When traveling to Rome and it’s time to purchase tickets for entry to the most important monuments, the options are endless. Especially when it comes to Colosseum tickets. Here, on our “Colosseum Tickets Rome” page, we explain the different options available and which ones we recommend.
Our guided tour of the Colosseum in Rome is the best option for fully enjoying the archaeological area, its history, and its monuments. You will enjoy three hours of explanations from a guide specialized in Roman history.
The heart of Ancient Rome will be much more understandable and enjoyable with someone guiding you, helping you imagine the splendor of this archaeological site.
Colosseum Tickets Rome: Prices and Types
The Archaeological Park offers three types of Colosseum tickets: standard tickets, full experience with arena, and full experience with arena + underground access. Currently, all tickets for the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill are nominative. This means that the name provided at the time of booking must match the name on the identification document presented at the entrance.
All Colosseum tickets are valid for 24 hours. However, you can enter the Colosseum only once on the selected day and time chosen at the time of booking. Access to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill is also allowed only once within the 24-hour validity of the ticket. Once inside, you can stay within the monuments and areas for as long as you wish until closing time.
1- Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill Tickets
This type of Colosseum ticket includes access to the 1st and 2nd rings of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.
There are three types of Colosseum tickets based on age and visitor status:
- Adults: €18 per person.
- EU Students (18–24 years old): €2 per person.
- Under 18 years old: Free. Free admission also applies to people with disabilities, teachers accompanying student groups, tour guides, and government staff.
2- Full Experience Arena and Full Experience Attic Tickets
The Full Experience Arena tickets include access to the Gladiator Arena, the 1st and 2nd rings of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and also the SUPER sites. On the other hand, the Attic ticket grants access to the Colosseum, allowing you to visit the third ring but without access to the Arena. With this ticket, you can also access the buildings classified as ‘SUPER’ within the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
There are three types of Full Experience tickets, both for the Arena and the Attic:
- Adults: €24 per person.
- EU Students (18–24 years old): €2 per person (reduced ticket).
- Under 18 years old: Free admission.
Important
The access time indicated on the Full Experience ticket refers to entry to the Gladiator Arena. At the time of purchase, you will receive a voucher indicating which entrance to the Colosseum you should use to access the arena. You can stay in this reconstructed area for a maximum of 15 minutes.
Visiting and Walking on the Gladiator Arena
If you want to experience walking on the Colosseum’s Gladiator Arena, we recommend our guided tour Colosseum with Gladiator Arena. A unique experience, especially when accompanied by a professional guide.
What are the SUPER sites in the Roman Forum?
With this special ticket, you will have access to the interiors of fascinating sites such as:
- House of Augustus
- Aula Isiaca – Loggia Mattei
- Palatine Museum
- Neronian Cryptoporticus
- House of Livia
- Santa Maria Antiqua and the Ramp of Domitian
- Temple of Romulus
- Curia
In many cases, these sites do not allow large groups due to space and conservation reasons, and it is necessary to reserve an entry time. Keep this in mind when planning your visit.
3- Full Experience Arena and Underground Tickets
The Full Experience Arena + Underground tickets for the Roman Colosseum include all the sites covered by the Full Experience Arena ticket, plus access to the underground area of the Colosseum.
Specifically, there are three types of Full Experience Arena + Underground tickets.
- Adults: €24 per person.
- EU Students (18–24 years old): €2 per person.
- Under 18 years old: Free admission.
A ‘rare bird’: tickets that are hardly ever seen
In any case, for this type of ticket, online booking is mandatory. Unfortunately, the Archaeological Park sells very few tickets of this type, and they sell out very quickly. This is why it is almost impossible to acquire these tickets.
If you’re interested in visiting the underground area of the Colosseum, we recommend booking our Colosseum Underground and Arena Tour. This way, you’ll secure one of the few daily tickets available.
Which ticket to buy for the Colosseum
When choosing which ticket to buy for visiting the Colosseum, you should consider what type of experience you want… and the availability you find. In general, Full Experience tickets (Arena, Attic, or Underground) offer an added benefit to your visit, allowing access to areas of the Colosseum where only a very small number of people are allowed, especially in the underground sections. These spaces gain all their value through the words and re-presentations of a good guide. But, unfortunately, these tickets are very scarce.
If you have less time and want to save a bit, while also finding more ticket availability at more convenient times, the best option is to purchase the Colosseum H24 ticket. You will still be able to enjoy a complete visit of the common areas and the interesting exhibitions organized inside the Colosseum. All of this while being able to access the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill within the 24-hour window.
How to buy Colosseum tickets in Rome?
It is possible to purchase tickets both online and at one of the four ticket offices of the Archaeological Park (Largo della Salara Vecchia, Arco di Tito, Varco Vignola on Via di San Gregorio, and Colonna Traiana on Via dei Fori Imperiali).
