The 12 Best Places to See Roman Ruins and Remains
Here are the essential Roman sites that you have to visit
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The Roman Empire wasn’t built in a day, but the remains of its grandeur have stood for centuries, scattered across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa like ancient breadcrumbs leading back to a world of gladiators, emperors, and engineering brilliance.
While some sites are postcard-famous, others remain overlooked gems, waiting for the kind of traveler who prefers to venture beyond the usual tourist drag. Here’s where to find the most awe-inspiring Roman ruins—and how to make the most of your visit.
1. The Colosseum, Rome, Italy
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Let’s start with the undisputed heavyweight champion of Roman ruins. The Colosseum isn’t just the most famous amphitheater in the world; it’s an architectural and engineering marvel that could hold up to 50,000 bloodthirsty spectators in its prime. Despite centuries of earthquakes, plundering, and general wear and tear, it still dominates the Rome skyline.
If you want to visit without feeling like you’re being herded like a gladiator into the arena, book your tickets online well in advance. Early morning and late afternoon slots offer the best lighting for photos and fewer crowds. For the full experience, opt for a tour that includes the hypogeum (the underground tunnels where gladiators and animals were kept) and the upper tiers, which provide the best views. If you’re planning on seeing multiple attractions, the Roma Pass can be a smart investment, covering entry fees and public transport.
2. Pompeii, Italy
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Few places on Earth offer a more vivid, haunting snapshot of ancient life than Pompeii. Buried under a thick layer of volcanic ash in 79 AD when Mount Vesuvius erupted, this once-bustling Roman city was frozen in time. Wander down its eerily well-preserved streets, past shops with still-visible frescoes, public baths, and even graffiti scrawled by residents nearly 2,000 years ago.
The site is enormous, so wear comfortable shoes and bring water—especially in summer when the heat is relentless. Entry tickets cost around €18, but it’s worth paying extra for a guided tour or an audio guide to fully appreciate the site’s significance. If you’re short on time, focus on highlights like the Forum, the House of the Vettii, and the haunting plaster casts of victims caught in the eruption’s fury.
3. Baalbek, Lebanon
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Everything about Baalbek is epic. The temples here are among the most massive ever built, outshining even those in Rome. The Temple of Jupiter, with its remaining six colossal columns, and the almost perfectly preserved Temple of Bacchus are staggering in scale and grandeur.
Despite its beauty, Baalbek sees a fraction of the visitors that Rome or Athens do. Security concerns over the years have scared off tourists, but the site itself remains safe and accessible. If you’re an archaeology enthusiast, visiting here feels like uncovering one of the best-kept secrets of the Roman world.
A local guide will be worth their weight in gold at Baalbek, not only helping to get to and navigate the site, but also to add weight to the ruins that lack detailed explanations or descriptions in English. Check out Lebanon Tours & Travels to find a guide who speaks your language.
4. The Pont du Gard, France
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Roman aqueducts don’t often get the attention they deserve, but the Pont du Gard is an exception. Spanning the Gardon River in southern France, this astonishingly well-preserved three-tiered structure was part of a 50-kilometer system delivering water to the city of Nîmes. Its engineering is so precise that even today, you could pour water at one end, and it would still flow perfectly to the other.
Unlike many ancient ruins, the Pont du Gard allows a more interactive experience. You can walk across the lower level, kayak beneath it, or even swim in the river during the summer months. The nearby museum offers excellent exhibits on Roman engineering.
5. Hadrian’s Wall, England
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Stretching 73 miles across northern England, Hadrian’s Wall was the Roman Empire’s northernmost frontier, built to keep out the Picts (or at least inconvenience them). While much of it has crumbled over the centuries, sections remain impressively intact, particularly around Housesteads and Vindolanda.
Vindolanda, in particular, is worth a visit—not just for the wall itself but for the extraordinary finds uncovered here, including some of the oldest surviving handwritten documents in Britain. There’s an excellent museum on-site, and if you time your visit right, you might even see archaeologists at work.
In nearby Newcastle, the Great North Museum: Hancock hosts a gigantic scale model of Hardian’s Wall, giving an understandable scale of just how massive an undertaking the wall was using Roman technologies and hard labour.
6. The Roman Forum, Rome, Italy
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Once the heart of the Roman Empire, the Forum was where politics, commerce, and daily life played out. Today, it’s a sprawling collection of ruins, best explored with a bit of imagination (and a good guide). Stand at the spot where Julius Caesar was cremated, walk along the Via Sacra, and marvel at the towering remains of the Temple of Saturn.
Since the Forum is included in most official Colosseum tickets, it’s best to visit them together. Go early to beat the crowds, and don’t rush—there’s far more to see than first meets the eye.
