We’ve visited the Colosseum many times over the years, both on our own and on guided tours. It’s one of those places where a bit of planning makes the difference between a brilliant visit and a frustrating one, and there’s quite a lot that can go wrong if you don’t think it through.
There are a few ways a Colosseum visit can go wrong. You turn up without a pre-booked ticket and spend two hours in a queue that doesn’t move. You buy the wrong ticket type and miss the underground or arena areas that you really wanted to experience. You arrive at midday in July and bake in the sun. Or you pay a tout €50 for a ticket that doesn’t work because it has someone else’s name on it.
This guide is built around avoiding all of that. I’ll walk you through exactly which ticket to buy, how to book a timeslot, whether a guided tour is worth the extra cost, what to do if tickets are sold out, and the practical tips I wish someone had told me before my first visit.

Table of Contents:
Which Colosseum Ticket Should You Buy?
This is the first decision you need to make, and it affects everything else, so let’s start here.
There are several ticket types for the Colosseum, and the right one depends on what you want to see, how much time you have, and what your budget looks like. Here’s how I’d break it down.
If you just want to see the Colosseum and you’re on a budget: Get the standard entry ticket from the official ticket website. It costs €18 for adults (€2 for EU citizens aged 18-25, free for under-18s) and gives you access to the first and second floors of the spectator area, plus same-day entry to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. You won’t see the underground or visit the arena floor, but you’ll still get a good sense of the building.
If you want the full experience: The “Full Experience” ticket includes access to the underground (hypogeum), a visit to the arena floor, the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, the Imperial Fora, and the SUPER archaeological sites. It’s valid for two consecutive days rather than just one. This is the ticket that sells out fastest, so book as far in advance as you can. It costs €22 plus a €2 reservation fee.
If you want someone to explain what you’re looking at: Take a guided tour. I’d recommend this for most visitors, and I’ll explain why in detail in the tours section below. We’ve done both self-guided and guided visits, and the guided ones were better every time. The Colosseum is more confusing to find your way around than you’d expect, and a good guide makes the history come alive in a way that an audioguide just can’t match.
If tickets are sold out: Don’t panic. There are several workarounds, and I cover all of them further down this guide.
A few important things to know about all Colosseum tickets. As of October 2023, all tickets are nominative, meaning the ticket has your name on it and you need photo ID (passport or driving licence) to enter.
This was introduced to crack down on ticket resellers, and it’s made a real difference to availability on the official site. It also means buying from touts outside the Colosseum is a waste of money, because their tickets won’t have your name on them.
Where to Buy Colosseum Tickets
The official ticket website is where I’d always recommend starting. It has the lowest prices, and since the nominative ticketing system was introduced, availability has improved considerably. Tickets are released 30 days in advance on a rolling basis.
The official website was redesigned in 2024 and is much easier to use than it used to be. It’s still not perfect, but it’s a big improvement.
If the official site is sold out or you’d prefer more flexibility (some third-party sites offer free cancellation), these are the options I’d recommend:
GetYourGuide tends to have the best availability in my experience, and most of their products include free cancellation up to 24 hours before your visit. Worth checking even if the official site has tickets, because the flexibility can be valuable.
Tiqets is another solid option we’ve used across Europe. Prices are a little higher than the official site, but they tend to have availability when other sites don’t.
One thing to be aware of: the Colosseum requires third-party sellers to bundle tickets with an additional product like an audioguide or a tour. So third-party tickets are always slightly more expensive than the official site, but you do get something extra for the money, and the availability is often better.
You can also buy tickets in person at Piazza del Colosseo or at Largo Salara Vecchia on the day, but I wouldn’t rely on this, especially in summer. Book online in advance.
What to Do If Colosseum Tickets Are Sold Out
This happens a lot, especially in summer and around holidays. The Colosseum had nearly 15 million visitors in 2024, so demand is enormous. Here’s what to try.
Check for different ticket types on the official site. The standard entry ticket sells out first, but tickets that include an audioguide, videoguide, or access to the underground and arena are on separate allocations. They cost a bit more but might still be available when standard tickets aren’t.
Check the third-party sites. GetYourGuide and Tiqets have their own allocations, so they sometimes have availability when the official site doesn’t.
Use the group entrance trick. This product on GetYourGuide uses the tour group entrance to get you faster access. It’s not a full guided tour, so it’s cheaper than most tours, but it draws from the tour ticket pool rather than the individual ticket pool. This is probably the best value workaround if standard tickets are gone.
Book a guided tour. Tour groups have their own ticket allocations, so guided tours are often available even when individual tickets are sold out. I cover the best tour options in the tours section below.
Try a Rome city pass. The Rome and Vatican Pass and the Roma Pass include Colosseum entry, and their reservations come from a different pool. Check availability on the Roma Pass booking page before buying the pass to make sure slots are actually available.
If nothing works: Consider a Forum Pass instead, which gets you into the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill right next to the Colosseum. It’s not the same, but it’s still very much worth your time, and you can still admire the Colosseum exterior.

How to Book a Timeslot for the Colosseum
Every visitor needs a timed entry slot for the Colosseum, regardless of ticket type or age (yes, even children who get free entry need a reserved slot).
When you buy your ticket on the official site, you select your timeslot at the same time. On third-party sites like GetYourGuide or Tiqets, the process works the same way.
You can normally purchase tickets on the official site a month in advance, with new dates released on a rolling basis each day. The release schedule varies by ticket type, so if you’re after the Full Experience ticket with underground access, check as early as possible. At busier times of year, popular timeslots sell out within days of release.
