Read news from:
Austria
SHARE
COPY LINK

DISCOVER ITALY

TRAVEL: How to visit the Colosseum in Rome

If you're visiting Rome for the first time, you won't want to leave without making a trip to the Colosseum. Here's what you need to know.

Published: 15 March 2023 15:19 CET
Here's what you need to know about visiting the Colosseum.
Here's what you need to know about visiting the Colosseum. Photo by Vincenzo PINTO / AFP.

As many people plan to visit their favourite sites in Italy this year after a long absence, we’re putting together our own quick guides to some of the country’s most-loved attractions. If you or someone you know is planning a trip to the Colosseum, here’s what to know before you go.

Opening hours

The Colosseum opens to visitors at 9am and closes at different times depending on the time of year – till as late as 7.15pm in the spring and summer and till 4.30pm in the winter (see a full breakdown of seasonal opening hours here).

The complex is open almost every day of the year apart from December 25th and January 1st, and on June 2nd, Italy’s Republic Day, when it’s usually only open in the afternoon.

On certain days in the spring and summer, the Colosseum is open for night tours, running from around 6-10pm. More information here.

On the first Sunday of every month, entry is free; expect to fight your way through hordes of crowds if you choose to visit on one of these days.

READ ALSO: Nine tips for making the most of a Rome city break

In warmer months, the Colosseum is open for night tours.

In warmer months, the Colosseum is open for night tours. Photo by TIZIANA FABI / AFP.

Tickets

Tickets can be bought online via the official website here or on the ParcoColosseo app.

The standard ticket is the 24-hour one which is valid for one entry to the Colosseum within 24 hours of your ticket’s start time. Find full details on the official website here.

  • Full price €16
  • Reduced price €2 for 18-25-year-olds from an EU country (proof of age and nationality required via photo ID)
  • Free for under-18s (ID required).

A €2 per ticket reservation fee is charged to book online in advance.

With this option, you’ll have access to the first and second floors of the Colosseum, as well as entry to the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill, situated on either side of the amphitheatre.

The other option available is a two-day ‘Full Experience’ ticket, which costs:

  • Full price €22
  • Reduced price €2 for 18-25-year-olds from an EU country
  • Free for under-18s

As well as being valid for an additional 24 hours, this ticket allows you to access the arena level and underground (‘hypogeum’) area of the Colosseum, as well as a range of other lesser-known sites that you can find listed on the official website here.

Going on a tour will usually get you access to higher floors of the Colosseum, including all the way up to the fifth tier – but make sure to check with your operator that the area isn’t closed for maintenance before booking.

READ ALSO: TRAVEL: How to visit Rome’s Vatican Museums

The Colosseo metro stop is right next to the Colosseum.

The Colosseo metro stop is right next to the Colosseum. Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP.

How long to budget

It takes about an hour to visit the Colosseum itself on a standard ticket, factoring in time for photographs. Budget extra time if you buy a Full Experience ticket; the official website suggests at least an extra 15 minutes.

The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are very large complexes and if you’re planning to see all three in one go, you’ll want to budget the best part of a day.

How to get there

The Colosseo metro stop on Metro Line B conveniently opens up right in front of the Colosseum.

READ ALSO: Five easy day trips to make from Rome by train

There are multiple overground transport routes, including the 3 tram and the 75 bus, that go right by the Colosseum; check an app to see which is the most convenient for you (Moovit offers the most accurate prediction times for Rome’s public transport).

If you’re on foot, the Colosseum is about a 20-25 minute walk from other major Roman sites like the Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain or the Pantheon.

Member comments

  1. I was hoping this article would include info on buying tickets. I’ve been seeing people online saying they are very difficult to get.

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.
For members

DISCOVER ITALY

What’s on: 9 unmissable events taking place around Italy in August 2024

As everyone prepares for the long summer holidays, Italy's cultural calendar fills up with all sorts of open-air events and festivals. From high-energy races to a nationwide stargazing festival, here are nine picks for things to do this August.

Published: 25 July 2024 12:19 CEST
What's on: 9 unmissable events taking place around Italy in August 2024

Palio del Golfo, La Spezia, Liguria: August 4th

The Palio del Golfo is a spectacular rowing race held every year on the first Sunday of August which sees four-man teams from each of the 13 seaside villages lining the Gulf of La Spezia, Liguria, vie for the top spot of the podium.

The race is held in the waters facing La Spezia’s Morin promenade, and is followed by a firework show.