7. Leptis Magna, Libya
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Leptis Magna was once one of the most important cities in the Roman world. Located in modern-day Libya, it’s arguably the most complete Roman city anywhere, with theaters, baths, markets, and a stunningly intact basilica. The city, once a thriving hub of commerce and culture, was expanded by Emperor Septimius Severus, a native of the region, turning it into one of the grandest metropolises in the Roman Empire. Its massive arch, the imposing Severan Forum, and the well-preserved amphitheater all give an incredible insight into the scale of Rome’s African provinces.
If you’re an adventurer willing to navigate Libya’s tricky travel situation, this is one of the ultimate Roman sites to explore. The best way to visit is with an experienced local guide who understands the logistical and safety aspects of travel in the country. The site is vast, so wear sturdy shoes, bring plenty of water, and plan for a full day to take in the grandeur of this forgotten jewel of antiquity.
8. Diocletian’s Palace, Split, Croatia
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Few Roman sites blur the line between ancient ruin and vibrant modern city quite like Diocletian’s Palace in Split. Built in the 4th century AD as a retirement home for Emperor Diocletian, this vast complex has since evolved into the beating heart of Split, with homes, shops, and restaurants integrated into its ancient walls.
The palace itself is a masterpiece of Roman architecture, featuring colonnaded courtyards, underground cellars, and imposing stone gates. The Peristyle Square, once the emperor’s ceremonial courtyard, is particularly striking, especially at night when live performances add a dramatic touch to its grandeur. Don’t miss the Cathedral of Saint Domnius, originally Diocletian’s mausoleum, and the underground chambers, which were once filled with palace treasures.
For the best experience, explore in the early morning or late evening to avoid crowds. A guided tour will enrich your visit with historical context, but simply wandering through the narrow alleys and uncovering hidden remnants of Rome’s legacy is equally rewarding.
9. Timgad, Algeria
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Nicknamed the 'Pompeii of North Africa,' Timgad is one of the most remarkable Roman sites outside of Europe. Founded by Emperor Trajan in 100 AD, this ancient city in modern-day Algeria was originally a military colony before blossoming into a major urban center. Its meticulously planned grid system, triumphal arch, and vast forum exemplify Roman urban engineering at its finest.
Timgad’s highlights include the stunning Arch of Trajan, which still stands as a grand entrance to the city, and the extensive remains of bathhouses, temples, and a well-preserved library—one of the few known libraries of the Roman world. The massive theater, which could seat around 3,500 spectators, is another impressive remnant of its past.
While not as frequently visited as some European sites, Timgad offers an incredible, crowd-free experience for those willing to venture off the beaten path. Given Algeria’s visa requirements and travel logistics, it’s advisable to hire a knowledgeable local guide to navigate the site and bring its history to life. The best time to visit is during the cooler months between October and April, as the North African heat can be punishing in summer.
10. Conímbriga, Portugal
This former provincial town was once a thriving settlement before being abandoned in the early Middle Ages. Today, it boasts intricate mosaic floors, extensive bath complexes, and a massive villa with some of the best-preserved Roman domestic architecture in the Iberian Peninsula. The site's most remarkable feature is the House of Fountains, a sprawling Roman villa with a complex water system and exquisite mosaic designs still visible today.
Unlike the often-crowded ruins of Pompeii, Conímbriga remains refreshingly quiet, allowing visitors to wander its streets and structures without the usual tourist hustle. The site’s layout, with its still-visible roads and public buildings, provides a clear sense of how a Roman city functioned.
The on-site museum is a must-see, showcasing artifacts excavated from the site, including pottery, jewelry, and tools that paint a vivid picture of life in ancient Lusitania.
11. Trier, Germany
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Germany’s oldest city, Trier, was once a major Roman hub, boasting an impressive collection of ancient landmarks. The Porta Nigra gate, a massive sandstone fortification, remains one of the most imposing and best-preserved city gates from the Roman era. The Imperial Baths, once a grand complex of luxurious heated rooms and pools, offer a fascinating glimpse into the importance of bathing culture in Roman society.
The amphitheater, capable of holding thousands of spectators, still evokes the spectacle of ancient gladiatorial contests. Trier’s status as an imperial city is further highlighted by the Aula Palatina, Emperor Constantine’s vast throne hall, which remains remarkably intact. You can easily spend a full day exploring these extraordinary remnants of Rome’s northernmost capital.
12. Segovia Aqueduct, Spain
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This breathtaking aqueduct, still standing after nearly 2,000 years, is a testament to Roman engineering and a symbol of Segovia itself. Composed of over 20,000 granite blocks without the use of mortar, it remains one of the most impressive surviving examples of Roman infrastructure. The aqueduct originally transported water from the Frío River to the city, demonstrating the Romans’ mastery of hydraulic engineering.
Visit early to see it without the crowds, especially in the soft morning light when the structure’s details stand out beautifully. A great way to experience it is by climbing to the Mirador del Postigo for a panoramic view, offering the perfect perspective of the aqueduct stretching across the landscape. After admiring the structure, take the time to wander through Segovia’s charming old town, filled with medieval streets, Romanesque churches, and the stunning Alcázar, a fairytale-like castle that’s worth a visit.
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