Are the Imperial Forums the same as the Roman Forum?

No, they are actually separate archaeological sites located on opposite sides of the Via dei Fori Imperiali avenue. While the Roman Forum was the old civic center that grew chaotically over centuries, the Imperial Forums were planned expansions built later by specific emperors like Caesar and Trajan to show off their power. You can easily walk between them, but they often require different tickets or entry points depending on the access you want.

Can you see the Imperial Forums for free?

Yes, you can see a significant portion of the Imperial Forums for free just by walking along the Via dei Fori Imperiali. The city has built elevated sidewalks and viewing platforms that give you a perfect view of the Forum of Caesar, Augustus, and Nerva without paying a cent. However, if you want to walk down among the ruins on the archaeological floor to get a closer look, you will need to purchase a specific ticket.

How much does it cost to enter the Imperial Forums?

To walk inside the archaeological area, you typically need the Forum Pass Super ticket which costs around 18€ in 2026. This special ticket usually grants access to the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and the Imperial Forums area. If you only want to visit the Museum of the Imperial Forums inside Trajan's Market, that requires a separate ticket costing approximately 13€.

Is the Imperial Forums Museum worth visiting?

Absolutely, especially if you want to understand the architecture and daily life of ancient Rome beyond just looking at ruins. This museum is located inside Trajan's Market and allows you to walk through ancient shopping streets and hallways that are incredibly well-preserved. It also offers one of the best elevated panoramic views of the entire forum area that you cannot get from the street level.

How long does it take to visit the Imperial Forums?

You should plan to spend about 45 minutes to an hour if you are just viewing them from the street level while reading the history. If you buy the full ticket to explore the archaeological area and Trajan's Market museum, you will need at least 2 to 3 hours to see everything properly. It is a great idea to combine this with your Colosseum visit if you have the full day.

Which emperors built the Imperial Forums?

The complex consists of five different squares built between 46 BC and 113 AD by Julius Caesar, Augustus, Vespasian, Nerva, and Trajan. Julius Caesar started the trend because the old Roman Forum was getting too crowded for business and politics. Each subsequent emperor tried to build something grander than the one before, culminating in the massive Forum of Trajan which remains the largest.

What is the best time of day to visit the Imperial Forums?

Late afternoon just before sunset is the most magical time because the golden hour light hits the columns and ruins perfectly for photography. If you are visiting in the summer of 2026, you should also check out the night shows where they project lights onto the ruins to reconstruct how they looked in ancient times. Early morning is also good if you want to avoid the crowds on the main street.

Is the entrance included in the standard Colosseum ticket?

No, the standard Colosseum ticket usually only includes the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill, but not necessarily the walkway inside the Imperial Forums. To access the specific walkway connecting the two forum areas, you generally need the Full Experience or Super ticket. Always check the specific inclusions on your ticket type as rules can change slightly from season to season.

Visiting Imperial Forums Rome: Tickets, Map & History 2026

Walking down the Via dei Fori Imperiali is like strolling through an open-air history book. Most visitors rush straight to the Colosseum or the main Roman Forum, often confusing them with the monumental ruins lining the opposite side of the street. These are the Imperial Forums, a series of five monumental squares built over 150 years by Rome's most powerful emperors.

While the old Roman Forum grew organically and chaotically over centuries, the Imperial Forums were planned propaganda pieces. Caesar, Augustus, Nerva, and Trajan built these grand spaces to showcase their power, expand the city center, and outdo their predecessors. Today, understanding how to visit them, where to buy tickets, and which parts are free to view from the street is the key to enjoying this archaeological marvel without getting overwhelmed.

Practical Information for Visitors

Before you dive into the history, here is the logistical data you need to plan your visit efficiently. The Imperial Forums area is complex because some parts are visible for free from the street level, while walking among the ruins requires a specific ticket.

Entrance Fees & Tickets 2026

You have a few options depending on how deep you want to explore.

Street View: You can see about 70% of the ruins for free simply by walking along the Via dei Fori Imperiali and the raised walkways. This is perfect for travelers on a budget or those with limited time.
Imperial Forums Museum (Trajan's Market): To enter the multi-level complex of Trajan's Market and the Museum of the Imperial Forums, you need a specific ticket. The standard price is around 13€.
The SUPER Ticket (Forum Pass): If you want to walk down onto the archaeological floor of the Imperial Forums (connecting directly to the Roman Forum), you will need the Forum Pass Super or the Full Experience ticket. This usually costs around 18€ and includes the Colosseum and Palatine Hill.

Note: The site is included in the Roma Pass. If you are planning a longer stay and want to see religious art and history, you might also be interested in our guide to the Vatican Museums.

