other prominent Roman figures. The inside of the mausoleum is closed to the public, and not much remains of the original construction, but checking out the ruins is something you don’t want to miss.
Ostia Antica
Just a short drive from Rome sits the ruins of the Ancient Roman harbor town of Ostia Antica. You can easily get there via public transportation or by driving yourself, and the ruins are worth the time and effort required to explore them.
This ancient port city is a massive complex of ruins showing the remains of stone walls, walkways, buildings, shops, and houses. It’s one of the biggest networks of Ancient Roman ruins anywhere, and most people seem to forget about some while they’re in town.
Ponte Rotto
If you’re a fan of ancient architecture, design, and engineering, checking out Ponte Rotto is worth the short time it’ll take you while you’re in Rome. The oldest stone-constructed bridge in Rome, Ponte Rotto, dates back to the 2nd century BC.
It was originally built to replace an ancient wooden bridge all those years ago. While not much has remained over the years, with just the central archway remaining among the ruins, the site is worth stopping by to admire its beauty and design.
Basilica Julia
As you can probably guess from the name, the Basilica Julia was originally constructed under Julius Caesar when he was in power. Situated in the Roman Forum, the basilica is easy to find and worth checking out while exploring the rest of the forum.
Built in 54 BC, the original structure burned down soon after, but it was rebuilt by Caesar’s great-nephew, Augustus, in 12 BC. Over the years, it has burned down and been rebuilt repeatedly, but today’s ruins are incredible to see and worth looking at.
Baths of Caracalla
The Baths of Caracalla are among Rome’s top attractions on any list, not just a list of Ancient Roman ruins. Construction on this amazing complex of public baths began in 206 AD under the rule of Emperor Septimius Severus. Still, it wasn’t completed for another decade when Caracalla, his son, was the ruler.
The massive network of baths could house thousands of people at once, making it one of the biggest bathhouses in the world’s history. Much of the ancient structure still stands today, making it wildly popular among tourists looking to glimpse Ancient Rome’s history.
Read Also: Dive into Rome’s Culture and History with a Unforgettable Half-Day Tour
Arch of Constantine
Arguably the most famous arch still standing in Rome, the incredible Arch of Constantine is one thing that you can’t skip out on seeing. Sitting right next to the Colosseum, nearly everyone who visits Rome and checks out the Colosseum will at least see it from a distance.
Following his victory at the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312 AD, Constantine the Great commissioned this impressive arch to be built. It was finished shortly after that and has stood nearly perfectly preserved ever since.
Temple of Vesta
Located within the Roman Forum, the Temple of Vesta is one of the most interesting sets of ruins that you’ll find in Rome, where various guided tours are available. Built to honor Vesta, the Roman goddess of the hearth, the Temple of Vesta was used to house the Roman eternal flame.
It was believed that Rome’s demise would soon follow if the flame burned out. Interestingly, the entire temple burnt down multiple times, yet they kept rebuilding it and believing Rome was done for if they didn’t. Not much of the structure still stands, but what does remain is drenched in history and intrigue.
Circus Maximus
The largest sports stadium in Ancient Rome, Circus Maximus, is a set of ruins worth checking out while in the city. Mainly used for chariot races, the incredible Circus Maximus could support upwards of a quarter-million people in its heyday.
The arena’s history is unknown, with its official construction being a mystery. The earliest record of its existence, however, dates back to at least the 4th century BC, so we know it’s at least that old,
Forum of Caesar
As the Roman Forum began getting clustered and overcrowded, Julius Caesar decided it was time to expand, so he ordered the construction of a new forum in 54 BC. Eight years later, the forum was completed in 46 BC and offered more space to handle the packed Roman Forum.
If you visit the Forum of Caesar, remember that the pillars you see are not the original ones built under Caesar’s orders. The original structure burned down in the last 1st century but was quickly rebuilt by Emperor Trajan, and much of it still stands today.
Claudio Aqueduct
If you’re visiting Rome’s hidden gem, Appia Antica Regional Park, you will likely stumble upon the Claudio Aqueduct at some point. The incredible stone aqueduct was finished in 52 AD under Emperor Claudius’s rule, hence the waterway’s name.
It was built to transfer water from one part of Rome to another, and it’s still standing today speaks to its incredible design and engineering. Check it out and see countless archways and seemingly endless tracks of the waterway. It’s worth heading to the park to see it.
Circus of Maxentius
Much smaller than the Circus Maximus mentioned above, the Circus Maxentius was built to house only 10,000 spectators (only about 4% as many as its much bigger brother). But the great thing about the Circus of Maxentius is that it is significantly better preserved, making for an arguably even more interesting exploration.
As the name suggests, it was built under the order of Emperor Maxentius back in the 4th century, with construction completed in 312 AD. Over 1,700 years later, to this day, much of the arena still stands. They are even still excavating this incredible stadium. We might find even more exciting aspects to check out in no time.
Flavian Palace
Located on the famous Palatine Hill, the Flavian Palace was built as the public palace for Roman Emperors in Ancient Rome. It was built roughly 2,000 years ago, during the first century, by Emperor Domitian (who also constructed the Arch of Titus above).
Even after all this time, some of the fountains around the courtyard of the popular ruins remain intact, as do some of the walls and archways. The place’s historical importance is palpable, with various emperors walking those pathways during their rule.
Pantheon
Originally built as a Roman temple in the early second century, the Pantheon is one of Ancient Rome’s best-preserved structures. With how well it has been preserved, the entire structure still stands today, and it’s hard even to consider it ruins!
The Pantheon has remained so well-preserved because it’s been used throughout its entire life, even today being used as a Catholic church. It’s one of the best remaining examples of ancient Roman architecture and engineering and should be on anyone’s shortlist of “ruins” to check out while in Rome.
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