Located in the center of the city, Palatine Hill is one of the seven ancient hills on which Rome is built. If you visit Palatine Hill you will be rewarded with outstanding views of buildings, ruins and monuments such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. You will also be present on sacred grounds that are the crux of unlocking the birth of Ancient Rome.
This article further details the Palatine Hill, how it can be accessed and tours through which it can be experienced.
What is Palatine Hill
Palatine Hill is the birthplace of Rome. A very famous lore is attached to it, of which you will be able to spot imagery all across the city.
It is said that two brothers named Romulus and Remus, who were the sons of regal gods, were sent down to Earth to be drowned in the Tiber River. However, they ended up floating down the river and were found at the base of the Palatine Hill by a she-wolf who raised them.
Once older, the two brothers decided to start a city in the region.
Romulus’s choice for the location of the city was on Palatine Hill, while Remus insisted on it being built on the nearby Aventine Hill.
Romulus is said to have killed his brother upon this conflict. He then built his city on Palatine Hill and named it after himself- Rome.
Palatine Hill entrance
The Palatine Hill entrance is in a very central location. The grand, arched gate is impossible to miss and is found by one of the edges of the Colosseum.
There are many ways to reach the Palatine Hill entrance:
- By Metro: You can take the Metro line B from any part of the city and get off at the Colosseo station. The entrance to Palatine Hill is just a short walk away from there.
- By bus: There are many buses operating int he city that take you near the Colosseum and Palatine Hill, numbered 51, 75, 85, 87 AND 118.
- On foot: If you get to the Colosseum, walk to the road via di San Gregorio to find the Palatine entrance.
- By Taxi: Any car-riding service can drop you off at the entrance!
By the Palatine Hill entrance you will be able to find kiosks of souvenirs and all sorts of refreshments if you would fancy a break in between all your sightseeing! There are proper restaurants, cafes for coffee and street vendors stacked with paninis, drinks and gelato all at your avail.
When visiting, keep the opening hours of Palatine Hill in mind. It offers access to visitors every day at 8:30 and closes an hour before the sun sets. Therefore, this closing hour varies at different times of the year.
The Palatine Hill is usually closed on certain holidays such as Christmas and New Years.
Keep track of the changing opening hours on the official site for this archaeological area.
Can I just visit Palatine Hill?
Whilst you are visiting the Colosseum you might spot the inviting gate and the alluring spillage of the Farnese gardens that can be spotted from outside. You may feel pulled toward spontaneously walking up and through to explore Palatine Hill.
However, please note that there is no free entrance to Palatine Hill. A ticket of sorts is always required.
There are various visiting options. It is also possible to combine your discovery of Palatine Hill with entrance to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.
Palatine Museum tickets
Did you know that there is a museum on the hill dedicated to its history and archaeology? Tickets to the Palatine Museum are often included in the visit of the hill itself.
There are two ways you can buy tickets for the Palatine Museum:
- From the official site: The Parco Archaeologico del Colosseo offers tickets to all these monuments.
- Through guided tours: Choosing a tour with an expert guide will not only offer you access to all these sites but you will also be able to explore whatever part you are most interested in, in depth.
Is Palatine Hill worth seeing?
The Palatine is symbol of the power of Rome. Just visiting the hill immerses you in the grandeur of the histories of the ancient empire.
Here you can see the remnants of luxurious palaces of various Roman Emperors.
The supreme Farnese gardens welcome you into the hill.
Archeologically, the Palatine is a very rich land. It has excavation sites, temples and palaces. For example, you can visit the Flavian House of Augustus and the House of Livia, with its beautiful naturalistic landscape and garden frescoes.
Lastly, you will be able to see sublime views of the Roman Forum, the Colosseum and Circo Massimo.
Palatine Hill is a must-see during your visit to Rome.
What is the Palatine Hill tour?
Walks Inside Rome offers a guided tour of Colosseum and Roman Forum which also combines a Palatine Hill guided tour!
This all-inclusive offer offers evocative storytelling for all the monuments while also giving you access to skip-the-line tickets for them all. This option is much better than doing a self-guided tour of these sites through the standard ticket.
The scenic stop at Palatine Hill means a stroll to its different areas and stopping at any site you would like to explore more. The Palatine tour can take 1-2 hours, or at a more leisurely pace, it may take 2-3 hours.
