The Colosseum, which is named after the Latin noun from the adjective ‘Colosseus’, is an elliptical (oval) amphitheatre (open air building with viewing all around) in the centre of the city not far from the Roman Forum.
It is the largest ancient amphitheatre ever built that is estimated to hold 65,000 spectators and despite its age is still the largest standing amphitheatre in the world.
We have visited the Colosseum many times and are always amazed by this magnificent piece of engineering built nearly 2000 years ago.
The Colosseum was originally built for huge spectacles such as animal hunts, dramatic performances and gladiatorial games and is often the first on many visitors to Rome agenda and rightly so, and here we will provide some insight into its history, construction, purpose and tips on tickets and visiting it in general.
Did you know the Colosseum used to be covered? We have some info on that too!
Where is the Colosseum located?
The Colosseum is located in the centre of Rome just a few minutes walk from the Colosseo Metro station (Linea B) and near the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
Parts of Rome, including near sites such as the Colosseum, have a lot of construction activity including the building of new metro lines so do bear in mind the sight of hoardings will be common but it is just part of city life, upgrades and modernisation.
As a guide the Colosseum is a 20 minute walk from the Trevi Fountain, 30 minute walk from the Spanish Steps, 40 minute walk from Castel Sant’Angelo and a 60 minute walk to Vatican City, St Peters Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. Check out our Highlights section for more details on these attractions.
How much do the tickets cost to visit the Colosseum?
You can get tickets from the official site Colosseum Tickets however these generally cost more than those from Get Your Guide – Colosseum Tickets and Tours where you have many options to choose from including a guided tour, a self guided tour with an audio-guide App and add ons such as the Arena Floor and Underground or evening tours.
It’s a personal preference but the self-guided with the audio-guide App is more than sufficient and allows you to walk about the Colosseum at your own pace. You can also have a cheeky listen in to guided tours as you wander around!
Whether you book via the official site or via Get Your Guide – Colosseum Tickets and Tours you can easily check available dates and a timed slot for entry to suit you. We recommend booking in advance especially in the peak season May to September.
Ticket costs from Get Your Guide – Colosseum Tickets and Tours vary depending on which options you choose, availability, dates and times but a rough idea of costs are:
- Self guided tickets that include the Colosseum, Forum and Palatine Hill, with an audio guide, start from £20 / €24 / $26
- Self guided tickets that include entrance to the Colosseum, and the Arena floor, Forum and Palatine Hill start from £57 / €48 / $62
- A 2.5hr guided tour of the Colosseum, Forum and Palatine Hill start from £42 / €49 / $54
- A 3hr guided tour of the Colosseum, the Underground and Arena, the Forum and Palatine Hill are around £120 / €143 / $155.
Children under 6 are free and those aged between 7 and 17 are significantly discounted however, if you are booking through Get Your Guide – Colosseum Tickets and Tours be sure to check whether the tickets you are selecting allow children as some exclude bookings for those aged 17 and under.
Be mindful also to check the meeting point location as some ticket providers offices or meeting points can be further away from the Colosseum. They are all generally close ie 5-10 minutes walk but it is something to take note of.
What hours is the Colosseum open?
The Colosseum is open 7 days a week (excluding 25 Dec and 1 Jan) from 8.30am to 5.30pm but closes later in the summer months. Check the official website Colosseum.com for more information on closing times.
When is the best time to visit the Colosseum?
If you’re visiting in peak season during May to September then first thing in the morning or in the evening is the best time to visit as it can be a little quieter and cooler especially during the hot months of July and August. Definitely avoid an afternoon visit then as temperatures can get to 30c / 86f plus and in the confines of the Colosseum with many people it can be a little uncomfortable.
Do I need any identification to get into the Colosseum?
Yes, when you book your tickets ensure the names on the booking match the ID you will need to take ie Passport or Drivers Licence. This is needed for everyone entering the Colosseum, the Forum and Palatine Hill – including children.
How long should I allow to visit the Colosseum?
