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Visiting the Colosseum and Roman Forum
Colosseum, Rome guide including tickets, opening hours, special access and fast track
Visiting the Colosseum in Rome is a “must see” for most first time visitors.
The Colosseum (or Coliseum), Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill are all located in the same archaeological area of Rome adjacent to one another.
The Colosseum, Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill all have separate ticket entrances but share the same admission ticket valid for two days valid for all three sites.
You can walk freely between the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill once and enter the Colosseum once during the 2 day validity of the standard admission ticket.
Colosseum - tickets, opening hours and booking your time slot in advance
You are only able to access the Colosseum at the time chosen when you book. You are advised to arrive 15-minutes prior to your entry time.
Time slot entries are now in place at the Colosseum in Rome. You are required to select your time slot in advance. You will receive a confirmation email upon booking and on your voucher you can read how to reserve your time slot. Although you can do this at the Colosseum Ticket Office, it is sensible to do this online in advance because otherwise there is no way of securing your preferred date and time.
The standard admission ticket covers all three monuments, the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
You can gain Colosseum and Roman Forum entrance by:
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Arriving first thing and queuing for a time slot later the same day or later that week (although still possible, this is risky because you are not guaranteed entry on the day you wish due to demand)
Buying a skip the line ticket avoiding the queues in advance for a supplement
Gaining entry using the Roma Pass
By guided tour as part of a group
Note: Within the Colosseum, there are parts you can only visit as part of a “special access” guided tour (see section below) for which the standard ticket has no validity.
Free entrance:
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Free entry on the first Sunday of the month (no reservation possible) – expect long queues
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Free entry for those under 18 and discounted tickets for EU citizens aged between 18-25.
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Free for EU citizens with disabilities and their companion, with valid medical documentation of the disability
Colosseum opening hours 2024
- Jan 1 - Feb 15............................8.30 - 16.30
- Feb 16 - Mar 15.........................8.30 - 17.00
- Mar 16 - last Sat of March .......8.30 - 17.30
- Last Sun of Mar - Aug 31.........8.30 - 19.15
- Sep 1 - Sep 30............................8.30 - 19.00
- Oct 1 - last Sat of Oct............... 8.30 - 18.30
- Last Sun of Oct - Dec 31...........8.30 - 16.30
Last admission always one hour before closing.
Closed on 25 December, 1 January, 1 May.
Any update to timings can be found on the link below:
Colosseum and Roman Forum - skip the line/fast track entrance tickets
Skip the Queue/ Fast Track tickets can be purchased in advance on-line with immediate delivery of tickets by e-mail.
Fast track Colosseum ticket - option 1
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One fast track entry to the Colosseum and one entry to the Roman Forum/Palatine Hill
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Escorted entry into Colosseum at selected time slots available throughout day
COLOSSEUM, ROMAN FORUM & PALATINE HILL VIP ACCESS 2-DAY ENTRANCE TICKETS
• Fast track entry Colosseum/ Roman Forum + Palatine Hill • Choice of time slots all day • Option to add Gladiator's arena • Audio guide available • Choose from independent entrance ticket or small group tour
Fast track Colosseum ticket - option 2
One fast track entry to the Colosseum and one entry to the Roman Forum/Palatine Hill
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Entrance through fast track entrance gate with later time slots than option 1
COLOSSEUM, ROMAN FORUM & PALATINE HILL VIP ACCESS 2-DAY ENTRANCE TICKETS
• Fast track entry Colosseum/ Roman Forum + Palatine Hill • Later time slots than option one • Tickets are valid for 2 days after your first visit at the selected date • Free audio guide available
Fast track Colosseum ticket - option 3
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One fast track entry to the Colosseum and one entry to the Roman Forum/Palatine Hill
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Pick your preferred time slot from available options
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Video-Audioguide in various languages to download on your phone from Google Appstore or the Appstore
COLOSSEUM, ROMAN FORUM & PALATINE HILL VIP ACCESS 2-DAY ENTRANCE TICKETS WITH VIDEO GUIDE
• Fast track entry Colosseum/ Roman Forum + Palatine Hill • With 50 min video guide • Tickets are valid for 2 days after your first visit at the selected date
Colosseum and Roman Forum - special access tickets to restricted areas
Special access to the the Colosseum's higher levels, arena and the underground chambers is fast becoming one of the most popular ways of exploring this iconic ancient spectacle. Many of these tours combine more that one of the special access areas.
Colosseum tickets with exclusive access to the 3rd, 4th and 5th tiers
In 2017 the 3rd, 4th and 5th tiers of the Colosseum were opened to the public in limited numbers each day. Belvedere in Italian means beautiful view. With this special access you’ll be treated to a 360˚ view of the Colosseum from above and stunning views of the Roman skyline.
SPECIAL ACCESS TO COLOSSEUM UPPER FLOORS, UNDERGROUND, ARENA, ROMAN FORUM & PALATINE HILL
• Fast track entry Colosseum/ Roman Forum + Palatine Hill • With privileged access to Belvedere (the higher levels), the underground and arena • A complete Colosseum experience
SPECIAL ACCESS TO UPPER FLOORS - COLOSSEUM, ROMAN FORUM & PALATINE HILL
• Fast track entry Colosseum/ Roman Forum + Palatine Hill • Gladiators Arena Exclusive Tour • 2.5 hour tour • Colosseum Upper and Lower Levels Guided Tour
Fast track Colosseum ticket with exclusive access to the gladiator's arena
There is another option which, for an increased fee, allows you entrance on the other side of the amphitheatre, through ‘Gladiator’s Gate’, the entrance the gladiators themselves would have used all those years ago.
Here you will explore the tunnels where they once prepared for fights and where lions and tigers were once caged.
