I can only pick one of these places to see and I'd love to get input from this well educated group

How long would it take to get, visit and return to Rome for each of these? For those that have seen both, which is more recommended?

bump

Tivoli, where Hadrian's Villa is located, is only about 20-25 miles east of Rome. Depending on where you start from, well under an hour.

Ostia Antica is even closer--15 or 20 miles, again well under an hour.

Time to visit will depend on your interest. Tivoli has other attractions as well, and could be an entire day if you wanted it to be.

Of course, rush hour will impact times.

I have been to both and don't think you would be disappointed with a visit to either. As Rufus said, there are other things to see in Tivoli (Villa d'Este for one). Ostia Antica was an important port city, so is much larger than Hadrian's "dream vacation spot."

Both are easy to get to and interesting. Maybe you could toss a coin?

I'd have to back up the other posters above and say, simply:

"Heads or Tails???"

Best wishes for a great trip! Dave

I really enjoyed Hadrian's villa.

If it matters, Ostia Antica is easier to get to via the subway and a short commuter train ride. The cost is about $3 each way and takes about 45 minutes.

been to both and would have a hard time picking just one.
i guess i would probably take hadrian's villa, because, as someone else mentioned, you can also visit villa d'este, a pretty amazing gravity fed water fountain display~
and tivoli itself is a nice little town to stop in for lunch~
(and you'll probably return to italy again anyway..you might make it to pompeii next trip!)