The Roman Forum is situated adjacent to the Roman Colosseum, and in contrast to popular belief, the best position to view the whole area is actually through one of the windows on the higher planes of the Colosseum!

I found this out when I was seated high up on the Colosseum. Looking out, I caught sight of the Forum a distance off, and it was magical. Imagine looking at the Forum while sitting in the Colosseum... wow! Beat that! Check out one of my pictures below! Even Lonely Planet missed this little great detail!

One has to pay a fee to get into the Forum, and I actually gave that a miss. Because the view from the outside is sufficient, unless you plan on scientifically analysing the soil around the area!

Instead, after the Colosseum view, I thought it wise to climb all the way up Piazza Venezia (at the end of Via Del Colosseo). The first time I got there, I stopped climbing the stairs after I got to the flame and the 2 navy guards. But the second climb was worth every step I made!True to my expectation, the view of both the Forum and the Colosseum was PERFECT from the peak of Piaza Venezia.

Do it, and write me an email from Rome to thank me that you did!

The ancient capital of Rome was the focal point for the world’s greatest artists, architects, philosophers and rulers. The Forum was the very pulse and heartbeat of Rome‘s religious, political and commercial life.

My husband and I signed up at our hotel for a walking tour of the Forum (Forno Romano) and took bus # 88 to meet our guide at the Arch of Septimus Servus. We especially enjoyed this tour, because it was the least crowded of all our tours. The area was open and not at all crowded as it had been with many of the other tours we had taken of churches, art galleries and museums while visiting Rome.

The forum served as the hub of the city during Republican and Imperial times, and no other part of the city brims with so much history. As we walked along, our well-informed guide (who spoke excellent English) identified points of interest: the Temple of Antonius and Faustina, built in 144 AD, and later in the 12th century converted to the church of Lorenzo. The Temple of Saturn built in 497 BC, which was destroyed several times by fire, but was repeatedly rebuilt. The majestic Arch of Septimus Severus stood, so massive and impressive with a fabulous view toward the Colosseum. Being a history buff, I was especially impressed when she pointed out the spot where Marc Anthony made his impassioned speech over the body of Julius Caesar.

The surviving remnants of the Forum cannot truly speak of the splendor of ancient Rome, but this was my favorite tour. Uncrowded and outdoors, we were could walk freely and take photos as we pleased. Unlike many of the museums and churches where everyone was required to stay close to their guide and photos were not allowed.

The Forum is located at Via dei Fori Imperiali and you can use bus route 11, 27, 81, 85, 88 or 97 to arrive. OPEN - Monday to Saturday from 9am to 7pm and Sunday from 9am to 2pm.