Colosseum Access & Tours

Headout is an authorized and trusted partner of the venue, offering curated experiences to enjoy this attraction.

Colosseum in Rome with tourists exploring the ancient amphitheater.
























































From happy customers

Loved by 47 million+
Trustpilot rating: 4.5 out of 5
Christina Victoria Hiromoto
US

Christina

United States
Jan 2026

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#I've been to the Vatican Museums before, and both times have really been a great experience. The first time I had a 4:30pm booking on a weekday and the crowds were very little. There was still a line outside the museums we had to wait in, and another line inside to scan our passes. This time we booked with Headout for 8:30am on a tuesday morning. It felt much easier as we were escorted as a group through the lines by simply scanning our tickets. It was also not too crowded during that time! We personally wanted to have an entire morning and Headout had tickets left (The Vatican website did not) for those times. It was nice because we were not rushing at all. Definitely avoid the lunch hours to beat the crowds! Also they have a cafe/food area--lifesaver!
Jordi Chaparro Gonzalez
JP

Jordi

Japan
Jan 2026

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Here's a professional reviewer. This is my third visit to the Vatican, and I'm really delighted. There were hardly any lines, the staff was super friendly, and everything was much better organized than I remembered. If I could add anything, it would be a couple more signs to guide people when leaving the museum, which would be great. Also, the prices weren't too bad in the cafeteria. I highly recommend a visit, but I did go during the off-season.
Ardit Luzi
GR

Ardit

Greece
Jan 2026

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Our experience in Rome will last forever! We were very lucky to have AMR for our guide! We learnt about true history and the way he approaches tourists is so positive and interactive!!
Kelsey Keating
GB

Kelsey

United Kingdom
Jan 2026

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The shear beauty and magnitude of the building and really it was walking up the steps that brought me this moment of awe.
Antonio rotella

Antonio

Jan 2026

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This is the first time I've used Headout for a booking. What can I say? I had a great experience. At the agreed time, I met one of their representatives, who was very friendly, helpful, and MULTILINGUAL. She gave me my tickets and explained all the steps I needed to take to access the facilities without any problems. I recommend this host.
MARIA VICTORIA VAZQUEZ BOZA
ES

Maria

Spain
Jan 2026

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The host was very easy to find, and there were no lines at the entrance. The pantheon is impressive; it's a place you can't miss if you come to Rome.
Rungoat Maïwenn
FR

Rungoat

France
Jan 2026

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The Colosseum, Forum, and Palatine Hill are incredible places to visit. These are monuments that are not to be missed. My partner and I really enjoyed ourselves and were pleasantly surprised by how peaceful the Palatine Hill was. We even wondered how this was possible, given that it is a historic monument in the heart of the capital. As for the Pantheon 🏛️, we enjoyed it, it's still a monument worth discovering, but we were a little disappointed because we expected to see more, as it's "only one room" to visit, especially since the combo ticket wasn't particularly good value, as the price is €5 per person and we paid €10 per person. We found it expensive for what it actually was.
Mary Twomey

Mary

Jan 2026

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Great tour with a great guide. Wasn't too crowded until we got to the sistine chapel which was uncomfortably packed and made it very hard to see anything and we were rushed out by the security guards so a bit underwhelmed by that. No fault of our guide who was a wealth of knowledge about all things related to the Vatican

Top things to do in Rome

Visiting the Colosseum

  • Ways to explore: All tickets include timed Colosseum entry plus Roman Forum and Palatine Hill (within 24hrs), with self-guided audio options or expert-led guided tours in multiple languages.
  • Additional access: Upgrade to Arena Floor, Underground, or Roman Forum SUPER Sites Pass to access restricted areas.
  • Unique experiences: Experience the Colosseum’s ethereal glow on a crowd-free night tour with exclusive Underground access.
  • Queues: On-site ticket queues can last 45–90 minutes in peak season. Pre-booked entry tickets and guided tours use dedicated entrances, letting you bypass ticket lines, though mandatory security checks still take 10–30 minutes.
  • When to book: Guided, Arena, and Underground tours sell out fastest, book 7-10 days ahead in peak season.
  • Good to know: Underground and Arena tickets are limited and usually non-refundable; standard entry offers more flexible cancellation.
  • Best upgrade: Choose the Underground tour for an in-depth, end-to-end Colosseum visit, guided by an expert with exclusive backstage access.

