Colosseum Tickets

What You Need to Know About The Colosseum

• Even though the Colosseum is almost 2,000 years old, it’s still the largest amphitheater ever built.
• Back in ancient Rome, it was a true feat of engineering—with drainage systems, a retractable roof, and space for up to 80,000 spectators.
• Beneath the arena is a maze of tunnels and chambers. This underground area was only rediscovered in the 19th century.
• The Colosseum was once fully clad in marble, but over the centuries, much of it was stripped away and reused in other Roman buildings.
• Its current state is due to looting, as well as three fires and four earthquakes over the past two millennia.

Book Tickets for the Colosseum in Rome

Colosseum admission tickets are available either online or on-site. All tickets are valid for at least 24 hours.

We recommend buying online, as the lines at the ticket counters are always long.

Note: Be sure to book your tickets at least 2 weeks in advance—they sell out fast.

You can get your Colosseum tickets from the official website or through Get Your Guide & Co. Here’s how they differ:

Colosseum tickets from the official website

• Tickets are more affordable
• More availability
• Tickets can’t be canceled
• Website can be slow to load

Colosseum tickets from Get Your Guide & Tiqets

• Sometimes significantly more expensive
• Limited availability
• Some tickets can be canceled up to 24 hours before your visit

In most cases, it’s definitely worth booking through the official website. The prices are simply much lower than what you’ll find on Get Your Guide or Tiqets.

There are three Colosseum tickets we think are really worth it. We’ve picked the ones with the best ratings and put them together in this table for you:

Map of The Colosseum Archaeological Park

The archaeological park is made up of three main sites: the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.

What to See in the Colosseum?

The Colosseum is divided into three main areas:

• the five levels of spectator stands,
• the arena, where the gladiator fights took place (optional ticket),
• the underground area, where the staging happened and the gladiators got ready (guided tours only).

Note: The regular Colosseum ticket only gives you access to the first two levels. That’s also what most visitors choose—and honestly, it’s more than enough. You’ll still get a great view of the whole interior. For access to the upper floors, you’ll need a special ticket, available only on the official website.

Right next to the Colosseum are the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Together with the Colosseum, they make up the Parco archeologico del Colosseo—the archaeological park.

Highlights in the Roman Forum

The Forum was the political, religious, and social heart of ancient Rome.

Some structures are still well preserved, while others require a bit of imagination—or a guide or audio guide to really make sense of what you’re seeing.

In the Roman Forum, you’ll find:

• Several temples, including the Temple of Saturn,
• the Via Sacra, the oldest street in Rome,
• the state prison,
• various Senate buildings,
• a number of triumphal arches, like the Arch of Septimius Severus.

Highlights on the Palatine Hill

Palatine Hill is the oldest part of Rome and the spot where the emperors built their luxurious villas.

On Palatine Hill, you can see:

• Remains of the hut of Romulus, Rome’s legendary founder from the 8th century BC,
• the Domus Augustea, Emperor Augustus’ palace,
• the Domus Aurea, Emperor Nero’s palace, once decorated with gold and precious stones,
• the House of Livia Augusta, the best-preserved palace, where you can still see ancient frescoes.

Our Colosseum Ticket Recommendation: The Guided Tour

The Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill together cover a huge area—you could easily spend an entire day here.

But since you probably want to see more of the city, we suggest booking a guided tour. Tours usually last around 2 to 3 hours.

This way, you’ll see the highlights without missing the rest of your Rome bucket list later in the day.

Book a guided tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill (English)

Colosseum Tickets Without a Guided Tour

If you’d rather explore the Colosseum on your own, the standard entry ticket is your best option.

It gives you access to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill, completely self-guided. You can also add access to the arena floor as an optional extra.

Still, we highly recommend using an audio guide. There are info panels throughout the Colosseum and the archaeological park, but they’re only in English and Italian—and quite limited.

You can book a Colosseum ticket online that comes with an audio guide app included:

Book the Colosseum ticket with audio guide app (don’t forget your headphones!)

Note: You can also rent audio guides directly at the Colosseum for €5.50. Just be prepared for a wait.

Colosseum Ticket With Underground Level

The basement is the most exclusive and probably the most fascinating part of the Colosseum.

While much of the upper structure was looted over the centuries, the underground level stayed hidden for nearly 2,000 years—making it the best-preserved area of the site.

This is where gladiators prepared for battle, where wild animals were kept, and where all the stage mechanics were operated.

Access to the basement is only possible with a guided tour. These also include entry to the main Colosseum areas as well as the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

Book the Colosseum tour with underground and arena access (English)

Discounts: How to Make Colosseum Admission Cheaper

There are a few ways to save money—or even get in for free. Here’s what you should know:

#1 Free Colosseum entry for under 18s, and students of certain subjects like architecture or art history: Some groups qualify for free admission. Check the “ticket concessions” section on the official Colosseum website when booking.

#2 Reduced admission for EU citizens aged 18–25: If you’re in this age group, you can get a Colosseum ticket for just €2 plus the booking fee—but only when you buy through the official website.

#3 Free entry with a City Pass: Many Rome City Passes include Colosseum admission, like the Rome Turbo Pass. You’ll still need to pay the €2 reservation fee.

#4 Free Colosseum admission on the first Sunday of the month: On the first Sunday of every month, entry to the Colosseum is free. But you can only get tickets on-site—there’s no online booking. The free ticket doesn’t include access to the arena or underground. Lines are much longer than usual, so be prepared to wait.

Please note: Even if you’re eligible for free or discounted entry, you still need to reserve a time slot online in advance. You’ll also need to bring proof of eligibility, like a student ID.

General Tips for Visiting The Colosseum

• Don’t miss your time slot: You need to be at the Colosseum at least 15 minutes before your booked time, just in case there’s a short queue. If you’re late, you might not be allowed in.
• Visit during off-peak times: The Colosseum is always busy, but it’s quieter early in the morning (from 8:30 am) or around lunchtime. Try to avoid weekends and holidays if you can.
• Book your tickets in advance: If your schedule isn’t very flexible, it’s best to book one or two weeks ahead.
• Bring water, a hat, and sunscreen: You’ll be in direct sun for most of your visit—especially in the park. Stay hydrated and protect yourself from sunburn.
• Use the restroom beforehand: It might sound silly, but it makes a big difference. The lines for the toilets at the Colosseum are long—really long. Better to avoid them if you can.
• Expect a security check: Like at the airport, you’ll go through a security screening before entering. Large backpacks, sharp objects, and full water bottles aren’t allowed (but you can refill bottles inside).

Colosseum FAQ

Here we answer all the key questions for your visit to the Colosseum.

Do you have any tips for Colosseum admission?

Those were our best tips for getting tickets to the Colosseum in Rome. Have you already been to this iconic amphitheater? Or do you have any other helpful tips about visiting? Feel free to share them with us in the comments!