Rome Colosseum Tickets And Tours

The Colosseum is the heart of Rome. When you see it, your traveler's soul shrinks a little. You've seen it in photos, movies... but when you look up and see it in person, you realize that you're finally in Rome. Learn everything you need to know about tickets and visits: how to buy them, the best options, prices, and hours.

The best option

Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Tickets with Audioguide

The Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill: skip-the-line tickets

Perfect if you want to discover the best of Ancient Rome by purchasing tickets in advance and enjoying priority access.

From $30 at Hellotickets

With this ticket, you can see the interior of the world-famous Colosseum, the most famous amphitheater in the world. I can assure you that no matter how many times you see it from the outside and photograph its façade, its interior is even more surprising. In addition, you'll have access without having to queue at the ticket office, which will save you a lot of time, and it includes an audio guide that will allow you to learn all about its history and the secrets it hides.

This ticket also allows you to visit the Palatine Hill, the most central of Rome's seven hills and one of the oldest parts of the city. You'll also have access to the Roman Forum, the central area of ancient Rome, a huge esplanade with archaeological remains that, if you manage to enjoy them outside the hottest hours of the day, will leave you speechless.

Why choose these tickets: this is the most economical option for visiting the interior of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Palatine Hill, saving you from the long lines at the ticket office.

Recommended if... you want to access the interior of the Colosseum and visit the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill at a very affordable price with priority access.

As with practically all visits in Rome, it is best to book your tickets online and in advance. Keep in mind that the Roman Colosseum can hold 3,000 people and queues at the ticket office can last for hours, so booking tickets to the Colosseum in Rome in advance is the first tip for any visit to the city. On websites such as Hellotickets, you will find the best prices for both tickets and guided tours, and you will also be entitled to free cancellation. Here are the best options:

• Tickets for the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill with audio guide, from $30
• Tickets for the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill with multimedia experience, from $40
• Tickets for the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill with tourist bus, from $79
• Offer: Tickets to the Colosseum and Roman Forum + Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, from $122
• Guided tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill, starting at $53
• Guided tour of the Colosseum with access to the arena, from $56

Best of all, when you purchase your tickets for the Colosseum, the Forum, and the Palatine Hill, you will also have access to the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill. Remember that you can also complete your visit by adding a guided tour or an audio guide.

If you're wondering how much the tickets or tours cost, I'll give you more details later, but adult tickets are available for around $24 and guided tours don't usually exceed $40, depending on whether you book during high season, whether you want an express tour or a more comprehensive tour that also includes the Forum, etc.

Absolutely yes, don't hesitate to book a guided tour of the Colosseum. The size of the Colosseum, the amount of detail it retains, its history and anecdotes from Ancient Rome, and, of course, the walk through the Roman Forum, are not the same with an expert guide. During a guided tour of the Colosseum, you'll make the most of your time: you'll know where to look and what to look at, you'll understand what you're seeing, and you'll return home with lots of memories.

Another great advantage of visiting the Colosseum with a guide is that there are many tours available in Spanish, so you won't have to worry about taking the tour in English. Furthermore, depending on how much time you have (or want to spend), you can choose between full tours that take you around the Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum or express tours that only show you the inside of the amphitheater.

And of all the guided tours offered at the Colosseum, you can also choose between those that include a visit to the Arena and the Gladiators' Gate or those that are limited to a tour of the amphitheater from the stands. As you can see, there are options, budgets, and tastes for everyone, so there's no excuse not to join a guided tour. You won't regret it!

Best guided tours of the Colosseum

If you decide on a guided tour of the Colosseum, here are the most popular options:

• Guided tour of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill, from 53
• Guided tour of the Colosseum with access to the arena, from 56
• Guided tour of Rome with tickets to the Colosseum, from $41

Taking a guided tour has a number of advantages, which are listed below:

• Guide: The guides are experts in history and archaeology and offer detailed information and interesting anecdotes that can greatly enrich the experience.
• Organization: With a guide, the tour is planned and you can make the most of your time. You won't get lost in this huge monumental space.
• Interaction: During the guided tour, you have the opportunity to ask questions and participate in discussions.
• Safety: With a guide, you can feel safer in such a busy place.
• Understanding: Guides often use visual aids to help you understand their explanations.

Tickets to the Roman Forum are included in tickets to the Colosseum and with practically all guided tours. Therefore, despite being a paid area, you will not need to pay extra or buy a separate ticket if you have booked your ticket to the Colosseum.

If you decide to take a guided tour, the guide will accompany you throughout the route, at the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Palatine Hill. If, on the other hand, you prefer to visit on your own, you can visit the Colosseum and the Roman Forum on different days.