If you’re using a Roma Pass, you still need to reserve a free timeslot on the official site. There’s a dedicated section for Roma Pass holders with a link at the end of that section to book your time. The availability pool is separate from general tickets, so even if general admission shows sold out, there may still be Roma Pass slots.
Note that the Roma Pass only gives free entry to the first attraction visited with the 48-hour pass, or the first two with the 72-hour pass. If you don’t use the Colosseum as your free entry, you’ll pay a reduced rate of €11.50 for Roma Pass holders, which you can also book online.
If you’re travelling with children who are eligible for free entry, you still need to reserve a timeslot for each child. You can do this on the official site using the free entry guidance.
If you have the Rome Tourist Card, you pick your Colosseum entry time when you buy the pass, which makes it one of the most convenient options for Colosseum entry.
The official recommendation is to arrive 30 minutes before your timeslot and no later than 15 minutes after. If you’re outside that window, you risk being turned away. Tickets bought on the official site can’t be refunded or changed, so double-check your dates. Some third-party sites do offer free cancellation, which is worth considering if your plans might shift.
Can You Skip the Lines at the Colosseum?
You can’t skip security (everyone goes through metal detectors and bag scanners), but you can dramatically reduce your wait by having a pre-booked ticket with a timeslot.
There are two lines for individuals: one for people with pre-booked tickets and one for people trying to buy on the day. You want to be in the first one.
The fastest way in is actually with a tour group, because groups have a separate entrance and their own security check. If speed is a priority, this hosted entry product on GetYourGuide gets you through the group entrance without committing to a full guided tour.
If you’re using a Roma Pass, you’ll need to show both the pass and your timeslot reservation.

Tours of the Colosseum
I think a guided tour is the best way to visit the Colosseum for most people. We’ve done both self-guided and guided visits, and the difference is significant. The Colosseum is more than just a big ruin; the history layered into it is extraordinary, but a lot of it is invisible unless someone points it out.
A tour also solves the practical problems. Your guide handles the entrance logistics, you go through the faster group security line, and if individual tickets are sold out, tour allocations are often still available.
Visiting as a group is also a good way to handle the crowds. Moving around the Colosseum as an individual visitor can actually be challenging because the big tour groups can get in the way. If you visit with a guide they’ll lead you through as a group, meaning you’ll actually be able to get around more easily and in a logical manner.
Our preferred tour company in Italy is Take Walks (also known as Walks of Italy). We’ve taken several of their tours in Rome and they’ve been consistently good. Their guides are knowledgeable and engaging, and their small group sizes mean you can actually hear what’s being said. See our review of some of their Rome tours here.
Here are the Take Walks tours I’d recommend:
- Caesar’s Palace Tour. We took a tour like this one, covering the Colosseum with arena floor access plus the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. It taught us a great deal about what we were seeing.
- Premium Colosseum Tour with Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. A solid option that covers the main highlights with arena floor access.
- Rome In A Day Tour. If you’re short on time, this covers the Colosseum, Vatican and historic centre in a single (busy) day. Good value if you want to see everything quickly.
Take Walks also offer night tours and underground access tours of the Colosseum. Their specific tour offerings change from time to time, so it’s worth checking their full Colosseum tours page for the latest options. An evening visit to the Colosseum is a particularly memorable experience if it’s available when you’re visiting, as you get the place largely to yourselves with atmospheric lighting.
Other reputable tour options include:
- This GetYourGuide tour which includes underground and arena access plus the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
- A tour with Context Travel of the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, available as a private or small group tour.
- This 3-hour walking tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill on GetYourGuide.
- A private 3-hour walking tour on Viator for those who prefer a private experience.
The official Colosseum website also offers guided tours of the underground and arena areas, and these tend to be the cheapest guided option. They sell out quickly though, and are only available in certain languages.
If you don’t want a guided tour, the free MyColosseum app (available for iOS and Android) is the official audio guide and a good alternative. It includes interactive audio guides in English and Italian that follow you as you walk through the building. This is a better option than the Rick Steves podcast I used to recommend, as it’s specifically designed for the current visitor route.
If you prefer a physical guidebook, the DK Eyewitness Rome pocket guide is handy, or for broader trip planning the Rick Steves Rome guide is excellent.

Rome Passes That Include the Colosseum
There are several city passes for Rome that include Colosseum entry. Which one works best depends on how long you’re in the city and what else you want to see.
Rome Tourist Card
The Rome Tourist Card includes timed entry to the Colosseum, the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, plus a guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica. You pick your Colosseum timeslot when you buy the pass, which makes this one of the most convenient options. It also includes audio tours and discounts on other attractions.
Roma Pass
The Roma Pass comes in 48-hour and 72-hour versions. Both include free public transport and discounted attraction entry. The 48-hour version includes free entry to your first attraction (make it the Colosseum), while the 72-hour version covers your first two.
You still need to reserve a free Colosseum timeslot on the official site. Check availability before buying the pass, because the pass doesn’t guarantee Colosseum entry if no slots remain.
If you don’t use the Colosseum as your free entry, you’ll pay a reduced rate of €11.50 for Roma Pass holders.
Rome and Vatican Pass
The Rome and Vatican Pass bundles the Roma Pass with skip-the-line Vatican entry. This is our preferred option if you’re visiting Rome for 3 days as it covers most of the major attractions plus public transport and a hop-on hop-off bus.
You still need to book a Colosseum timeslot separately through the official site.
