The Colosseum

The largest amphitheatre ever built by Rome, and the single image most people picture when they picture the city.

Price: From €18 · includes Forum & Palatine Hill
Hours: 8:30am–closing (varies 4:30–7:15pm by season)
Avg. visit: 2–3 hours
Book ahead: Yes — tickets release 30 days out

The Flavian Amphitheatre opened in AD 80 under the emperor Titus and held somewhere between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators for gladiatorial games, staged animal hunts and public executions. What survives today is essentially the skeleton of the building: the marble facing and much of the decorative stonework were quarried away over the centuries and reused in other buildings across Rome, including parts of St Peter's Basilica.

For long stretches of the Middle Ages the arena stood half-ruined and overgrown, used variously as a quarry, a fortress for a local family, and a source of saltpetre. Serious excavation in the 19th century uncovered the hypogeum — the two-level network of tunnels, cages and lift shafts beneath the arena floor where animals and fighters waited before being raised into the ring — and modern restoration work has continued on and off ever since.

Inside

What to see

The hypogeum — the underground service level, visible from above or, with the add-on ticket, from inside
The partial arena-floor reconstruction, showing the scale of the original fighting surface
Upper-tier walkways with views down into the ruin and across to the Roman Forum
Small exhibition spaces built into the perimeter corridors

Practical

Good to know

Security screening is airport-style and can be slow — arrive at your printed entry time rather than early.
Hypogeum and arena-floor access are separate, limited-capacity add-ons that sell out first.
Large bags and backpacks are generally restricted — travel light.

Timing

When it's busiest

8:30–10am: Quiet
10am–1pm: Packed
1–4pm: Busy
Last hour: Quiet

Nearby

Combine your visit

Included on your ticket

Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

The entrance is a short walk around the corner — see it the same day or on the next consecutive day.

Visit →

25-minute walk

The Pantheon

Head northwest through the old centre — a natural way to spend the rest of the day on foot.

Visit →

25-minute walk or short tram ride

Trastevere

Cross the river past the Circus Maximus and save it for dinner after a day among the ruins.

Visit →

FAQ

Common questions

Do I really need to book ahead?

Yes, in practice. Same-day tickets exist but queues at the box office regularly exceed an hour, and slots can sell out entirely in summer. Official tickets go on sale exactly 30 days before each date.

What's the difference between the ticket types?

The standard ticket covers the lower tiers plus the Forum and Palatine Hill. Arena Floor and Underground (hypogeum) access are separate, pricier upgrades with far fewer slots, so they sell out first.

Can I bring a backpack?

Small daypacks generally clear security, but large backpacks and wheeled luggage are restricted. Travel light — there's no cloakroom at the entrance for oversized bags.

Is the Colosseum wheelchair accessible?

The ground floor and arena-level walkway are accessible, with a lift available; the upper tiers and hypogeum have more limited access. Contact the site in advance for current assistance arrangements.