Miracolo della Neve, Rome: August 5th

Every year on August 5th Rome celebrates the Madonna della Neve (or Our Lady of the Snows) by recreating a miraculous summer snowfall that, according to legend, covered the Esquiline Hill in 358 AD, tracing the outline of the future Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica.

Annual celebrations include an artificial snowfall spectacle, a shower of white rose petals, and a spectacular light display illuminating the basilica’s facade amid a live music performance from Italy’s Carabinieri orchestra.

The Summer Snow Miracle, held on August 5th every year, is one of Rome's most evocative cultural events during the summer.

The Summer Snow Miracle, held on August 5th every year, is one of Rome’s most evocative cultural events during the summer. Photo by ANDREAS SOLARO / AFP

Notte di San Lorenzo, nationwide: August 10th

The Notte di San Lorenzo (or Night of Saint Lawrence) is one of the most magical nights of the summer in Italy as thousands of locals gather at outdoor stargazing spots in hope of seeing shooting stars cross the sky.  

August 10th and the days immediately around it are the best time of year to catch the annual Perseid meteor shower (debris from the Swift-Tuttle Comet catching fire as it collides with the Earth’s atmosphere), with up to 100 stelle cadenti etching the night sky every hour.

Towns around the country may hold special stargazing events on the day, but if you’re not in the mood for an organised activity, you won’t struggle to find quiet spots to gaze skyward, even in major cities.

Ferragosto, nationwide: August 15th

The Ferragosto national holiday, falling on August 15th every year, marks the peak of Italy’s summer vacation season. 

Though it is celebrated on the same day as the Catholic Assumption of Mary holiday, Ferragosto has pagan roots as it traces back to the Feriae Augusti – festivals introduced by Roman emperor Augustus in 18 BC to give farmers a period of rest following harvest season.

Despite being Italy’s most important summer holiday, Ferragosto is typically fairly low-key, with most Italians taking the whole week around the feast off work and heading to the beach. 

Ferragosto, Italy

Most Italians head to the beach on the Ferragosto public holiday, falling on August 15th every year. Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP

Cookouts and seaside barbecues are among the most popular activities of the day around the country.

Palio di Siena, Tuscany: August 16th

The Palio di Siena is one of the most popular horse races in the world, with ten of the city’s 17 contrade districts competing against each other in an intense three-lap race around oval-shaped Piazza del Campo.

First held in 1633, the race takes place twice a year: on July 2nd and August 16th. The July palio is called Palio di Provenzano, whereas the August one is known as Palio dell’Assunta as a homage to the Assumption of Mary, celebrated on August 15th. 

A number of events are held in the days leading up to the race, including several trial runs and the momentous tratta (draw), where each competing contrada is randomly assigned a horse.

Notte della Taranta, Melpignano, Puglia: August 24th

One of the most hotly anticipated events of the Pugliese summer is the Notte della Taranta, taking place in Melpignano, just outside Lecce, on August 24th.

It’s a night of high-energy pizzica, a folk dance owing its name to the legend that anyone bitten by a tarantula would have to dance in a frenzy for days to flush out the venom.

Bravio delle Botti, Montepulciano, Tuscany: August 25th

The Bravio delle Botti, which takes place every year on the last Sunday of August in Montepulciano, southern Tuscany, is one of Italy’s oddest contests. 

Two-man teams of ‘pushers’ (or spingitori) representing Montepulciano’s eight contrade districts compete to be the first to roll an 80-kilogram wooden barrel through the streets of the historic centre.

The total distance is around 1700 metres and is uphill for nearly the entire course, with collisions between contestants being far from rare.

Suoni delle Dolomiti, Trento Dolomites: August 28th-September 29th

Once you’ve soaked up all the August sun Italy’s beaches have to offer, why not see out the end of the summer by heading up north to the Trento Dolomites and experiencing live music performances immersed in nature.

The four-week-long Suoni delle Dolomiti music festival takes place in different locations around the Trento province, set against spectacular mountain backdrops, some of which can only be reached by a trek.

Venice Film Festival: August 28th-September 7th

If you want to rub shoulders with cinema stars in Italy, there’s no better time and place to do so than Venice from late August to early September.

Founded in 1932, the Venice Film Festival is the oldest of its kind in the world, with the Golden Lion being one of the most prestigious and distinguished prizes in the film industry.

The 2024 edition of the festival will run from August 28th to September 7th, with stars of the likes of Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman and Hollywood pals George Clooney and Brad Pitt all expected on the red carpet.

Do you have an August event that you’d like us to highlight? Let us know in the comments section below.

SHOW COMMENTS