Best of Rome All Access Pass
The Best of Rome All Access Pass on GetYourGuide is a 3-day pass with fast-track entry to the Colosseum, Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, plus a city audioguide. You choose your Colosseum time when you book. It doesn’t include public transport.

What to See and Do at the Colosseum
The Colosseum is divided into several main areas, and what you can access depends on your ticket type.
The spectator levels (included with all tickets): The first and second floors give you excellent views down into the arena and across the structure. This is where most visitors spend their time, and the views from up here are the highlight of the visit for me. You can see the full scale of the building, look down into the underground passages, and get a real sense of how the audience would have experienced events.
The Underground (Hypogeum) and Arena Floor
The underground area, known as the hypogeum, is a two-storey space beneath the arena floor. This is where the gladiators, animals and stage scenery were kept before being lifted up into the arena on mechanical elevators. Originally it would have been entirely hidden beneath a wooden arena floor, but since that floor has mostly perished, you can now look down into it from the spectator levels above.
The underground was massively expanded for visitors in 2021 after a major restoration project, and more recently the Corridor of Commodus was opened. This is the tunnel that the Emperor would have used to enter the Colosseum, and being able to walk through it is a fairly recent addition.
To visit the underground and stand on a reconstructed section of the arena floor, you need either a Full Experience ticket or a guided tour that includes these areas. The experience is well worth it if you can get tickets. Standing on the arena floor in particular gives you a completely different perspective from looking down from the spectator area. You’re where the gladiators were, looking up at the rows of seating, and the scale of the building hits you differently from down there.
The official Colosseum website offers guided tours of these areas in several languages, including English. These are some of the best value options but they sell out very quickly. Third-party tours from companies like Take Walks and GetYourGuide also offer underground access and are often available when the official tours are sold out.
Note that the official site does list cheaper tickets for the underground and arena areas that don’t include a guide. These are aimed at licensed tour companies rather than individual visitors. They’re only valid with an authorised guide, and arranging one independently requires official headed notepaper and a list of all participants, which is beyond the scope of most visitors.
The Belvedere (Upper Floors)
The Belvedere tour (the name means “beautiful view”) takes you to the third, fourth and fifth floors, which are not normally open to the public. The panoramic views from up here are spectacular. However, access to these upper levels has been intermittent in recent years due to construction work. Check the official site for current access before planning around this.
All tours and tickets that include special access areas also include the main spectator levels, so you don’t need to buy them separately. Once your tour finishes, you can explore the rest of the Colosseum at your own pace.
A note on closures: different areas of the Colosseum can close at short notice for restoration or safety works. This is just part of visiting a building that’s nearly 2,000 years old. Don’t plan your entire visit around a specific area without checking availability first.
The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
All Colosseum tickets include entry to the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill and the Imperial Fora. This is included automatically, not a bonus add-on, despite what some third-party sites suggest.
With the standard ticket, you can visit these areas within 24 hours of your Colosseum timeslot, either before or after. The Full Experience ticket extends this to two consecutive days. Unlike the Colosseum, the Roman Forum doesn’t have timed entry, so you can visit at your own pace.
A useful strategy: visit the Roman Forum first thing in the morning (it opens at 9am, and the queues are usually shorter than the Colosseum). The Forum and Palatine Hill are largely open-air and exposed, so doing them early avoids the worst of the midday heat. Then use your Colosseum timeslot for later in the day, where you’ll have more shade inside the structure.
There’s also a “S.U.P.E.R.” ticket available separately on the official site which gives access to additional sites within the Forum area, including the House of Augustus, the Palatine Museum and the Domus Tiberiana.

Photographing the Colosseum
As a travel photographer, the Colosseum is one of those subjects that’s both incredibly rewarding and surprisingly tricky to shoot well.
Lens choice: Bring your widest lens. There’s a lot to fit in, both inside and out, and the interior spaces are tighter than you’d expect. I shoot with a 16-35mm and it gets a lot of use here. A telephoto is less useful inside, though it can work for detail shots of the underground from the upper levels.
Best vantage points inside: My favourite views are from the upper spectator levels looking out across the arena. From here you can see the full sweep of the structure, the underground passages below, and the curve of the seating tiers. The second floor viewpoints on the far side from the main entrance tend to be less crowded and give you a wider angle.
Lighting: This is where it gets tricky. The Colosseum is a mix of deep shadow and bright sunlight, especially at midday. The contrast range can be challenging for any camera. Morning light (first slot of the day) or late afternoon gives you lower, warmer light and less harsh shadows. If you’re there in the middle of the day, shoot into the shadows from the sunlit side for the most dramatic results, or focus on the details in the underground areas where the light is more even.
Exterior shots: The classic postcard view is from the road just east of the Colosseum (Via Nicola Salvi / Via dei Fori Imperiali area). For that shot, late afternoon light is best as it hits the main facade. Walk the full perimeter too; it takes about 15 minutes and you’ll find angles that most visitors miss.
Practical tip: Keep your camera bag small. Security won’t let large backpacks in. I use a small daypack or sling bag with just the essentials when visiting the Colosseum.
Tips for Visiting the Colosseum
How Long to Allow
Allow at least 2 hours for the Colosseum itself, including time for security. If you’re also visiting the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill (and you should, it’s included in your ticket), budget 3-5 hours for all three combined.
If you have a Full Experience ticket with underground and arena access, add another 30-45 minutes on top.
When to Visit
The Colosseum opens at 8.30am every day and closes roughly an hour before dusk (anywhere from 4.30pm in winter to 7pm in summer). Last entry is an hour before closing. It’s closed on 1st January and 25th December.
