Colosseum
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The mighty Colosseum is a crown jewel of ancient history and has been the pride of Rome for nearly two millennia. In the Roman Empire, gladiators and wild animals fought here. Today, the ruins of the huge amphitheater are one of the most famous landmarks worldwide. With the right ticket, tourists can not only visit the Colosseum but also the Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum.
The demand for this historical highlight is big, so book tickets in advance.
By Jessica Donev
The demand for this historical highlight is big, so book tickets in advance.
By Jessica DonevSelect a date to find available tickets, tours & activities:
Tickets
Visit the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Palatine Hill with a skip-the-line ticket.
Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Entrance with Audioguide
4.6
(6326)
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Colosseum Skip-the-Line Self-Guided Virtual Reality Tour
4.4(834)
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Entry to Colosseum, Palatine Hill & Roman Forum
4.3(12458)
(12458)headout.com
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Civitavecchia Shore Excursion: Fullday Rome with Vatican Museums and Colosseum
5.0(7)
(7)viator.com
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Tours
On a tour, you learn more about the exciting history and architecture of the Colosseum.Rome: Colosseum Arena, Roman Forum and Navona Private Tour
4.5(3520)
(3520)getyourguide.com
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Rome: Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Group Tour
4.5(1135)
(1135)getyourguide.com
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Rome: Colosseum Express Guided Tour
4.3(3845)
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Rome: Ancient History and Colosseum Underground Tour
4.5(867)
(867)getyourguide.com
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More Tickets & Tours
Discover more offers around the Colosseum in RomeRome: Colosseum, Palatine Hill & Roman Forum Guided Tour
4.7(8343)
(8343)getyourguide.com
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Rome: Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Guided Tour
4.6(1937)
(1937)getyourguide.com
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Rome: Colosseum Arena, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Tour
4.5(6705)
(6705)getyourguide.com
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Colosseum: Underground and Ancient Rome Tour
4.7(3275)
(3275)getyourguide.com
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9 tips for visiting the Colosseum
Underground area | Flickr: Joe Ross CC BY-SA 2.0
1
Book in advance online and here at TicketLensEspecially during the summer months, from July to September, it is important to book tickets for the Colosseum in advance online. Long queues often form on site with waiting times of up to two hours. Those who do not want to get up early can avoid this with tickets booked in advance. Short queueing due to security checks is still necessary, so plan for that. If there are no tickets available directly on the website or at other ticket providers, then check out TicketLens. We aggregate various contingents via our ticket providers on our website. Often, you can still find your desired ticket here!
Roman Forum | Flickr: Sara Nichols CC BY-SA 2.0
2
Do not forget about the Roman Forum and the Palatine HillTickets usually also include entry to the Forum Romanum and the Palatine Hill. The entrance per section only works once. So be sure you have seen everything before leaving a place.
3
Be on site on timeBe on time! If you arrive late for the booked timeslot, there is no right to admission. We recommend being there 15 minutes in advance. The entrance is located at ‘Sperone Valadier’ near the Arch of Constantine.
Decorations | Photo: Dietmar Rabich - CC BY-SA 4.0
5
Participate in a guided tourGuided tours provide you with lots of interesting information about the architecture and history of the Colosseum, which you might not learn from the info panels. Moreover, the arena and the underground areas of the Colosseum as well as the Belvedere - meaning the third, fourth, and fifth floors - are only accessible during a guided tour. After the tour, you are allowed to explore the amphitheater on your own. Photos are permitted, so don't forget your camera.
Colosseum interior | Photo: Kurt Kaiser CC0 1.0
6
Book an audio guideAudio and video guides are available in the following languages: German, Italian, English, Spanish, French, Russian, Arabic, Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, Latin, as well as in Italian or American Sign Language.
7
Free entry into the ColosseumEvery first Sunday of the month, guests can visit the attractions of the Colosseum for free. However, you still need a ticket. Be aware though, that the crowd is particularly large on these days. For safety reasons, many sections of the attraction - including the arena and the underground areas - are not accessible on these days.
