The Colosseum, Rome
Planning a visit to the Colosseum, Rome? You’ll need to plan well in advance to avoid long hours in a queue!
The Colosseum of Rome is a gigantic elliptical amphitheater in the historic core of the city.
One of the most famous landmarks in the world, the Colosseum was built by the Flavian emperors of Rome and is hence also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre. Construction on the Colosseum began in 72 A.D., and it was completed in 80 A.D.
The stunning structure is mainly made of travertine and tuff (volcanic rock).
In ancient times, the Colosseum was used to host gladiatorial contests and spectacles such as animal hunts, executions, large-scale enactment of historic battles, and even naval battles.
Capable of holding between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators at various points in time, the Colosseum of Rome was the largest amphitheater built in ancient times. It is still the largest standing amphitheater in the world!
In early medieval times, the Colosseum stopped hosting performances for entertainment. Thereafter, it was used for various more prosaic things such as housing, workshops, and living quarters for a religious order. It has also served as a fortress, a quarry, and even a Christian shrine.
Over time, the Colosseum was damaged by natural events such as earthquakes and fires, and a lot of its stone was also looted or used in other construction. In fact, you can see that some of its outer fall fell off at some point and the inner wall now serves as the circumference in that section.
Considered one of the “new seven wonders of the world,” the Colosseum is among the top tourist attractions in Rome and a bucket-list destination for first-time visitors to the Eternal City.
Millions of travelers visit the Colosseum in Rome each year, and some research and planning are necessary to have the best experience.
On this complete Colosseum of Rome website, you will find all the information you need to plan your visit!
The Colosseum, Rome, is an extremely popular attraction, and planning is critical for the best experience. Definitely get timed-entry tickets in advance, or book a guided tour, led by a knowledgable local guide.🚶🚶♀️
Complete 2026 Guide to the Colosseum, Rome
One of the top attractions in the Rome, the capital of Italy, the Colosseum of Rome is worth visiting not only for its striking majesty but also for its rich history and its standing as the largest amphitheater on the planet.
This Colosseum Rome website is your one-stop site for all the information you need to plan your visit to the iconic landmark.
Location and Address
Discover the location of the Colosseum, Rome, in the centro storico of Rome, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See it visually on a map of the Colosseum of Rome.
The address for the Colosseum is Piazza del Colosseo, 1, 00184 Roma RM, Italy.
Hours of Operation
Wondering about the hours of the Colosseum in Rome? The Roman Colosseum has different hours of operation based on the season.
While the Colosseum opens at 8.30 a.m. daily, all through the year, it closes one hour before sunset, which means that closing times can vary from 4.30 p.m. to 7.15 p.m. Note that the Forum and Palatine Hill may have different hours of operation.
Entrance Fees and Tickets
The Colosseum Rome has an entrance fee, with free admission available for visitors under 18, visitors with disabilities, and other special categories.
There are free admission days, on which all visitors can enter the Colosseum for free.
Discounted admission to the Colosseum is available to European Union citizens between the age of 18 and the day of their 25th birthday.
Tickets for the Colosseum of Rome can be purchased online, or you can buy them at the ticket office on site on the day of your trip. Note that tickets may be sold out on some days, especially in high season. Best to get them online in advance!
Top-Rated Colosseum Tours
Getting to the Colosseum
The Colosseum in Rome is located in the heart of the historic center, and it is walking distance from the Colosseum to the Forum and Palatine Hill. Most travelers visit the three Ancient Rome sites one after the other.
So how do you get to the Colosseum?
If you are in a location nearby, you can walk to the Colosseum. Otherwise, you can use public transport (bus, metro, or tram) or take a taxi. Hop-on, hop-off buses also stop at the Colosseum.
The Colosseum has its own metro station (the Colosseo) and its own bus stop at the Piazza del Colosseo.
The Omnia Rome and Vatican Pass comes with hassle-free entry to Rome’s top historic sites, including the Vatican Museums and the Colosseum. A public transport card is also included.
Dress Code
There is no specific dress code for the Colosseum, as it is not a religious site, but do not show up in revealing attire. Casual comfortable clothing is ideal. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes with good grip as the walking surfaces may be uneven.
Please do not dress up in a gladiator costume (or in any other costume).
