Palatine Hill
Perched above the Colosseum, the Palatine Hill holds a rich tapestry of myths and history, making it one of the city’s most significant archaeological sites.
The Palatine Hill in Rome rises 40 meters (131 feet) above the Roman Forum.
The first Roman monarch established a small settlement on the hill in the eighth century BC, which ultimately developed into a bustling metropolis.
Later, Augustus turned it into the center for royal authority and official functions. His successors continued the practice by constructing royal palaces on the hill.
As the central hill of Rome’s famous Seven Hills, it was favored by emperors and aristocrats, who built opulent palaces and luxurious residences overlooking the bustling Roman Forum below.
Today, you can explore the well-preserved ruins and breathtaking views, immersing themselves in the allure of ancient Rome’s past glory.
Insider tip: Stroll around the area with the map of Palatine Hill Rome to explore the beauty of its preserved corners.
What to see?
With its stunning architectural design and historic significance, Palatine Hill will amaze you.
From the top of the Rome, you get beautiful views of the Circus Maximus, the dome of San Pietro, and other parts of the city.
Let’s say you want to compare the Roman Forum to the Palatine complex.
In that case, the Hill brings you the majestic mansions of Augustus, Tiberius, and Domitian, representing Rome’s might.
With Rome Palatine Hill tour tickets, let us take you on a virtual tour of a few of the most significant locations.
House of Augustus
Visit the first Roman emperor’s home to enhance your experience.
From the beginning, Augustus settled in the ancient Rome district of Palatine Hill. For the decoration of his palace, Augustus opted for simplicity and elegance.
The building consisted of the following parts:
- A private domus on the left
- A domus publica on the right
- An open area at the center
His designs feature fantastic decorations, unusual shapes, human or animal characters, and plant motifs.
Visit the first Roman emperor’s home to enhance your experience.
House of Livia
Livia, apparently Augustus’ wife, owns an even larger complex than his house.
It consists of ornamented mosaic floors that lead to the dining room and the guest welcome area.
It represents a modestly built house that forms one of the best-preserved areas of Palatine Hill.
It possesses the royal refinement of private mansions and covers legendary themes and landscapes.
Domus Flavia and Domus Augustana
These two palaces served as the residences of the Roman Emperors until the fifth century AD.
The Domus Flavia, built for Domitian, had private and public areas. A sizable garden, an octagonal fountain, entrances, and rooms surrounded the public area.
The private area included several flowerbeds, gardens, and wall carvings.
The Domus Augustana included gardens and fountains on both floors.
This palace had numerous podiums, flowerbeds, a tiny shrine, and a rectangular pool.
Domus Tiberiana
Pools, gardens, terraces, and pavilions were essential to Emperor Tiberius’ house.
It included Domus Aurea, a large platform with a well-thought-out drainage system.
Temple of Apollo
Octavian dedicated the temple to the Roman God Apollo.
As you walk down the history of Palatine Hill, this stands out as Octavian’s first and finest building project in Rome.
Corridors in Augustus’ private residence led directly to the sanctuary’s terrace.
The huts of Romulus
The cottages of Romulus stand at the southwesterly corner of the hill. People have lived in these houses since the ninth century BC.
You can see a complete settlement replica while visiting the Palatine Museum.
Palatine Museum
This museum contains the most valuable excavation findings from Palatine Hill and the Hippodrome.
An existing monastery houses the Palatine Museum between Flavius and Nero’s palaces.
Inside, you’ll find frescoes, mosaics, and sculptures on display.
It exhibits a collection of artifacts that cover more than fifteen centuries of Rome’s history.
Farnese Gardens and Barberini Vineyards
Constructed on the foundations of the Palace of Tiberius, this is Europe’s oldest botanical garden.
The Farnese family, an influential family at the time, owned various plants and flowers in the city.
The Barberini family owned a portion of Rome’s Palatine Hill and cultivated vines and fruits.
This location transformed into a relaxing and enjoyable area with vineyards, orchards, and fountains.
Palatine Stadium
The Roman emperors constructed this stadium to host sporting events. Just two partially intact semicircular fountains exist in the Hippodrome of Domitian.
This location has a lengthy courtyard adorned with pillars, columns, and an entrance.
You can still see some of its lovely fragments in this Stadium Garden, while others remain buried beneath Piazza Navona.
