Enjoy a bird’s eye view of Rome and beyond from the Colosseum’s Balcony
Colosseum & Roman Forum Tickets at a Glance
Here’s a quick summary of the best standard entry options to help you choose.
🎧 Colosseum & Roman Forum + Audio Guide
Best for Independent explorers
Reserved entrance to the Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill, plus a downloadable city audio guide for your smartphone.
🎬 Colosseum & Roman Forum + Immersive Ancient Rome
Best for Visual learners
Reserved entrance to the Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill, plus a 25-minute video showing a virtual reconstruction of ancient Rome.
Best for First-time visitors
An all-in-one pass that includes access to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica.
Tickets & Prices
Colosseum & Roman Forum tickets are often referred to as standard entry options, which only grants access to Colosseum main levels, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.
Options from the official website are:
- The standard 24-hour Colosseum ticket, which gets you into the first and second tiers, the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill and the Imperial Fora.
- The more comprehensive Full Experience Tickets, which includes access to the arena floor, underground, or attic areas of the Colosseum, along with the Forum and Palatine Hill, and potentially extra Super Sites.
Tips to Help You Pick
The standard Colosseum ticket with audio guide is perfect value for first-time visitors who want the classics without extras.
For a more immersive and behind-the-scenes experience, upgrade to the Full Experience tickets, which unlock the arena floor, underground tunnels or even the attic.
If you’re a DIY explorer, download the free My Colosseum app for interactive audio guides in Italian and English.
What You’ll Experience
Balcony
Your standard ticket grants you access to the first and second tiers of the Colosseum, also known as the balcony or stands. From here, you’ll get breathtaking panoramic views of the entire amphitheater. Imagine the roar of 50,000 spectators as you look down upon the complex maze of the exposed Hypogeum (underground tunnels) where gladiators and wild animals once awaited their fate.
Arena Floor
Access to the Arena Floor is not included in the standard ticket. To experience the Colosseum from the gladiator’s perspective and stand on the reconstructed stage, you’ll need to book a Colosseum ticket with Arena Floor access.
Underground (Hypogeum)
Exploring the labyrinth of tunnels and chambers beneath the arena floor is not part of the standard entry experience. To see the backstage area where gladiators, animals, and stage machinery were kept, you must book a Colosseum Underground Tour.
Roman Forum
Wander through what was once ancient Rome’s beating heart. You’ll see crumbling temples, grand arches, and the very spot where citizens gathered to gossip, trade, and shape history.
Palatine Hill
Palatine Hill is where Rome’s elite lived in luxury, surrounded by sprawling palaces and sweeping gardens. Stroll around and you’ll spot ruins of imperial homes and unbeatable views over the Colosseum and Forum.
Imperial Fora
Just beyond the Forum, the emperors built their own extensions — bigger, flashier, and dripping with power. Today, walk among massive columns, market halls, and temples designed to show off Rome’s might.
A Virtual Visit Inside the Colosseum »
How to Book
Select participants
Select participants, date, and language
Select Your Experience
Check what’s included (some tickets offer optional upgrades)
Pick a Time Slot
Choose your preferred time slot
Payment
Enter your details and complete the booking
Get Your Tickets
Instant confirmation, digital tickets will arrive directly by email
Reschedule and cancellation policy
- Most Colosseum tickets are non-refundable and can’t be rescheduled once booked, due to extremely high demand and limited availability.
- Some reseller tours offer a partial refund if cancelled.
Plan Your Visit
| Date | Opening Hours |
|---|---|
| 2 January – 29 March | 8:30 – 16:30 |
| 30 March – 30 September | 8:30 – 19:15 |
| 1 October – 25 October | 8:30 – 18:30 |
| 26 October 2025 – 28 February 2026 | 8:30 – 16:30 |
Tour groups use separate entrances with faster security processing and skip the massive queues.
For complete entrance details, meeting points, and entry rules, check our comprehensive Colosseum Entrances Guide.
Here are directions to the Colosseum, which is easily reached by public transport via Metro Line B (Colosseo stop), the 3 tram, or buses 51, 75, 81, 85, 87, and 118.
Check our comprehensive Colosseum Location Guide to find the easiest ways to get to the Colosseum (detailed directions and tips).
The Colosseum’s entrance, first and second levels are accessible for wheelchairs, strollers, and visitors with limited mobility. But the arena floor, underground, and upper levels (balcony) have no elevator access.
Did You Know That? Facts
- The higher you sat in the Colosseum, the lower your status. The top tier was nicknamed the “gallery for the poor” as the wooden benches were packed with Rome’s working class, women, and enslaved people.
- Yet the cheapest seats had Rome’s best views, as you could see beyond the Colosseum to Palatine Hill and parts of the city skyline.
- Vendors worked the upper tiers, selling snacks and drinks – the ancient version of stadium popcorn and beer.
- Colosseum entry was completely free. Emperors paid for the games to win over the people.
- The Colosseum had a retractable roof (the velarium). Roman sailors pulled ropes and sails to shade the crowd from the sun.
FAQs
1. What is included in a standard Colosseum ticket?
The standard 24-hour Colosseum ticket includes access to the Colosseum’s first and second levels, the Roman Forum and Museum, Palatine Hill and Museum, and Imperial Fora.
2. How much does a standard Colosseum ticket cost?
A standard Colosseum ticket costs €18.00.
3. How far in advance should I book Colosseum tickets?
Colosseum tickets are released 30 days in advance, so book as early as possible, especially in peak season, to secure your spot.
4. Does the standard Colosseum ticket include skip-the-line access?
Yes, a standard Colosseum ticket includes skip-the-line entry, letting you bypass the ticket-buying queue.
5. Where to buy Colosseum tickets?
Book Colosseum tickets through the official Parco Archeologico del Colosseo website. Just keep in mind, they sell out quickly. If that happens, you can still book through trusted resellers like Tiqets and GetYourGuide, which offer similar experiences with more availability.
6. Can I buy Colosseum tickets on the day?
Yes, you can buy same-day Colosseum tickets at the onsite office. However, availability is limited, and lines can be long, so booking online in advance is recommended for guaranteed entry.
7. What are the Colosseum entrance options?
Colosseum entrance points depend on your ticket type, with separate entrances for general, arena floor, and underground access.
8. What if my dates are sold out?
If your preferred Colosseum dates are sold out, you can check alternative tour operators or try buying single tickets at different times on the official website.
9. Can I visit the Arena and Underground?
Buy the Full Experience Underground and Arena ticket for this experience.
10. Can I cancel or reschedule?
Colosseum tickets purchased through the official channel are non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled. However, if you book through authorized resellers like Tiqets or GetYourGuide, you might find tickets that offer flexible or refundable options.