Timings

The Colosseum is open throughout the year, except on 25 December and 1 January. Timings vary seasonally.

1 March to 30 March: 8:30am to 5:30pm

31 March to 30 September: 8:30am to 7:15pm

1 October to 26 October: 8:30am to to 6:30pm

27 October to 31 December: 8:30am to 4:30pm

Note: The last admission is an hour before closing.

Location & directions

Where is the Colosseum?

Piazza del Colosseo, 1, 00184 Roma RM, Italy

Here’s the map location. 

How to get to the Colosseum using public transportation?

Remember to purchase your transport ticket in advance and validate it upon boarding. Tickets are available at Tobacco shops (tabacchi).

Colosseum driving route

Your driving route depends on where you start, so use Google Maps to navigate to the Colosseum.

Colosseum parking facilities

• Roma - Parcheggio Park Colosseo, 350m away.

• Park Services Colosseum, 1km away.

The Colosseum is for everyone

Every kind of tourist flocks to the Colosseum, and for good reason. Its iconicity and the availability of various tailor-made tickets make it an unmissable and convenient attraction when visiting Rome. Here’s why it’s equally alluring for:

Visitor tips for a seamless visit

The Colosseum is waiting for you, but are you prepared for your visit? Here’s a list of things to know before you go — from how you can skip the long lines to the best ways to explore ancient Rome. Be sure to bookmark these tips for a hassle-free visit!

Ticketing information

• Book your tickets online and at least 2-3 weeks before your visit — especially if you want to buy guided tours and skip-the-line tickets.

• If you arrive at the ticket office hoping to book on-spot, you may not get tickets for the same day as they’re usually sold out months in advance.

• Ensure you carry valid IDs (digital IDs are acceptable) to pass through security. The name on the ID must match the name on the ticket.

How to beat the crowds?

Don't let the Colosseum's infamously long lines and scorching Roman heat ruin your visit—use these expert tips to breeze through and make the most of your time.

Recommended route for your Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill visit

Your Colosseum ticket includes admission to the Palatine Hill and Roman Forum, giving you a comprehensive glimpse into life in ancient Rome. With a standard ticket valid for two days, you can choose to explore all three sites in one day or take your time over two days. To help you make the most of your visit, here are two suggested routes:

• Route 1: Palatine Hill - Roman Forum - Colosseum: Starting at Palatine Hill, where queues are shortest, allows you to save time and explore at your own pace. Descend into the Roman Forum and finish your tour at the Colosseum just before closing time when crowds are lighter.

• Route 2: Colosseum - Roman Forum - Palatine Hill: For those who prefer a traditional route, begin at the Colosseum. Booking skip-the-line tickets will help you avoid long waits. Then proceed to the Roman Forum and finish at Palatine Hill for breathtaking views of the city. This route, however, calls for a bit of walking as the Colosseum and Roman Forum are quite far apart from each other.

Facilities

• Toilets

• Water fountains

• Bookshop

• Baby changing and feeding area

• Rest areas

• Defibrillators

Accessibility

• Levels 1 and 2 are wheelchair friendly

• The Colosseum has a wheelchair-accessible lift that connects levels 1 and 2

• The top level and underground levels, however, cannot be accessed by a wheelchair 

Enhance your experience 

• Even if you’ve booked a tour guide, it helps to do some basic research about the Colosseum before you visit.

• Book an Arena and Underground access tour if possible — this is as close as you’ll get to walking the paths of gladiators while being able to appreciate the complex architectural feats of ancient Roman builders.

• While everyone’s keen to get inside the Colosseum, it pays to appreciate the moment from outside as well. Marvel at the chipped exterior and appreciate the restoration efforts — over three years were spent removing the grime and dirt from its facade!

• Visit the Colosseum Museum on level 2 — see animal remains, graffiti, etc. 

• On level 2, you can even see the remains of food stands that sold refreshments to the spectators back in the day.

After your visit

• Take a minute to appreciate the base of Nero’s Colossus — the statue that gave the Colosseum its name. It’s visible as soon as you exit the Colosseo metro station.

• Other things to note outside the Colosseum are The Arch of Constantine (between the amphitheatre and the Palatine Hill) and the Flavian amphitheater plaque which directly faces the Temple of Venus.

• You can also walk to the Mamertine Prison which is at the end of the Roman Forum.

• Traveling with kids? Pose with people in gladiator costumes outside. If you’re traveling with your significant other, there are locals outside who offer a couple of photoshoots at a fee.

• It’s better to eat outside a 1km radius of the Colosseum — most of them are overpriced, charging more for the view than the food. Worth checking out are restaurants that are a little away, like Ai tre Scalini or La Taverna Dei Fori Imperiali.

Frequently asked questions

• What’s the best time to visit the Colosseum?
  The ideal time of day to visit the Colosseum is either as soon as it opens i.e. by 8:30am, or towards closing time. This helps you avoid the heat as it is an unsheltered monument. Try to visit between October and March for fewer crowds.

  
  

• Can I bike to the Colosseum?
  Yes, although bike parking is not safe and there aren’t too many docking stations around the monument. It’s better to use public transport to arrive at the Colosseum. You can, of course, see the Colosseum from outside while on a bike tour.

  
  

• Should I be aware of any ‘tourist traps’ as a first-timer in Rome?
  Rome, as is the case with many Italian cities, is a pickpocketer’s paradise. Be careful of your belongings and don’t carry any valuables. If you must take a taxi, book only licensed ones as cab drivers can sometimes fleece you.

  
  

• Should I learn some basic Italian before I visit the Colosseum?

  While learning Italian is not compulsory (most people in Rome speak English), it helps to know some basic phrases like: Grazie (thank you), or Dov'è il Colosseo (Where is the Colosseum?)

  
  

• Any tips for visiting the Colosseum with kids?
  If you’re traveling with small children, book an express guided tour where you’ll be in and out of the monument in an hour. To keep the thrill alive, book an Underground or Arena tour so your kids can walk in the footsteps of gladiators past. If you’re traveling with a toddler or infant, know that there are baby-changing facilities on level 2. Do carry a snack or two as vending machines in and around the Colosseum are few and far between. 

  
  

• Is it a good idea to drive to the Colosseum?
  It’s better to avoid driving to the Colosseum as traffic is chock-a-block and the roads surrounding the Colosseum are mainly cobbled and meant for pedestrians. Parking can also be a hassle. We strongly recommend taking the metro/bus or walking to the Colosseum for a smoother visit.