Know your ticket options ↓

Your Colosseum experience options explained

Ticket typeEntrance usedLines skippedSecurityIncludesGuideWhen to chooseCancellation policyPrice from

Standard (24-hour)

Timed entry gate (Sperone Valadier)

Onsite ticket queues

Mandatory 10-30 minutes

Timed entry to Colosseum + Roman Forum & Palatine Hill access

Audio guide

• Budget-friendly, self-guided experience • Saves 1-2 hrs

Varies by option

€25

Guided tour

Group gate (North side, Sperone Valadier)

Onsite ticket queues

Mandatory

Guided tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

Live guide

• In-depth structured visit with priority entry • Expert insights

No refunds or rescheduling

€32

Full experience + Arena & Underground

Stern entrance (Gladiator's gate)

Onsite ticket queues

Mandatory

Access to Underground chambers + Arena + Standard areas

Live guide

• Exclusive area access • End-to-end Colosseum coverage • Expert insights

Free cancellation up to 7 days

€80

Private tour

Group gate (North side, Sperone Valadier)

Onsite ticket queues

Mandatory

Guided tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill + Private group of up to 10

Live guide

• Custom-tailored tour • Crowd-free experience

Free cancellation up to 4 days

€539

Combo tickets

Colosseum + Roman Forum/Vatican gates

Onsite ticket queues

Mandatory

Colosseum + Roman Forum, Vatican Museums, etc.

Audio/Live guide as per option selected

• Rome’s top landmarks with savings and convenience.

Varies by option

€83

What to expect at the Colosseum

Aerial view of the Colosseum in Rome during a VIP private tour.
Tourists with a guide overlooking the interior of the Colosseum in Rome, Italy.
Ancient Roman statues displayed inside the Colosseum Museum in Rome.
Visitors exploring the ancient Colosseum arena in Rome, Italy.
Colosseum underground passageway with ancient stone walls in Rome, Italy.
Forum and Palatine Hill tour
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The grand exterior

Circle the travertine façade with four tiers of arches and columns, once lined with statues. Spot battle-scarred holes left by removed iron clamps, then admire the nearby Arch of Constantine for perfect photos. Built with 80 entryways for swift entry, the Colosseum still draws long lines with standard access helping you skip ticket queues, though security checks are required.

The spectator tiers

Climb to the second or third levels for sweeping views of the arena, Forum, and Rome. Learn how seating reflected Roman class divisions and marvel at the arches, stairways, and elliptical design that managed 50,000 spectators.

Colosseum Museum

Explore exhibits on the upper levels featuring gladiatorial armor, ancient graffiti, models of the arena, and artifacts unearthed onsite. Informative panels and symbolic additions, like the Christian cross, trace the Colosseum’s layered history.

The Arena Floor

Step onto the reconstructed arena floor, an exclusive upgrade, where gladiators once fought. From this cinematic vantage point, gaze up at the towering seats, feel the weight of history, and imagine the roar of 50,000 spectators filling the air.

The Underground

Accessible only via guided tours, the hypogeum reveals the hidden world beneath the stage: animal pens, tunnels, elevators, and trapdoors that set the stage for Rome’s deadly spectacles, showcasing the arena’s ingenious engineering.

Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

All standard tickets include entry to these neighboring sites. Wander the Via Sacra, stand at Caesar’s altar, and climb Palatine Hill for sweeping views. Together, they frame the Colosseum within the wider story of Rome’s empire.

Things to know before booking Colosseum experiences

The Colosseum welcomes over 12 million visitors a year and is rarely quiet. Tickets are released 30 days ahead on the official site and can sell out within hours.

  • High season (Jun–Aug): Book 4–5 weeks in advance for morning slots or upgrades (Arena/Underground).
  • Shoulder season (Apr–May, Sep–Oct): 2–3 weeks ahead is usually enough.
  • Low season (Jan–Feb): Limited same-day tickets may be available at opening, but never guaranteed.

What a standard ticket includes

Every Colosseum visit starts here:

  • Timed entry to the Colosseum’s general areas (first two tiers + small museum, which contextualizes what you’re seeing in the amphitheater itself.).
  • These tickets let you bypass the on-site sales counter but security check is mandatory, and might take 10-30 minutes to clear, depending on the crowds.
  • 24-hour access to the Roman Forum & Palatine Hill, the epicenter of Roman politics and imperial palaces.

Entry process

  • All tickets let you skip the on-site sales counter, but security checks are mandatory and take 10–30 minutes.
  • You must reach the gate from 15 minutes before up to 15 minutes after your timeslot; miss it and your ticket is usually only valid for Forum/Palatine (no Colosseum entry).

Best ways to explore Colosseum

  • Exploring the Colosseum independently is the cheapest and most flexible option, but limited signage means key context can be missed. An audio guide (€6) adds helpful insight.
  • Guided tours add priority entry and expert narration on gladiators, imperial power, and Roman engineering. Groups average ~30 guests, with upgrades to small-group (<15), express, or private archaeologist-led tours for a more focused visit.

Upgrade for Arena and Underground access

  • Step onto the reconstructed Arena Floor, the stage where gladiators once fought. With limited daily slots, this upgrade is highly coveted and often sells out, book at least 2 weeks in advance.
  • Descend to the Colosseum’s underground to explore tunnels, cages, and ancient lifts that powered the games. Access is only with a guided small-group tour to protect this fragile space, making it the most exclusive and atmospheric Colosseum experience.