Yes, you read that right. There's a way to save time and money by getting tickets to the Colosseum and the Vatican together. Both are must-see attractions during your trip to Rome, so I encourage you to book your combined ticket to the Colosseum and the Vatican, which will give you access to both attractions.

During the visit, you will be accompanied by an expert guide at all times and will also have priority access, so you can skip the lines at the Vatican and the Colosseum.

If you are planning your visit to the Colosseum, you should know that there is the option of descending into the amphitheater's arena itself, to get a unique perspective of its stands and a much more detailed view of its underground tunnels and galleries.

This part of the visit is, in my opinion, the most interesting: you'll feel like a real gladiator and complete the experience by exploring a unique area that not everyone has access to (capacity is more limited and it can only be visited as part of a guided tour, accompanied by an expert guide). Don't hesitate to book your guided tour of the Colosseum with access to the arena, and if you want more details, you can read my article about visiting the Arena and the Colosseum's underground tunnels.

You can get an individual ticket for €17 at the ticket office, but you'll have to wait in long lines under the sun. We recommend buying tickets online in advance.

An express guided tour of the Colosseum, which lasts one hour, costs around €40, and for a little more (€46), you'll have full access to the guided tour of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

Are there discounts to get into the Colosseum?

There are no discount coupons or free tickets to the Colosseum as such, but there are reduced rates for teachers, children, art students, and people with disabilities.

If you want to know more details about what you can see for free or how to get cheap tickets and discounts for the Colosseum.

The Colosseum is open all year round except on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Although the opening and closing times are always the same, please note that the last admission of visitors is one hour before closing time.

My recommendation: if you have decided to buy your ticket at the ticket office, get there early (very early). You can check the Colosseum's opening hours in detail here.

To control the flow of tourists, whether you buy tickets in advance or not, you must select an entry time. The last admission is one hour before closing time and you must go to the priority ticket office (no queues) 30 minutes before the selected time. You can only be 15 minutes late for your chosen time. Once inside, there is no time limit beyond the opening hours.

There is so much to see and do in Rome that if you are going to be in the city for a while, you have probably already considered purchasing a pass such as the Roma Pass, which allows you to save time and money on your visits to the most iconic monuments.

The Roma Pass tourist card includes free admission to the Colosseum with an audio guide and allows you to skip the lines. You can also visit St. Peter's Basilica and other museums with priority access and an audio guide at a 20% discount. It also includes round-trip transfers to Ciampino or Fiumicino airports.

You have the option of purchasing it for 48 or 72 hours, during which time you can use all urban transportation for free. In addition to discounts or priority access to certain museums, with this card you can choose one or two museums of your choice for free admission. Find out more here: Rome Pass.

If you decide to buy tickets on the day at the ticket office, even though you may encounter long queues, I recommend going early (even before the ticket office opens at 8:30 a.m.) or buying them at the Palatine Hill ticket office, where there are usually fewer people.

If you are still determined to buy tickets the "old-fashioned way," i.e., at the ticket office, I recommend wearing a cap or hat and bringing a soft drink or bottle of water, as you will usually have to wait in the sun (there is very little shade in the area). However, I encourage you to consider booking your tickets online in advance; there are many options available.

When choosing your entry time, avoid the hottest hours of the day (which are very hot in Rome). However, there is more shade at the Colosseum than at the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, so keep this in mind if you plan to visit them on the same day.

Another tip is to avoid holidays and weekends as much as possible. There are usually more people than usual, which can spoil your experience, as you'll have to "dodge" walkers in the Roman Forum.

The Colosseum is a short distance from the center of Rome, so if you are staying in a central area, I recommend walking; it is beautiful and Rome is a city to discover on foot. As a rough guide, Google tells us that it is a 20-minute walk from the Colosseum to the Trevi Fountain.

• Taxi: you can take a taxi to Piazza del Colosseo 1.
• Metro: if you are a little further from the center and don't want to spend too much, take line B to the Colosseo stop.
• Bus: C3, 60, 81, 85, 87, 175, 628.
• Tram: number 3.

The Colosseum is Rome's most iconic monument, so you won't have any trouble getting there, whether you ask for directions on public transport or get lost on foot. If you want to organize a detailed visit to the Colosseum, here's my article on how to get there, and don't forget to book your guided tour of the Colosseum in advance.

Although it would be ideal to have all the time in the world to visit each of Rome's monuments, the truth is that when we go on a trip we are almost always watching the clock. That's why it will help you to know that the estimated duration of an in-depth visit to the Colosseum is approximately 2 to 3 hours. You can see it in less time, but you'll need at least an hour to take your time.