Check the official site for current hours, as public holidays and events can affect things. Republic Day (2nd June) is a common one; the Colosseum often only opens in the afternoon.
The first slot of the day is almost always the least crowded. Weekdays are better than weekends.
The Free First Sunday
The Colosseum offers free entry on the first Sunday of each month, on a first-come-first-served basis. You can’t book a timeslot; you just turn up and queue.
My advice: skip it unless you have plenty of time and a tight budget. The queues are long, the building hits capacity quickly, and you can’t access the underground or arena areas. Paying for a timed ticket on a different day is almost always a better use of your time in Rome.
Additional free days beyond the first Sunday were suspended in 2021 and have not been reinstated as of 2026.
What to Bring
Keep it minimal to speed up security. A small daypack is fine; large bags and wheeled luggage are prohibited.
Bring water (not in a glass bottle), sunscreen, a hat, comfortable shoes (the interior surfaces are uneven), your camera or smartphone, and government-issued photo ID to match your ticket name. This last point is particularly important for anyone using a concession ticket.
Be Wary of Touts
The area around the Colosseum has plenty of people selling various things, from “gladiator” photo opportunities (they expect payment) to tickets at inflated prices.
If you already have a ticket, head straight for the entrance. Look for official CoopCulture staff if you need help on site, though be aware they’re only present during opening hours. If you arrive before opening, ignore anyone in unofficial-looking uniforms trying to sell you a tour.
Since October 2023, all tickets require a matching name and ID, which has cut down on ticket scams significantly. But touts can still waste your time.
Visiting with Children
The Colosseum can be a great experience for kids, especially if they’re into stories about ancient Rome and gladiators. A few practical notes:
Children under 18 get free entry, but you still need to reserve a timeslot for them. A guided tour is particularly helpful with younger children, as it keeps the visit structured and moving. The Colosseum is mostly accessible for pushchairs, with a step-free main entrance and a lift, though the cobblestones in the surrounding area can be bumpy.
In summer, go for the earliest timeslot you can. The Colosseum is largely open-air, and it gets very hot by mid-morning. Bring water, hats, and sunscreen for everyone.
I visited the Colosseum as a child myself, and while I didn’t appreciate all the history at the time, the sheer scale of the building stuck with me. It’s the kind of place that makes an impression even on kids who aren’t particularly interested in ancient history.

Getting to the Colosseum
The Colosseum is well served by public transport and easy to reach from anywhere in central Rome.
Metro: The Colosseo station is directly across the street. Both Line B and the newer Line C serve this stop. Line C opened its Colosseo station in December 2025, which is a useful addition, especially if you’re connecting via San Giovanni. You can find route information on the ATAC website.
On foot: From the Pantheon / Piazza Navona area (where we usually suggest looking for accommodation), it’s about a 20-30 minute walk. From the Vatican, budget an hour on foot, or take the metro.
Bus: Several routes stop near the Colosseum. If you have a Roma Pass or Rome and Vatican Pass, public transport is included.
Hop-on hop-off bus: The Colosseum is a stop on most HOHO routes. A HOHO bus is included with the Rome and Vatican Pass, or you can buy a ticket separately here.
Taxi: Rome has plenty of taxis. Always make sure the meter is running.
Practicalities
Security
Security is airport-style with metal detectors and bag scanners at all entrances. You can’t bring large bags, wheeled luggage, glass bottles, alcohol, or aerosols. Small daypacks are fine.
The individual entrance for ticket holders with pre-booked timeslots is called the Speron Valadier entrance. Tour groups use a separate entrance, which your guide will direct you to.
Accessibility
The Colosseum has relatively good accessibility for a building this old. The main entrance is step-free, there’s a lift to the upper spectator level, and accessible routes are clearly marked. Accessible toilets are available. The cobblestone area around the Colosseum can be challenging for wheelchairs or walkers.
Official Colosseum Websites
There are two official sites, and it’s worth knowing which is which:
- colosseo.it, the official information site for the Colosseum and archaeological park
- ticketing.colosseo.it, the official ticket site
Everything else you find online is either a third-party ticket seller, a tour company, or a guide like this one.
A Brief History of the Colosseum
Built around 70 AD during the height of the Roman Empire, the Colosseum (or Colosseo in Italian, officially the Flavian Amphitheatre) was the largest amphitheatre ever constructed. It held up to 80,000 spectators and hosted gladiator combat, animal hunts, battle re-enactments, and theatrical performances.
The name “Colosseum” likely comes from a colossal statue of Emperor Nero that once stood nearby, rather than from the size of the building itself. After the fall of the Roman Empire, it served various purposes before a major earthquake in the 14th century caused significant damage. Much of the stone was repurposed for other buildings over the centuries.
Conservation efforts began in the 18th century, and today the Colosseum is part of the Historic Centre of Rome UNESCO World Heritage Site, visited by nearly 15 million people each year.

Where to Stay Near the Colosseum
Rome has accommodation everywhere, and you don’t need to stay right next to the Colosseum to visit easily. We usually recommend the area around Piazza Navona, which is within walking distance of both the Colosseum and the Vatican.
That said, staying near the Colosseum has its appeal, especially if you want to see it lit up at night. Here are some well-reviewed options near the Colosseum.
- Colosseo Guesthouse. Good value, with en-suite air-conditioned rooms, city views and breakfast included.
- B&B Colosseo Panoramic Rooms. Directly across from the Colosseum. Hard to get closer than this. Air-conditioned rooms with en-suite facilities and breakfast.
