History
The Colosseum — officially the Flavian Amphitheatre — is the symbol of Rome and one of the most visited monuments in the world, with around 7 million visitors per year. Built between 72 and 80 AD under Emperor Vespasian and inaugurated by his son Titus, it could hold between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators.
The inauguration lasted 100 days, featuring gladiatorial combats, wild animal hunts (venationes) and even mock sea battles (naumachiae). The structure stands 48 metres tall with an outer perimeter of 527 metres — an extraordinary feat of ancient engineering.
How to visit
Your Colosseum ticket includes the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill — plan for at least a full morning.
Entry tickets to the Colosseum also include access to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, valid for two consecutive days. Online booking is strongly recommended, especially in high season (April–October), when queues can exceed three hours.
The standard route (lower arena) is accessible to all. To visit the Arena Floor — the reconstructed wooden floor at the centre — you need the "Arena" or "Experience" ticket. The panoramic terrace on the IV–V level requires the "Belvedere" ticket, available in limited numbers.
Tickets and prices
The standard full-price ticket costs €18 and includes the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, valid for 24 hours. Adding the online booking surcharge (€2) lets you skip the queue. Admission is free for EU citizens under 18.
Special tickets — Arena (€24), Experience (€22) and Belvedere (€26) — include the standard route plus the specific area. Buy exclusively from the official Coopculture website or authorised resellers: unofficial sites charge inflated prices.
Opening hours
The Colosseum opens daily at 9:00. Closing time varies by season: 16:30 in winter (January–February), up to 19:00 in summer (April–September). Last entry is always one hour before closing.
The monument is closed on 1 January and 25 December. On busy days, tickets can sell out within the first hours of the morning: online booking is practically mandatory.
Practical tips
Visit in the early morning (opening at 9) or late afternoon to avoid crowds and get better photographic light. Comfortable shoes are essential — the internal route has uneven flooring and many steps.
Water and food are not available inside: stock up before entering. The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, included in the ticket, deserve at least two extra hours — plan for a full morning.