Severian Arches
Visitors can see the surrounding landmarks and tourist sites from the top of the tallest structure on Rome’s imperial hill.
Built between the reigns of Domitian and Maxentius, it consists of high and narrow arches on two floors.
They showcase the engineering ability of the Roman builders who erected these buildings atop hills.
Enjoy the sunset from the Severian Arches to make your walk unforgettable.
Baths of Caracalla
Caracalla, the son of Emperor Septimius Severus, built these rectangular-shaped Baths and derived their name from them.
The four main entrances to swimming pools, gyms, and changing rooms are symmetrical.
In the 20th century, its thermal or hot pool suffered various exploitations.
Since 2001, they have continued to hold classical music festivals at the Baths, surrounding them with temporary structures.
Note: The best way to explore the Roman Palatine Hill is through a guided tour. Take a tour at just €36 and delve into the historical world of the Colosseum!
Location
From the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, quickly get to the entrance of the Palatine Hill in Rome.
This hill lies behind the Vestal Temple, as shown on the map of Rome.
You can use public transportation or your private vehicle to get here.
Best Time to Visit
Palatine Hill in Rome remains open from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm or 7 pm. The best time to visit is when it opens at 8.30 am or around 4 pm.
The area stays less congested at these times, and the sun appears low in the sky. Take advantage of the breathtaking sunset view from the top while you stroll.
Best Modes of Transportation
You have many choices for getting to Palatine Hill through public transportation.
Bus Numbers: 60, 75, 84, 85, 87, 117, 175, 186, 271, 571, 810 and 850.
Tram: Tram lines 3 and 8 stop at the Parco Celio tram stop in front of the Palatine entrance.
Metro Station: You can get there by taking the B line to the Colosseo (Colosseum) Metro stop.
Taxi: You can use a local taxi or Uber to reach your destination from any part of the city.
Opt for the Rome Super Pass, which gives you free access to the best of Rome.
Get unlimited transport options on the city’s Metro, Tram, and Bus.
Which tickets to book?
It’s time to make your journey convenient and affordable to the Palatine Hill!
You have a variety of tickets and tour options to choose from depending on your preferences and budget.
Here are some of our top recommendations:
| Palatine Hill tickets | Adult ticket (18+ years) price |
|---|---|
| Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill sightseeing tour | €36 |
| Skip the Line Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill tour | €59 to €69 |
| Colosseum, Arena, Roman Forum, & Palatine Hill VIP Tour | €65 to €85 |
| Priority Access Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill tour | €79 to €95 |
Palatine Hill FAQs
How do I locate Palatine Hill?
If you visit the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, the Palatine Hill stands right in front of one of the seven hills of Rome. You can reach the hill through the Roman Forum from the Arch of Titus’ side. Behind the Vestal temple stands this hill.
What used to happen on Palatine Hill?
The foundation of Rome came into existence on Palatine Hill. Most Roman emperors and key families had royal palaces, gardens, and temples on the hill.
How does Palatine Hill represent top-notch engineering?
Being the foundation of ancient Rome, Palatine Hill dates back to the time of Romulus and Remus in 753 BC. Over the ages, it saw monuments like the Severian Arches that went up to two stories. Building a two-story structure is a challenging task on a hilltop, proving the engineering genius of the time.
Which areas to visit in Palatine Hill?
If you have reached Palatine Hill, especially go around the following places:
– House of Augustus
– House of Livia
– Domus Flavia and Domus Augustana
– Palatine Museum
– Severian Arches
– Baths of Caracalla
– Palatine Stadium
– Farnese And Barberini orchards and vineyards
– The huts of Romulus
– Temple of Apollo
– Domus Tiberiana
Can I reach Palatine Hill easily?
Being 51 meters above sea level, it has a slight uphill climb to reach the ancient hub of Rome. Wear comfortable shoes to climb up. If climbing the heights can be a problem, plan your tour accordingly.
When is the best time to visit Palatine Hill?
Located on the hilltop and in an open area, choose to visit Palatine Hill during the warmer times of the day. The summer months, April, May, September and October, allow a comfortable tour of the place. June to August have maximum crowds.
Where do I get the Palatine Hill Rome tickets?
Palatine Hill Rome tickets mostly combine with Colosseum and Roman Forum tickets. Book your tickets online as per your choice to visit one of Rome’s most ancient areas.
Featured Image: Lena’s LI Images