Colosseum Tours

Colosseum which includes a monument and a sunset
Choose one or more items to build your trip:
A true architectural heavyweight, the 2,000-year-old Colosseum is often considered one of the seven “modern” wonders of the world.

Completed in the year 80 during the reign of Titus, the Colosseum was the biggest amphitheater ever built by the Roman Empire. It once regularly hosted 50,000 spectators cheering and jeering at combating gladiators, executions and battle reenactments. While the baying crowds are no longer there, the structure itself has defied earthquakes, stone thieves and car pollution to remain standing today at the heart of Rome.If you plan ahead and purchase combined tickets to the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill in advance, entrance to the famous site begins by breezing past the long line straight inside. But, even if you have to stand in line, don’t worry too much. What you’ll see when you enter this enormous amphitheater is worth the wait. To get the most of the site, pay to join a tour when inside. You can also rent an audio guide. Although the interior of the Colosseum is now largely deteriorated, there is still much to see. The structure’s centerpiece is the hypogeum, part of the subterranean network, above which the arena floor would have been. Weave your way through the pillars and plant life at your leisure.It is also possible to visit the winding network of underground tunnels — where the gladiators would steel themselves before facing the crowds — and the third level of the Colosseum. This must be done with a special guide and booked in advance. If you don’t manage this, take a walk around the entire outer edifice to admire the three-tiered travertine arches and see how the whole structure fits together. In particular, take note of the very bottom layer of arches, built not for aesthetics but rather as an essential means of crowd control.While the gladiatorial tussles and live animal hunts are long gone, the Colosseum is still used from time to time as a spectacular backdrop for summer concerts, often for big performers like Paul McCartney and Simon and Garfunkel, so always check the schedule before you visit.

The Colosseum is in central Rome. Bus stops and the Metro train station Colosseo are all nearby.

Plan a trip to see Colosseum

Relais de la Poste
Hotel Mancino 12
Baglioni Hotel Regina - The Leading Hotels of the World
Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Browse tours and tickets to explore Colosseum

Reviews of Colosseum

4.7
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
4937
" "5 - Excellent 74.74640423921272%
4 - Good
1395
" "4 - Good 21.12036336109008%
3 - Okay
232
" "3 - Okay 3.512490537471612%
2 - Disappointing
25
" "2 - Disappointing 0.3785011355034065%
1 - Terrible
16
" "1 - Terrible 0.24224072672218017%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Feb 26, 2020

go early to avoid lines. we were there at opening and it only took 30 minutes to get inside.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Feb 7, 2020

We used walks of Italy as a tour. They were fantastic. Getting a tour guide is a must. So much to see and understand. And extremely reasonable prices.

5/5 - Excellent

Geri
Jan 9, 2020

Why would anyone visiting Rome NOT go to the Colosseum?! It's amazing to stand where ancient Romans did. You need to sort of feel the size of it, and keep telling yourself this is 2000 years old. Just gaze around in awe.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jan 7, 2020

Definitely use a tour-Skip the Line and book ahead.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Jan 6, 2020

Buy tickets well in advance, the line is unbelievable

5/5 - Excellent

DP
Dec 19, 2019

Don’t buy ticket from vendors outside. You can buy inside. Children under 15 (or 18?) are free.

Popular places to visit


Best Lodging Options Near Colosseum

Hotel Quirinale
Hotel Quirinale
4 out of 5
Via Nazionale 7, Rome, RM
Hotel Quirinale
UNAHOTELS Decò Roma
UNAHOTELS Decò Roma
4 out of 5
Via Giovanni Amendola, 57, Rome, RM
UNAHOTELS Decò Roma
Hotel Madison
Hotel Madison
3 out of 5
Via Marsala, 60, Rome, Lazio
Hotel Madison
Domus Liberius
Domus Liberius
Via Liberiana, 17, Rome
Domus Liberius
Best Western Plus Hotel Universo
Best Western Plus Hotel Universo
4 out of 5
Via Principe Amedeo 5/B, Rome, RM
Best Western Plus Hotel Universo
Gioberti Hotel
Gioberti Hotel
4 out of 5
Via Gioberti, 20, Rome, RM
Gioberti Hotel
Excellence Suite
Excellence Suite
Via della Purificazione 38, Rome, Italy
Excellence Suite
The Republic Hotel
The Republic Hotel
4 out of 5
Via Gaeta 61, Rome
The Republic Hotel
Palazzo Manfredi – Small Luxury Hotels of the World
Palazzo Manfredi – Small Luxury Hotels of the World
5 out of 5
Via Labicana, 125, Rome, RM
Palazzo Manfredi – Small Luxury Hotels of the World
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.