Any student of history will appreciate the Roman forum which was the center for the majority of all the official and major activities that incurred in ancient Rome to include speeches, debate, gladiator fights in some instances, and even the return of victorious armies and new Caesars that you see in so many movies. When I saw the ruins and what was left of the forum I had assumed that this magnificent epicenter of old Rome had been ransacked and destroyed when the Roman empire fell. In fact and unfortunately, it's slowly fell into disrepair and ruins the direct result of lack of maintenance and care by the Roman people and government over time. In addition to the remaining structural ruins and statues that currently reside here you will find placards scattered about these ruins that explain the history of the forum and what each significant ruin stood for and was used for. Very educational and not to be missed as this clearly was one of the most significant ancient centers of the old world. read more

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So much history here. It was hard for me to imagine what once was an empire to be neglected into ruins but that is what happens when empires fall and there is no money for maintenance. People pillaged and plundered these buidings and repurposed the material to build other things elsewhere. This is located right next to the colosseum and you can get a combined admission ticket to see both. FYI that there are metal detectors and scanners at the security checkpoint. I got a lot of steps in that day! Many of the paths here to not connect so need to double-back much of the time. Five stars! read more

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The Foro Romano, or The Roman Forum is included with the Colosseum tickets. The entrance is across from the Colosseum and don't think purchasing a tour would save you from wasting. We were neck in neck waiting in line on the hill with the tour groups and we got in around the same time as our counterparts with the tours. The Roman Forum was where the Senate met, laws were announced, and political speeches were made in ancient times. The surrounding areas also had markets, shops, and public halls where Romans gathered for social interactions, trade, and public announcements. It was nice seeing how advanced civilizations were back in ancient Roman times, however for me personally, I just wanted to do a quick run through. After seeing some ruins and things, they begin to all look the same everywhere. read more

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Located in a former marshy valley separating the Capitoline and Palatine Hills, the Roman Forum is a rectangular plaza that evolved from a cemetery to a marketplace and then into a monumental center with government buildings, temples, and basilicas. It is the heart of ancient Rome, serving as the center for political, religious, commercial, and judicial activities. Included with Colosseum tickets, my partner, our friends, family member, and I entered and walked among the ancient temples, arches, and ruins, giving a real sense of what life was like in imperial Rome. Because it's so vast, it never feels too busy despite all the visitors there. Exploring freely without a guide gave us the space to really soak it all in. Most of the roads were uneven stones or dirt roads with frequent stairs, too. At the top, Palatine Hill is a massive archaeological site that was once the home of many Roman emperors. The word "palace" derives from the word "palatine" since this was where the emperor's palaces were. The best areas are up on the highest levels. The views were wonderful, seeing the entire Forum and Rome. Each site has its own history, and it's worth either taking a guided tour or downloading an audio guide to fully appreciate what one's seeing. This is a must-visit for anyone interested in history. It's awe-inspiring, humbling, and truly brings ancient Rome to life. read more

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Be prepared to come for a hike if you want to cover all the corners and to see everything. The distance is quite long and can be tiring. It took about 3 hrs to cover some major features of this roman forum. It would have taken longer and it would have been more exhausting to cover everything. We were tired so we gave up and exited. The view is majestic and the architecture is full of details and its surprising that it was done centuries ago... Definitely worth coming to this place! read more

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So much to see and so much to do once you are done with the colosseum next door It has a museum and so many ruins to walk about and hike lol I mean wear comfortable shoes and be careful as it's uneven and slippery at times and it was sprinkling a little that day but I love that there are all the free water fountains to refill a bottle of water This is a big chunk of your day or all day if you do this with the colosseum A lot of people at times but the sites really make you think and contemplate read more

