Is there a more famous Italian monument in the world? It could hold up to 80,000 people, spectators who were drawn here to watch gladiatorial contests, executions, animal hunts, and re-enactments of famous battles. Museum of the Colosseum | How to Visit the Colosseum. B) TICKET OFFICE Learn how your comment data is processed. Head over to my posts A Guide To Visiting The Roman Forum and A Guide To Visiting The Palatine Hill. Make sure you apply sunblock to avoid a bad sunburn. View and download my media kithere (updated May 2023). In this post, I will share everything you need to know before visiting the Colosseum, including information on its most impressive sights; tips on how to get Colosseum tickets and what guided tour to opt for, and other useful information that will you visit the Colosseum and make the most of it. These men dressed in gladiator costumes will be glad to pose for a photo for you and with you but for a fee. Although the Vatican is close by, it is better to do the Colosseum and Vatican on different days. Stand where gladiators once fought, hear tales of ruthless crowds and emperors, then explore the Colosseum's first level with your guide. For more clarification, below is a photo of the Colosseum, taken near the Arch of Constantine, with a view of the terrace. Not only can you jump the queue and get a knowledgeable guide to tell you all about the amphitheaters history but you will also gain exclusive access to certain areas of the site which are not open to the rest of the paying public; a tour of the Colosseum is a great option if you still want to see all the highlights and you dont want to miss out the chance to have a professional guide who is able to make the glorious past of ancient Rome come back to life again. The following are some things to watch out for: PICKPOCKETS With the large crowds hanging out around the Colosseum it wouldnt be surprising to have pickpockets around. They are honestly just trying to earn a living. Self-Guided Tour Small-Group Guided Tours The second level is included on the standard ticket. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Colosseum: Get your guide - See 149,398 traveler reviews, 94,802 candid photos, and great deals for Rome, Italy, at Tripadvisor. This would have been a really busy place during the Colosseums heyday. What is the Colosseum? You will have a choice of various rooms, for all sorts of budget, but they are all located in a gorgeous historic building and the terrace offers impressive views. No longer the place for mass gatherings and spectacles, it had fallen into disrepair. ITALY ITINERARIES: If you are just beginning to plan your Italy itinerary, take a look at our 10 Days in Italy Itinerary for five different ways to spend 10 days in Italy. Wear your purse across your shoulder and in front of you. This is one of Romes best history lessons and well worth it, in our opinion. Metro: The Colosseum metro stop is located on the B line of Rome's metro. The menu only has a handful of dishes, but they are all delicious and the wine list is extensive. ON FOOT: Depending on where you are staying in Rome, or what you plan to do before your visit, you can walk to the Colosseum. Between 27th March to 31th August: 9:00 am 7:15 pm. There are 80 entrances to the Colosseum this Roman amphitheater really is huge. Learn about the 2,000-year-old history of this iconic attraction. No, tickets must be purchased in advance. Re: Get your Guide tour company 1 year ago Save I recommend you book through the official Colosseum website, https://www.coopculture.it/en/the-colosseum.cfm. Learn how to spend one perfect day in Verona. If you are going without a guided tour, here are the things that you simply cannot miss! During a recent visit, I opted to stay in the area as I wanted to explore it more in depth, and I ended up staying in a place that had stunning (sunset) views of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. 10:009:5010:50 ancient rome virtual tour This ancient temple, now a church, was built in 27 BC and is one of the best-preserved buildings from ancient Rome. Metro line B goes all the way to the Colosseum, and the closest metro station to the Colosseum is called Colosseo and is located around a three minute walk from the Colosseum. This part of the Colosseum was part of the additions made by Emperor Domitian during his reign. In later years, various Popes have sought different uses for the building and also helped to protect the structure. In 2022, Tim and I returned to Rome and took a guided tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill, including the Arena Floor and Underground. How To Book A Ticket For the Colosseum. Get recommendations on where to stay in Rome in our Rome Hotel Guide. If you are visiting Rome during a busy time of year, then I recommend timing your visit to miss the crowds as much as you can. The Colosseum and the Palatine are located in the central area of Rome. It serves staples of the local cuisine. The large area is a very interesting part of visiting the Colosseum, and really helps visitors to understand the everyday functions of the arena. The issue obviously is: which tour should you book? Table of Contents Tickets to the Colosseum will also include the Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum so we would definitely recommend setting aside a whole day to explore this. Groups will be a bit larger up to 30 travelers and the tour usually also goes to the Roman Forum. Theres even a theory that the entire building was flooded and used for reenacting famous sea battles. Facts, legends and mystery walking tour (from USD 27.55) Source: www.getyourguide.com With the lights and the stars to guide your walk, experience a night-time walking tour to explore mysterious legends and the spooky myths of life in Rome. The statue no longer stands