The Colosseum, or Colosseo, is Rome’s Flavian Amphitheatre, a first-century landmark within an archaeological park that also includes the Roman Forum and Palatine. Choose a ticket by the areas you want to enter: options range from the Colosseum’s first and second levels to visits that include the arena or underground spaces.
- Location: Piazza del Colosseo, Rome.
- Timed entry: Colosseum tickets require a reserved time slot; sales open 30 days before your visit.
- Typical hours: Opening times vary across the year; the park closes on 25 December and 1 January.
- From Termini: Toffa Place In Rome is about a five-minute walk from Termini, which has public transport connections toward the Colosseum.
Choose a Colosseum visit
Choose your Colosseum visit according to which parts of the amphitheatre and archaeological park you want to access. The surrounding archaeological park covers more than 40 hectares and includes the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine and Domus Aurea.
The Colosseum is the largest amphitheatre in the world, according to the Archaeological Park. Built in the first century CE at the behest of the Flavian emperors, it hosted public spectacles including animal hunts and gladiatorial games. Its familiar name comes from a colossal statue that once stood nearby.
For a visit focused on the amphitheatre’s standard public areas, the 24-hour Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine ticket includes one timed entry to the Colosseum’s first and second levels, excluding the arena, and one entry to the Roman Forum–Palatine archaeological area. If arena, underground or attic access matters to your plans, compare the Full Experience options before choosing.
Timed entry and ticket types
Every Colosseum visit requires a reserved entry time, and ticket sales open 30 days before the visit date. The park issues tickets in the holder’s name, so keep an identification document visible with your ticket at park entrances.
The ticket options differ in access and validity. Check the official ticket page before choosing, since access areas and the length of validity vary by ticket.
24-hour Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine
This ticket gives you one timed entry to the Colosseum’s first and second levels, without arena access, plus one entry to the Roman Forum–Palatine archaeological area. It is valid for 24 hours.
Full Experience Underground and Arena
Valid for two consecutive days, this option includes one Colosseum entry with underground and arena access, plus one entry to the Roman Forum, Palatine and SUPER sites.
Full Experience Arena
This two-consecutive-day ticket includes one Colosseum entry with arena access and one entry to the Roman Forum, Palatine and SUPER sites.
Full Experience Attic
Valid for two consecutive days, this ticket includes one Colosseum entry with attic access and use of the panoramic lift, plus one entry to the Roman Forum, Palatine and SUPER sites. The park reserves the lift for people with reduced mobility who have genuine, documented difficulty climbing stairs.
Only Arena
This ticket is valid for 24 hours and includes one entry to the Roman Forum–Palatine area within that period. Arena access is limited to one 20-minute visit at the booked time.
Admission is free on the first Sunday of each month, 25 April, 2 June and 4 November. The park’s opening hours vary by date range; its regular seasonal timetable includes opening from 8:30 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. from the last Sunday in March through 31 August, with last entry at 6:15 p.m. Other seasonal hours vary. Check the official site before you go.
What to see inside the amphitheatre
Inside the Colosseum, your ticket determines which areas you can enter. The standard 24-hour ticket covers the first and second levels, while separate Full Experience options include access to the arena, underground spaces or attic.
If you choose the Attic ticket, plan for a 90-minute Colosseum visit. Its panoramic lift is reserved for visitors who meet the park’s reduced-mobility eligibility requirements.
The amphitheatre’s scale reflects its original role as a venue for spectacles, including animal hunts and gladiatorial games. Allow your chosen access areas to guide how you divide your time between the Colosseum and the wider archaeological park.
Combining the Colosseum with Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
Many Colosseum tickets also include entry to the Roman Forum and Palatine, so you can plan the amphitheatre as part of a visit to the wider archaeological park. The standard 24-hour ticket allows one entry to the Forum–Palatine area, while Full Experience tickets include the Roman Forum, Palatine and SUPER sites.
The park spans more than 40 hectares, so check which areas your selected ticket covers before setting out. The Domus Aurea is also part of the archaeological park, with visits on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays scheduled every 15 minutes from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; last admission is at 3:30 p.m. It is closed on the first Sunday of each month.
If you’re arranging several central Rome sights in one day, the one-day route from Termini to the historic centre offers a broader itinerary context.
How do you get from Termini to the Colosseum?
From Termini, use Rome’s public transport connections toward the Colosseum. The archaeological park identifies Metro Line B at Colosseo and Line C at Colosseo-Fori Imperiali as transit options. It also gives buses 51, 75, 81, 85, 87 and 118, plus tram 3, as routes serving the Colosseum.
The Colosseum’s published address is Piazza del Colosseo, Rome. For orientation around your starting point, this guide to Termini and its neighbourhood covers the station area.
Accessibility and visitor rules
The archaeological area has uneven terrain, and visitors must stay on marked public paths. Wear suitable footwear and watch your footing as you move between areas.
The Colosseum’s visitor services include accessible areas, toilets, baby-changing facilities, an information point, audio guides, a bookshop and a lift or hoist. The House of Augustus is closed on Mondays, while the House of Livia is closed for restoration work; check the park’s official updates when planning around these sites.
FAQs
Do you need a timed ticket for the Colosseum?
Yes. Colosseum entry requires a reserved time slot, and ticket sales open 30 days before the visit date.
Can a Colosseum ticket include the Roman Forum and Palatine?
Yes. Ticket options include entry to the Roman Forum–Palatine area, although access and validity differ by ticket.
Is the Colosseum closed on any days?
The archaeological park is closed on 25 December and 1 January.