The ancient city of Rome was established on seven hills, each with its own historical significance.
Palatine Hill is the centermost of these hills; it is believed to be the cave house where the she-wolf, La Lupa, found Romulus and Remus.
Located 40 meters above the Roman Forum, the Palatine Hill in Rome overlooks ancient ruins and Circus Maximus on either side.
The old palace remains atop Palatine Hill, visible from various parts of the city, making it a visually striking sight in Rome.
Atop the hill are remains of an old palace visible from various parts of Rome, making them visually striking.
While the Colosseum often steals the spotlight, don’t overlook Palatine Hill if you want to fully embrace all Rome offers.
Opening Hours: 9 am to 4:30 pm to 7 pm, depending upon the season.
Late Entry: One hour before the closing time of the season.
Closed: 25 December (Christmas) and 1 January (New Year).
Time needed: 3 to 4 hrs
Best time to visit: Weekdays from 5 pm till closing time.
Tickets price: €56
Location
00186 Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome, Italy
Located close to the Roman Forum and the Colosseum.
Why visit Roman Palatine Hill
- Palatine Hill brings you closer to the Roman heritage. Visitors can see the ancient city’s historical palaces, buildings, and ruins.
- Back in the day, Palatine Hill formally housed Rome’s wealthiest people. They owned massive palaces with beautiful, lush green gardens.
- Palatine Hill has numerous attractions. Nero’s Cryptoporticus is one of the most prominent ones. An underground tunnel connects the Imperial residence to the other public buildings.
- It is said that Palatine Hill is where La Lupa, the she-wolf, found and raised the twins Romulus and Remus.
- Palatine Hill is next to Rome’s Roman Forum, Colosseum, and other popular attractions.
Palatine Hill Hours
The Palatine Hills opens every day at 9 am, with the last admission an hour before the closing time of the season.
The closing time varies with the season to accommodate daylight hours:
- Winter (last Sunday in October to 15 February): Open until 4:30 pm.
- Late Winter (16 February to 15 March): Last admission at 4 pm.
- Early Spring (16 March to last Saturday of March): Open until 5:30 pm.
- Summer: Last admission at 6:15 pm.
- September: Open until 7 pm.
- Early Autumn (1 October to the last Sunday): Open until 6:30 pm.
Note: As the days grow shorter at the summer ends, the Roman Forum’s opening hours change.
Best Time to Visit
Early morning (around 8:30 am) or later in the afternoon (between 4 pm and 5 pm) visit will keep you from bumping into crowds.
You’ll have more space to admire the site and capture stunning pictures. Plus, you’ll spend less time waiting in line for entry.
Similarly, plan weekday visits (Tuesday to Thursday) as weekends draw large crowds.
How to get to Palatine Hill
The nearest metro stations to Palatine Hill are Metro Colosseo and Metro Circo Massimo, just a short walk from the entrance.
Buses 51, 75, 81, 85, 87, 118, and tram number 3 also serve this area.
Access to Palatine Hill is via Via Sacra, the main entrance to the Roman Forum Area.
Signposts will guide you to the top, where you can choose between stairs or an easy trail.
Palatine Hill Tickets
We recommend buying Palantine tickets online, as it is often visited along with the Roman Forum and Colosseum.
These attractions draw immense crowds, which can result in long lines at the ticket counter.
Palatine Hill skip-the-line Tickets
The Palatine Hill tickets allow you to explore the Roman Forum and Colosseum, making them combined Colloseum tickets.
These priority access tickets let you bypass the long ticket lines and enter these historically significant attractions in Rome.
This tour is available in multiple languages (Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian, French, and English).
Colosseum, Forum and Palatine Hill ticket prices
Adult ticket (17 to 99 years): €70
Child ticket (2 to 16 years): €45
Infant ticket (Up to 1 year): €5
Priority entrance with Arena Floor
Along with Palatine Hill, Roman Forum, and Colosseum tickets, this ticket gives access to the arena floor.
The Arena is the central area of the Colosseum, where all the exciting gladiator battles took place.
Skip the lines to the sites and get direct access along with the arena on a guided walking tour.
Ticket Price
Adult ticket (18 to 99 years): €99
Child ticket (Up to 17 years): €89
Roman Forum and Palatine Hill tickets
Visit the founded site of Rome, where emperors and kings once lived.
Palatine is one of Rome’s central seven hills, near the Roman Forum and Circus Maximus.
Along with tickets to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, you’ll also enjoy a 25-minute multimedia video.
Select the preferred time slot between 9 am and 4 pm.
Ticket Price
Adult ticket (18 to 99 years): €32
Child ticket (6 to 17 years): €12
Infant ticket (Up to 5 years): €5
Palatine Hill Last Minute Ticket
Last minute Vatican tickets are the one and only option that can save you from the last minute disappointment and long queues outside the ticket office.