If you're organizing your visit and want to plan everything and adjust your timing, I recommend my article on how long it takes to visit the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.

You won't find any food inside the Colosseum, but you may find some street stalls nearby for a snack.

However, my advice is to hold off on eating until you've finished your combined tour of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum (if you start early, it's doable) and then look for a restaurant further away from the area to save money and get better quality food.

In any case, don't worry: I've prepared these lists of the 5 best places to eat near the Colosseum and the 10 best ice creams in Rome so you won't leave hungry. But if you want a sure bet, I recommend booking a food tour of Trastevere.

The Roman amphitheatre is a great place to visit with children (remember that children under 18 don't pay admission); especially those who love Roman history will have a great time running around its corridors.

Just remember to bring plenty of water and other liquids to keep them hydrated and protect them from the sun with hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen. To organize your family trip, I recommend reading my article on visiting the Colosseum with children.

If you want to make your trip to Ancient Rome through its amphitheater even more complete, a virtual reality ticket option is available. It also includes skip-the-line access, an audio guide in several languages, and virtual reality glasses at your disposal throughout the visit. This is an ideal option if you are looking for a different experience that will transport you directly to the first century without leaving the stands of the Colosseum.

This guided tour of the Colosseum is undoubtedly the most original and informative (and definitely a hit if you are traveling with your family, as the younger ones will not want to miss a single detail of the virtual reality experience). During the tour of the Colosseum, in addition to the guide's commentary, you will wear virtual reality glasses that will show you the stands of the Colosseum as they were in Ancient Rome. It is a totally immersive and very complete experience.

If you're already convinced that a visit to the world's most famous amphitheater is a must on your trip to Rome, just keep the following points in mind to make your visit much more comfortable and tailored to your needs.

Here's some useful information, but if you want more details, check out my guide on tips for visiting the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.

• You can enter with a small or medium-sized backpack, but you will have to pass it through the metal detector. Forget camping backpacks, bulky bags, suitcases, and trolleys; you will have to leave them at the ticket office at the entrance for an additional fee.
• The Colosseum is accessible for people with reduced mobility: there are three wheelchairs on the first floor and five at the main entrances to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.
• When you discover the size of the Colosseum, you'll want to take a thousand photos: I recommend setting aside some time for this before or after your visit and looking for a good vantage point in the surrounding area.
• Be sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and protection from the sun. There are many sunny areas in the Colosseum where it gets very hot, and high temperatures can spoil your visit. Here are some other things to do in Rome in the summer.
• If you are interested in an in-depth visit to the Colosseum, you can rent an audio guide, book the virtual reality tour of the Colosseum or, for the TOP level, check out the information on guided tours.
• If you want to use the official audio guide or video guide, you will need to request it at the ticket office. The first lasts one hour and 10 minutes and the second lasts 45 minutes. The audio guide costs approximately €5.50 and the video guide costs €6; both must be returned at the end of the visit.
• In my opinion, it's a great idea to do both visits in one day and leave the rest of your time to enjoy a pizza, take pleasant strolls through the narrow streets, or enjoy the nights in Trastevere...
• It is best to buy tickets online and in advance to get a good price for Colosseum tickets.
• And most importantly, get up as early as you can to visit the Colosseum with a reasonable number of tourists and you'll enjoy a more relaxed visit in cooler temperatures.

Probably one of Rome's most iconic monuments, it was built in 72 AD by Emperor Vespasian and was used as an amphitheater for shows that the people could attend for free. The main events at the Colosseum in Rome were the famous gladiator fights and wild animal fights.

The Colosseum is the most famous amphitheatre in the world and one of the most visited monuments. Of the six million tourists who visit Rome every year, five do not leave the city without walking through its 80 arched entrances, observing its three floors of columns, exploring the galleries, watching the Arena from the stands and marvelling at the network of underground rooms where the animals were kept.

The history of this marvel of Roman architecture (whose name comes from a huge statue of the "Colossus of Nero" that stood next to the amphitheater) could fill libraries, but it is better to discover it by exploring its nooks and crannies. To do so, the first step is to book your ticket to the Colosseum.

If you are interested in visiting the Colosseum and ancient history, you may also want to book an excursion to Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius. You can read this post I wrote about it 5 Best Day Trips to Pompeii from Rome

If after visiting the Colosseum you feel like continuing to explore the city streets, the best thing to do is to book a guided tour so you don't miss a thing. There is also the option of taking a guided tour of the city at night, where you can see it in all its splendor when it is lit up. In this guide, I summarize what, in my opinion, are the Top 11 Tours of Rome.