If you plan to visit a church right before or after your visit to the Colosseum, note that religious sites in Rome expect you to have knees and shoulders covered.
Best Time to Visit
For pleasant weather and relatively lower crowds, plan to visit the Colosseum of Rome in the shoulder seasons of spring and fall (March-April or October-November). Summers tend to be both very hot and very crowded. Winters offer less crowds but it may be rainy and cold.
In terms of time of week, a weekday is preferable to the weekend or holidays, when the Colosseum will be much more crowded.
The best time of the day to visit the Colosseum is first thing in the morning (at opening time), or late in the afternoon, after most of the crowds have left. The weather is also more pleasant early or late, and the light better for photography.
If night visits are being offered, a night tour of the Colosseum is a unique and worthwhile experience!
Things to Do at the Colosseum, Rome
Admire the Striking Facade of the Colosseum
As you approach the Colosseum, prepare to be impressed by its massive size and its striking facade, made primarily of travertine stone.
The free-standing amphitheater has an outer wall and an inner wall. Sections of the outer wall collapsed after earthquakes, so you see only a partial outer wall now. Where the outer wall still stands, you will see three storeys, one on top of the other, topped by a podium with an attic.
There are arched openings at regular intervals on each of the three storeys, giving the Colosseum its signature appearance.
The 80 arched openings on the bottom floor ensured that the Colosseum could be filled with spectators, or emptied, within a matter of minutes.
The Colosseum makes for a wonderful photo op, especially with colorful skies at sunrise or sunset, or lit up after dark.
Step onto the Arena
The Arena level is the stage where the contests and spectacles occurred in ancient Rome. It was made of wood, and covered with sand. Not much of the original arena floor survives today.
The stage has been partially reconstructed so you can walk on and experience for yourself what a gladiator of old may have felt as he entered.
You can walk up to the railing and look down into the Underground level, or gaze up at the spectator levels above.
It is an incredible feeling to stand on the stage of the Colosseum, but access is only available if you opt for a ticket that includes the level or join a guided tour that includes the Arena.
Some tours even have you enter through the Gladiator’s Gate!
Visit the First and Second Spectator Levels
The first and second levels of the Colosseum are the floors you get to visit on a basic ticket to the Colosseum interior.
Modern estimates say that the Colosseum’s tiered seating could hold about 50,000 roaring spectators. There were four levels of seating in ancient times, with special boxes for the Emperor and the Vestal Virgins (with the best views, of course!)
The first and second floors not only allow you to sit down on a stone seat and experience what a spectator of old must have felt as they looked down at the Arena level, they also allow you to look down into the Underground level.
Tour the Underground Level of the Colosseum
The Underground level, beneath the Arena level, was a later addition to the Colosseum by Emperor Domitian.
The maze-like two-level Colosseum Underground was where gladiators and wild animals were held while awaiting their turn on the stage. You can see the tunnels and small chambers from the upper levels.
The Underground also held a lot of machinery, with pulleys and elevators for raising and lowering cages with animals and props. Tunnel entrances allowed for animals and gladiators to enter from nearby holding areas into the Colosseum.
Today, with a special access ticket, you can tour the fascinating Underground level of the Colosseum in Rome!
Visit the “Attic Level” — the Uppermost Spectator Level Open to the Public
Seating in the Colosseum, Rome, was arranged according to the different strata of society.
While the Emperor, senators, and other noblemen sat on the lower levels closer to the action on the stage, ordinary citizens sat on upper levels, with the wealthiest at the bottom.
Today you can visit the “Attic” level, the uppermost spectator level open for public visits, with a special access ticket.
The Attic level is at the very top of the Colosseum. Steep steps lead up to this level, but there is also an elevator that can take you up part of the way.
The Attic affords a fabulous bird’s-eye view of the interior of the Roman Colosseum!
Enjoy a Night Tour of the Roman Colosseum
Yes, you can take a guided tour of the Colosseum in Rome at night!
The temperatures are cooler, the crowds are much less, and it’s a totally different ambience being inside the Colosseum at night.
The 60-minute guided tour includes access to the Arena and the Underground levels, and your tour will be led by an expert guide that will bring the interior of the Colosseum alive.
Must-Book Experiences in Rome
Top-Rated Rome Experiences!