Colosseum
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Relive the experience of the gladiators and visit the world’s largest amphitheater, the Colosseum (Colosseo). Watch out for special tours which grant access to the arena floor, the underground area where combatants used to prepare for their fights, or the 4th and 5th floors, which offer incredible views over Rome. Most tickets for the Colosseum also include access to the Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum, so you can immerse yourself in Ancient Rome.
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Tickets
Get a fast track ticket to skip the lines when visiting the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.
Colosseum Skip-the-Line Self-Guided Virtual Reality Tour
4.5
(635)
(635)getyourguide.com
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Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill: Video Guide
4.6(4817)
(4817)tiqets.com
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Rome: Colosseum Arena Floor & Ancient Rome Fast Track Tour
4.6(2631)
(2631)getyourguide.com
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Guided Tours
With a guided tour you’ll learn even more about the history of the Colosseum.Rome: Colosseum & Forum Small Group Tour with Piazza Navona
4.7(1862)
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Rome: Colosseum VIP Arena, Roman Forum, & Palatine Hill Tour
4.5(6740)
(6740)getyourguide.com
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Rome: Colosseum Arena, Roman Forum and Navona Private Tour
4.5(3516)
(3516)getyourguide.com
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Colosseum and Palatine Hill Skip-the-Line Tour
4.5(1014)
(1014)getyourguide.com
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More Tickets & Tours
Browse even more tours featuring the Colosseum and find the product that works best for you.Rome: Skip-the-Line Colosseum, Forum, and Palatine Hill Tour
4.5(2882)
(2882)getyourguide.com
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Rome: Skip the Line Colosseum, Forum, and Palatine Hill Tour
4.6(4229)
(4229)getyourguide.com
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Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Priority Access Guide
4.5(14536)
(14536)getyourguide.com
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Rome: Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill Fast-Track Tour
4.5(16596)
(16596)getyourguide.com
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See all More Tickets & Tours
5 tips for visiting the Colosseum
The Underground Area | Flickr: Joe Ross CC BY-SA 2.0
1
Consider the different ticket options available. Depending on what you want to see, you can also take a tour that offers the chance to see the arena, level 3 and the underground areas of the stadium, or to take a tour of the Colosseum at night.
Roman Forum | Flickr: Sara Nichols CC BY-SA 2.0
2
Don’t forget that your ticket also includes entry to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill - you can visit each site once, so make sure you’re done before moving on. Or do them on two separate days.
3
We can’t emphasize enough how important it is to book tickets online, especially if you’re visiting between June and September. Lines for the ticket office can stretch back around the building unless you arrive first thing in the morning, so save yourself up to two hours of waiting in line by booking your ticket in advance.
4
Make sure to join the right line! There’s a separate line for people who have booked tickets in advance, and staff will let you join it in time for your chosen timeslot. You’ll still have to queue to get through security, so make sure you account for that when planning your arrival.
5
Be on time - if you arrive after your chosen timeslot there’s no guarantee that you’ll be allowed inside, especially if you’re visiting during the peak tourist season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Colosseum?
The Colosseum was built between 72CE and 80CE by the emperor Vespasian and his heir Titus in order to create a public space for a range of spectacles, executions, and other entertainment. When finished, the Colosseum had a maximum capacity of about 80,000 spectators, and the average number who attended events was about 65,000, making it a major part of Roman life. The alternative name for the arena, based on the Latin, is the Flavian Amphitheater and reflects their shared imperial family name. The inaugural games were held in 81 AD and it was recorded that more than 9,000 animals were killed during the opening. The Colosseum is most famous for being used as an arena for gladiatorial fights, and the ruins of many gladiatorial schools have been found in the surrounding area. The program for each day would be varied, with gladiators fighting, hunting animals, and criminals of various kinds being executed by being forced to face dangerous animals without weapons. It was also reported that the arena floor could be flooded, and small ships could reenact naval battles in front of a thrilled audience. The Colosseum was used for entertainment until the 6th century, but after this point it was used for a range of different purposes, including shops, a chapel, a cemetery, and homes. The arena was severely damaged by an earthquake in 1349 and largely abandoned, though its stones were taken and used in a wide range of buildings throughout the city. Quarrying was banned by Pope Benedict XIV in 1749, as he decreed it to be the site of the deaths of many Christian martyrs, though there’s no evidence that any early Christians were killed there specifically because of their religion. Later Popes supported archaeological excavation and restoration. The largest restoration program began in 2013, with the goal of opening even more areas of the arena to the public. Read more.