Opening Hours

The outdoor archaeological areas generally follow the sun. They open at 09:00 and close one hour before sunset.

Things to Do in Vinci: A Day Trip to Leonardo’s Hometown

Winter: Closes around 16:30.
Summer: Open until 19:15.
Trajan's Market Museum: Open daily from 09:30 to 19:30 (Last admission one hour before closing).

How to Get There

The area is centrally located and hard to miss.

Metro: Line B (Blue Line), get off at Colosseo station. Walk 5 minutes down Via dei Fori Imperiali.
Bus: Lines 51, 85, 87, and 118 stop directly on the main avenue.

Walking Through the History: The 4 Great Forums

Each forum was built as an expansion of the previous one. We recommend walking from Piazza Venezia toward the Colosseum to view them in a logical order.

Forum of Caesar: The First Expansion

Built in 46 BC, this was the trendsetter. Julius Caesar felt the old Roman Forum was too crowded and chaotic for a man of his stature. He spent a fortune buying private land to build this rectangular square. The focal point was the Temple of Venus Genetrix. Caesar claimed his family descended directly from the goddess Venus, so this temple was a political statement as much as a religious one. Today, you can clearly see the three standing columns of this temple from the sidewalk.

Forum of Augustus: The Avenger

Right next to Caesar's project, Emperor Augustus built his forum. Construction dragged on for decades and was finally inaugurated in 2 BC. Augustus vowed to build a temple to Mars Ultor (Mars the Avenger) before the Battle of Philippi to avenge Caesar's assassination.

When you look at this forum, notice the massive high wall at the back. This is a firebreak wall (muro tagliafuoco). Augustus built it to protect his precious marble forum from the frequent fires in the Suburra, the crowded and dangerous slum district that lay just behind it. It also served a visual purpose: blocking the view of the poor neighborhood from his glorious square.

Vatican Museums Guide: Tickets, Entrance & Tips 2026

Forum of Nerva: The Narrow Passage

Sandwiched tightly between the Forum of Augustus and the Temple of Peace, this is often called the Forum Transitorium (Passage Forum). It sits on a long, narrow strip of land. Emperor Domitian started it, but Nerva inaugurated it in 97 AD. Because space was so tight, they couldn't build full colonnades. Instead, they built engaged columns that protrude from the wall. You can still see two of these beautiful columns, known as the Colonnacce, standing today.

Forum of Trajan & Trajan’s Column

This is the grandest and last of the Imperial Forums, completed in 112 AD. It was financed by the massive spoils of war from Trajan's conquest of Dacia (modern-day Romania). The scale here is massive. The centerpiece that catches everyone's eye is Trajan’s Column. Standing 38 meters high, it is wrapped in a continuous spiral frieze that tells the story of the Dacian Wars like a stone movie reel.

Fun Fact: The statue on top was originally Emperor Trajan. However, in 1588, the Pope replaced him with St. Peter, who still watches over the city today.

Trajan's Market (Mercati di Traiano)

Opposite the forums, climbing up the Quirinal Hill, is a semi-circular brick structure that looks surprisingly modern. This is Trajan's Market, often considered the world's first shopping mall. Built by the genius architect Apollodorus of Damascus, it housed over 150 shops (tabernae) and administrative offices.

Unlike the forums which were for politics and religion, this was a place of business. Today, it houses the Museum of the Imperial Forums. We highly recommend entering this museum. It allows you to walk through the ancient shopping streets and offers one of the best elevated views over the entire archaeological area.

Leonardo da Vinci Museum: The Child Prodigy of the Middle Ages

Viaggio nei Fori: The Night Experience

If you are in Rome during the warmer months (usually April to November), look out for the Viaggio nei Fori (Journey through the Forums). This is a spectacular night-time multimedia show projected directly onto the ruins of the Forum of Augustus and the Forum of Caesar.

Using lights, projections, and audio narration, the stones come alive to show you exactly how they looked 2,000 years ago. It is an immersive way to understand the scale of these buildings without needing to use your imagination too hard.

Tips for the Best Views & Photos

You do not always need to buy a ticket to get the perfect shot. Here are our top spots for photography:

Via dei Fori Imperiali Terraces: There are balcony-like spots along the main sidewalk near the Forum of Augustus and Trajan's Market. These are free and offer a perfect angle for sunset photos.
Campidoglio Overlook: Walk up to the Capitoline Hill (behind the Victor Emmanuel monument). Go to the right side of the Senatorial Palace for a breathtaking panoramic view over the entire Roman Forum and Imperial Forums.
Trajan's Market Upper Level: If you pay for the museum entrance, the upper terrace provides a unique vantage point looking down at the Militia Tower and the forums below.

Guide to the Imperial Forums (Fori Imperiali): Rome's Ancient Heart