- FH55 Grand Hotel Palatino. A five-minute walk from the Colosseum. Four-star hotel with breakfast included, soundproofed rooms and an on-site restaurant.
- Hotel Palazzo Manfredi. If you want to splash out, this five-star property has a rooftop terrace with views of the Colosseum that are hard to beat.
For a broader search, see all the listings on Booking.com for Rome.
If you prefer an apartment, we’ve had great experiences with Plum Guide, which carefully curates its listings. You can read our full review of Plum Guide here. We also have a guide to the best alternatives to Airbnb if you want more options.
Attractions Near the Colosseum
As mentioned above, your Colosseum ticket includes entry to the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill and the Imperial Fora within 24 hours of your Colosseum timeslot. Every Colosseum ticket includes this, so don’t pay extra for it.
Other attractions within easy walking distance include the Circus Maximus, the Baths of Caracalla, and the Capitoline Museums.
For more on planning your time in Rome, see our detailed itineraries for 1 day in Rome, 2 days in Rome and 3 days in Rome.


Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting the Colosseum
How much does it cost to visit the Colosseum in 2026?
The standard entry ticket costs €18 for adults when booked on the official website. EU citizens aged 18-25 pay €2, and entry is free for under-18s. The Full Experience ticket, which includes the underground and arena floor, costs €22 plus a €2 reservation fee.
Third-party sites charge a bit more because they’re required to bundle tickets with a tour or audioguide. But you get more for your money, and availability is often better.
How far in advance should I book Colosseum tickets?
As far as possible. Tickets are released 30 days in advance on a rolling basis, and popular dates sell out quickly, especially in summer. If you’re visiting between May and October, I’d start checking the official site a month before your planned visit date.
If you can’t find tickets on the official site, check GetYourGuide and Tiqets, or consider booking a guided tour, which draws from a separate ticket allocation.
Is a guided tour of the Colosseum worth it?
Yes. We’ve done both self-guided and guided visits, and the guided ones were better every time. A good guide makes the history come alive in a way that’s hard to replicate with an audioguide, and the practical benefits (faster group entrance, guaranteed tickets) make it even more worthwhile.
If budget is a concern, the free MyColosseum app provides a solid audioguide experience at no cost.
Can I visit the Roman Forum and the Colosseum on the same day?
Yes, and I’d recommend it. Every standard Colosseum ticket includes same-day access to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. You can visit the Forum before or after the Colosseum, as long as you respect your Colosseum timeslot. The Forum doesn’t have timed entry.
A good approach is to visit the Forum first (when it’s cooler and less crowded), then do the Colosseum at your booked time.
What happens if Colosseum tickets are sold out?
You still have options. Try different ticket types on the official site (audioguide or Full Experience tickets have separate allocations), check third-party sites, book a guided tour, or consider a city pass like the Roma Pass, which draws from a different ticket pool. I cover all these workarounds in detail above.
Further Reading for Visiting Rome
We’ve visited Rome many times and have a number of guides to help you plan your trip.
- Our itineraries for 1 day in Rome, 2 days in Rome and 3 days in Rome, plus a general guide to things to do in Rome.
- Where to find the best gelato in Rome.
- Some of the best cafes for coffee in Rome.
- Our favourite walking tours of Rome, our favourite Rome food tours, and a Romantic Poets Grand Tour review.
- A guide to visiting the Borghese Gallery, one of our favourite art museums in Rome.
- Our complete guide to the Vatican.
- Beyond Rome: our guide to Florence, things to do in Milan, 2 days in Milan, a day in Venice, and visiting Pompeii.
- Our 10-day Italy itinerary.
- Tips for visiting a European city in summer.
And that’s my guide to visiting the Colosseum! I hope it helps you plan a great visit. If you have any questions, let me know in the comments below.


Costa Lima says
Thanks for the information!
You have clarified a lot!
I still have some doubts though. I hope you can help me:
https://ecm.coopculture.it/index.php?option=com_snapp&view=event&id=7D8772B8-1D4C-5766-0483-016CAFC55142&catalogid=577EE60C-C16D-67DA-4942-017C7D6D0AED&lang=en
In the link above, I am currently trying to guarantee a visit to the Coliseum for a group of 4 adults and a baby and also trying to guarantee the Roman Pass. I think I need to purchase like this:
4 (FOUR) RESERVATION ROMA PASS 72H WITH ENTRANCE
5 (FIVE) RESERVATION OF ADMISSION FOR ROMA PASS HOLDERS
Is this correct? I think I don’t need the Roman Pass for the baby, but I must reserve the admission, right? Hence the four reservations for the PASS and the five for the admission.
Furthemore, I understood from what I just read that I will have access to the forum & palatine with the ticket for the Coliseum, but can I start from the forum/palatine? Do you recommend doing so? I heard it’s better because it will be downhill.
Laurence Norah says
Hi Costa,
It’s my pleasure! So you are correct, if you want to visit with the Roma Pass, then you can purchase both the Roma Pass and the reservation at the same time from the Coliseum website. Your selection looks correct to me.
In terms of the Forum vs Coliseum first, it is up to you. The Forum does not have a timed entrance, but the Coliseum does, so most people do the Coliseum first so they know when they are going in. However you can do it the other way round of course. The hill is not very big from the Coliseum to the Roman Forum anyway, however another advantage if you do it the other way round is that you can use a different entrance to the Forum. There are a few entrances, and the ony next to the Coliseum is usually the busiest as most people exit the Coliseum and go straignt to the Forum.