Free entry days

  •  First Sunday is free but extremely crowded; restricted areas (Arena/Underground) aren’t available those day. Most travelers find it better value to pay for reserved entry on a regular day for a calmer experience.

Other unique Colosseum experiences

Hand-picked tours for every kind of traveler.

Family-friendly tours

Designed for kids and families, these tours turn Ancient Rome into an adventure through fun storytelling and interactive games.

Explore family tours

Night tours

See the Colosseum after dark, when crowds thin out and the monument glows under atmospheric lighting. Includes exclusive Arena access.

Book a night tour

Domus Aurea tours

Descend underground into Nero’s lavish Golden House, brought to life with VR headsets and guided stories, a rare archaeological gem.

Discover Domus Aurea

Express tours

Short on time? Enjoy a guided highlights tour that covers the essentials of the Colosseum in under an hour.

The Colosseum map

Navigating the Colosseum is like stepping back in time, and a map is your key to unlocking its many layers of history. From the ground-level views of the arena and spectator seating on Level 1 to the museum displays on Level 2, there’s plenty to explore with standard tickets. For a deeper dive, special access tickets will take you to the Underground, where gladiators and animals prepared for battle, and onto the Arena Floor, where the action unfolded. When open to public, the upper Levels 3-5 offer breathtaking views of the entire structure.

Colosseum in Rome with labeled seating levels and key areas for tours.

Explore the Colosseum

Tourists exploring the Colosseum arena in Rome, Italy.
Colosseum Underground tour showcasing ancient Roman tunnels and chambers in Rome, Italy.
Tour group with guide overlooking the interior of the Colosseum in Rome.
Arch of Constantine in Rome with tourists exploring the historic monument.
Colosseum Museum artefacts display with ancient pottery, bones, and tools.
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Arena

This was the gladiators’ stage, where wild beasts burst through trapdoors and fighters entered through the Porta Triumphalis (Gladiator’s Gate). The reconstructed walkway puts you at the center of the action, with a rare ground perspective of the massive amphitheater and a chilling glimpse into the hypogeum below.

Access: No (Upgrade required with Arena-access tickets)

Experience the Arena Floor

Underground

Below the stage lies the Colosseum’s hidden machinery: a labyrinth of tunnels, elevators, and cages where animals and fighters were kept before being dramatically hoisted into battle. Wooden hoists powered by pulleys once lifted elephants and lions straight into the arena. Today, guided tours here reveal the rough stone corridors, staging cells, and remnants of the ingenious Roman engineering.

Access: No (Only with special full experience tours)

Explore the Colosseum Underground

Seating tiers

The Colosseum wasn’t just about entertainment; it was a mirror of Roman society.

  • Tier 1: VIP seats for senators, closest to the floor.
  • Tier 2: Today’s sweet spot for symmetry shots and scale.
  • Tier 3+: Once packed with common citizens; these upper levels showed the amphitheatre at full 50,000+ capacity.

Access: Yes (Included with all Colosseum tickets)

Exterior Facade & Arch of Constantine

Before you even step inside, the Colosseum’s four-storey exterior stuns with travertine arches, Doric-Ionic-Corinthian columns stacked in order, and pockmarks from centuries of stone-robbery. Nearby, the Arch of Constantine (AD 315) commemorates the emperor’s victory and frames the Colosseum perfectly for photos.

Exhibitions & visitor center

Near the entrance, rotating exhibits showcase gladiator weapons, everyday objects, and multimedia reconstructions of the games. Scale models explain how the arena looked in its prime, while films and digital installations (“Colosseum Story”) help visitors visualize its transformation over 2,000 years.

Access: Yes (Included with all Colosseum tickets, subject to venue closures)

Other sites inside the Archaeological Park of the Colosseum

The Colosseum is just the beginning, what many people don’t realize is that it’s part of the Parco Archeologico del Colosseo, a vast archaeological area that holds the political, cultural, and imperial heart of Ancient Rome. Each site within the park tells a different side of Rome’s story.

Palatine Hill

Why it matters: Legendary birthplace of Rome and home to emperors’ palaces with panoramic views over the Forum and Circus Maximus.

Best way to experience: Pair it with your standard access or guided tour for a seamless visit. For specific Forum and Palatine Hill access, choose the SUPER Sites Pass .

Book Palatine Hill tickets

Roman Forum

Why it matters: Once the bustling political, religious, and commercial center of Rome featuring temples, basilicas, and arches all in one walkable valley.

Best way to experience: Included in all Colosseum ticket. Opt for a guided tour to hear stories about ruins like the Curia (Senate house) and Arch of Titus to life with stories. For exclusive access to restricted areas, choose the SUPER Sites Pass.

