Colosseum Attic (Floors 3-5) Tickets

Sells out fast

VIP guided access

Small group

Get exclusive access to the Colosseum’s restricted top floors and see one of the best top views in Rome.

VIP Colosseum Top Floor Guided Tour

Access to restricted attic (the 3rd, 4th, and 5th floors) with expert guided tour of 1.5 hours.
Small group capped at seven people maximum.
Includes panoramic elevator to the top, 360-degree views of arena and Rome, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill entry.

Book in advance now →

Highlights

Access the restricted top floor (attic) with a small VIP group of maximum seven people
See 360-degree top views of ancient and modern Rome from 40 meters up
Learn fascinating history from an expert guide while avoiding the massive tourist crowds

Tickets & Prices

Colosseum’s attic (upper levels) is restricted and only accessible via a special guided tour.

Right now, the small-group VIP tour is the best way to experience the area. The tour gives you exclusive access to areas most visitors never see, with an expert guide and a group capped at just seven people.

Tickets are available for adult (age 18-99) and child (age 17 and younger). Check the latest prices and reserve your spot here ->

What’s Included

Colosseum attic (3rd-5th floors) and main levels (1st-2nd floors)
1.5-hour expert-guided tour (max 7 people)
Panoramic elevator
Headsets
Roman Forum and Palatine Hill access (self-guided)

What’s NOT Included

Arena floor and underground chambers (separate tickets)
Forum and Palatine are not guided.

Book Before it Sells Out

What You’ll Experience

Once the group assembles, your guide walks you to a dedicated VIP entrance. You skip the long ticket lines completely.
Your guide handles all the entry formalities. You just follow along. Everyone receives a headset so you can hear the guide’s explanations throughout the tour.

The group takes the panoramic elevator straight up to the upper levels.
The ride itself is part of the experience as you watch the arena floor drop away below you.

Your guide starts at the top and works downward. You explore the fifth level terrace, the fourth level, and the third level while learning about ancient Roman society, architecture, and daily life.
The guide points out the corbels that held the velarium awning system. You learn about the social hierarchy, who sat where, and what the games were actually like for the 50,000 spectators crammed into this monument.
You see the Belvedere viewpoint and the 360-degree panorama of Rome. The guide shows you which landmarks you’re looking at and explains the archaeological sites spread below.
There’s plenty of time for photos. The small group means you’re not fighting for space at the railing or waiting for your turn at the best viewpoints.
Ask questions. Your guide is an expert on Roman history and loves talking about this stuff. That’s the advantage of a small group over those massive bus tours.

Learn What You’ll See on the Colosseum’s Top Floor & Attic →

After the attic, you visit the first and second floors. Your guide shows you the exhibits, explains the architecture, and fills in the historical context.
You see ancient artifacts, information panels, and reconstructions that help you understand how the Colosseum worked when it was operational.

The guided portion of the tour ends after about 1.5 hours. Your ticket includes access to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, but you explore these on your own.
You should plan at least 30 minutes for each site, though you could easily spend hours if you’re a history buff. These are massive archaeological areas with temples, palaces, and monuments spanning centuries of Roman history.

Visitor Information

Colosseum Address: Piazza del Colosseo, 1, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
Tour Meeting Point: Via del Colosseo, 31 (in front of Caffe Roma, above Colosseo metro station). Note: Meeting point is NOT at the Colosseum entrance.

The Colosseum is easily accessible by metro (blue line B, Colosseo station) or bus. Opening hours vary by season.

For current hours, detailed directions, and entrance information, see our complete visitor guide.

Insider Tips

Book as early as possible. Tours sell out weeks ahead during peak season (April through October). If you know your Rome dates, book your attic tour first and plan the rest of your trip around it.
Arrive 30 minutes early. This is required, not suggested. You need time to find the meeting point, meet your guide, and get organized before the tour starts.
Bring valid ID for every person. Passport or government-issued ID card required for entry. Photocopies are accepted, but bring something. This includes children.
The tour is conducted in English. Make sure everyone in your group speaks English well enough to follow along.
Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be walking and standing for over 1.5 hours, plus however long you spend at the Forum and Palatine afterward.
Morning tours get better light for photography. The sun is lower, the stone glows golden, and the air is clearer. Evening tours work too, but morning is ideal.
Small bags only. The Colosseum doesn’t allow large backpacks or luggage. Bring a small daypack or purse with your essentials.
Ask your guide questions. They’re experts who love Roman history. Take advantage of the small group size to have actual conversations instead of just listening to a script.
Allow extra time for Forum and Palatine. Don’t rush through these incredible sites just because the guided portion ended. Budget at least 30 minutes for each, more if you love archaeology.
Download offline maps for Forum and Palatine. You’ll be exploring these sites on your own without a guide. Maps help you find the key monuments and not miss important ruins.

Is the Top Floor Worth It?

When It is

First-time visitors to Rome benefit from having an expert guide explain what they’re looking at. The Colosseum is impressive, but it’s just a ruin if you don’t understand the history.
History enthusiasts get the stories, context, and details that bring ancient Rome to life. Your guide answers the questions that pop into your head as you’re standing in the monument.
Photographers get the best angles and the space to take proper shots. The small group size and restricted access mean you’re not fighting crowds for every photo.
People who hate being packed into tour buses with 40 strangers will appreciate the intimate group size. Seven people feels more like exploring with friends than being herded around like sheep.
Anyone who loves panoramic views and dramatic vistas should see the attic. It’s one of the best viewpoints in Rome.