but the name remains. The floor of the arena was used as a cemetery, and local Romans moved into spaces in the vaulted arcades, setting up shop inside the building and living there. Your Ultimate Guide To the Colosseum: Everything You Need to Know Updated: Dec 17, 2021 There's something about holidaying in Rome that's rather niggling. There are several different ticket types and which one you choose determines which of these levels you can visit. The tour, which is thorough and in depth, also goes to the Arena and the Underground, and depending on the time slot youll go visit the Palatine Hill before or after the tour. When you make your booking, you will also reserve a time slot. The arena itself measured over 83 metres by 48 metres and just like weve seen in the all the fictional films and recreations, this area featured a vast underground structure called the hypogeum, a place where historians believe that gladiators, prisoners and animals were held; this underground area is still very much visible now. The Colosseum on Tuesday inaugurated an elevator to make the site more accessible for people with mobility difficulties as well as offering panoramic views over the Rome landmark. 2. GLADIATORS Theres an endless debate on whether these should even be allowed to hang around the Colosseum at all but alas, they will be there. For those with more time, check out our 14 day Italy itinerary, which covers the highlights of Italy. This skip-the-line guided tour includes your entrance into the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill and is one of the cheapest tours that we found of the Colosseum. Here are my favorite ones: La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali the food is excellent and it is very budget friendly. Stone from the Colosseum was even quarried for use in construction work elsewhere in the city. Its an amazing place to take pictures! Full Experience Ticket: Adults 22.00, concessions 2.00 theres an additional 2 booking fee. It can also be difficult to get tickets to the nighttime tours of the Colosseum. If youre planning a visit and you need Colosseum Rome information, here is everything you need to know including history, interesting facts, tickets and pricing, and how to get there. 1 The Spanish Steps Apartment Rome, Italy Destination Expert for Rome Level Contributor 17,865 posts 1,012 reviews 1,502 helpful votes 1. Between 1st October to 30 October: 9:00 am 6.30 pm. 1. I also recommend trying their restaurant Aroma. You should also read my post The Best Hotels Near The Colosseum. Only bookable 1 month before your visit. Dont sell yourself short and end up having to rush. The Third Tier like the underground tunnels, the Third Tier section of the Colosseum is not accessible for the general public and you must book with a tour like our Colosseum Underground in order to experience it. In the 14th century, a religious order made it their headquarters and continued to use it as their habitation until the early 19th century. The toilets are designed to be accessible for all visitors with varying levels of mobility. Please note that you may still need to visit the ticket desk to have your order code scanned by a member of staff before they give you an allocated time slot and physical ticket so remember to read the small print! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Rome City Card: my favorite option as it allows you to book a time-slot for visiting the Colosseum at the time of purchase. From this level, you can walk the circumference of the Colosseum, with several viewpoints into the underground. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. The view of the Colosseum from there is absolutely stunning but youll have to reserve a table well in advance! Get a gladiator's view of the Colosseum, then explore the Roman Forum on a walking tour of ancient Rome. If you are planning your first trip to Rome, most likely the Colosseum is on your to-do list. Rome is much more than just a holiday or a cultural travel experience. If you bought your ticket or a guided tour via a third party site, you need to get in touch with them (you should be able to find the contact number in the confirmation email. Go with a Guide The average audience for events was around 65,000 heads and the oval theatre was a stage for gladiators and public spectacles. You will be literally cross the road from the Colosseum, which makes visiting the Colosseum a real breeze. But even when youre in there, amongst all the tourist crowds, its hard to understand the vast size of it all. Cross on the first level | How to Visit the Colosseum. What is the best way to see the Colosseum? Here are 7 interesting facts that you may not know about the Colosseum Its slightly more expensive than the ticket listed above but it does offer free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance with a full refund. We have TONS more information about Italy in our Italy Travel Guide, including Rome, Florence, Venice, Tuscany, the Dolomites, the Amalfi Coast, the Cinque Terre, and Puglia. The cheapest tour is to book a standard ticket into the Colosseum plus the audioguide (23.50). This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Still very much intact, the Colosseum is one of the best-kept ruins of the Roman Empire and this site dates all the way back as far as AD 72 under the rule of emperor Vespasian. This part of the Colosseum can be accessed with every ticket option. No guide to the Colosseum is complete without some must know tips for visiting. 