Book Roman Forum tickets

Domus Aurea (Golden House of Nero)

Why it matters: Nero’s vast underground palace, rediscovered centuries later, with vivid frescoes that inspired Renaissance masters.

Best way to experience: Entry is only by guided tour, often with VR headsets that recreate its original golden splendor.

Tour the Domus Aurea

Plan your visit to the Colosseum

Group of tourists enjoying a Colosseum Guided Tour in Rome, Italy, with a clear view of the ancient amphitheater

30 March – 30 September: 8:30am – 7:15pm
1 October – 25 October: 8:30am – 6:30pm
Last entrance: 1 hour before the closing time
Closed: 25 December and January 1.

Roman Forum & Palatine Hill hours: 9am - 4:30pm

Best time of day: Early morning (8:30–10:30am) for smaller crowds and softer light, or evening post 5pm.
Best seasons: June–Sep for summer energy; Nov–Mar for pleasant weather and fewer visitors.

Tip: Book a night tour to experience the Colosseum in a different light. The floodlit monument takes on a magical aura, and the crowds are significantly smaller.

Detailed Colosseum opening hours

Address: Piazza del Colosseo, 1, 00184 Roma RM, Italy. Find on map

The Colosseum is located in the heart of Rome, just east of the Roman Forum and about a 10-minute walk from the Piazza Venezia.

Getting there

  • By metro: Colosseo Station (Line B), 2-minute walk
  • By bus: Piazza del Colosseo, via Line 75, 81, 673
  • By tram: Piazza del Colosseo, via Line 3
  • Paid parking nearby at Via Ostilia
  • By Hop-on Hop-off Bus: Big Bus, City Sightseeing, and I Love Rome (Red Route) or Green Line Tours (Green Route) — all stop at “Colosseum.”
Directions to Colosseum
Visitors walking through the Colosseum's interior passageway in Rome.

There are three main entrances to the Colosseum:

  • Sperone Valadier: Main entrance for individual timed-entry and guided tour ticket holders; 45-min average wait.
  • Group Gate: North-side entry for guided groups (14–50 people); 15–20 min wait.
  • Stern Gate: Reserved for special access tours (Underground, Arena, Belvedere); currently closed—entry rerouted from inside.
Which Colosseum entrance to choose?
Restroom sign with directional arrow in a public area.
  • Restrooms: Located on both the first and second tiers; there are 14 restrooms on the first tier, including accessible facilities with baby-changing stations.
  • Nursing areas: Designated areas for nursing mothers are available within the Colosseum.
  • AED Defibrillators: Located on the first and second tiers, near ticket booths and in the security coordinators’ room.
  • Resting areas: Benches are available on both tiers, with additional seating at viewing points like the Belvedere and gates such as Triumphalis and Libitinaria.
  • Drinking fountains: Multiple fountains are situated throughout the Colosseum, including between the first and second tiers.
  • Vending machines: Available on the Via Nova, in the Horti Farnesiani, and in the Stadium of the Domus Augustana. Bottled water dispensers are also present in the bookshops on both tiers.
Plan your visit to Colosseum
Person on wheelchair exploring historic city street in Rome, Italy.
  • There are 3 wheelchairs in the first tier of the Colosseum at the reception and security office.
  • All entrances are wheelchair accessible.
  • There is an elevator specifically or visitors with mobility issues connecting the first and second floors; and a freight elevator to reach the underground.
  • The first and second tiers of the Colosseum are entirely wheelchair accessible.
  • There are 11 tactile guides spread across the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill to explain the layout and significance of these landmarks. The Colosseum has one tactile guide.
  • The ParCo (area encompassing the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill) also offers golf cart services for people using wheelchairs.

Visitor tips

  • Move counter-clockwise against the usual visitor flow: Turn left on entry, start at upper levels, then descend for less congestion and richer perspectives.
  • The Colosseum can get quite warm, especially in summer. Bring a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated, and wear comfortable shoes for walking on uneven surfaces. Lightweight clothing is recommended during hot months, while layers are advisable for cooler seasons.
  • Outside the Colosseum, you'll find vendors renting gladiator costumes and taking pictures with tourists. This can be a fun and memorable way to commemorate your visit, especially if you're traveling with kids.
  • Download or bring a detailed site map to snag hidden corners, learn where the less-crowded staircases are, and spot the best viewing terraces.
  • Seek out Roman numerals carved above entrances (used for ancient ticketing), trace anchor points for the velarium (massive awning), and inspect stonework for clues about the Colosseum’s construction phases.

Plan ahead for an effortless visit →

Frequently asked questions about Colosseum experiences

Most standard tickets cover general entry to the Colosseum, including levels 1-2, and Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. However, areas like the Arena or Underground require an upgrade. See the ticket comparison section for details.

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