500+ reviews
Travel back in time to the era of Roman Emperors and gladiator games with a guided tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum. Uncover the mysteries behind the world’s largest amphitheater and stroll through the political and commercial heart of Ancient Rome with the help of an expert guide.
Best price:
€62
20,000+ reviews
Discover the Colosseum, Rome’s most emblematic symbol, along with the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill on a guided group tour. With the help of an expert guide by your side, you will explore all major monuments, palaces and other historical highlights in the archeological park.
Best price:
€44
800+ reviews
Delve deep in the history of ancient Rome with a guided visit to the Colosseum, its world-famous arena where gladiators fought to the death and the hypogeum, the underground ‘backstage’ network of tunnels and chambers. Continue your journey through time with a tour of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
Best price:
€99
300+ reviews
Experience the Eternal City like never before with an evening guided tour of the Colosseum. Under the atmospheric moonlight, you can take in a breathtaking view of Rome from the ancient amphitheater’s stands and explore its legendary arena. Your guided visit also includes a stroll through the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
Best price:
€79
11,000+ reviews
Visit two of Rome's most iconic landmarks on an unforgettable walking tour: the Colosseum and the Vatican. Walk in the footsteps of the legendary gladiators who entertained emperors and the people of Rome in the world’s greatest arena. Immerse yourself in the rich history and stunning art of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, in the heart of the Catholic Church.
Best price:
€93
29th October to 28th February: 9 AM to 4:30 PM
1st to 25th March: 9 AM to 5:30 PM
26th March to 31st August: 9 to 7:15 PM
1st to 30th September: 9 AM to 7 PM
1st to 28th October: 9 AM to 6:30 PM
Last admissions are one hour before closing time.
It usually takes about an hour for individual visitors to visit the main Colosseum area, while guided tours can last 1.5 to 2 hours. Exploring Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum, which are in the same archeological area, can easily add another hour to a visit.
The Colosseum is located in the city center of Rome, to the east of the Roman Forum and between the Palatine and Esquiline Hills. It is easily accessible by public transportation, including buses and the metro, and is within close distance from many other famous landmarks in the city, such the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and the Basilica of Saint Mary Major. Surrounding the grand amphitheater is the Monti neighborhood, with its quaint streets, cozy cafés and charming boutique shops.
There are three entrances to the Colosseum, two on the western side of the amphitheater and one on the opposite end. On the western side and facing the Arch of Constantine is the 'Sperone Valadier' main entrance for individual visitors, groups and people with disabilities, while the 'Stern' entrance on the eastern side is typically reserved for school groups.
As with all monuments and tourist attractions in Rome, there are toilets inside the Colosseum, which are located to the left of the ticket booths, as soon as you enter from the main entrance.
Inside there are also toilets and lifts for people with disabilities, baby-changing facilities, fountains to fill your water bottles, vending machines, benches to rest and a gift shop.
Special events, such as art exhibitions, moon-lit guided tours, book presentations and workshops, are often hosted in the Colosseum archeological park, shedding light on the grand amphitheater’s rich history and the restoration work being carried out. Depending on the nature and timing of these events, access to them may be included with your Colosseum tickets, at no extra charge. For further details, consult the official website’s events page.
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there are no cafés or designated dining areas inside the Colosseum. You can, however, take your own food and snacks with you and there are fountains to fill your water bottles.
Should you prefer to grab a bite before or after your visit, there are many places to eat in the areas around the Colosseum.
In the restaurants you can savor many traditional Italian pasta dishes, such as cacio e pepe, alla Gricia, and alla Carbonara, as well as meat and fish classics, like Saltimbocca alla Romana, Coda alla Vaccinara and Filetti di Baccalà.
There are also many vegetarian and vegan options, such as Carciofi alla Giudìa and alla Romana, Cicoria ripassata and Fiori di Zucca.
If you are on the go, you can always try the time-tested classics of pizza al taglio and sandwiches, while traditional Roman desserts include crostata ricotta e visciole and maritozzi that can be found in most pasticceria and bakeries.
As it is centrally located in Rome, the Colosseum is a convenient starting point to visit many other of the city’s iconic monuments, landmarks and attractions. These can easily be accessed on foot or by using the city’s public transportation system (including buses and the metro).
The Arch of Constantine, just outside of the Colosseum, was built in the early 4th century to commemorate Constantine the Great's victory over his predecessor, Maxentius.
To the west of the Colosseum is Palatine Hill, one of Rome’s Seven Hills, with lush gardens, archeological areas and a panoramic view of the city. The Roman Forum, also nearby, is an impressive open-air museum with ruins of ancient temples, public buildings and markets. Colosseum tickets typically include access to both sites.
Further away, you can also visit Capitoline Hill, another one of Rome’s Seven Hills, along with its museum of ancient art and artifacts, including the famous statue of the twin brothers who founded Rome, Romulus and Remus. The emblematic Baroque-styled Trevi Fountain is also a very popular itinerary stop on tours across the city.
No, Colosseum tickets do not include guided tours, with the exception of Colosseum by Night tickets. When booking tickets from the official website, you can add a guided tour, however availability can be limited. Alternatively, you can book a guided tour of the Colosseum with a professional tour operator, to ensure you visit on the day you desire.
Guided tours to the Colosseum are typically in English or Italian, however there are tour providers that offer guide tours in French, German, Spanish and other languages.
Yes, it is possible to book guided tours of the Colosseum online, either via the official website of a professional tour operator.
On a guided tour you will typically visit the Colosseum itself and depending on your booking, you may get to explore the Arena and Underground levels, as well as the upper tiers. Tours may also include visits to the Arch of Constantine, located conveniently outside the Colosseum, as well as the archeological sites at the nearby Palatine Hill and Roman Forum. The itinerary can vary greatly between tour operators and the tour duration.
In most cases, you can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour is scheduled to start and receive a full refund. Some providers may require you to cancel 72 hours before the tour or even not at all, so check and confirm the policy details before booking.
Most tours at the Colosseum and surrounding archeological sites, unfortunately, may not be suitable for wheelchair users or visitors with limited mobility. There are, however, a few Colosseum guided tours that are wheelchair-friendly. For more information, consult with our Colosseum accessibility page.