Portus - Rome's Imperial Port

Portus was a Roman monumental harbor south of the airport in Fiumicino. Building started in the 1st century AD, during the reign of Emperor Claudius I (41-54 AD) to replace Ostia, located about 6 km away, a river port that could no longer harbor the larger ships of its time.

Portus isn't as well preserved as nearby Ostia Antica, but it is a monumental work you can wander in for hours. The two are close enough for you to save a few euros by purchasing a combo ticket.

There is ample public transportation that will take you to Portus, so you can turn in your rental or lease car at the airport early and save money. 

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Have you every wondered about the perfectly hexagonal "lake" just south of the airport when looking for places to stay on your last night in Rome? It looks modern. doesn't it? Well,  Trajan added this second harbor after 62 boats were lost during a storm in AD 62, joining it to the Claudian harbor by canal and surrounding it with by warehouses and operations buildings. Unlike the Claudian harbor, which was built to reduce wave action, Trajan's work considered the wind as well.

The lake is surrounded by a windlife refuge and can be visited in a horse and carriage. This is the oasis. Opening hours are in the link.

The visit to the Oasis takes around 1 hour. In order not to play havoc with the animals and the environment, the visit is done riding a horse-car. Moreover, during the whole route, you will be accompanied by very well-prepared guides from the Italian environmental organization Legambiente. ~  OASIS OF PORTUS

Map of Portus

To the left of the map the red markers represent the archaeological site of Portus--the left marker is the site entrance. The marker group on the right is where you might consider staying to visit the site and have easy access to the airport and services the next morning. 

Where to stay near Portus and the Airport

We highly recommend the AGM Suite Rome Airport FCO - Attico Parco Leonardo for your stay. It's close to train connections. the responsive owner will arrange transportation to the Airport if you're leaving from FCO, and it will save you money over the other "airport hotels" while offering an apartment with supplies next to Rome's largest mall (another exploration!). We stayed there two nights at our own expense, and it was a well-equipped place to stay.

Where to Eat

Granted, the Mall to the east (the WOW Center) has lots of eateries with names including something like "Hank" or "cowboy" and has pictures of the food, am I'm thinking this isn't something to recommend on your Italian vacation, so if you're wanting Italian cuisine, the food at La locanda dé Nonna is quite good, and the restaurant is a short stroll from the apartment listed above.

Both the recommended apartment and the restaurant have markers on the map. 

If you'd rather stay near the airport (generally more expensive these days), try:

Fiumicino Airport Hotels

Rome Fiumicino Airport Travel Essentials

Some Links to important information for a trip to Rome.

Find a Good Price on a Flight
Reserve a Private Driver From the Rome Airport
Get Prices on a Rental Car at the airport
Book a Hotel or Hostel
Book a Vacation Rental in Rome Centro Storico
Our Favorite European Plug Adapter for Italy

How to Get to Portus

You can get to our recommended apartment by taking the train from central Rome to the Fiumicino Parco Leonardo stop, a station that's close to two hotels, the three star B&B Hotel Roma Fiumicino Aeroporto Fiera 2 to the north, and the B&B Hotel Roma Fiumicino Aeroporto Fiera 1 on the south side of the tracks, both highly rated.

If you choose the first option, a mini-bus us to Portus leaves from just in front of the hotel. Ask at the front desk where to stand and which bus to take. 

Two Ways to Get to Portus from your lodging

While eating at La Locanda delle Nonna we asked the waiter if he could call us a cab. He couldn't, but told us to walk a very short way to an entrance to the Wow Center, a huge mall, and there would be a kiosk that would call a cab. While we sat in air-conditioned comfort the driver found us and walked us to his cab. We told the lady wnere we wanted to go, and she told us to wait in nearby chairs and it would be 10 minutes or so. It was very civilized.

But, if you would like to do it yourself but don't speak Italian, Your best bet is to use the Uber app.

Using the Uber App to get a cab in Rome

While we took a taxi to the site, you can also walk, but the overgrown sidewalks didn't look all that inviting, so we recommend a cab ride, about 20 euro. You can take the cheaper bus back if you wish, it stops directly across the street, and we got a Carabinieri escort to cross the busy avenue. 

The main parking lot for the site is in the triangle to the west of the entrance to Area Archeologica dei Porti di Claudio e di Traiano. There is a small carabinieri station there, and one of them may point you toward the current ticket office. 

I hope you'll enjoy this tranquil paradise, once a thriving harbor bringing goods to all of Italy.