When It’s Not

People with serious mobility limitations should skip this tour. Despite the elevator, there are still stairs and uneven surfaces. Wheelchair users cannot access the upper levels.
If you specifically want to walk on the arena floor where gladiators fought, that’s a different tour. This ticket includes the upper levels, not the arena floor.
Travelers who strongly prefer exploring on their own without a guide might prefer a different option. This tour includes 1.5 hours with a guide whether you want that or not.
If you’re on an extremely tight budget, the standard entry ticket costs much less and still gives you access to the main levels of the Colosseum.

Our Recommendation

The top floor offers views and access that most tourists never experience. The small group size of seven people maximum means no fighting for photos or straining to hear the guide.
The restricted access genuinely feels special. You’re walking in areas marked “Staff Only” because, well, they are.
Tours sell out because the experience is genuinely excellent, not because of marketing hype. Visitors who make it to the attic consistently say it was a highlight of their Rome trip.
If you have room in your budget and the tour has availability for your dates, book it.

What If the Top Floor Tour is Sold Out?

This small-group tour is popular and sells out frequently. If it’s not available for your dates, here are other exclusive Colosseum experiences worth considering.

Walk on the reconstructed arena floor where gladiators once fought. You stand in the center of the oval, surrounded by thousands of spectator seats rising above you.

Looking up at the tiers from the arena floor gives you the gladiator’s perspective. You see the underground chambers from above, understanding how the trap doors and lifting mechanisms worked to surprise the crowd with animals and props.

This is a completely different experience from the top floor view, but equally special.

Learn more about arena floor tickets ->

Explore the tunnels beneath the arena floor where gladiators, criminals, and wild animals waited before being lifted up into the sunlight and the roaring crowd.

The hypogeum is the engineering marvel that made the Colosseum’s spectacles possible. Guides explain the pulley systems, holding cells, and corridors that created the “magic” of the games.

It’s cooler down in the underground chambers, which makes this a great option on scorching summer days.

Discover underground tour options ->

The regular entry ticket still gives you access to the first and second floors, which offer excellent views of the arena. You also get into the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

You explore everything at your own pace without a guide or time limits. It’s the most budget-friendly option while still giving you the core Colosseum experience.

View standard entry options ->

Colosseum Arena Floor Tickets

Enter through the gladiators’ gate and step onto the floor where the battles took place.

Colosseum Underground Tour

Go beneath the Colosseum into tunnels and chambers — only with a tour.

Colosseum Standard Entry Tickets

Standard entry to the Colosseum’s main levels and the Roman Forum.

Did You Know That? Facts

The velarium awning system was a feat of Roman engineering. Sailors from Misenum (a naval base near Naples) operated the ropes and pulleys. They covered two-thirds of the arena with canvas panels, leaving a central opening for air circulation. The 240 mast corbels you see in the attic held the wooden poles that supported this massive roof.
Emperor Domitian added the fourth and fifth levels after the Colosseum was already built. The original design by Vespasian and Titus only included three levels. Domitian squeezed in extra rows of steep wooden benches (the maenianum secundum in legneis) to pack in more spectators and more revenue.
Social segregation was strict and visible. Women had to sit in the uppermost sections, far from the action. Wealthy matrons who could afford better seats elsewhere still had to climb to the top just because of their gender. Slaves and the poorest citizens stood in these same sections, often without even a bench to rest on.
Much of the attic is original. The travertine stone and tuff (volcanic rock) you see include blocks placed nearly 2,000 years ago. You’ll also spot 3rd-century reconstructions and sections rebuilt by Luigi Canina in the 1800s. The mix of old and new stone tells the story of the Colosseum’s survival through wars, earthquakes, and centuries of neglect.
The upper levels stayed closed to tourists for about 40 years. Sections became unstable and dangerous, so authorities locked them down in the 1970s. It took a five-year restoration project costing millions of euros to make them safe again. Visitors have only had access to the attic since November 2017.
A brand new panoramic elevator opened in 2023. Before that, everyone climbed stairs to reach the upper levels. The lift takes you straight to 40 meters in seconds, giving you a thrilling view as you rise above the arena floor.

FAQs

Do I need to book the top floor tour in advance?

Yes. The small-group tour (maximum seven people) sells out quickly, often weeks ahead during high season. Book as soon as you know your Rome dates.

What if the top floor tour is sold out?

There are other exclusive experiences like the arena floor tour or underground tour. You can also get standard entry tickets.

Can I visit the arena floor or underground with this ticket?

No. This ticket includes top floor, main levels, Forum, and Palatine. Arena floor and underground are separate tickets.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Yes, but children must be accompanied by an adult. The guide makes history engaging for all ages. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

What if I have mobility issues?

Not recommended for wheelchair users or people with significant mobility impairments. Despite the elevator, there are still stairs and uneven surfaces. Contact the tour operator for specific concerns.

How long is the entire experience?

1.5 hours guided tour, then explore Forum and Palatine at your own pace. Suggest at least 30 minutes for each site, though you could spend hours.

Do I need my passport?

Yes, bring passport or ID card. Photocopies accepted. Required for entry. Children need ID too.

Can I take photos?

Absolutely. The top floor offers the best photo opportunities in the entire monument.

What should I wear?

Comfortable walking shoes are essential. Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered). Bring layers as temperature changes. See our visitor guide for more tips.

What if I’m late?

You must arrive 30 minutes early. If you’re late, you may not be allowed to join. Tickets are non-refundable regardless.

Can I bring a large bag?

No. Only small bags permitted.

Colosseum Attic Tickets