8
Follow the rulesThe Colosseum is truly a site of historical significance. Accordingly, the house rules are strict. The marked paths must not be left and running is prohibited. Small children must be held by the hand. In addition, any attempt to damage or scribble on the walls is strictly punished.
9
Stop by the exhibitionsThe Colosseum includes not only the historical sites, but also several museums. There are permanent exhibitions related to both the Amphitheater, and to the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill, through which you can delve deeper into the history of ancient Rome.
Our ticket offer in detail
Our ticket offer is very extensive. Here you will get an explanation of the various options that we offer.
Ticket to the Colosseum | Unsplash: Justine Camacho
The latest way of sightseeing: VR
No queuing, a self-guided tour through one of Rome's most popular landmarks with Virtual Reality - all in one ticket. Discover the history of gladiator fights with the help of a multisensory 3D Virtual Reality headset. Travel back in time and discover the reconstruction of the Colosseum in ancient Roman times. You will walk on the grounds of the Colosseum as a citizen, decide the fate of wounded gladiators as an emperor, and explore the underground where slaves work hard to make the show a success. You can then visit the famous amphitheater at your own pace. Admission to the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill is also included in this ticket!
Visitors at the Colosseum | Unsplash: Den Harrson
Ticket with audio guide
If you want to combine the benefits of a self-guided tour with more background information, it's best to book a ticket with an audio guide. Here too, you have access to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill - everywhere accompanied by an audio guide. Moreover, you will skip the lines at all three attractions. The audio guide is available in the following languages: German, English, Spanish, French, Italian, and Chinese. It is available through a smartphone app. Attention: Access to the basements and the upper floors of the Colosseum is not included!
Tours of the Colosseum, the Palatine Hill, and the Roman Forum
Tickets for the three neighboring landmarks of Rome are often available as a package - including the tours. Let an experienced guide accompany you through ancient Rome and get to know the Colosseum and its history even better. A guide can also often take you to places you as a visitor would not get to without a guide, such as the underground passages or the upper floors of the Colosseum. Moreover, a guided tour always lets you skip the queues. The price of the tours often depends on the size of the group. If you choose a smaller group, the price for a tour is higher. Browse through our offers and find out which tour suits you best!
Shore excursion from Civitavecchia port
If you're sailing the high seas and want to visit Rome, then dock at the port of Civitavecchia and book a tour to Rome with 'viator'. On this tour, you'll be picked up from the port, discover the highlights of Rome, and then be brought back to the ship in time. The tour includes only the driver and lunch, everything else can be booked optionally, so you can decide how your day in Rome will look like.
Private half-day tour of Rome with ‘get your guide’
Want to learn as much as possible about ancient Rome in 3.5 hours? With ‘get your guide’ you can visit the Colosseum, the Pantheon, Piazza Venezia, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and Piazza Navona in a private small group. It sounds like a lot, and it is! So, put on your most comfortable shoes and soak up your guide's knowledge like a sponge, letting yourself be enchanted by the 3,000-year-old history of Rome.
Tours for families with children
For special tours for families, a guide who is specialized in working with children leads through the Colosseum. This means dynamic storytelling for all ages, an immersive experience in the Colosseum, quizzes, and engaging activities. A tour for families thus combines education with excitement. Say goodbye to boring history lessons and say ‘Hello’ to the interactive experience of the Flavian Amphitheatre.
Combo tickets
The Colosseum is not only bookable in connection with the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill. There are also tours that take you through Rome for up to 48 hours. This allows you to combine the visit of the most famous amphitheater in the world, among other things also with the Vatican Museums, or a Hop-On Hop-Off city tour.