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Some countries have ghost towns, dusty abandoned places where you might find an old gas station or a closed mill. Italy has the Roman Forum, an awe-inspiring collection of ruins, the remains of the heart of ancient Rome. Founded in the 8th century BC, the Forum was the center of city life until around the 6th century AD. Temples and government buildings, a thriving marketplace, a compound of vestal virgins. Meetings and speeches, trials and gladiator battles--this place was happening over two thousand years ago. The Forum fell into disrepair, the temples and shrines abandoned by the 8th century. It was ruthlessly dismantled and exploited, especially during the Italian Renaissance, when its materials were extracted for building projects. Like, for example, St. Peter's Basilica. Seems like a mistake to convert downtown ancient Rome into a marble quarry, but hindsight 20/20 and all that. What remains standing in 2025 is absolutely incredible. The ruins are well preserved and quite legible, at least with the help of a guide (we took a Forum and Colosseum tour with Crown Tours, which I'd highly recommend). It was downright surreal walking around those grounds, imagining the life of ancient Rome. I mean Julius Caesar hung out here, among buildings he had erected. If you're visiting Rome for the first time, I'm sure you're planning to hit the Colosseum. Don't miss the Roman Forum while you're there. It's just as amazing, a unique, transporting journey into the rich depths of history. read more

This is where ruins go to mingle and tourists go to sweat. It's like walking into a really confusing group chat from 2,000 years ago, where nobody deleted their messages and everyone spoke in Latin. Once the bustling epicenter of Roman life including politics, religion, business, betrayal, casual and often stabbings, you know, it's now a glorified rock garden with excellent tourism advertising. And don't worry if you can't tell your basilica from your bathhouse, just follow the nearest tour guide waving a flag and shouting dates no one's writing down. Definitely go see this chaotic, sun-drenched maze of broken glory, ancient gossip, and just enough signage to keep you confused in 4+ languages. Just remember, you are not the problem if nothing makes sense. read more

Foro Romano - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Rome, RM

The Roman Forum is near the Colosseum and you can enter if you visit within 24 hours using your Colosseum ticket. The grounds cover a fairly large area and can be warm if toured in middle of day. We used an audio tour to provide more information about the different ruins. It's amazing to see all the different structures. The Forum was government buildings,temples, also later on churches. Bring bottle of water, there are fountains to refill. Worth touring, just be prepared for standing and walking a lot if you combine the Palatine and Forum together. read more

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So fascinating to see this! Total must see. It's crazy to think that only 25% is left of what was originally here. Highly recommend taking a tour through. They explain so much more to you than the signs say. read more

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It is the center of day-to-day life in Rome. We came here after visiting the Colosseum. The ruins are outdoors. We quickly walked around parts of it since it was a hot day. read more

Foro Romano - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Rome, RM

The Roman Forum The ruins of Ancient Rome. Literally, takes you back in time. Like you are in the Twilight Zone lol It's so cool though! Tons of fun to walk around and immerse yourself in the ancient ruins. And there's a ton of great photo opportunities! It's just so pretty. You can't go wrong with visiting the Roman Forum! 10/10 read more

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Walking through it feels like stepping directly into ancient history. The scale and ruins are impressive, and the views from different levels give real context to daily life in ancient Rome. It's best explored slowly, allowing time to absorb the history and atmosphere. read more

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How lucky are we, that we have access to these incredible places in 2024? How fortunate that there are teams dedicated to preserving the structures, the histories, the meanings? And there is so much - SO much - history, meaning and story here. We opted for a guided tour because we wanted to take advantage of their advertised ability to get access to all the places we wanted to get access to (this was a combo tour, the Colosseum and the Forum, and they lied about what they'd be able to do for the tour group.) We were there in mid-August, so it was hot. And crowded. The Forum was much easier to maneuver because of the sheer amount of space available for tourists, but it was still crowded. Our guide pointed out some of the interesting structures, told us some of the history and meaning behind what we were looking at and kept us moving at a decent pace. I do admit that after a while, my mind kind of turned off. Like, I wanted - I so badly wanted - to hear it all and absorb all the history - but the heat, the standing in the sun, my own exhaustion...it all conspired to beat me. After a while, I wandered off a bit, taking pictures of things in the opposite direction of where our tour guide was pointing, zoning out on the things I was seeing. And I'd like to end this post with appreciation for the many water fountains sprinkled around the grounds of the Forum. We definitely took advantage of them, refilling our water bottles every time I saw a fountain, even if it meant breaking from the group to do so. The hydration helped, for sure. read more

