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The Colosseum Colosseo

The giant amphitheatre where gladiators fought, and Rome's most famous sight.

Photo: Wilfredor / Wikimedia Commons, CC0

Built in AD 72–80, the Colosseum held around 50,000 spectators for gladiator fights, animal hunts and public spectacles. Today you walk through the arcades, climb to the upper tiers and look down on the exposed underground chambers (the hypogeum) where fighters and animals waited.

One ticket also covers the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, so plan the Colosseum as the start of a half-day or full day in ancient Rome.

Tickets / priceA standard combined ticket (Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill) costs about €18 online (€16 plus a €2 booking fee) and is valid for 24 hours from your timed Colosseum entry. Under-18s are free, with reduced prices for young EU citizens. Tickets bought from resellers or on the day are often much more expensive, up to €30 or more. Always start on the official ticket site. Source: Ticket guides (2026) and the official ticketing portal (ticketing.colosseo.it); prices vary by ticket type, checked 2026-10-11

Opening hoursOpen daily from about 8:30 until roughly an hour before sunset (earlier closing in winter), with timed entry slots. Closed on 1 January and 25 December. Check the official site for exact times, as they change by season.

Time needed90–180 minutes

Best timeFirst slot of the morning

Getting thereMetro Line B, Colosseo station (exit right on the square); tram 3; bus 75, 85, 87

AddressPiazza del Colosseo, 1, 00184 Roma

Booking advice

Book a timed ticket on the official site as soon as slots open (usually about 30 days ahead). Summer slots and the underground and arena tours sell out. Entry has a security check, so arrive 20 minutes early.

Insider tips

Choose the first slot of the day or the last two hours, when the heat and crowds drop.
The combined ticket lets you visit the Forum and Palatine later the same day or the next, so you do not need to rush.
Do not buy from people near the metro offering "skip-the-line" tickets or tours. Only buy on the official site or at the ticket office.

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