Colosseum Arena | Unsplash: tommao wang
The Colosseum - Center of Ancient Show Business
To secure their power among the people, Roman emperors ruled with the motto 'Bread and Games'. Good entertainment was also considered an essential part of a good life from the rulers' perspective. Ultimately, the Colosseum in the center of the Roman Empire provided spectacles of the highest level.The Gladiator Fights
The Colosseum offered anything but light entertainment. The infamous gladiator fights were almost always bloody. War prisoners and slaves fought against each other with daggers and spears - sometimes until death. However, the games in the Colosseum were not a wild slaughter. The fighters were extensively trained and had to adhere to clear rules, for which there were even referees. Successful gladiators enjoyed popularity among the Roman people, like sports stars today, and a few even came to wealth. About 20 percent of the gladiators did not survive the cruel spectacle.
Hunts with animals
Not only slaves fought each other in the arena. During the so-called venationes, fighters faced exotic animals such as lions. Thousands of animals died already in the opening year. Even back then, this did not go uncriticized. However, animal agitation existed longer than gladiator fights because it was also practiced for several years after the fall of the Western Roman Empire.
Sophisticated Technology
Many meters below the mighty arena was a sophisticated stage technology. Through underground passages, elevators, and trapdoors, animals or entire forest and desert landscapes could be raised from the ground. For the audience at the time, this must have been particularly overwhelming.
Naval Battles in the Gigantic Colosseum
At the beginning, even naval battles were reenacted in the Colosseum. Sources confirm that the arena could be flooded with water to allow manned ships to sail through the Colosseum. However, this was no longer possible when cellars were built under the huge amphitheater.
Efficient Architecture for the Audience
The Colosseum was surprisingly efficiently designed. Because the seats and corridors supported each other, a particularly large number of people could find their seats in just a few minutes without any trouble. On average, 65,000 spectators watched the often bloody shows, although there was theoretically room for up to 80,000 people. Entry to the Colosseum was free for all Romans. People from the lower classes were located on the higher floors, while the nobles were allowed to be very close to the spectacle.
Colosseum at sunset | Unsplash: Dario Veronesi
The History of the Colosseum
For many people, the Colosseum is the epitome of Ancient Rome. In fact, it was only built relatively late, after the famous era of Julius Caesar. The massive amphitheater was a project of the later emperors.Nero burns down Rome
With the fifth emperor of Rome, Nero, the vast empire on the Mediterranean entered a crisis. Nero's reign ended in the Great Fire of Rome, which he himself is said to have instigated. After Emperor Vespasian gained power through a civil war, he gave back Nero's palace area to the Roman population in 72 BCE as a public gesture. An amphitheater was eventually built there, which would overshadow all others.
Construction and Opening
The construction of the Colosseum was completed in less than ten years. However, Vespasian did not live to see its completion. For 100 days, a pompous opening ceremony took place in 80 BCE with numerous gladiator and animal fights as well as naval battles.
Over 400 Years of the Colosseum
Afterwards, the arena was successfully used to entertain the masses for more than 400 years. Only as the Western Roman Empire neared its end in the 5th century, did the bloody spectacles gradually become less frequent. During the early rule of the Goths, animal hunts were still held for a few years. The last record dates from the early 6th century.
From the Middle Ages to the Modern Era
From the Middle Ages, the ancient arena often served as living space, place of business or even as a cemetery. Aristocratic families of the Renaissance had the stones of the Colosseum dismantled. It was compromised after the Middle Ages due to earthquakes, which is why the ruin has its incomplete form today. Only in the 18th century did Pope Benedict XIV stop the gradual destruction of the Colosseum. It was to become a memorial site for Christian martyrs. Nowadays, however, it is controversial whether Christians really died in the Colosseum.
The Colosseum in Modern Times
From the 19th century, archaeological explorations of the arena began for the first time. The largest efforts for restoration began in 2013 with the goal of making even more areas of the arena accessible to the public. The research recently found out how the stage technology in the underground worked. Since 1999, the Colosseum is also an official symbol against the death penalty. When the death penalty is abolished in a country, the amphitheater is colorfully lit for two days.
The Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill
Visitors to the Colosseum should also take a look at the archaeological sites at the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, both within walking distance of the Colosseum. The Roman Forum was the center of political and judicial decisions in ancient Rome. Julius Caesar was murdered here in the year 44 BC. The Palatine Hill, on the other hand, represents the central hill on which Rome was built. According to the legend of the founding of Rome, the Palatine Hill was the place where the she-wolf suckled Romulus and Remus. Since the Imperial era, the emperor's family exclusively resided on the Palatine Hill. The ruins of the Palaces of Augustus, Tiberius, and Domitian are open for viewing today.
Photo spot at the Colosseum | Private photo by Content Creator Jessica Donev
Your Day in Rome - Jessica’s Travel Guide
I selflessly traveled to Rome to find the best travel routes and day programs for our readers (and the best gelato). So feel free to take the following editorial as inspiration for your day at the Colosseum.Breakfast at the Pantheon | Unsplash: getty images
'Good morning in Rome'
The day begins at the hotel or apartment. The sun is shining, birds are chirping, and in front of your window, the eternal city presents itself. After a refreshing shower, you head to your trusted coffee dealer and enjoy a Cappuccino and a Cornetto (an Italian croissant) filled with chocolate or pistachio cream. With the right and 'typically Italian' foundation in your stomach, you thus set off. Your hotel is preferably located right in the city, so you walk instead of taking the subway. By the way, Rome's subway doesn't run directly under the city and its famous monuments as constructing a rail system underground would destroy too many potentially undiscovered ancient sites. Walking also has the advantage of allowing you to admire the city on your way to the Colosseum. The Via dei Fiori Imperiali takes you past ancient excavations and directly to the Colosseum.
The Way to the Colosseum | Unsplash: Kristian Hjuler
Arrived at the Colosseum
You can already see the Colosseum from a distance. On the way there, you pass the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Both of these attractions are included in your ticket. It's a bit too much sightseeing for me in one day, or as I like to call it - looking at too many 'old stones' for one day, so we'll save these attractions for another day. Once arrived at the Colosseum, you are greeted by street vendors who want to sell fans and water. I gladly take the water, as there are few Nasoni (drinking fountains) in this district.
View into the arena | Unsplash: Mathew Schwartz
Your tour through the Colosseum
Now it's time to enter the Colosseum. You walk through the arches that are over 2,000 years old, and the sight literally takes your breath away. Your ticket includes a tour guide, allowing you to explore as many parts of the Colosseum as possible. During the tour, you go through the hallways of the Colosseum, explore the arena where once spectacular gladiator fights were held, as well as the underground, and hear stories about life in ancient Rome. You can vividly imagine how the stands were once filled with enthusiastic spectators who followed the spectacle up close. Grateful for having chosen a guided tour, you leave the Colosseum again. Your tour guide has made the experience even more special and was able to enthuse you for the fascinating history and the architecture of this ancient wonder.
Aperol and snacks in Rome | Unsplash: Dennis Schmidt
Holy Aperoly
After your visit to the Colosseum, you go to the eastern end and reach my favorite photo spot. Here there are slightly fewer tourists and you can get a nice photo with the Colosseum in the background if you sit on the railing of the stairs. It's almost noon and your stomach is asking for a snack. So, you walk further east and get Supplì (Roman rice croquettes similar to the southern Italian ‘Arancini’) from the restaurant Come una Volta. Next to it, at the Gelateria La Dolce Vita, you get yourself an ice cream. On the way back, you even discover Aperol to go. Since it's a holiday, Day-Drinking is allowed, so you grab a cup and make your way to the park of Domus Aurea to enjoy your Aperol in the shade. Rome wouldn't be Rome without a church nearby. So, you decide to also visit Basilica di San Clemente and Basilica dei Santi Quattro Coronati while you're here.