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I really enjoyed the Roman Forum more than I thought I would. I did have a superb tour guide named Barbara that took us around for 90 mins. There is so much history there and I learned so much about the Roman Senate as well. This was the heart of Rome. It was busy in the forum at spots but we went in late October when there aren't as many tourists in the city. Highly recommend buying tickets in advance and getting a tour guide. read more

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The site was once the political, religious and commercial hub of the Roman empire. The Forum fell into disrepair after the fall of the Roman Empire until eventually it was used as pasture land in the Middle Ages. The area was first excavated few hundreds of years ago, and the excavations continue to this day. I think this place is totally worth visiting as convenient and not far away from the colosseum. read more

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Walked around during Independence Day so there were absolutely no crowds around. I went back a different day to explore the inside and it was beautiful. To see it all, do plan to be there for more than a few hours. Once you leave, you cannot re-enter so I do suggest you bring snacks if you can and some water. read more

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Foro Romano, the Roman Forum was once considered the centre of the Eternal City. It's right next to the Colosseum, and besides Palatine Hill and its history dates back to ancient Rome, the ruins are stunning, the craftsmanship and detail of the building, which survives to this day, are one of the things which makes the city so beautiful. It is free to enter on the first Sunday of every month, outside of these hours, the entry is paid. Due to demand, it is always a good idea to get tickets in demand. It is certainly somewhere you can spend some time while exploring Rome, even if you just decide to stroll through rather than take the tour, in many ways, the fact it's impressive to this date also brings a bit of sadness because many of the buildings are in ruins now and it makes me wonder what it would have been like walking through those 2000 years ago. 4* read more

Foro Romano - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Rome, RM

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Rome is known for a lot of things. One of those things is the ancient ruins. When visiting Rome, a ticket to Foro Romano also gives you access to the Colosseum and Palantine Hill. I highly recommend buying your tickets far in advance as it's an incredibly popular attraction and one where tickets sell out quick. If you don't purchase your ticket in time, you're going to be forced to buy a ticket from a third party company that buys tickets in bulk and then sells them for an arm and a leg. That is what I had to do. Don't be like me. The Roman Forum is huge. It was the center of town in Ancient Rome and you'll see ruins of churches, various buildings, etc. It's where Romans came to converse and interact. You'll learn a lot about the history of Rome as you make your way through the Forum. Make sure to bring sunscreen and water as it's going to be scorching hot while you're there if you visit during the summer! read more

While waiting for our reservations to The Colluseum, we meandered through the Roman Forum (your Colluseum ticket includes entrance, so don't miss this!). I was impressed by how large the ruins are with lots of temple foundations and a few actual ancient buildings still standing. This was where the Senate met, where Juilus Caesar was assasinated, and where most of the iconic ancient temples were. We didn't have a tour group and tried to stay away from them because they were so loud, but we listened to an online audio tour that was helpful. It would be nice if the museum did a better job of labeling and providing plaques with information. They really rely on the tourist guide industry to do all of the historical points, but considering the cost of exhibit tickets, it would be nice if there was more written information for self-study. My favorite ruins include The Temple of Vesta, having read a lot of historical fiction of ancient Rome, this temple always comes up! It was huge and far more intricate than my imagination had supplied. The Curia Julia, it is huge even as a pile of ruins. When you hear that it stretched farther back and included another story, it's unbelievable. Finally, one of the most intact ancient buildings is still in use, so you can't go in, but the original 1600 year old iron doors are breathtaking. There are so many things to see! Plan to walk in the heat a lot if you're there in summer.. not a lot of shade! read more

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It is definitely worth visiting the forum. And it is included with the coliseum tickets, so make use of it. It took approximately an hour and a half to complete walking through the entire ruins. It is a great experience to see all. These structures stood through all these years, and they give us historical evidence. There was a lot of queue to get in the temple. Otherwise, it's free flowing and easy to cover the grounds. On a hot day, it could be tough to get yourself a lot of water bottles. read more