If you have a guided tour then the time for each area will be allocated and outlined in the booking. If it’s a self guided tour then you can take as long as you like however the average time is 2-3 hours which also includes the Forum and Palentine Hill (which will be included in your ticket).
Those without a skip-the-line ticket can wait up to 30-45 minutes in the queue to enter and get through the security checks (don’t take in large cases/bags) but in the peak season wait times can be 1-2 hours. This is where paying a little extra for skip-the-line or visiting in off peak times is beneficial.
What is there to see once I’m inside the Colosseum?
Whilst everyone is familiar with what the outside of the Colosseum looks like inside is often less well known. Once you get through security you climb (a lift is available for those less able) the steep stairs to the first or second floors or levels.
Even as you go through security, which is inside the Colosseum, you are immediately experiencing the amazing structure and size and once on each level you have fantastic views out over the Arena, into the Underground area and out to the surrounding areas.
On the second level is the Colosseum Museum (included in the ticket) which is filled with amazing artefacts and information on the design and architecture with a model of the Colosseum allowing you to see it in its original form and how the underground floor, pulleys and elevators worked.
Is there a dress code?
No. Comfortable shoes is the only necessity as there are steep stairs and you will do a lot of walking around the Colosseum, the Forum and Palatine Hill (which are all included in the standard ticket).
Is it worth visiting the Arena floor or Underground in the Colosseum?
Yes! Both give you an amazing and different perspective of the Colosseum but you do need to book these as optional extras to standard entrance tickets via the Colosseum website or Get Your Guide – Colosseum.
The Arena (latin for ‘sand’) floor is where all the action took place and the reconstruction of a section of the floor puts you at the same level where the gladiators fought and you’re able to see clearly into the underground area and get a 360 degree view of the Colosseum getting a sense of what it would have been like for those fighting or performing to the huge crowds.
The underground, or Hypogeum, is like the ‘backstage’ area made up of multiple corridors, tunnels and rooms where all the animals, armouries, props, scenery pieces, gladiators and slaves were kept. Trapdoors (36 of them!) on the arena floor, with ingenious rope and pulley systems, allowed for dramatic entrances and four of the trapdoors with elevator systems were big enough to lift elephants onto the floor above!
How big is the Colosseum?
It is 48 metres high, 189 metres long and 156 metres wide with a base area of 24,000 square metres (6 acres or 2.4 hectares). Estimates for how many people the Colosseum could hold vary from 50-80,000 people and spectators were seated based upon their social status, with the most elite viewers closest to the arena and the lower class citizens higher up. The design of the Colosseum with its 80 entrances allowed for a quick entry and exit.
What is the Colosseum made of?
The Colosseum was built from an estimated 100,000 cubic meters of travertine stone which is a type of limestone that draws its name from Tivoli where it was mined. A similar volume of cement, bricks and tuff blocks were also used. Tuff is a soft rock formed of compacted volcanic ash often including pumice and scoria and it tends to be porous and fragile. Though not ideal for detailed carving tuff was lightweight and could be easily shaped and has been a popular stone used for building in Rome for hundreds of years.
In addition to the different types of stone and cement an estimated 300 tonnes of iron clamps were used to connect the large blocks together. The clamps have been scavenged over the centuries leaving large pockmarks in the building’s walls that are still visible today.
The foundations of the Colosseum go up to 14 metres deep and the outer wall is 3.5 metres thick.
How long did it take to build the Colosseum?
The Colosseum was built in 8 years from 72 AD to 80 AD (nearly 2000 years ago!) and its estimated between 60,0,000 slaves were used in its construction, taken captive from the first Jewish-Roman war.
It was inaugurated by Emperor Titus with 100 days of games where historians have estimated over 5000 people and 9000 animals were killed from crocodiles and elephants to leopards, bears, tigers and hippopotamuses!
Is it true it used to have a roof over it?
No! Although it did have a partial covering around the entire amphitheatre protecting some of the spectators from the intense summer sun. The canvas type sails (velarium) were suspended on ropes and sailors, from the ancient port of Misenum near Naples, used ropes and pulleys to pull the massive sheets into position.
