The Roman Forum map at a glance
The Forum lies at the foot of the Capitoline Hill, and the Palatine rises beside it. The Via Sacra, the old ceremonial road, links the temple and square area with the climb toward the Arch of Titus and the Palatine. Forum and Palatine are visited on one ticket and form one site with several entrances.
The route below is a planning aid, not a marked path. Closed paths, restoration areas and interior opening times take priority over any order we suggest.
Entrances to the Forum and Palatine
Five entrances serve the site. The one printed on your booking is the one to use.
| Entrance | Note |
|---|---|
| Largo della Salara Vecchia | Street address no. 5/6. The main address of the Forum and the start and end point of the evening tour |
| Arco di Tito | At the Arch of Titus, the reference point for the Via Sacra |
| Via di San Gregorio | Listed entrance |
| Via del Tulliano | Listed entrance |
| Via del Foro Romano | Listed entrance |
You need a ticket to pass any of them. The area around the Arch of Titus is not a free shortcut. Last entry is 17:30 until 24 October 2026 and 15:30 from 25 October 2026, with the site closing an hour later. The Colosseum, with its own entrance and times, is covered by our sister guide. The full seasonal table is on our opening hours page.
Our picks for walking the Forum
A live guide or an app to follow the route.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Forum and Palatine Hill walk with a live guide
A live guide, headsets and entry to the Forum and Palatine Hill are included. The Colosseum, food and tips are not.
Check availability →
Forum and Palatine Hill entry with guide app
Forum and Palatine Hill entry, the Domus Tiberiana, taxes and service fees are included, with a digital guide app. No live guide. Some houses are closed on certain weekdays.
Check availability →
Forum and Palatine Hill pass with an audio guide app
Entry covers the Forum, the Curia Iulia, the Palatine Hill and several special sites, with an audio guide app. There is no live guide and no Colosseum.
Check availability →Guided visits of the Forum and Palatine
Walking tours of the Forum, the Palatine and the Colosseum, with live prices and availability. Check which tickets are included before you book.
A suggested route through the Forum
Eight stops in one direction, ending on the Palatine. Skip any stop you do not need.
1. Temple of Antoninus and Faustina
Start near the Largo della Salara Vecchia. The porch has six front columns of cipollino marble. The church door sits high above the ground because the level was lower before the modern excavations.
2. Central square, Curia and the Arch of Septimius Severus
The Curia was the Senate house. The arch of AD 203 has three passages and marks victories over the Parthians.
The Curia Julia →3. Temple of Saturn
This temple at the foot of the Capitoline housed the state treasury, the Aerarium.
The temples of the Forum →4. Temple of Caesar and the Dioscuri
The Temple of the Divine Julius honours the deified Caesar. It is not his tomb or the place of his murder. Three Corinthian columns remain of the Temple of Castor and Pollux.
5. Temple of Vesta and the House of the Vestals
A round temple for the sacred fire, tended by six priestesses.
6. Basilica of Maxentius
Begun in AD 308. The surviving north aisle has large coffered barrel vaults.
7. Arch of Titus
The arch stands at the start of the climb to the Palatine. Its passage shows the reliefs from the sack of Jerusalem.
The Arch of Titus →8. The Palatine
Imperial palaces, the Farnese Gardens and the stadium. Allow extra time for the slopes.
The Palatine Hill →Step-free routes, water and rest
Practical points for hot days, slow walkers and wheelchair users.
An easier alternative to the Via Sacra
The park describes an accessible route that passes the House of the Vestals, the Temple of Romulus, the Lacus Iuturnae, the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, the Forum square and the Curia. On the Palatine, slopes and uneven ground remain. Do not plan on the whole site being fully wheelchair friendly.
Water and benches
Drinking fountains stand near the Vicus Argentarii and the Tabularium, at the south-east corner of the Basilica Iulia, in the Farnese Gardens, near the Domus Augustana and on the southern path of the Palatine. The site lists about 70 benches. Check a fountain on arrival rather than counting on it.
Shade
Do not expect continuous shade on the Via Sacra or across the Forum. In summer bring water, a hat and sun protection, and read our best time to visit page.
Rules on the stones
Do not climb on capitals, columns or wall blocks. Stay on marked paths, respect barriers and wear shoes with grip, because the ground is uneven.
The evening route
A guided evening visit follows a fixed path through the Forum.
The Friday evening programme of 2026 starts and ends at the Largo della Salara Vecchia entrance. It follows the Via Sacra toward the Capitoline, crosses the central area and then visits the Temple of Vesta, the House of the Vestals and the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina. It does not take in the Palatine houses. See the Forum at night for times and prices.
Beyond the Forum map
Neighbouring sites that need their own plan.
Roman Forum map: frequently asked questions
How long does the Forum route take?
That depends on your pace and how many stops you read. Allow extra time if you add the Palatine, because it has slopes and a wide area to cross. Start at opening time in summer to avoid the midday heat.
Where do I enter the Roman Forum?
Use the entrance named on your booking. Five are listed: Largo della Salara Vecchia, Arco di Tito, Via di San Gregorio, Via del Tulliano and Via del Foro Romano. The Largo entrance has the street address no. 5/6.
Can I walk the Via Sacra without a ticket?
No. The Via Sacra inside the Forum is part of the ticketed site. The area at the Arch of Titus is an entrance, not an open passage.
Is there a step-free route?
Yes, a route past the House of the Vestals, the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, the Forum square and the Curia avoids the Via Sacra climb. The Palatine has slopes and uneven ground.
Is the Imperial Forums area part of this route?
No. The Imperial Forums lie along the Via dei Fori Imperiali next to the Forum, and Trajan's Markets have their own ticket office.