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There are multiple gates where you can enter the Forum. The one closest to the Colosseum is the busiest. If you enter there and have a pre-booked ticket (very advisable), walk nest to the big line but on its right side. This line is for those who do not have tickets. When you reach the head of the line, you'll see a mostly empty checkpoint for those with tickets. If you view the Colosseum entrance as 6 p.m. on a clock face, we exited at 3 p.m. and saw no lines there. You may want to check that out (or one of the other entry points) to shorten your wait if you lack tickets. Doing a little reading in advance will definitely enhance your enjoyment of this site. What you'll see is largely a set of monuments and ruins. However, with a little context, it is easier to appreciate why this is an important place. Basically, this was the nexus of important historical events in Rome for over 500 years. Every major figure in Roman history from ~ 300 BC to 300 AD spent time here, rallied supporters here, and in some cases was killed nearby. The site of Julius Caesar's cremation is preserved here. There are triumphal arches, the ruins of early temples, the ruins of great public buildings, etc. Just wander through and read the signs explaining the significance of each plot within the site. The flow of historical figures and events is staggering. This was an amazing place. read more

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Worth getting this included with the colosseum ticket however probably not on its own. You can see most of everything from outside of the ticketed off areas. If you do plan on going there is a bathroom and be ready to a pretty good incline hill you need to walk up to get up to Palatine Hill. read more

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After touring the Colosseum, the most visited attraction in Rome, we wandered over to the Roman Forum Which is walking distance. The Roman Forum sits in the valley between the Palatine Hikl and Capitoline Hill and is a huge open space where many ancient ruins remain. Most notable are the Arch if Titus, athe Temple of Saturn and the Basilica of Maxentius from the Byzantine period. I was amazed at how much of the Basilica of Maxentius remains, you can actually envision it. Unlike other paid attractions, this is basically an open park where you can wander and explore at leisure. Like all of Rome is a Museum in the Sky at night, The Roman Forum is a Museum in the Park. It's exactly what I love about Rome; one doesn't visit ruins, one lives amongst them. The ancient and the current day co-exist. You walk a street filled with 1700 era buildings then all of a sudden, there's an ancient ruin or aqueduct. It's absolutely amazing and exhilarating and never gets mundane. It is quite simply extraordinary. What many may not realize is that Rome has a desert like climate and the summer months are extremely hot and dry. On my last visit at the end of October, 2022, it was 80-85 every day. Unusual for this time of year and it feels much hotter when exploring ruins with the sun reflecting off the stone and very little shade. Bring water and you can fill it up at the many open running water fountains throughout this area and all over Rome. Wear sunscreen, a hat and most definitely wear good walking shoes to manage the ancient and uneven cobblestone with lots of gaps. When I see people meandering in thOng sandals, I know they will pay the price. Yes, those were the footware of the ancient Romans but there is a reason comfortable walking shoes were created! Be smart and enjoy exploring and discovering amongst this ancient Roman gather place. read more

Foro Romano - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Rome, RM

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The tickets for the Colosseum also include admission to the Forum, so we headed here after touring the colosseum. Again, as with the colosseum, no signs saying where the entrance is, but a worker at the Colosseum was able to help us out. The line to get in was crazy long and not moving. We were about to give up when a staff member started telling everyone there was another entrance around the corner with no line. We and some others headed in the direction he pointed and we did find the other entrance. We made it through security and were in within minutes of arriving at the other entrance. The side we entered was wonderfully quiet and uncrowded. We had a nice walk through some park-like green space and made our way back to the main area with the ruins, and even that wasn't anywhere near as crowded as other places we had been in Rome. There is a lot to see here, and I'd suggest reading up before going if, like us, you aren't doing a guided tour; signs are minimal, and we were kind of guessing what some things were, but still enjoyed ourselves. read more

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Can't go wrong visiting here. Spend the day reading and enjoying history. Hire a free walking tour and learn even more. read more

Foro Romano - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Rome, RM

We entered the Roman Forum just because admission came with the Colosseum ticket. These ruins are very grand and definitely worth a visit. There's a decent number of signs with information. This place is HUGE, and I could spend a whole day here if I had the time. read more

