Visiting the Colosseum

Are you soon departing to visit Rome? During your exploration of the capital of Italy, you will be spoiled for choice regarding activities, but some sites are must-sees, and the famous Colosseum is at the very top of the list. In this article, you will find all the useful and practical information for visiting the Colosseum in Rome.

The Colosseum of Rome was built between AD 70 and 80. Known at the time as the Flavian Amphitheater, this massive structure could hold up to 75,000 people, who came to enjoy gladiator battles, chariot races, and other Circus games. With its length of 188 meters and height of 50 meters, it is the largest Roman amphitheater in the world, and one of the most impressive ancient constructions.

It was only in the Middle Ages that it received the name Colosseum (Colosseo in Italian), in reference to the Colossus of Nero, the monumental bronze statue of the Roman emperor that stood before the amphitheater. Heavily damaged over the centuries by fires and earthquakes, it remains an absolutely breathtaking monument. It is part of the 7 New Wonders of the World designated by UNESCO in 2007, and is one of the most visited sites in Italy, alongside the Vatican and the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.

The Colosseum is among the most famous ancient buildings worldwide, and it is certainly not a coincidence. The largest amphitheater in the Roman world impresses not only with its dimensions but also with its very rich history, which underwent a significant renovation that was completed in 2017, allowing new areas to be opened to visitors. This gigantic arena, built nearly two millennia ago, is a site not to be missed during your stay, especially since your visit will also include a tour of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

Each year, more than 5 million visitors come to discover this iconic monument, sometimes even reaching up to 30,000 visitors per day during peak season. As the number of visitors is limited to 3,000 people at a time, it is not surprising that the line can be very long. This wait can last up to 3 hours on weekends, in summer, and during school holidays. It's even harder under the Italian sun.

To save valuable time and make this visit more enjoyable, it is highly recommended to purchase a ticket in advance by making an online reservation.

There are different types of tickets to visit the Colosseum, not all of which offer the same advantages and access to the same places. Here are all the options available.

This ticket is the most standard option and is also the most popular and accessible choice Since the number of visitors is limited each day, these tickets sell out the fastest, so it is even more useful to reserve them well in advance.

As is the case for all other tickets for the Colosseum, it also allows entry to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, which are located right next to it and are also among the must-see ancient sites during a trip to Rome.

This type of ticket is not scheduled for a specific time. It is valid for an entire day, and you will simply need to choose the day of your visit when making your reservation. It allows you to explore these 3 sites at your own pace during free visits. Inside the Colosseum, you will have access to the ground floor and the first two levels.

This ticket will save you time as it allows you to skip the lines at the ticket counters. However, it will not avoid waiting at the security checkpoints.

You can also find tickets that offer other advantages in addition to this priority access:

In addition to the standard tours, it is also possible to explore the Colosseum with a specialized guide. Guided tours in English of the Colosseum typically last around 3 hours. They are an excellent way to discover a maximum about this monument with such an exciting history.

But they also have other advantages. First, these tickets are perfect for saving time and managing your schedule. They allow you to take the tour at a specific time and enjoy a 100% skip-the-line access. With them, you will enter the Colosseum through a secondary entrance, accompanied by your guide, which will also give you priority access to security checks.

Additionally, some guided tours also allow access to special areas: the arena and the underground where gladiators prepared and waited before battles. Being able to explore these two exclusive and historically rich locations is truly a major plus that adds another dimension to this visit.

To visit Rome, there are particularly popular City Passes: the Roma Pass and the Rome Tourist Card.

The Roma Pass allows you to discover two attractions of your choice (from a list of 45 archaeological sites and museums) with skip-the-line access, as well as discounts for other attractions, and unlimited public transport access for 48 hours or 72 hours. The pass is available starting at €33.

The Rome Tourist Card allows you to visit the Colosseum (priority entry and guided tour optional), the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel. It also comes with a 10% discount voucher for many other attractions and a very handy mobile app. You will need to pay €97 for an adult package, and €67 for a youth package for ages 14 to 17.

These combined tickets can be very interesting for those who want to maximize visits and moves around the city. However, it should be noted that no pass for Rome offers the tour of the arena and underground of the Colosseum.

Booking a ticket is truly essential to avoid wasting valuable time in line But other precautions can also allow you to make the most of this discovery:

The Colosseum is located in the historic center of Rome, at Piazza del Colosseo, about 2 km from Rome Termini station.

The easiest way to get there is to take the metro on line B, to the Colosseo station, which is right in front of the entrance to the building.

At the Piazza, there is also a tram stop (line 3) and a bus stop for lines 51, 75, 85, 87, 117, and 118

The Colosseum is open every day except December 25 and January 1. Generally, the Colosseum opens at 8:30 am (for visits starting at 9 am). Depending on the time of year, it remains open until 7:15 pm or until about an hour before sunset. The opening hours are as follows:

The Colosseum is usually crowded at all hours! There is really no better time of day to visit, although you will likely find it a little quieter if you visit right at opening It is also wiser to avoid going at noon in the summer when the sun is blazing.

If you have the choice of the day of the week, I recommend visiting during the week to avoid the crowds on the weekend. If you can choose the time of year, the best time to visit the Colosseum is during the winter ❄️

The other major sites that are nearby the Colosseum are, of course, the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, major archaeological treasures that were the central spots of Ancient Rome. And it would be a pity to miss them since this visit is included with all Colosseum tickets. You will also be able to see the Arch of Septimius Severus and the Arch of Titus, and enjoy stunning views over Rome, the Colosseum, and the Capitoline Hill.

On the other side of Palatine Hill, you can also discover the Circus Maximus, the largest arena of Ancient Rome.

A bit further across the Roman Forum, you will also find the Capitol, which is also one of the must-see ancient sites of the Italian capital.

And there you have it; we have reached the end of this article! I hope it has helped you and that you now know how to plan your visit. If you still don't know where to stay in Rome, I also have an article that might interest you!