Colosseum Guide: Tickets, Arena and Underground

The Flavian Amphitheatre opened in 80 AD and held around 50,000 spectators for gladiator fights and animal hunts. Most of its outer ring was later quarried for building stone, which is why one side looks bitten off. These are the questions we get asked most.

Do I need to book?

Yes. Tickets are sold for a time slot and are personal: the names of every visitor go on the booking, and staff can check ID at the entrance, so bring a passport or ID card. Buy on the official Parco archeologico del Colosseo site. Resellers charge more and some sell tours you don't need.

What does a standard ticket include?

The Colosseum's first and second tiers, plus the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill on the same ticket. You need a slot for the Colosseum, but the Forum and Palatine are more flexible. Check how long your ticket stays valid, since the rules have changed in recent years.

Is the arena or the underground worth the upgrade?

The Full Experience tickets add restricted areas, visited with staff. The arena option puts you on the rebuilt section of the floor, looking up at the stands as a gladiator would have. The underground option adds the hypogeum, the tunnels and animal pens beneath the floor, and includes the arena too. On a first visit the underground is the one we'd choose; it's what makes the building's machinery make sense. Slots are limited and go early.

When is it least crowded?

The first slot of the day, or the last two hours. Late morning is the worst, especially from April to October.

How long should I allow?

About 1 to 1.5 hours inside the Colosseum, and another 2 to 3 hours for the Forum and Palatine. Do both on the same morning in cooler months. In summer, split them or you'll be walking the Forum at its hottest.

How do I get there?

Metro line B to Colosseo, which exits right opposite the amphitheatre. Line C now stops at Colosseo-Fori Imperiali too. From Monti it's a ten-minute walk downhill.

Any other tips?

No large bags. There's airport-style security, so arrive 20 to 30 minutes before your slot. For the classic photo of the exterior, climb to the terrace on Via Nicola Salvi or the Colle Oppio park above it. Ignore the costumed "gladiators" by the entrance, who expect money for photos. Our 3-day itinerary builds a full morning around the visit.