Foro Romano - Roman Forum - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Rome, RM

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Roman Forum is right next to the Colosseum. These ruins are very popular in Hollywood movies. Most visitors like us will visit the Roman Forum before or after visiting Colosseum. Please be aware the Roman Forum is much more walking than the Colosseum. The Roman Forum is magnificent and many people, including myself, only check out part of the Roman Forum because we are too tired and running out of time! But the area is beautiful when you match them with the pictures or movies. I'm so interested in the history behind the Roman Forum. Please prepare for a lot of walks when you visit the Roman Forum. It is a lot of places that are very interesting and educational in there. read more

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The Roman Forum is MASSIVE!! You don't realize it until you're there to see what's left of the grandeur. See it all, but don't rush it, because there is a lot to see. I would recommend getting tickets in advance as well. read more

This is my honest feeling while walking through the Roman Forum and seeing all these ruins from the past and I am gonna share it with you. I admit that my trip to Europe was very long and I went to so many different museums and historical sites every day, so that might be a good reason behind my feeling. While I was walking through the Roman Forum right after my tour was finished I was thinking OMG why they just don't destroy these ugly remains and build beautiful buildings over it . read more

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Well it's Official!! 2020 sucks!!!! Lucky for you, I have a time machine and we are going back to Twenty 16'. But don't you worry, 2016 is only our 1st stop. We will also be going back to Ancient Roman times. So buckle up, enjoy the complimentary laughs and hold on tight! During my 1st trip to the Italian Motherland, Rome was stop #1. "Rome wasn't built in a day" Talk about craftsmanship; the Ancient Romans did not mess around when it came to building their Empire. Despite literally being in ruins today, the Foro Romano or the Roman Forum was the epicenter of Rome. Although this area is not what it used to be when it was built, the fact that many buildings and monuments are still standing thousands of years later proves the quality and brilliance of the engineers and architects who designed and planned out these amazing structures. "When in Rome" "Do like the Romans do" If you are coming to Rome... Yes, have all the Pizza! Yes, drink wine like it's water!! And yes go the Colosseum!!! But since you are going to the Colosseum which is absolutely mind blowing, take the beautiful walk or 3 min taxi ride to the Roman Forum and witness the beauty of something that's "in ruins" but still absolutely wonderful to see. Heck, I would choose any of those still-standing buildings to gladly call home. So now what? Back to Reality! 2020 here we come!! I say forget this year! Let the dust settle and plan a trip to Italy for 2021 or 2022, you WON't regret it! Rome is a magical place and you better believe I tossed some coins into the Trevi Fountain so I can one day return to the eternal city of Rome! As they say in Italian, Ciao!! read more

Foro Romano - -----Foro Romano (this way) (that way) Palatino---- - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Rome, RM

Roman Forum is located just across from the Colosseum and was a fascinating to explore. Just to be able to walk around an area where the Romans thrived in social/political and economical areas was really amazing to me. To be able to understand that the Romans had their own way of living and "thriving". There are quite a few stairs and stones to walk on, so be prepared to wear comfy shoes. Wear comfy shoes!!! My feet were not happy with me after walking around. I would recommend a tour for this though. This way, it is easier to understand this cultural and magnificent site. read more

The Roman Forum is next to the Colosseum and was considered the center of the ancient city of Rome and the location of important religious, political and social activities. Historians believe people first began publicly meeting in the open-air Forum around 500 B.C. This rectangular-shaped area, sited on low-lying land between Palatine Hill and Capitoline Hill, was home to many of the ancient city's most impressive temples & monuments. Today, the Roman Forum is one of the most famous tourist sites in the world, attracting more than 4.5 million visitors annually. read more

