The Colosseum in Rome – Info & Tips
Listed among the New 7 World Wonders, the Colosseum, or Coliseum as it is alternatively spelled in English, is perhaps Rome’s most familiar landmark, and for sure a must-go-to destination in Italy!
In 2016 the site counted more than 6 million visitors becoming one of the most favorite attractions for travelers worldwide. Pretty impressive right?
Find below useful information to plan your visit at the Colosseum. Check out opening hours and the best time to visit the site. Discover how to book skip the line tickets yourself. For further information visit the Colosseum FAQ section!
Topics
Attraction Overview
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How to Visit
1PLAN YOUR VISIT IN ADVANCE
– Prebook your skip-the-line ticket thorough the Colosseum Official Ticket Office;
2CHECK IN ADVANCE THE BEST TIME VISIT
– Springtime and Summertime: 8.30am or 4.30pm;
– Fall and Wintertime: from 10.30am to 4.30pm;
3WEAR COMFORTABLE FOOTWEAR
– Summertime: sneakers, sun cream and a hat;
– Wintertime: sneakers, umbrella and raincoat
OPENING HOURS
Closed
1 January, 1 May and 25 December
Note: The ticket office closes one hour before last admissions
Opening Hours
- from January 2nd to February 15th
08.30 – 16.30 - from February 16th to March 15th
08.30 – 17.00 - from March 16th to last Saturday of March
08.30 – 17.30 - from the last Sunday of March to August 31st
08.30 – 19.15 - from September 1st to September 30th
08.30 – 19.00 - from October 1st to last Saturday of October
08.30 – 18.30 - from the last Sunday of October to December 31st
08.30 – 16.30
TICKETS INFO
Skip the line tickets to the Colosseum can be bought online from the Official Website of Coopculture
https://www.coopculture.it/en/colosseo-e-shop.cfm
Note that Skip-the-line tickets allow visitors to skip the line only at the ticket office, but do not exempt visitors to skip the line at the security checks.
INDIVIDUAL TICKETS
Duration: valid for only one entrance to each site of the circuit Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine (plus current exhibitions) and are valid for 2 days in a row;
PRICE AND FEES:
- Full entrance: €12.00 + €2 Reservation Fee for online booking (€14)
- Reduced entrance: €7.50 + €2 Reservation Fee for online booking (€9,50)
Apply to: only for european union citizens
Age: between 18 and 25 years old.
Note: Reduced entrance tickets can be booked online, but they must be collected onsite the day of your visit. - Free Entrance + €2Reservation Fee for online booking
Apply to: European and non-European people;
Age: up to 18 years old;
Note: Free entrance tickets can be booked online, but they must be collected onsite the day of your visit, so you will need to be in line to withdraw them.
ACCESSIBILITY
Wheelchair Accessibility Service:
The ground floor and the first 2 floors of the Colosseum are wheelchair accessible by elevators. At the ticket office you shall ask the staff for help to access the upper floors. Accessible equipped toilets are also available.
Call Center:
+39 06 399 67 700
Monday to Friday: 9am-1pm / 2pm-5pm
Saturday: 9am-2pm
How to Reach
1FROM THE CITY CENTER TO COLOSSEUM
Bus Lines:
51758587117N2
Metro Station:
2FROM FIUMICINO AIRPORT TO COLOSSEUM
– Once at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (Fiumicino Airport) take the Leonardo Express Train to Termini Station;
– Next, at Termini take the metro (direction Laurentina). Get down after 2 stops at Colosseo Metro Station.
Address:
Piazza del Colosseo, 1, 00184 Rome, Italy
Get directions from Google Maps
COLOSSEUM
Colosseum Historical Facts
Undoubtably one of the greatest example of Roman architecture and engineering, the very symbol of Ancient Rome stands on a plain at the feet of the Palatine, the Esquiline and the Caelian Hills. Even though today we can see only ⅓ of the original building, the Colosseum still survives the test of time as one of the most important evidence of Rome’s troubled history. Read More…
Colosseum FAQ
Where is the Colosseum exactly located in Rome?
The Colosseum is located East of the Roman Forum, in the city center of Rome.
