The Roman Colosseum: Tickets and Guided Tours
Believe it or not, visiting the Roman Colosseum, one of the main monuments of Rome, isn’t as easy as it seems. Here, we provide the best options for exploring the largest amphitheater in the world and one of the most significant places in Italy’s history.
Do you want to experience a place in Rome that will give you goosebumps? If you’re looking to discover one of the must-see attractions in Rome, you must visit the Roman Colosseum. The largest amphitheater in the world, an icon of Italian history, awaits you in the Colosseum Archaeological Park, near the Forum and Palatine Hill.
Known as the Flavian Amphitheater in ancient times, the Colosseum was built between 72 AD and 80 AD. Today, it is one of Rome’s top monuments and the most visited site in Italy.
Constructed from stone and concrete, it was built with the labor of tens of thousands of slaves. Unfortunately, over time, earthquakes and looting have altered its structure, but its historical value remains undiminished. Come explore this monument and get your tickets for the Roman Colosseum.
If you’re taking a Free Tour of Rome, keep in mind the following tips, as these tours do not include Colosseum entry.
What Will You See with Your Colosseum Tickets?
All tickets to the Colosseum Archaeological Park include access to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum—where public and religious life took place in ancient Rome—and Palatine Hill, where Romulus founded the city.
Roman Forum
Roman Colosseum Tickets and Guided Tours
From the most economical to the most comprehensive, here we explain the ticket options and guided tours available for the Colosseum and what places you can discover within this grand Roman monument.
Avoid long lines and focus solely on enjoying this amazing destination.
Standard Tickets
The cheapest tickets for entering the Roman Colosseum are the standard tickets. These provide access to the 1st and 2nd tiers, as well as Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum. Admission is free for those under 18 (regardless of nationality). For others, the ticket prices are:
● Adults: 18 euros per person
● EU students aged 18-25: 2 euros per person.
Recommendations:
When purchasing official tickets to the Roman Colosseum, you can only reserve them one month in advance, and no refunds are accepted. If you manage to get tickets, arrive well in advance on the day of your visit, as security checks can take quite a long time.
To get the most out of this archaeological experience and to skip the long lines, it’s recommended to book a tour with a Roman history expert, like the guided tour with entry to the Colosseum that we offer.
Colosseum Tickets with Arena Access
Entrance to the Roman Colosseum with arena visit
You might not know this, but the Italian Ministry of Culture recently approved a plan to create a new floor in the Colosseum to restore its original design, which has been lost over time.
Today, you can visit the recreation of this space by purchasing the “Full Experience” tickets, which include: the gladiator arena, the 1st and 2nd tiers of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and also the “SUPER” sites within the archaeological area that can be accessed on foot. The cost of these tickets is:
● Adults: 24 euros per person
● EU students aged 18-25: 2 euros per person
● Free entry for minors under 18
Roman Colosseum: Visit the Subterranean
Explore the depths of the Roman Colosseum by visiting the “subterranean.”
In addition to the arena and the monuments included in the “Full Experience” ticket, the “Full Experience + Subterranean” experience allows you to discover the underground area of the Colosseum. Due to limited availability, these tickets tend to sell out quickly and require mandatory online booking:
● Adults: 24 euros per person
● EU students aged 18-25: 2 euros per person
● Free entry for minors under 18
Both the “Full Experience” and “Full Experience + Subterranean” tickets also include access to “Super” locations, which are historical gems reachable on foot. These include the House of Livia, House of Augustus, Neronian Crypt, Isiaca Room/Loggia Mattei, Santa Maria Antiqua, and the Ramp of Domitian, Temple of Romulus, and Curia.
Useful Information When Purchasing Colosseum Tickets
● You can visit the Roman Colosseum any day of the year except January 1 and December 25, when it is closed.
● Plan your visit well: remember to book your tickets in advance, and be very clear about when you are going since daily and hourly capacity is limited.
● If you’re on a tight budget, note that the first Sunday of each month offers free entry, but keep in mind that these tickets are limited, so arrive very early at the ticket office to get them.
● Lastly, be especially careful with resellers and second-hand tickets, as they may sell you a fake ticket to the Colosseum.
Don’t Forget! Be sure to experience the squares of Rome and other attractions in the Italian capital, such as the Sistine Chapel, and discover many more activities and tours in Rome.
And finally, if you still have energy left at the end of the day, consider joining a Free Night Tour of Rome to see the Colosseum and other monuments illuminated at night.