Foro Romano - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Rome, RM

Possibly one of the most important Roman ruins in Italy, the Roman Forum is an ancient site that consists of many ruins that were once the center of Roman public and political life. Right next to the Coliseum, and included on the majority of Coliseum tickets and tours, is the Roman Forum. Since its right next to the Colosseum, and your ticket likely already includes it, we think it makes sense for this to be your next stop in Rome. For centuries, the Roman Forum was the heart of the Roman Empire. The square plaza, surrounded by the government buildings of the empire, was where everything from the political to the religious life of the city took place. Located in the small valley between the Palatine and Capitoline Hills, The Roman Forum was for centuries the teeming heart of ancient Rome: the site of triumphal processions and elections, venue for public speeches, and nucleus of commercial affairs. View from the top of Palentinme hill of the roman forum is awesome. You can get a clear panoramic view of the Roman forum. While wandering here, you feel like you are in the middle of a throbbing modern city, and it is like stepping back two millennia into the heart of ancient Rome. Highlights not to miss are the Temple of Antoninus Pius, the Temple of Castor and Pollux, the Temple of Saturn, the Arch of Septimus Severus, the Curia, the Temple of Vesta, and the Arch of Titus. read more

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Yes, it is all that. With my jaw on the ground, we wandered thru this remarkable historical site. Words and pictures can not express the depth and breadth of this cultures accomplishments.... in engineering , beauty, scale. Simply unparalleled. Gobsmacked..... read more

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It's hard to not wonder over to the ruins of the roman forum, it is just steps away from the coliseum. It's astounding that these remains were once a thriving center for Roman and political life. It's sad to see it in such a state, yet beautiful and intriguing at the same time. Take some time to imagine what it all might have looked like. There are placards around to show what the buildings were. The ruins somewhat remind me of the ruins at Pompeii, less damaged and ravaged by volcanic lava, but rather crumbled over the passing of time and the centuries. read more

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Wow! Ruins of the Roman era and when one enters or steps foot onto the grounds, it feels like one is swept to that period in time! Even though it is in ruins, it's picturesque! The ruins can paint the picture on how everything may have looked back in ancient times! It's so mesmerizing and it basically took me all afternoon to walk everywhere in this designated area. The gardens and monuments are admirable and serene! I was simply at bliss even though my legs were not wanting to be on ground anymore! Luckily, there's benches at the gardens if one has time to be at leisure and to allow your feet a break. Classic Rome to be treasured here! read more

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I do not recall coming to Foro Romano on my last visit to Rome. This is well worth a stop when I'm Rome. The crowds were not too busy in the morning. read more

I would absolutely be lying if I said that I knew what this place was or wanted to come here prior to doing so early today. I ended up doing a tour that started at the coliseum and ended here. When you walk through the gates here you couldn't even begin to imagine just how insanely beautiful the area is here. After you go up a few flights of stairs you start to see just how massive this place really is. There is so much history, statues, marble, and buildings scattered through the property that you probably miss more then you see. When you make your way down the hills and reach the area towards the end you are surrounded by some of the most beautiful and ancient buildings you will probably ever see. At the very end of the property lays the rock that Ceaser was killed on and though it might now look like much, there is flowers and change scattered across it. I didn't know what this place was before but after spending a couple of hours walking around the property I fell in love with this place. If you are visiting Rome you should absolutely make it a point to come here, you won't regret it! read more

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This place is a MUST in Rome. I came in early October and even then, the heat was quite surprising, so take advantage of all the free water that Roman public taps offer and keep re-filling that water bottle. I can't even imagine what the heat must be like in July or August, especially with the sun hitting the ancient bricks and cobblestones. Also you'd better be wearing VERY comfortable shoes. The cobblestones of Rome can be murderous on your feet and no where else is this more obvious than in the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. I thought I was OK in my comfy Vans sneakers but by the time I got back to my hotel room, I had blisters on top of blisters all over my feet. All that said, the Roman Forum has got to be one of the best places to envision what daily life in ancient Rome must have been like. The old temples (some are now parts of churches), the cobblestone roads. Photos and descriptions do no justice to the sheer size and scale of everything, everything is huge and monumental. In many ways the ancient Romans and Greeks were trying to copy and emulate the grandeur of ancient Egypt and could never quite get it but they definitely get marks for trying. Pace yourself and soak up the atmosphere, you could easily spend a few hours lost in thought and meditation here. I'd also recommend either coming here in the early morning or very late afternoon like I did to beat the sun's heat. There's also fewer groups crowding the area at that time. read more

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