Colosseum Address: Piazza del Colosseo, 1, 00184 Rome, Italy
When is the best time to visit the Colosseum?
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- Fall
September: avoid central hours of the day to beat the hot temperature and the crowd. Plan your visit to the Colosseum starting at 8.30 am or at 4.30 pm.
October is a beautiful month to visit Rome! Sites and landmarks such as the Colosseum may be a little bit crowded during central daytime hours. We recommend to tour the Colosseum in the early morning (8.30am) or in the early afternoon (1.30pm).
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- Wintertime
In Winter there are far less tourists in Rome compared to the other seasons. So don’t worry too much about the crowd! However, temperatures may go below 0°C. We recommend to visit the Colosseum starting from 10.30am to avoid the early morning rigid temperatures. Remember that the site can be access until 4.30pm from February to mid March.
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- Spring
From mid March till the end of the month you won’t see many tourists in Rome… yet! Best time to visit the Colosseum is starting from 10.30am! Be careful in April, May and June! The peak season starts in April and from then till the end of June there are several festivities in Italy. To avoid the crowd avoid the central daytime hours (from 10.00am to 5.00pm). Visit the Colosseum early in the morning or in the late afternoon.
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- Summertime
July and August: no doubt these are the warmest months in Italy. Temperature can reach 35°C degrees. You certainly don’t won’t to be at the Colosseum at midday. Start your exploration of the Colosseum at 8.30 am or at 4.30 pm!
Where to buy the tickets for Colosseum, Rome ?
You have multiple options to buy the tickets for the Colosseum:
1) Buy the tickets online from the official website. By paying a reservation fee of 2€ you can skip the line at the ticket office. However, note that skip the line tickets are actually valid only for Full Price Tickets.
Reduced and Free tickets shall be withdrawn at the ticket office. Why? Because the staff of the Colosseum have to check the IDs of the kids.
For further information please visit: https://www.coopculture.it/en/the-colosseum.cfm
2) You can reserve your tickets through the Call Center +39 06 399 67 700
Monday-Friday 9-13 and 14-17 / Saturday 9-14
Due to new security measures it is necessary to arrive at least 30 minutes before the reservation at the ticket desk.
3) Third option, you can buy the tickets directly on site at the Ticket Office located in Piazza del Colosseo.
We highly recommend to reserve the tickets in advance during the high-season due to the impressive number of visitors
How much is it to visit the Colosseum in Rome?
When planning your visit to the Colosseum you should be aware of all the costs and available services:
1) Entrance Fee to the Colosseum:
Full Price: 12€;
Reduced Tickets: 7,50€ (only for European Union citizens between 18 and 25 years old;
Free entrance: for all visitors under 18 years old;
To all the prices above mentioned you should add 2€ reservation fee if you decide to prebook your tickets.
2) Visiting the Colosseum with an audioguide
Audio guides are available in multiple languages such as English, Japanese, French and so on;
Duration of the audio-guides is 1 hour and 10 minutes;
Price for audioguides is 5,50€
3) Join a Group Tour:
Visitors can book a didactic tour with an official tour guide.
This service allow you to be part of a group up to 40 participants;
Tour lasts 45 minutes, cost 5€ and are available for Monday to Sunday.
What else should I know before visiting the Colosseum?
There are important information you should be aware of before visiting the Colosseum:
1) Security Screening:
All visitors are required to pass through a required security screening before entering the site.
It is strictly forbidden to enter with backpacks, camping, bulky bags and luggage/trolley. Medium and small size backpacks can be introduced and must be screened by metal detectors, as any other bag. They must be opened and visually inspected by the Urbe Security Institute, responsible for the entrance inspection.
2) Free Entrance:
On the 1st Sunday of every Month visitors can access the Colosseum freely. Although this is great news for the pocket, it also means that the site is overcrowded.
3) Wear the right outfit:
The Colosseum is located within an archaeological area. There are many steps and the terrain is uneven. Our advice? Wear comfortable shoes and clothes. Bring water and a hat against the sun, especially in July, August and September.
One of its most valued treasures is the grand Colosseum. Thanks for providing very useful and valuable information.