Circus Maximus | Private photo by Content Creator Jessica Donev
Scooter Adventure in Rome
You've already covered tens of thousands of steps today, but you still want to see the Circus Maximus. That's why you grab an e-scooter, which you can rent using an app, and head to your destination. The ride cost about 3 € and was definitely worth it. At the Circus Maximus, you can watch runners or cyclists and people walking their dogs. The sun is already lower, and you've ticked off another beautiful photo motif from your list. Unfortunately, it's swarming with mosquitoes here, so you quickly grab your e-scooter again and head back towards the center.
Fettuccine Alfredo in Rome | Private photo by Content Creator Jessica Donev
Your Evening in Rome
At the Colosseum, you realized that the restaurants are significantly more expensive and unfortunately, the dishes don't look so good either. You don't want to fall into tourist traps and decide to have dinner somewhere else. But before, you urgently need a shower and a short break. Ready for dinner, you set off. You have three options. Either - you get a Sandwich to go at All'Antico Vinaio. It's worth lining up, as the sandwiches made from freshly baked focaccia with pistachio cream, mortadella, and stracciatella cheese are incredibly delicious. Afterwards, you can go bar-hopping and find out where the Aperol tastes best. You can also eat near the Piazza Navona. For restaurant tips, visit our page on the Piazza Navona. Trastevere District is always worth a trip for dinner. To find out what you can eat there, feel free to visit our page on Trastevere District.
The Day Comes to an End
With a full stomach and a heart full of memories, you finally make your way home, knowing you spent an unforgettable day in Rome, which began with a visit to the impressive Colosseum and ended with the treasures and pleasures of this fascinating city.
The Colosseum from a Distance | Unsplash: Spencer Davis
Quick Knowledge about the Colosseum in Rome
If you want to impress with knowledge about this attraction during the visit to the Colosseum, then it's best to read our collection of facts here. With that, you will definitely impress your fellow travelers.The Colosseum Inside | Unsplash: Moritz Kindler
Construction time and completion
The construction of the Colosseum began in 72 BC under Emperor Vespasian, who did not live to see its completion in 80 BC. His sons Titus and Domitian completed the construction of the Colosseum. The Colosseum was mainly built by Jewish slaves, who were supervised by Roman engineers and craftsmen. It is estimated that about 60,000 to 100,000 Jewish slaves were involved in the construction of the Colosseum.
The Colosseum | Unsplash: Matteo del Piano
Size and capacity
The Colosseum is the largest ancient amphitheater in the world. It measures about 189m (620ft) in length, 156m (511.8ft) in width, and reaches a height of over 48m (157.5ft). It had the capacity to accommodate between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators.
Origin of the name
Originally the Colosseum was called 'Flavian Amphitheater', as Vespasian, the first emperor of the Flavian Dynasty, commissioned it. The name ‘Colosseum’ derives from the Latin word 'colosseus', meaning 'colossal' or 'huge'. The Colosseum received its name due to the statue 'The Colossus of Nero' that was located next to it. The long name ‘Flavian Amphitheater’ was quickly replaced by the simple word ‘Colosseum’.
Building materials
The Colosseum was mainly built of travertine, a local limestone, and bricks. Travertine is the building material for many Roman structures such as the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, as well as the outer walls of the St. Peter's Basilica. It’s amazing that the Colosseum is still partly intact despite its age and being plundered by robbers and later damaged by earthquakes and fire.
Gladiators | Unsplash: Andrej Lišakov
Entertainment in the Colosseum
Apart from gladiator battles, the Colosseum also hosted animal hunts, and recreations of naval battles. The various events attracted people from all walks of Roman society.
Gladiators today | Unsplash: Meg von Haartman
Free Entertainment
The big events of the Colosseum were free for everyone! The emperors often organized and sponsored the events themselves to gain popularity and support among the Romans. As a bonus, there was often free food.
A bloodbath
It is impossible to know for sure how many people and animals lost their lives in the Colosseum. During the about 350 years, around 400,000 gladiators, slaves, convicts, prisoners, and other entertainers are said to have died. The number significantly increases with the hunts. Millions of animals are believed to have been killed in the Colosseum. It is not officially confirmed, but the Colosseum is allegedly responsible for the extinction of some animal species in the regions surrounding Rome.