Is the Colosseum still used for events and entertainment?
Very rarely. Due to the ruined nature of the interior and the limited amount of seating that can be used safely, only very small events can be hosted inside the Colosseum itself. However, many large concerts have been hosted with the arena as a backdrop, in the area just outside. Famous musicians who have played these concerts include Ray Charles, Elton John, and Sir Paul McCartney. Read more.
Is it worth taking a guided tour?
Yes! There are signs available that explain some of what you’re seeing, but you’ll get a better understanding of the history and architectural significance of the Colosseum on a tour with an expert guide. In addition, some areas can only be viewed on a guided tour. If you’re interested in the arena floor, the underground area, or the Belvedere areas (the third, fourth, and fifth floors), then you’ll need to take a guided tour to see them. After the guided tour ends, you’ll also be able to explore the main areas of the Colosseum by yourself, and you can take plenty of time to get the perfect photos or soak up the atmosphere. However, if you’d really rather explore by yourself then audio/video guides are also available in Italian, English, French, Spanish, German, Japanese, Russian, Chinese, Arabic, Portuguese, Latin, Italian Sign Language, and American Sign Language. Read more.
How long should I plan for my visit?
It depends on whether you’re taking a tour or exploring by yourself. Guided tours range from one hour to three hours to explore the different areas, and the audio/video guides take between 50 minutes and an hour and ten minutes to complete. There’s no time limit for your visit to the Colosseum, but most people spend between an hour and two hours inside. If you’re also planning to see the Palatine Hill and Roman Forum on the same day, then you should plan at least three hours in order to see all of the sights. If you’re deeply interested in Roman history and archaeology, then you can easily spend a full day between both of the sites, especially if you’re taking guided tours at each location. Read more.
What are the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill?
The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are part of the Colosseum complex and can be found a short walk away from the arena. The Roman Forum was the center of political and social activity in Rome. It was home to the Temple of Vesta, where the sacred flame of Rome was guarded by the Vestal Virgins, the Comitium, where the Senate met during the Roman Republic, and a host of temples and statues dedicated to the glory of the city. It was also where Emperors, generals, and their soldiers finished victory parades after returning home from wars, and it was the site of the murder of Julius Caesar in 44BC. Over time, newer structures were built in other parts of the city, and the Forum became less important, with the area falling slowly into disrepair. Some private archaeological excavations began in 1803, but it wasn’t until 1898 that the Italian government began to excavate and restore the site. The Palatine Hill is the most central of the 7 hills of Rome and stands in between the Roman Forum and the Circus Maximus. According to the founding myth of Rome, the Palatine Hill is also where the she-wolf cared for Romulus and Remus when they were infants. Archaeological digs have found that the hill was one of the earliest inhabited sites in the city, with evidence of use from at least the 9th century BC. During the Roman Republic, the hill was a fashionable place for the wealthy to build their homes, but from the time of Emperor Augustus onwards it became the exclusive residence of the Imperial family, with the ruins of three palaces - those of Augustus, Tiberius, and Domitian - still visible to visitors. Read more.
Is the Colosseum accessible to disabled visitors?
The main public area of the Colosseum is accessible to wheelchair users, and tour guides also make sure to allow time for wheelchair users or visitors with other mobility problems to use the elevator to reach the upper floor. However, some of the other areas, such as the arena floor, the underground area, and the upper levels, might not be accessible to visitors in wheelchairs due to stairs and uneven flooring. The video guides are available in Italian and American Sign Language for Deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors. Disabled bathroom facilities are available but are limited in number. Read more.
General information
Opening Hours:
The Colosseum is closed on 25 December and 1 January. Final admission is one hour before the site closes.
Tickets:
Address:
00184 Roma RM
Italy
How to get there:
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