Additionally, you can find tickets on the official ticket office page for the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill, along with information about cultural activities and exhibitions organized there. As a tour operator that is part of the official list of collaborators of the Archaeological Park, our mission is to enhance these wonderful places and ensure that you can enjoy, without worries, the rich complexity of history and beauty that this ‘colossus’ of architecture holds, with the help of great professional guides.
Opening Hours of the Colosseum Archaeological Area
- From October to February: 08:30 AM to 04:30 PM.
- March: 08:30 AM to 05:30 PM.
- From April to August: 08:30 AM to 07:15 PM.
- From September to October: 08:30 AM to 06:30 PM.
Keep in mind that the last entry allowed to the Colosseum is one hour before the closing time of the Park.
What do Colosseum Rome tickets include?
The Roman Forum
- Curia Julia: The Senate house built in 44 BC by Julius Caesar (hence the name).
- Basilica Aemilia: The oldest basilica among those that have survived, ruined but with magnificent spaces, in the Forum. The term “basilica” refers to the buildings used as meeting places in ancient Rome, not to the modern Christian temples.
- Temple of Saturn: One of the main temples in the Forum, dedicated to the god Saturn. It housed the treasury of Rome.
- Temple of Vesta and House of the Vestals: Vesta is one of the oldest deities of Rome. The temple and the House of the Vestals, priestesses of the goddess who protected the common hearth of the city, kept the sacred fire always burning. They are located in the heart of the Forum.
- Basilica of Antoninus Pius and Faustina the Elder: One of the best-preserved buildings in the Forum, dedicated to Empress Faustina the Elder and Emperor Antoninus Pius and Faustina the Elder.
- Temple of Romulus: A temple dedicated to Romulus, the son of Emperor Maxentius in the 4th century AD, and not to the founder of Rome. The solid bronze door is original.
- Temple of Julius Caesar: A temple founded by Mark Antony, Caesar’s adopted son, at the site in the Forum where the entire city last greeted him. A space that continues to attract many visitors in honor of the deified Julius Caesar.
- Trajan’s Column: A 40-meter-high column adorned with reliefs that depict how Emperor Trajan conquered Dacia (modern-day Romania).
- Arch of Titus: Part of the Sacred Way, it was built in honor of Emperor Titus to commemorate his victory in Judea.
- Arch of Septimius Severus: An arch commemorating Emperor Septimius Severus’s victory in Parthia (modern-day Syria).
The Palatine Hill
- Domus Augustea: The public part of the imperial palace where emperors received ambassadors and official visitors.
- Domus Flavia: The private part of the imperial palace. It is named after the dynasty that began with Vespasian.
- Stadium of Domitian: A delightful space to stroll through gardens and fountains in the lower part (hippodrome)… or along its upper corridor, like a box seat of the Imperial Palace.
The Roman Colosseum
Built nearly 2,000 years ago, this amphitheater is the heart of the Colosseum Archaeological Park and one of the city’s symbols. Its architecture continues to re-present an era that we can relive in its tragic grandeur. We recommend that you check our page about the Roman Colosseum to learn more about its history, description, and information.
Frequently Asked Questions and Tips
When to visit the Colosseum?
The Colosseum is the most visited monument in Rome. In recent years, more than 12 million people walk through its stands every year. From these stands, nearly two thousand years ago, 50,000 spectators were captivated by battles, fights, and competitions that could last entire days. We are facing one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world.
The influx of visitors is always very high. Especially during holidays, weekends, and peak season.
Whenever the duration of your trip allows, we recommend visiting the Colosseum from Monday to Friday.
If you’re traveling in the summer, when the sun and humidity can be overwhelming, buy your Colosseum tickets for early morning or late afternoon.
How to avoid the lines?
Unfortunately, the Colosseum Archaeological Park is not an easy museum to visit. The large influx of visitors causes lines to form at nearly all the archaeological sites.
Therefore, the most convenient way to avoid long waits is by booking your Colosseum tickets or guided tour online and in advance.
However, if you book online, you can avoid the line for the ticket counters, but not the one for security checks. You can check our page on visiting the Colosseum skipping the lines for more details and recommendations.
What to do if I have the Roma Pass?
If you have purchased the Roma Pass, remember that free entry is included in the cost of the card, but you still need to reserve an entry time.
Note!
An important warning. There are street vendors offering tickets to major tourist attractions, but we advise against trusting them…
When entering the Colosseum, the work of a tour operator is essential. Not only because they provide the guarantees of professionals who dedicate time and effort to ensure everything is ready for you, but also because they offer immense added value by providing not just a ticket, but a complete experience. Numa will not let you down. We’re not just in the city, we’re with you every step of the way with all the tour preparations, our guides, assistance, and experience, so that entering the Colosseum is an unforgettable experience.