Were the gladiator fights really that bloody?
Contrary to the common notion of bloody fights, gladiator battles were more like the boxing matches we know today. Gladiators were divided into classes based on their size and fighting style. There were referees and doctors to oversee the fight. Fights often did not end in death. Experienced gladiators could become celebrities and had long careers, losing fights without dying. However, this doesn't mean they were bloodless, but less brutal than often assumed. A very large number of gladiators, however, did meet their end in the amphitheater.
Innovative architecture
The Colosseum was a masterpiece of Roman engineering. It featured a sophisticated system of elevators, trapdoors, and tunnels to support performances and change the stage settings.
A symbol of resistance
Over the centuries, the Colosseum has become a symbol of resistance and resilience of Rome. Despite being damaged by earthquakes, lootings, and pollution, it still stands today as an iconic testimony of Roman civilization.
Tourist attraction
Today, the Colosseum is one of the world's most popular tourist attractions, attracting millions of visitors annually. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and stands as a living monument to the history and culture of ancient Rome.
Just like in the movie 'Gladiator'
Commodus was a real Roman Emperor and a well-known fan of gladiatorial fights and bloody sports in general. He often entered the arena himself to fight. However, when he fought, he often did so against disabled or defenseless opponents or against animals that couldn't harm him. He was considered a sadist, which brought him antipathy from the citizens of Rome and contributed to his later downfall. He did not die fighting a folk hero-gladiator in the arena as portrayed in the movie.
The end of gladiator fights
Gladiator fights did not end due to the empire's transition to Christianity, but due to the high costs. The Colosseum was in a state of decay in the 5th century. The Roman Empire was in steep decline, and the resources required to maintain the building, pay gladiators, and procure wild animals were scarce.
Otherwise used
Throughout its history, the Colosseum has also been used as a graveyard, place of worship, dwelling place, workshop for craftsmen and traders, home of a religious order, fortified castle, and most recently as a tourist attraction.
The Colosseum in Politics
The Colosseum is considered a symbol against the death penalty. When someone is pardoned from the death penalty, or the death penalty is abolished in a country, the Colosseum is illuminated in gold and green colors.
Special experiences from the 20th Century onwards
Ray Charles, Billy Jones, Paul McCartney, and Elton John gave a concert right next to or in the Colosseum. Elton John’s concert was free and attracted many visitors to the Via dei Fiori Imperiali.
Literature
Beda Venerabilis, a theologian and historian, coined the phrase in the 8th century: dum colosseum stabit, Roma stabit; dum Roma stabit, mundus stabit (as long as the Colosseum stands, Rome will stand; as long as Rome stands, the world will stand)
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I plan for my visit?
Tours can last between one and three hours, the route with audio and video guides takes 50 to 70 minutes. However, there is no time limit for visiting the Colosseum. The average visit lasts between 1 and 2 hours. Read more.
Is the Colosseum accessible?
People with disabilities, including an accompanying person, can enter the attraction for free. The main area of the Colosseum is barrier-free and guides take visitors with mobility impairments into consideration during guided tours. Guests with mobility restrictions can use an elevator to move between floors. However, the arena, the underground areas, and the top parts of the Colosseum are not accessible to wheelchairs due to steps and uneven surfaces. Video guides are available for hard of hearing and deaf guests in Italian and American sign language. Read more.
May I bring my dog?
No, dogs are not allowed in the Colosseum. Read more.
Is the Colosseum suitable for children?
Yes, but it is suggested to hold children by the hand for safety reasons. Read more.
General information
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Written byJessica DonevJessica is the definition of Jack of all trades. When she wants to do something, she just does it. That's why Jessica is an event manager, professional dancer, trainer, content creator, speaker / presenter in training and much more. Having traveled the world a lot, she knows what's important when traveling and shares it with you here on TicketLens.
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