9:00 am - 4:30 pm. Cost: 18 (16 entrance fee + 2 reservation fee) Includes: Level 1 and Level 2 of the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Valid: Valid for 24 hours, Cost: 23.50 (21.50 entrance fee + 2 reservation fee) Includes: Level 1 and Level 2 of the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, audioguide for the Colosseum Valid: Valid for 24 hours, Cost: 24 (22 entrance fee + 2 reservation fee) Includes: Level 1 and Level 2 of the Colosseum, Arena Floor, guided visit to the Underground, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, entrance into the S.U.P.E.R sites (Casa Augustus, Palatine Museum, House of Livia, temple of Romulus, Santa Maria Antiqua, Criptoportico neroniano, and Aula Isiaca) Valid: Valid for 48 hours. Historical records tell us that it was struck by lightning, which then caused a huge fire and much of the upper levels and the wooden arena area were completely taken out. Colosseum guided tours are the perfect way to learn about Rome's history. One of the best photo spots that is close to the Colosseum is the terrace right on the other side of the street, where a caf is located. Image by Chris Czermak via Unsplash. So if you are young and energetic go for it! Just like big musicals of today, events at the Colosseum used a lot of different performers, props, and people to make it all work behind the scenes. AMALFI COAST: Find out the best way to get around the Amalfi Coast and what it is really like to drive the Amalfi Coast. In this guide, we cover what you need to know about how to visit the Colosseum, including what to do when you are here, the best time of day to plan your visit, and whether or not it is worth it to take a tour. From this level, you look down into the inner workings of the underground rooms and hallways. Learn about the best things to do on the Amalfi Coast, how to hike the Path of the Gods, and things to do in Ravello and Positano. There are also a number of bus stops in the nearby area, with an option of a Hop-on/Hop-off bus service if you wish to see several sights in one day. Years ago, the Colosseum has introduced a timed ticketed system, which means you have to book specific time slots. But people couldnt just sit wherever they liked; everything was orderly. It might sound crazy to spend twice the money and twice the amount of time but like many wonders of the world, the Colosseum deserves to be seen both in the day and at night. What to See at the Colosseum It is the largest Roman triumphal arch and it was built between 312 and 315 AD. Unfortunately, many visitors completely disregard this rule and have full-on pic-nics on the ground, oftentimes leaving their trash behind. This part was divided into two parts, the lower was for monied citizens, and the upper section for poor folk. Taking a guided tour with a knowledgeable guide can help to open up the history of the building and offer you a better insight into the past uses and events that took place here. In this guide, we cover what you need to know about how to visit the Colosseum, including what to do when you are here, the best time of day to plan your visit, and whether or not it is worth it to take a tour. We entered midday and toured the Colosseum on our own, without a guide. There are plenty of fountains in Rome, and tap water in Rome is safe to drink: you can refill your bottle right before getting in. This ticket type is valid for 24 hours and includes one visit to the Colosseum (without access to the arena and for your chosen time-slot) and a visit to the Roman Forum, Imperial Fora and Palatine Hill. The history of the Underground is fascinating and we learned a lot, not just about the Colosseum but the other ancient archaeological sites on Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum. The new lift, which will allow visitors to reach the highest levels of the ancient amphitheatre, was inaugurated in the presence of Italy's culture minister Gennaro . Rome Colosseum Tour is a qualified and official partner of the Colosseum and offers a complete service of guided tours and ticketing to visit the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum. Go Twice! When: June 08, 2023. There are said to be 36 of these doors dotted around the arena and one has been recently rebuilt. Being such a popular attraction and receiving thousands of visitors every day, visiting the Colosseum requires some careful planning: you simply cant show up there and expect to walk in, even less so in the peak tourist season between May and October, when Rome gets the largest influx of tourists. There are 36 trap doors used as an arena for shows, games, tournaments and plenty of public spectacles, its no surprise that the Romans built trap doors to assist in their special effects. This small park is located next to the Colosseo metro station, its free to visit, and this is the view that you get: The view from Giardinetto del Monte Oppio. Construction on the enormous amphitheater started in 72 AD under the emperor Vespasian (6979 AD) and was completed by Vespasians heir Titus (7981) in 80 AD. It really can be a love/hate affair. Start Time: 01:30 PM . Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Underground tunnel | How to Visit the Colosseum, Colosseum Underground and the bottom of the Arena Floor, View from the Underground | How to Visit the Colosseum. For the best ones click here or here. Can you visit the Colosseum without a tour? The maenianum primum was the second tier above the senators and was reserved for nobles and equites (knights). But at the beginning of the medieval times, the Colosseum was long past its heyday. There are several places in Rome that are perfect for that. Here are the Colosseum ticket types. Required fields are marked *. VENICE: Learn more about Venice in our article Best Things to Do in Venice. Heres some of the parts you shouldnt miss. The low tourist season usually goes from November to March included, and that will hopefully mean you get to visit the Colosseum without too many people though that doesnt mean you can swing it and show up on a whim (you will still have to plan your visit and book a time slot!).