Anyway, have an amazing time in Rome and let me know if you have any more questions!
Laurence
Jeff Street says
Hi Guys!
This is a really informative blog. Thank you so much! I am traveling as part of a group of 11 on our way to Jerusalem. We have an 11 hour layover in Rome (Fiumicino) and I would like to take them to see the Colosseum and then head back to the airport. Do you have any advice / tips for me?
Thank you so much!
Jeff
Laurence Norah says
Hey Jeff,
Thanks very much! So this should definitely be do-able. It’s around an hour by bus / shuttle from Fiumcino to central Rome. A shuttle bus like this is probably going to be the best value, although you might be able to find a bus company that will take all of you to Roma Termini, from where it’s a 20 minute walk to the Colosseum.
I’m not sure if you wanted to do a tour of the Colosseum or just self service. Whichever though, as there are quite a few of you I would definitely recommend booking well in advance. The Colosseum has limited numbers of tickets available per day. The lowest price is nearly always available by booking direct on the offcial site. If you wanted to take a tour, there are a few recommendations in this guide.
Remember that admission to the Colosseum also includes access to the Roman Forum, so do visit there as well. Depending on your group and how organised you are, you would also likely have time to do some sightseeing in the area before returning to the airport for your flight.
My main tip is just to book everything in advance and make sure you all have a means of communicating with each other or at least having a fall back meeting point at a certain time. Otherwise, this should be very do-able 🙂
Enjoy Rome!
Laurence
Jessica says
Thanks for all the information Do you now if I buy a time slot ticket for the colisseum can I visit de Roman Forum and the Paltine before entering the coliseum?
thank you.
Laurence Norah says
Hi Jessica,
Yes, you should be able to visit the Roman Forum prior to entering the Colosseum. The default ticket is valid for 1 day and you can enter one before the other. Obviously you’ll still need to observe the timeslot on your Colosseum ticket.
Let me know if you have any questions and have a great time in Rome!
Laurence
Edmund Chue says
A great comprehensive guide to visiting the Colosseum.
I would like to share a potential pitfall for those who already have existing tickets purchased from the official website for the earliest opening timing slot of the day.
At the Colosseum area, only take instructions from the actual CoopCulture staff. Their uniform is all black. Only listen to them. Beware of those people wearing blue jackets with the words ” Colosseum official skip the line “. These people are touts from some unspecified sources and they will tend to purposely give false information to these who have already pre-booked or have the passes. Whether intentional or not, their attire are very misleading in denoting their actual identities. These touts will purposely mislead those who already got prior tickets and may send you going back and forth. For visitors who arrive at the entry gate early, before opening time, the actual CoopCulture staff have still not been stationed for work and only these misleading people will be mingling around.
Laurence Norah says
Hi Edmund,
Thanks for sharing your experience, this is definitely unfortunate to hear. I will add a section on this to the guide to help future visitors 🙂 I hope you were still able to enjoy your visit!
Laurence
William Cheriegate says
The 37 Euro tickets for > Underground & Level III official tour:
You mentioned “If you are interested in both the underground and the panoramic view, there is also a tour which includes both of them.”
Is the Level III the same as the “panoramic view”?
There are 5 levels so I’m bit confused.
Thank you VERY MUCH.
Laurence Norah says
Hi William,
Yes, Level 3 is the same as panoramic view, which is also often referred to as the Belevedere tour (belvedere means “beautiful view”). The tour should include access to levels 3-5, but the official website is a little opaque on this unfortunately. They also keep changing what they call the tour to make life more complicated. Currently it is the “FULL EXPERIENCE + UNDERGROUND AND LEVEL III”. There’s a little bit more information here: https://www.coopculture.it/events.cfm?id=6
But it’s in Italian only, so you would need to translate it. The clue is at the end, where it says “the elevator is not used to reach the third, fourth and fifth ring”. So even though the fourth and fifth levels are mysteriously omitted in the description of the tour, they should be included!
Have a great trip 🙂
Laurence
Laurence Norah says
Hi William,
Just to update this, I just found on the official ticket website that access to Levels 4 & 5 is temporarily suspended (you can see this in the bolded text in the right hand column here: https://www.coopculture.it/en/events.cfm?id=6)
So the tour will only go up to Level 3 until this reopens, I’m not sure when that will be!
Laurence
William Cheriegate says
Bravo, grazie mille.
Erin says
Hi there,
I’m going to Rome in a month and just bought my Colosseum time reservation and the Roma Pass. Do you know where I go to pick up the Roma Pass at the Colosseum? My reservation is the first one in the morning (8:35) so I don’t know if it will be crowded at that point. Or, can I pick up my Roma Pass at the airport when I arrive, even though I bought it through the Colosseum website?
Thanks for your help!
Erin
Laurence Norah says
Hi Erin,
Normally when you buy a Roma Pass you would pick it up at any of the official pick up points, which are the tourist infopoints around the city and at the airports. These are as follows:
PIT Castel S. Angelo, Piazza Pia (next to the gardens of Castel Sant’Angelo), 8.30am – 18.00pm till 24/03, 9.30am – 7.00pm till 27/10.
PIT Ciampino, Aeroporto G.B.Pastine – External area International Arrivals. 8.30am – 6.00pm.
PIT Cinque Lune, Piazza delle Cinque Lune (Piazza Navona). 9.30am – 7.00pm.
PIT Fiumicino, Aeroporto Leonardo Da Vinci – International Arrivals – Terminal T3. 8.00am – 8.45pm.