Skip the lines to the sites and get direct access to the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
In addition to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill tickets, it also includes a 1-day sightseeing bus tour of Rome.
This approach is ideal for travelers looking to immerse themselves in local culture and experiences.
Tour Price
1 Participant: €43
Palatine Hill and VR Experience ticket
Explore the Colosseum’s history in an exciting 3D journey with Oculus VR glasses.
It is an animated 3D reconstruction of the ancient Colosseum with a multilingual audio guide in a multisensory experience.
Walk virtually through the crowded arena, square, and underground passages and experience the roar of ferocious lions and fighting gladiators.
With this self-guided virtual reality tour, skip the lines to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.
Ticket Price
Adult ticket (18+ years): €64
Youth ticket (3 to 17 years): €40
Infant ticket (Up to 3 years): €4
What to See
As you explore the sites of ancient Rome in the heart of the city, including your visits to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, your next destination should undoubtedly be Palatine Hill.
To guide your journey back in time, here’s a list of the top six things to see on Palatine Hill:
Arch of Titus
The Arch was built shortly after Emperor Titus Flavius died.
It was constructed to honor the Roman triumph, which celebrated the victory in the Jewish war.
The arch has pictures showing a big parade in 71 AD.
The parade shows things from a place called Herod’s Temple, and it’s one of the only pictures from that time that shows those things.
The Palace of Domitian
In ancient Rome, Palatine Hill was known for luxury.
The Palace of Domitian, the most prominent building on the hill, was the official home of Roman Emperors for 300 years.
The Palace has three parts—Domus Flavia, Domus Augustana, and the stadium—each used for different purposes.
The Temple of Apollo
Palatinus is among Rome’s best-known Apollo temples.
The building project was significant to Octavian, who personally undertook its construction.
The temple included a famous library and featured statues crafted by Greek masters.
Today, some preserved temple remnants are displayed in the nearby Palatine Museum.”
Septizodium
It houses a unique picture or form of her—an exceptional meteoric stone.
The temple burned down numerous times but was diligently restored each time.
Constructed in 203 AD by Septimius Severus, the Septizodium is next to the Circus Maximus.
The ornate facade at the southeast corner of Palatine Hill was designed to leave lasting impressions on visitors coming to the Appian Way.
The facade held statues representing seven planets: the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.
The Temple of Cybele
The Cybele Temple, on Palatine Hill, is Rome’s first temple dedicated to the Magna Mater (Great Mother).
The Greeks called her Cybele, and this temple honors the goddess.
The Lupercal Cave
Located at the southwest foot of Palatine Hill, the Lupercal Cave has a legendary history.
As per Roman mythology, this is where a she-wolf discovered the twins Romulus and Remus and was later rescued by a shepherd named Faustulus.
The priests of Faunus used the cave for various ceremonies, including the Lupercalia.
These traditions lasted from the early days of Rome until 494 AD.
Emperor Augustus’ Palace
Emperor Augustus’ palace marks a significant shift in Roman history. It transformed Palatine Hill from a residential area into the center of imperial power.
The House was a vast complex containing many significant buildings.
One of the prominent was the House of Livia, named after Emperor Augustus’ wife, “Iulia Augusta.”
Excavations show its stunning design, with rooms enhanced with frescoes and floors adorned with mosaics portraying mythological creatures.
Domus Severiana
Domus Severiana marked the final expansion of the impartial palaces on Palatine Hill.
Septimius Severus built it in the early 3rd century AD, the first African to become a Roman Emperor.
While most of the palace has crumbled over time, a few remains on the southeastern side of Palatine Hill can still be observed.
Palatine Hill Facts
- According to Roman mythology, this is where Romulus and Remus were found living in the Lupercal cave.
- The hill is about 70 meters (230 feet) high, offering some of the city’s most stunning views.
- It’s interesting to note that the word ‘palace’ is derived from ‘Palatine’ in several languages – including English, French, Italian, and German –
- Several MAJOR sites, including the Farnese Garden, Domus Flavia, and Septimius Severus, can also be found on Palatine Hill.
FAQs
Where is the Palatine Hill located?
The Palatine Hill is located in the center of Rome, Italy, adjacent to the Roman Forum and the Colosseum.
It forms a prominent part of the city’s ancient archaeological district.
How long has the Palatine Hill Rome been standing?
The history of Palatine Hill dates back over 2,000 years, with archaeological evidence revealing settlements dating to the 10th century BC.
It has been a site of continuous importance throughout Rome’s history.
What can be seen at the Palatine Hill today?
Visitors to Palatine Hill can explore ancient ruins, admire historical architecture, and enjoy panoramic views of Rome.
Highlights include the imperial palaces, temples, gardens, and the archaeological remains of this ancient residential district.
Are there any guided tours available of the Palatine Hill?
Guided tours are available for Palatine Hill, often combined with the Roman Forum and Colosseum tickets.
These tours provide valuable insights into the historical significance of the site and its archaeological treasures.