Tips for visiting Colosseum

Do you know the Colosseum is one of Rome’s most popular tourist attractions, attracting over 7 million visitors annually?

However, visiting such a popular attraction can come with a price: long queues, crowded viewing areas, and a less enjoyable experience.

But if you prepare well before your trip, you can avoid all these problems and get the most out of your visit to the Colosseum.  

So, in this article, we’ll help you prepare with our 10 insider tips for visiting Rome Colosseum, which can help you have a memorable visit.

Book Your Colosseum tickets online in advance. 

Waiting in line to get your Rome Colosseum tickets from the ticket counter can take up to an hour. 

There’s so much to see inside the Colosseum that spending hours waiting in line will give you less time exploring the Colosseum itself and other Roman treasures.

So, save your time and book your tickets online well in advance.

You’ll receive a designated entry time slot by pre-purchasing your ticket online. 

This allows you to bypass the often lengthy queues and head straight into the Colosseum.

You can also select from various ticket options, such as skip-the-line tickets, combo tickets or a guided tour. 

If you want to learn more about the attraction in detail, we suggest you take a guided tour of the Colosseum.

Choose the time to visit the Colosseum wisely.

As the Roman Colosseum is a world-famous attraction, and visitors from all over the globe visit this attraction, it is crucial to time your visit perfectly to avoid big crowds or any other hassle.

Avoid visiting in July and August for a peaceful visit to the Colosseum without too much of a crowd. 

These two months have European school holidays, so Rome generally becomes overcrowded and expensive. 

We suggest visiting the Colosseum from April to May and September to October, as these months offer pleasant weather and fewer tourists. 

Remember that the Colosseum is busiest between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., so avoid these hours, especially on weekends. 

Combine your visit to the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

The Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill are three landmarks located within a short distance of each other in the archaeological area known as “Fori Imperiali” (Imperial Forums).

Ideally, they should be explored together for a more complete understanding.

However, purchasing separate tickets for the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill can be inconvenient and time-consuming. 

Queues for individual tickets can be long, especially during peak season.

Combining your visit to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill with a single ticket is the most efficient and rewarding way to experience this historic area. 

It’s a cost-effective, time-saving option that provides a more fulfilling experience of a very important part of Rome’s history. 

If you are traveling on a budget, visit the Colosseum for free on the first Sunday of every month.

The Italian Ministry of Culture offers free entry to many state-owned museums and archaeological sites on the first Sunday of each month. 

If you want to experience the grandeur of the Colosseum without spending a penny, you can enter for free on the first Sunday of every month.

This is a significant saving, especially for families or groups traveling on a tight budget.

But remember, the Colosseum is a popular attraction, and free entry attracts even more visitors. So be prepared to face a big crowd. 

Also, some areas of the Colosseum, such as the arena floor, underground chambers, and panoramic elevators, might be closed on Free Sundays.

This is not the most recommended idea for visiting the Colosseum, but you can still use this tip if you are on a tight budget.

Plan for Enough Time

Many tourists underestimate the time needed to have a truly fulfilling experience in the Colosseum. 

They often allocate less than an hour inside the Colosseum itself, missing out on the monument’s intricate details and historical significance.

Most Colosseum tickets also include access to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, sprawling archaeological sites that deserve dedicated exploration time. 

We suggest dedicating at least 3 hours to the entire sightseeing trip to the Colosseum and its complementing attractions. 

Exploring the arena alone can take between 45 and 60 minutes; add extra time if you plan to visit the Colosseum’s underground.

Do not miss the Arena and Underground

We recommend that you visit the Arena and Underground area of the Colosseum. 

The arena floor was the heart of the action, where gladiatorial combats, animal hunts, and public spectacles took place. 

The hypogea housed gladiators, animals, and stage machinery, offering a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes workings of these events.

Many visitors feel that access to these areas would provide a more immersive and complete experience, allowing them to connect with the Colosseum’s history truly.

However, public access to these areas with a standard entry ticket.

The area is restricted for the public to minimize wear and tear and ensure visitor safety.

But you can buy an Arena ticket or an underground ticket to access the Arena and the underground chambers. 

Read more about Underground vs Arena to know what to expect and plan your visit. 

Take a guided tour or an audio guide

The Colosseum’s history stretches back nearly 2,000 years.

There are fascinating details about gladiatorial contests, executions, public spectacles, and the engineering advancements that made its construction possible. 

Understanding these intricacies requires explanation.

It’s easy to miss many architectural features or smaller areas of significance without expert guidance.

A guided tour or audio guide can point these out, enriching your understanding and experience. 

If you purchase a guided tour ticket or an audio guide, you will get deeper insights and intricate details that you will miss out on in independent exploration. 

Both guided tours and audio guides can bring the Colosseum to life with stories, anecdotes, and historical context, making the experience more engaging than simply viewing the structure.

Carry only what is required

The Colosseum’s design prioritizes spectator views, resulting in an open-air structure with minimal shaded areas.  

With Rome’s scorching summers reaching temperatures of 40°C (104°F) [5],  visitors can face sunburn and heatstroke if unprepared.  

Additionally, strict security measures restrict the size and type of bags and things allowed inside the Colosseum. 

So here’s a list of things you should bring and avoid when visiting the Colosseum:

• The Colosseum offers very little shade, so sunscreen is highly recommended, especially during the summer when temperatures reach 40°C (104°F).
• There is no cloakroom at the Colosseum, so bringing a large bag will prevent you from entering. Opt for a smaller bag that you can comfortably carry throughout your visit.
• Wear comfortable shoes suitable for climbing stairs, as there are many within the Colosseum.
• You can bring a refillable water bottle and refill it at fountains inside the Colosseum.
• Bring some form of ID to enter the Colosseum. This can be either your passport or a European identity card. 

Beware of pickpockets

With millions of visitors annually, the Colosseum creates a crowded environment, making it easier for pickpockets to operate unnoticed.

These thieves often employ distraction tactics, like bumping into you, creating a commotion, or offering unwanted help while their accomplices steal your belongings.

Pickpockets typically target easily accessible items like wallets, phones, and cameras.

To have a safe trip, be aware of your surroundings and avoid distractions, especially when in crowded areas.

Keep your valuables in a money belt or a secure front pocket. 

Avoid carrying large sums of cash or unnecessary valuables.

Don’t leave belongings unattended, even for a moment. Be wary of individuals offering unsolicited help or appearing overly friendly.

 If you become a victim of pickpocketing, report it to the authorities immediately.

If you get a chance, witness the beauty of the Colosseum at Night

Although the Colosseum is magnificent during the day, many people are unaware of the special and enthralling viewpoint that comes with seeing it at night.

While the Colosseum itself is closed at night, you can still admire its grandeur from the outside for free.

Visitors say, “The Colosseum at night is even more awe-inspiring than during the day. The lighting really sets it off, and it’s much less crowded.”

If you want to explore it from the inside, consider joining a special Colosseum night tour with a guide to explore the monument after dark.

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