PIT Fori Imperiali, Visitor Center Via dei Fori Imperiali. 01 January-30 June and 01 September-31 December: 9.30am – 7.00pm – 01 July-31 August: 9.30am – 8.00 pm.
PIT Minghetti, Via Marco Minghetti (corner to Via del Corso). 9.30am – 7.00pm.
PIT Sonnino, Piazza Sidney Sonnino (Trastevere). 10.30am – 8.00pm.
PIT Termini, Stazione Termini – Via Giovanni Giolitti, 34, platform 24. 8.00am – 6.45pm.
However, on the Colosseum website for the Roma Pass, it says (and I quote directly)
THE CARD CAN BE COLLECTED AT THE TICKET DESK OF PALAZZO MERULANA, VIA MERULANA 121, NEAR THE COLOSSEUM, OPEN FROM 08:30 TO 21:00 FROM WEDNESDAY TO MONDAY. ON TUESDAY, DAY OF CLOSURE TO THE PUBLIC, IT WILL BE POSSIBLE TO COLLECT THE ROMA PASS CARD RINGING THE BELL TO THE STREET NUMBER 121, FROM 10:00 TO 17:00.
So it looks like you have to pick it up at Palazzo Merulana, which opens at 8.30.
I’m not sure what time you arrive at the airport, but if it is the previous day then I would try to pick up your pass then. All the Roma passes are the same, so in theory as long as you have a collection code you should be able to pick it up, however I have not tried buying the Roma Pass from the Colosseum website so I cannot be 100% sure. I don’t see why not though.
I would definitely appreciate it if you could let me know what option you choose and how it works for you so I can know for the future!
Apologies not to be of more help
Laurence
Robin says
I like ur blog. thanks for all infmormation. I would like to ask about 1st Sunday of the month. Free entrance to Colosseum – possible to get to level I. and III. this day ?
Thank you for your time.
Laurence Norah says
Hi Robin,
Unfortunately not, the underground and Belvedere areas are not open on the free Sundays according to the official website,
Best
Laurence
Nicole says
Very helpful article! I am looking at the official ticket website and if I want to see every part of the Colosseum (main areas, underground and upper levels) would the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine regular entrance+Undergrounds and Level III English tour be the one to purchase? I’m confused as to why it says Level III, but not 4 or 5. Also, does this tour include a guide? My apologies, but there seem to be many options and I want to make sure that I choose the correct one!
Laurence Norah says
Hi Nicole,
Thanks very much, and I definitely appreciate the official website is confusing – I’ve spent far too long trying to figure it out myself! The tour you want is indeed what you say. There’s a more detailed description of it here: https://www.coopculture.it/en/events.cfm?id=6 (I believe this is the same tour!). It only says Level III but I believe it also goes higher than this. However, the description on the ticket page is certainly lacking. It does include a guide yes 🙂
I hope this helps – have a great trip to Italy!
Laurence
rebecca says
First of all, I love the post and appreciate how comprehensive and informative it is. Thank you! I was trying to reserve the tour that covers all aspects of the Colosseum (including the underground and arena portion) as well, but there was not a specific tab for Roman Pass holders in making a time/date reservation. There is a tab that says “free ticket and guide” for 2 Euros and then a tab for “free ticket but 15 Euros for guide.” Is the guide price included in the Roman Pass? Not sure what to select…
Thank you so much!
Becca
Laurence Norah says
Hi Becca,
Thanks very much. So, as far as I know the Roma Pass only allows for normal access which doesn’t include a guide. That’s thee €2 ticket you see.
If you want access to the other areas like the arena, underground and upstairs, that is a separate ticket entirely and I don’t think the Roma Pass can be used towards that. It’s currently €33 on the Co-opculture website for that tour (it’s called Colosseum, Roman Forum And Palatine Regular Entrance+Undergrounds And Level III English Tour).
As far as I know you can only use the Roma Pass for the standard entry. Any guided tours or access to other areas will require you to buy a whole new ticket and not use the Roma Pass.
I hope this helps a bit!
Laurence
Stacey says
Thanks for such a detailed post. So, I am traveling with my mum and brother from the U.S. I really do want a guided tour but knowing my brother, he would want to see the underground. From the official site, I see that the guided tour of the underground only covers the underground OR also access to the upper floors not the colosseum itself. Which do you think is best? Do a guided tour of the colosseium itself or a guided tour of the upper floors and underground with an audio tour of the colosseium and forum etc? Thanks.
Laurence Norah says
Hi Stacey,
So you still get access to the Colosseum but yes, the tour part doesn’t cover the main Colosseum area. It’s really up to you what you do – I definitely think either an audioguide or a guided tour inside the actual Colosseum is really worth it as it can really help you understand it.
One option to consider, depending on your budget, is this tour, which is a guided tour that includes the Colosseum and the underground, as well as a guided tour of the Forum.
Otherwise, the next best option would be a the underground tour from the official site, and then adding in an audioguide.
I hope this all helps – have a great trip!
Laurence
james ballas says
Going to Rome in September . I reserved a time slot . Received the email confirming everything.
It did have an option to print tickets but it was disabled. I have to go to the reservation desk with the confirmation to pick up tickets . Does this seem right?
Laurence Norah says
Hi James,
Did you book through the co-opculture site (the official site), and were you using Roma Card? I believe normally the ticket is printable online, so I’m not sure what might have happened there, but it would depend on the answer to the question 🙂
Laurence
Jasmin says
Wow just wow! I can’t believe how detailed all the informations you guys provided. I just went from zero knowledge of Colosseum to ‘I know exactly what to do now’. Thank you so much for sharing!!