Enjoy up-close views of the underground area where the spectacle was brought to life, and the panorama from where the Emperor’s box once stood, all special access areas that standard ticket holders don’t get to see.
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One fast track entry to the Colosseum through exclusive entrance
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Access to off-limits arena areas of Colosseum not available with standard tickets
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One entry to the Roman Forum/Palatine Hill
COLOSSEUM, ROMAN FORUM & PALATINE HILL GLADIATOR'S GATE EXCLUSIVE ACCESS
• Fast track entry Colosseum/ Roman Forum + Palatine Hill • Entry through the restricted Gladiator's Gate • Family friendly • Led by local guide
Fast track Colosseum ticket with exclusive access to the gladiator's arena + underground chambers
This option unlike the above tickets is accompanied by an expert guide, passionate about Roman history.
Enjoy private viewings of the Colosseum's underground chambers, arena and then head to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill for unforgettable views of Ancient Rome.
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One fast track entry to the Colosseum through exclusive entrance
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Access to off-limits arena and underground chambers areas of Colosseum not available with standard tickets
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Informative, friendly and professional guide
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One entry to the Roman Forum/Palatine Hill
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These tickets often sell out well in advance
COLOSSEUM, ROMAN FORUM & PALATINE HILL WITH UNDERGROUND CHAMBERS & GLADIATORS ARENA
• Fast track entry Colosseum/ Roman Forum + Palatine Hill • Exclusive access to the gladiator's arena and underground chambers • Fully guided • SMALL GROUP: MAX 6 PEOPLE
Rome Tourist Card
The Rome Tourist Pass is a simple ticket pass that lets you see the three most popular attractions in Rome all with one ticket. You can visit the Colosseum and Roman Forum, the Vatican including the Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica.
Please read the product description of the Rome Tourist Card on the website of Tiqets carefully when buying. We say this because in exceptional circumstances like Easter (when Rome is incredibly busy) the attractions may have to be adapted so that you get the best value possible. As tickets sell out for major attractions they are replaced by others. To be fair this is unusual and only ever occurs if demand is extreme, which after so long without travelling due to coronavirus, it currently is. So just be sure to read what you get for the dates you want to use the card on before buying.
This pass can save you money on buying individual tickets to each attraction and offers a few extra bonus discounts too. So, if you know you are going to visit all three attractions on your stay in Rome, then it can be a good money saving and ease of use purchase.
Key Features:
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Priority access to the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palantine Hill.
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Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel skip the line ticket with 20% discount in the Vatican Museums online shop.
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Guided tour of St Peter's Basilica with an official Vatican guide.
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City Tour of Rome: Audio App Guide.
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Self-guided Tour of the Pantheon Rome via Audio guide app.
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10% discount on other attractions in Rome
ROME TOURIST CARD FOR COLOSSEUM, VATICAN AND ST PETER'S BASILICA
With the Rome Tourist Card you get tickets for three of Rome's biggest attractions plus some extra bonus discounts.
You will still need to book your entry times in advance and plan your days carefully, but if you are going to visit all three then it can save you money on buying equivalent tickets individually.
The Colosseum - what is it?
The emperors of Rome built in 80 A.D. this large amphitheatre for gladiatorial shows and hunts of wild animals which became the symbol of the Eternal City.
The shows were free of charge and the seats were assigned according to the class of spectators.
The Colosseum was built primarily to entertain the masses in brutal and barbaric games. Gladiators were slaves, often captured in war, that were trained in special schools to fight each other to the death.
The gladiatorial games were over by the year 438 A.D. while the shows with hunts of wild beasts continued until 523.
The Colosseum - what to expect
Queues
You now need to book online in advance so the queues of the past are not applicable. For your reference, in the past if you didn't have an advance entrance ticket you needed to be prepared for long queues, which wrap their way around the outside of the building as well as inside through security.
After 3 p.m. is the quietest time to enter the Colosseum.
Security
Be prepared for airport-style security as you enter the Colosseum; this has tightened up a lot in recent years and as a result had the consequence of making the queues even longer, especially at peak times, such as during festivals and holiday periods.
You are not allowed to bring any drinks inside, with the exception of water. Large bags are not permitted.
After gaining entrance past security there are lifts, but most people will use the stairs up a few flights.
Signs and information
Other than take in the spectacle presented to you from all angles, there is little more to see and do unless you have invested prior in reading up about the Colosseum or are taking a Colosseum tour, audio or otherwise.
The more recent addition of the exhibition area will extend your visit (you could easily spend an hour in this part). Whilst not a substitute for a guide or audio guide, it will certainly give some background insight into this famous, ancient site.
As the entrance ticket to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill also includes the Colosseum most people will visit all three at the same time, (your ticket is valid for 2 days).
Colosseum and Roman Forum - what to do when the tickets are sold out
With the recent change to booking time slots in advance at the Colosseum, tickets can be harder to find in the busy summer months. Often the standard entry price tickets sell out well in advance. However there are still options available, although at an additional cost.
If your standard ticket entry price is sold out on the day you want to go, be sure to look at any add-ons to the ticket price before giving up. Often by adding an additional product and changing your ticket type, you will find that there are entry time slots available.
Adding a video guide on option 2 is just one example where more tickets become available. Adding the Gladiators Arena to option one, again reveals more options. These add-ons do cost a small amount more but can be the difference between getting a ticket for the Colosseum and not.
Visiting the Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill - a recommended route
As the entrance ticket to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill also includes the Colosseum most people will visit all three at the same time, (your ticket is valid for 2 days).
If you want to visit all three areas in one day we suggest following a route that starts at the Palatine Hill and ends at the Colosseum giving you a grandstand overview of the three sites at the start and entering the Colosseum as a finale to your day at the quietest time for visitors.
MOST POPULAR ROME TOURS 2024
