The Imperial Forums at a glance
The Imperial Forums are not another name for the Roman Forum. They are several separate public squares built by emperors, and they lie along the Via dei Fori Imperiali, between Piazza Venezia and the Colosseum. They border the Roman Forum, but they were later additions.
The forums are best understood in order of date. Caesar's forum came first in 46 BC. Augustus followed in 2 BC, the Forum of Peace in 75 AD and the Forum of Nerva in 97 AD. Trajan's forum came at the start of the 2nd century AD. Trajan's Markets, a museum complex on six levels, is visited separately with its own ticket.
This is an independent guide, not run by the city, the Parco archeologico del Colosseo or the museum.
The forums in order
Each emperor added a square to the one before.
| Forum | Date |
|---|---|
| Forum of Caesar | 46 BC |
| Forum of Augustus | 2 BC |
| Forum of Peace | 75 AD |
| Forum of Nerva | 97 AD |
| Forum of Trajan | Early 2nd century AD |
The Roman Forum grew over centuries from a drained valley floor. At the end of the Republic the old Forum space had become too small for display and administration, and the emperors added their own squares. For the older story, see the history of the Roman Forum.
Imperial Forums and Roman Forum tours
Guided visits that cover the Forum, the Palatine and the Imperial Forums, with live prices and availability. Check which sites each visit includes.
Trajan's Markets: tickets and hours
The Markets are a museum with their own ticket office on Via Quattro Novembre 94.
| Item | Price or detail (2026) |
|---|---|
| Adult, museum without special exhibition | €15 |
| Reduced | €9.50 |
| Online advance fee | €1 extra; no fee at the ticket desk |
| Audio guide | €4, not included |
| Video guide | €6, not included; some languages including German |
| Hours | Daily 9:30 to 19:30, last entry one hour before closing |
| Short days | 24 and 31 December, 9:30 to 14:00 |
| Closed | 1 May and 25 December |
Children under 6 enter free. Since February 2026 residents of Rome and the metropolitan area enter free with ID. Visitors from 6 to 25 who do not live there are listed for a reduced price. The first Sunday of the month is free for everyone, subject to conditions for special exhibitions. Tickets bought online cannot be refunded or changed.
The complex spreads over six levels, so expect stairs. The lift has been listed as out of service since July 2026, so do not count on step-free access.
Via dei Fori Imperiali
The wide road that runs between Piazza Venezia and the Colosseum cuts across the old forums. From the road you can see parts of the excavations on both sides. That is a view, not an entry. The lower archaeological area has its own access, and standing on the pavement does not give you the right to go down.
Do not plan around the road being fully car-free or pedestrian. Check the day before you go, especially if you walk with children or need a clear route to the Colosseum.
The Colosseum is a separate visit with its own timed entry. See the Colosseum guide.
How the passes connect to the forums
One ticket can open more than one area, but not every ticket does.
Forum Pass SUPER (€18)
This pass lists the Roman Forum, the Palatine, the Imperial Forums and the open special sites. It does not include the Colosseum. It is one entry, valid on the day you use it. Online tickets can be used within 30 days.
Ticket guide →The passage under the road
A passage leads from Trajan's forum through the cellar of the Quartiere Alessandrino to Caesar's forum and on to the Curia. It does not run through the museum of Trajan's Markets. Its hours are listed until 18:00 at most, but the Forum closes at 16:30 from 25 October 2026, so do not plan the passage for late afternoon in winter.
Curia Julia →Trajan's Markets are separate
The Markets use their own ticket and their own hours. A Forum ticket does not replace it. Plan the Markets as a stop of their own.
Winter timing
From 25 October 2026 the Forum opens at 9:00 and closes at 16:30. The Markets stay open to 19:30, so they make a good late visit when the Forum has closed.
Opening hours →
Imperial Forums: frequently asked questions
Are the Imperial Forums part of the Roman Forum?
No. They are separate squares built by emperors next to the Roman Forum. They lie along the Via dei Fori Imperiali.
How much is Trajan's Markets?
€15 for adults and €9.50 reduced in 2026, with a €1 advance fee if you buy online. There is no fee at the ticket desk.
When are Trajan's Markets open?
Daily from 9:30 to 19:30, with last entry one hour before closing. They are closed on 1 May and 25 December and open 9:30 to 14:00 on 24 and 31 December.
Can I see the Imperial Forums for free?
You can look into the excavations from the Via dei Fori Imperiali. Entering the archaeological area needs a ticket or pass such as the Forum Pass SUPER.
Is the Forum Pass SUPER valid for the Colosseum?
No. It covers the Forum, the Palatine and the Imperial Forums, but not the Colosseum. The Colosseum needs its own ticket or a combined ticket.