Laurence Norah says
Hi Jasmin! Our pleasure – delighted to be able to help 🙂 Let us know if you have any questions, and have a great time in Rome!
Laurence
Grimsa says
The guide was absolutely helpful while going there…Thanks a lot!!
Laurence Norah says
My pleasure, thanks for letting me know!
Neil godden says
Thanks Laurence and Norah
I am currently travelling for 8 months with my wife and four kids and head to Rome on our way back from India. Your blog is very informative and I only wish I had found it sooner! Just to confirm, if I buy tickets through ticket bar for 2 adults I will be able to buy our children’s tickets at the Colosseum? The official website is a bit confusing! Thanks in advance.
Neil
Laurence Norah says
Hi Neil,
The official website is very confusing yes. I think ticketbar sell the children’s tickets as well. I have also been told that you can get children’s tickets as you go through the line, but I don’t travel with children so I haven’t as yet been able to test this, and I have not heard back from anyone who has tried. I did call them, and was told that you can get them as you go through, but again, I haven’t personally been able to verify.
Have a great trip, and do report back with your experience if possible!
Laurence
Ryan says
Hi. I was reading your blog and I decided to buy two tickets from ticketbar.eu for the 50 mins audio/video guide tour of the Colosseum. I was wondering if the ticket they emailed me after actually works. Thank you!
Laurence Norah says
Hi Ryan!
We are confident that it will work, it is the same ticket that you can buy from the Colosseum directly. It should have a timeslot for your entry. Ticket bar are a company that we have used in a number of cities in Europe and we have not had any problems. If you have any questions about the ticket though you should be able to to contact them and I’m sure they will help. If you have any problems let us know.
Enjoy your time in Rome!
Laurence
Gautam Shetty says
Thanks a lot Laurence. Really appreciate any help you can offer. Thanks for the clarification around the Omnia card. By the way if I do wanna go to St Peter’s Basilica and visit the dome (which everybody goes gaga about) would the Omnia Card help me fast track the line or is that something the 24 hr Omnia Card does not help with and i’ll have to hit the queues
Laurence Norah says
Hey Gautum!
My pleasure. For the dome, it is worth it, but the Omnia card won’t get you access. There’s a queue inside that you have to join, and this is also a separate payment. This normally isn’t too long, but at some times of year and day it can be very busy. Last time I was there they didn’t accept card payments, only cash. It’s a long walk up, but the view is amazing, and it is definitely worth it.
Enjoy!
Laurence
Laurence Norah says
Hi Gautum,
I managed to go through to the Colosseum this morning. Unfortunately, as you suspected, you will have to pay the difference at the ticket office at the Colosseum. My advice would be to try the Roman Forum ticket booth as there should be less of a line. Alternatively, you might consider getting a specific ticket just for the Colosseum.
I have updated the post with this information to help others,
Have a great trip!
Laurence
Gautam Shetty says
Hi. Your blog is absolutely fantastic and I really appreciate the detail with which you have provided information for folks like us who intend to visit Italy for the first time. I had a couple of question though regarding the booking of tickets for the Colosseum.
My wife and I plan to visit Rome for two days next month. I have bought the Roma Pass and although I was hoping the Colosseum would be the first attraction on the first day for us, I have managed to get a booking only at 5:30 pm on the second day(There was no other timeslots available for either day). Now with us probably using the first day to visit the Vatican instead (via the Omnia Pass) and probably using the second day to sight see other museums/ archaeological sites in Rome (where I’d use up the only free entry the Roma Pass for 48 hour offers) what would I have to pay at the Colosseum i.e the entrace fee for two individuals at a discounted rate (cause I have purchased a Roma Pass)? Secondly I would have to pay this amount at the Ticket Counter which means I would have to get there much earlier than the 30 mins just to ensure i don’t miss my time slot?
I had another question regarding the Omnia Pass. The 24 hour pass states ‘Priority entry to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel’, ‘Entry to St. Paul’s Basilica and Cloister’. Does this mean free entry or is there a fee for entry here as well? Would really appreciate you helping us out by giving us clarity on these…
Laurence Norah says
Hi Gautam,
Thanks very much, I am delighted to have been able to help. Let me see if I can answer your questions 🙂
So – first, if you have the Roma Pass, I assume you went to the co-opculture site to reserve your timeslots following the instructions in this post? In which case it would have cost you €2 per adult to reserve your timeslots.
Your question is now what the procedure is for paying as you will have used up the free entry for the Roma Pass, and are only eligible for the discounted ticket. Normally you would have to go to the ticket office to get the ticket, but you are correct, this might take a long time. This is also not clearly explained anywhere, so I am not certain as to the procedure. I have two ideas.
First, I will contact the Colosseum and try to find out the answer for you.
Second, my advice in terms of getting the reduced ticket would be to get this from the Roman Forum ticket office. The tickets are valid for entry to both locations, and there is usually much less queue at the Forum. However, I do not know if they are able to issue a ticket if you already have a timeslot. Again, I will try to clarify this for you. This whole system is new for 2019 and it is taking time for the information to become available.
For the Omnia Pass, there is free entry to the Vatican Museum, which is included on the pass. St. Paul’s (note, different to St. Peter’s) is free to visit, and there’s not usually a line either. The cloister has a small fee, but it should be free with the card.
I hope this helps. I will try to get to the bottom of using the Roma Pass for discounted entry and update this comment and the post soon!
Best
Laurence