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Visiting the Colosseum

The Roman Colosseum is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a must-see sight if you’re visiting Italy’s capital, the Eternal City.

Below you’ll find useful information to plan your visit, such as opening times, transport to the Colosseum, information about security and accessibility, etc.

Colosseum Ticket Options

ℹ️ Colosseum tickets sell out fast in high season.
We recommend looking on both Tiqets and GetYourGuide to increase your chances of finding a ticket.



💡 Colosseum sold out? Try the Roman Ruins Pass
A great alternative when the Colosseum ticket is not available. This pass includes access to the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and the Imperial Forum.

(Access to the Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill is included in all tickets)

Read more about:

The Colosseum seen from the inside, with the open underground in view
The Colosseum and underground area, the Hypogeum.

Where is the Colosseum located?

The address of the Colosseum is Piazza del Colosseo, 1, in Rome, Italy.
For those travelling by car, the Colosseum’s GPS coordinates are 41.8902° N, 12.4922° E.
If you’re in Rome and want to find out how to go to the Colosseum use the following Google Map to find the best route from your current location.

How to get to the Colosseum

The Colosseum is very well serviced by Rome’s extensive public transport network. It can be reached by subway, multiple bus lines, and by tram. Below is a list of all public transport options to go to the Colosseum from practically anywhere in Rome.

  • Metro B line, get off at the Colosseum metro stop.
  • Metro A line, get off at Manzoni stop, then switch to the number 3 tram line going south.
  • Bus lines 60, 75, 85, 87, 271, 571, 175, 186, 810, 850, C3, and 117.
  • Tramway line 3.

If you don’t want to take public transport you can also take a taxi, just make sure that it is an official, licensed cab.

You’ll recognize them because they have the “TAXI” sign on the roof of the vehicle, are all white, and they have the Commune di Roma logo on the side.

Also make sure your cab has a meter, and that the driver turns it on when you get in, otherwise you could end up paying much more than you should.

Things to see near the Colosseum

The Colosseum is surrounded by other beautiful and famous monuments that are well worth viewing. The most important ones are:

  • The Arch of Constantine, a triumphalist arch dedicated to the Emperor of the same name. It sits right next to the Colosseum and doesn’t require a ticket.
  • The Domus Aurea, the remains of the grand palace emperor Nero built himself in 68 AD. It can only be visited as part of a guided tour (affiliate link if this is available?)
  • The Roman Circus, aka the Circus Maximus, the ground-level remains of an ancient chariot racing stadium. It is said that it could seat 150,000 spectators during the Empire’s heyday. It is best viewed from the Palatine Hill.
  • The Palatine Hill, which houses the archeological remains of many ancient Roman palaces and temples and offers a great view of the surrounding area. You can visit it with the same ticket as the Colosseum.
  • The Roman Forum, or Foro Romano, which used to be the center of Rome itself. A plaza where trade, politics, parades, and entertainment were conducted. You can visit and view its many archaeological remains with the same ticket as the Colosseum.

Tips and things you should know for your visit

Below are some tips and other important information you should take into account when visiting the Colosseum.

Security

Like all major tourist attractions, the Colosseum’s security is quite stringent to keep visitors safe. Visitors are not allowed to enter the monument with large bags, suitcases, or backpacks.

If you are carrying your travel luggage you will be denied entry. Small and medium-sized bags are ok, but they will be screened by security personnel and go through a metal detector.

Italian military police, the Carabinieri, patrolling on horseback near the Colosseum
Italy’s military police force, the Carabinieri

Skipping the line

If you have pre-booked your tickets you will get to skip the ticket line, but will still have to wait to go through security. Depending on the day and the time of year security can take anywhere from 10 minutes to over 60 minutes. Because of this, it is recommended you budget extra time for your visit.

A good way to avoid this problem altogether is to go early in the morning. The Colosseum opens to visitors at 8.30 am. If you arrive early you will spend much less time waiting and you will also avoid the intense heat of the Roman summer. Another way to skip the lines is to join a guided tour, find out more on our tours of the Colosseum page (link).

Is the Colosseum accessible for disabled people?

Yes, the Colosseum is accessible to disabled people. Its main entrance has no stairs, the inside is mostly flat save a few areas because of the old cobblestones, and there is an elevator that takes visitors to the upper floor.

Parking near the Colosseum

Regarding parking near the Colosseum — the most important advice for any visitor thinking of driving in Rome is don’t do it. Driving and finding parking spaces in the center of the city is very difficult if you don’t know your way around.

You’ll save money, time, and stress if you stick to public transport. Pickpockets can be a thing, but if you’re careful and mindful of your belongings you won’t have a problem.

Does the Colosseum have a dress code?

The Colosseum doesn’t have a dress code, but in exploring it you’ll be climbing a lot of stairs so make sure to wear comfortable clothes and comfortable shoes. The same can be said of Rome as a whole. Shorts, leggings, hoodies… all are fine.

If you explore the surrounding area you may also spend some time in the sun, so don’t forget to bring sunscreen.

Is the Colosseum child friendly?

Yes, but you’ll need to do a little extra planning. If you’re visiting during the hottest months of the year go early in the morning to escape the heat. Joining a guided tour can also help with dodging the lines to minimize waiting time.
Beyond that, it depends on your child. If he/she is interested in ancient archaeological ruins and in hearing stories about brave Roman gladiators that fought in the arena the Colosseum can be quite an enjoyable experience.

What is the best way to see the Colosseum?

The best time to visit the Colosseum is early in the morning before large crowds form, and the best days are during the week, as it will usually be less crowded than on the weekends. However, if you’re willing to spend a little more, a night time tour (link) is probably the most interesting way to visit. Keep in mind that the night tour does not include a combined ticket for the Roman Forum and the palatine hill as a normal Colosseum ticket would, so if you want to see those monuments too you’ll have to visit them separately.