Colosseum Rome: Opening hours, tickets & fees. The probably most well-known monument in Rome is definitely the Colosseum. This colossal building has marked the Roman city skyline for almost 2000 years already, since AD 72 to be exact. More than 5 million tourists visit the Colosseum every year. In fact, the Colosseum is the most visited monument in Rome! Located near the Forum Romanum and the Palatine Hill the area around the Colosseum brims over with ancient Roman history. Everything you need to know about the Colosseum in Rome including opening hours, entry fees and tickets is summarized in this article!
Necessary information about visiting the Colosseum in Rome
The Roman Colosseum is the biggest amphitheater that has ever been built in the whole world and surprisingly the construction works were finished within 8 years only. At the time of the Roman Empire the Colosseum could accommodate approximately 50.000 to 80.000 spectators. Besides gladiatorial contests, other events also took place in the Colosseum. Everything that contributed to entertaining the Emperor, the aristocrats and the audience was shown there: that included classical drama, executions and sporting events.
Colosseum facts: Interesting information about Colosseum in Rome
Those who find the Roman Colosseum impressive nowadays might not be able to imagine that back in the days it used to be even bigger and even more impressive. Today’s asymmetrical shape is due to several factors: On the one hand, the Colosseum was jolted by two earthquakes, one in the 9th century and by an even bigger one in the 14th century. On the other hand, in the Middle Ages aristocrats misused the Colosseum as a stone quarrel and took its stones to build their own houses.
With its 156 meters of width, 188 meters of length and 48 meters of height the Colosseum in Rome is of enormous size. The round shape was not picked randomly but was intended to prevent animals that were supposed to fight against each other and convicted men that were waiting for their execution from hiding in the corners. After all, events in the Colosseum took place to entertain the audience and cowards hiding in corners were counterproductive for the audience’s amusement.
The Colosseum is definitely an architectural masterpiece. Before visiting the Colosseum in Rome from the inside, you should first have a look on its outward appearance. You can enjoy the best view on the Colosseum’s northern wing, since on this side all former 4 floors are still existing. On the other sides the Colosseum is only 3 floors tall.
Back in the days visitors could access the Roman Colosseum through 80 gates. Today there is only one entry on the southern side where you will have to pass through a security check. Upon entering the Colosseum you will find yourself on the second floor. This is where the emperor and the senators used to sit according to the hierarchy. The floors above accommodated the aristocrats and the ordinary people.
You’ll be surprised not to find a sandy arena in the middle of the Colosseum of Rome. Instead, there is a confusing tunnel system, also called the “Hypogeum”. These tunnels and dungeons were meant to keep animals and convicted men from running away. The tunnels were covered with wooden boards and filled up with sand which presented the actual arena. An impressive view that will immediately take you back to the ancient Rome.
How to get to the Colosseum in Rome?
The Roman Colosseum is easily accessible by public transport. Right next to the Colosseum is the metro station ‘Colosseo’ of the metro line MEB. Furthermore, on the southern side of the Roman Colosseum there is the tram station ‘Piazza del Colosseo’ where you can get to by taking the tram lines 3 and 8. Moreover, you can reach the Colosseum by means of several buses: the lines 51, 75, 85, 87, 117 and 118 bring you very close to the Colosseum. You just have to get off at the station ‘Celio Vibenna’ or ‘Colosseo’
Personally, I advise you get off at the bus station ‘Fori Imperiali/campidoglio’ (line 51, 85, 87 or 118). This station is located right next to the Roman Forum. From there you will walk for about 10 minutes along the Roman Forum to get to the Colosseum. In my opinion the perfect way to get a first glimpse on the Colosseum from a distance.
Opening hours of the Colosseum in Rome
The Colosseum’s opening hours are strongly depending on the season of the year. The last entry is always 1 hour before closing. Don’t forget that in most cases you will have to wait in line for quite some time which is why I advise you not to visit the Colosseum shortly before its closing time. The Colosseum is open to the public every day, except January the 1st and December the 25th.
Here you can see detailed information on the opening hours of the Colosseum in Rome:
- last Sunday of October until the 15th of February from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm
- 16th of February until the 15th of March from 8:30 am until 5 pm
- 16th of March until the last Saturday of March from 8:30 am until 5:30 pm
- Last Sunday of March until the 31st of August from 8:30 am until 7:15 pm
- 1st until the 30th of September from 8:30 am until 7 pm
- 1st of October until the last Saturday of October from 8:30 am until 6:30 pm
A new attraction is the event ‘the moon over the Colosseum, which allows tourists to visit the Colosseum even in the evening. The Colosseum opens its doors from 8 pm until midnight. Last entry is at 10:50pm. However, this also depends on the season:
- March and December every Saturday
- April, May and October every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday
- June until September daily
- November every Friday and Saturday
Colosseum Tickets and Admission fees for Colosseum in Rome
Admission fees for the Colosseum in Rome are as follows: The Colosseum Tickets for adults cost 12 euros. There is a reduced fee for EU-citizens aged between 18 and 25. Teenagers and children under 18, as well as handicapped persons and their assistant are free. The tickets are valid for 2 days and also allow you to enter the Forum Romanum and the Palatine Hill.
Important information about the tickets for the Colosseum:
The Colosseum’s safety instructions only allow a maximum number of 3000 visitors at a time inside the monument. To guarantee the safety of everyone, since 1, 2019, visiting the Colosseum is only possible with a reservation. Tickets which are sold at the Colosseum’s ticket office are only valid for the same day. The ticket office will inform you about available time slots from which you can pick. Once, all time slots are filled for the day, the ticket offices close and only reopen the next day.
If you hold a Roma Pass, Turbopass or any other City Pass, you will also be required to reserve your preferred visiting time via telephone, just as you have to do for visiting Galleria Borghese. The number to make a reservation has not been published yet. As soon as more information about reserving tickets is available, I will tell you here.
Safety instructions for Colosseum in Rome
To enter the Colosseum you have to pass through a security check. You are allowed to take backpacks and handbags with you into the Colosseum. However, big travel backpacks, luggage and other big objects are forbidden. Naturally, knives, weapons and firecrackers are also forbidden, as well as glass bottles. You can take plastic bottles with you, if you empty them before you enter. Don’t worry, inside the Colosseum you will find a fountain with drinking water where you can refill your bottles.
Accessibility at Colosseum in Rome
The Colosseum can also be visited by wheelchair users. By using the elevator you can access the different floors of the Colosseum. For help and more information ask at the ticket office.