If you are in visiting Rome, then there is no question that you must plan time to visit the Colosseum – Rome’s ancient amphitheater. The Colosseum housed the famous gladiator games, and drew spectators from all across the Roman Empire. It is still standing nearly 2,000 years later. How often do you get to step back in time to imagine what the games must have been like for spectators?

The Colosseum is one of Rome’s most popular attractions, and is a must-see for anyone visiting the eternal city.

Below is my complete guide for visiting the Colosseum in Rome.

What is the Colosseum famous for?

The Colosseum is the largest, free-standing amphitheater located in Rome, Italy. It was constructed around 74 AD, and is regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. The theater consists of an underground labyrinth of trap doors, corridors, and hydraulic platforms used to hoist gladiators and exotic animals to the ground floor where they would, often, fight to the death amongst the cheers of 50,000 onlookers. Kind of…. grim.

The amphitheater was a major source of entertainment for people at the time, and drew crowds from all over the region. Some accounts estimate that well over one and a half million gladiators and animals died fighting in the Colosseum.

The Colosseum was also home to occasional naval battles. They would flood the entire arena with water from the sea, and float ships out to battle in front of the spectators.

Large portions of the original structure of the Colosseum were destroyed in fires and earthquakes – and much of the intricate stonework was pillaged by looters after the structure fell into disuse. That is why the monument today looks as though it is missing half of the outer wall.

As a side note, the doors and archways in the Colosseum are so small! I am nearly six-feet tall, and had to basically do a squat to get through them.

Purchasing Tickets to the Colosseum

How much does it cost to visit the Colosseum?

Tickets to the Colosseum cost 18 Euros (around $21 USD) for general admission. This includes both the price of the ticket, and the reservation fee. 

A tour of the underground arena in the Colosseum is significantly more expensive and can cost upwards of $99 to $109. I did not do this on my trip – but I would splurge the next time I am in Rome. The upper layers fill quickly with tourists. I assume that spending extra for a semi-private tour of the underground labyrinths would be well worth it.

How do I purchase a ticket for the Colosseum?

In order to enter the Colosseum, you need to purchase a ticket. Tickets can be purchased online in advance, or day of at the gate. Ticket lines at the Colosseum gate can quickly draw a crowd. I recommend purchasing tickets online ahead of time at the official Colosseum website to avoid any hassle.

Purchasing tickets ahead of time is also beneficial, as you can select your entrance time. Just note that, if you are ordering online, you will need to print your tickets off ahead of time. They will not provide your tickets at the gate! 

What does my Colosseum ticket include?

An admission ticket to the Colosseum includes entrance to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, which has an entrance right next to the amphitheater gates. You will also have access to any temporary exhibits that are present in the Colosseum or Forum at the time of purchase. 

General tickets grant you access to main and second floors of the Colosseum. They do not grant you access to the underground tunnels, arena level, or third floor. If you want to tour those areas, you will need to purchase a special tour.

Note: Tickets cannot be refunded, exchanged, or shifted to a different reservation time. What you purchase is what you get – so make sure you think it through!

General Logistics and Tips for Visiting the Colosseum

What is the best time of day to book a tour?

I recommend arriving at the Colosseum first thing in the morning (around 8 or 8:30am) so you can avoid the bulk of the crowds and have some semblance of privacy as you tour. The first tours enter at 9am – but I would get there a bit earlier so you are one of the first in the queue.

Alternatively, being the last to enter the Colosseum is also a great way to avoid crowds. The final groups enter one hour before the stated closing time. If you are planning to visit at night, I would recommend getting there 2 hours before closing to ensure you get in and have enough time to explore.

I would really try to avoid mid-day tours as much as possible. Not only are the crowds unbearably large, but it is HOT and there is very little shade covering inside the arena.

Note: the monument is beautifully illuminated at night. Even if you take a tour during the day, it is still well worth a return trip just to eat some takeaway pasta outside of the amphitheater in the late evening!

How do I get to the Colosseum?

The easiest way to get to the Colosseum is with public transportation. The B line (blue) of the metro system has a designated stop for the Colosseum. You can also take the number 3 tram, or one of several different bus lines (75, 81, 673, 175, 204). If public transportation is out of the question, you can also take a city taxi (recommended) or Uber. Note that Lyft is not available in Rome.

The monument is a ways outside of the city center, so block out a little extra time to get there!

How much time do you need for a Colosseum tour?

If you are exploring by yourself without a guide, a tour of the inside of the Colosseum will take around 1 hour. Tours usually last 1.5-2 hours. If you are touring the underground section – or other, more exclusive parts of the structure, a tour can take upwards of three hours. 

Keep in mind that most (but not all) entrance tickets also include access to the Roman Forum. Make sure you save some time to explore the Forum as well. You can enter in either order – but the dual ticket is only good for 24 hours, so plan accordingly.

When is the Colosseum open?

The Colosseum and Roman Forum are open every day, with the exception of Christmas day – December 25th. There are different operating hours depending on the time of year you plan to visit. 

• October 30th – February 28th | Open 9am to 4:30pm. 
• March | Open 9am to 5:30pm
• March 27th – August 31st | Open 9am to 7:15pm.
• September | Open 9am to 7:00pm
• October | Open 9am to 6:30pm

The last entrance to the site occurs one hour before closing.

Can I bring a backpack inside?

Large backpacks are prohibited in the Colosseum. There is a security line at the entrance gates where you can check bags. Given the crowds at the Colosseum (and the occasional pickpocket running around) I would not recommend large bags anyway. A purse or fanny pack would do fine.

What is the best way to explore the Colosseum?

The best way to see the Colosseum is to take a guided tour. Seeing the monument up-close from the inside is good, but understanding the history behind all of the structures, passageways, etc. is much better! To avoid crowds, schedule your tour first thing in the morning, or last thing at night.

Is it worth it to enter the Colosseum?

Yes! The Colosseum is absolutely worth entering. Roman architecture is astounding, especially when you take into consideration how limited technology was at that time. You can read about the gladiator games, but stepping into the arena itself is the only way to truly capture and imagine what it must have felt like to attend the event nearly 2,000 years ago.

I would also make a quick note that I think it is every bit worth it to splurge a bit extra to gain access to the underground tunnels and the floor level. We bought the cheapest ticket we could, and immediately regretted it upon entering. There is SO much to explore in these ancient walls, so make sure you are getting the most out of it!

Is it worth it to book a tour with a guide?

Yes – a tour of the Colosseum is worth it. Just make sure you book in advance and with a reputable source. Get Your Guide and the Official Roman Archeological Website offer reputable tours.

My friend and I made the rookie mistake of swinging for a tour outside of the Colosseum gates. SILLY US. As this man was giving the tour, he interjects “sorry – I’m still a bit drunk from last night”. It took everything we had not to burst out laughing. At least we got a funny story out of the deal! So there is the rule. No purchasing a tour at the gate for you!

That’s all, folks!

Hopefully this guide gives you a good understanding of how to visit the Colosseum in Rome! Visiting the Colosseum is absolutely something you will not want to miss on your trip to the eternal city!