The Colosseum Hours & Admission Tickets Informations: Transports, Events and Security Check

You want to be sure when the Colosseum is open and what are the Colosseum hours ?

The Roman Colosseum is one of the most impressive and most well-known monuments to have survived from the classical era. It is the largest amphitheater in the Roman world and is the most visited cultural site in Italy.

The Colosseum has accumulated over 7 million visitors in the year 2019 alone. But do not fret – we will give you all the tips and information to avoid the crowd and get skip-the-line tickets!

Nearly 50 meters tall, this historical monument is an extraordinary place surrounded by a special aura of greatness. Thousands of men, along with animals, fought for their lives in the amphitheater, some finding glory and riches, while others dying anonymous deaths.

The unique history and beauty of the Colosseum is what attracts tourists every year to visit this destination. If you are planning your trip to Rome and would like to visit the Roman Colosseum, here you can discover the helpful tips and hints.

Learn how to get there by public transit, Colosseum hours (opening and closure times), special events and exhibitions, admission prices, and skip-the-line tickets.

This information will be especially helpful for the first-time visitors to the Colosseum.

What Are the Colosseum Hours?

Colosseum is open year-round except for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The Colosseum hours vary depending on the season of the year, with the last admission always one hour before the closing time.

Keep in mind that you will have to wait in line before entering the site. If you want to make the most out of your visit and spend a lot of time exploring the site, try to arrive there earlier.

Find below detailed information about the Colosseum hours and Roman Forum hours.

Colosseum opening hours

What is the best time to visit Colosseum ?

The best time to go to the Colosseum is during the low season from November to February. However, Christmas and New Year holidays are usually busy.

As for the best time of day to visit the Colosseum Rome, try to get there for 8:30am when the doors have just opened. At this time, the crowds aren’t as large as they are in the late morning hours through to the afternoon.

You could also visit 1-2 hours before the Colosseum closes. This is also the best time of day to visit the Colosseum Rome as the crowds are considerably smaller and, if you fancy a romantic visit, the golden glow of the setting sun will light up the Colosseum at this time.

The high season runs from March to October and may not be the best time to visit Colosseum. At this time of year you should expect to wait up to 2 hours in line to access the Colosseum.

Colosseum Rome peak times

Avoid in the morning. It is best to visit the Colosseum in the afternoon and even at the end of the day.

Indeed, many tourist buses arrive in the morning around 10am (including many buses from cruise ships from the port of Civitavecchia) at the Colosseum and will be on site in the morning.

They generally leave from 3 p.m. This is the time that I recommend to you for your visit

How Do You Reach the Colosseum by Public Transportation?

The Colosseum takes a very central location in the city of Rome. It is very close to the Roman Forum (which you can access by bus lines 51, 85, 87, and 118) and Piazza Venezia.

Here is how you can reach the Colosseum by public transportation:

• Bus: lines 51, 75, 85, 87, and 118, bus station “Colosseo”
• Tram: lines 3 and 8, tram station “Piazza del Colosseo”
• Metro: line “A” “Manzoni” metro station, line “B” “Colosseum” metro station

On Sundays motor traffic is prohibited, so you can rent a bicycle near the metro station or walk around the Colosseum square and Via dei Fori Imperiali.

There are taxi parking spots by “Colosseum” metro station and on the W side of the square by the tram stop “Piazza del Colosseo”.

Enjoy the Special Events Happening at the Colosseum

For those who would like to visit the underground of the Colosseum or enjoy the fascinating view of the entire Colosseum valley from the top, there is another great event.

You can purchase one of the available visit paths to the Colosseum Underground (book here) and Colosseum Belvedere (ticket available here). Each visit path is available for purchase every day between 8:40 and 16:50 and will take about 75 minutes to complete.

The areas of the Colosseum previously unavailable to general public are now open thanks to the special project S.U.P.E.R – Seven Unique Places to Experience in Rome. With a S.U.P.E.R ticket, you receive a two-day admission with one entry to the Colosseum and two entries to Palatine/Roman Forum.

Besides, you get to see special places like Santa Maria Antiqua, Loggia Mattei, Romulus’s temple, Aula Isaica, Livia’s and Augustus’s homes, Palatine Museum and Neronian Cryptoporticus.

The full-priced adult admission is 18 euros, while reduced admission price is 13,5 euros. Book your S.U.P.E.R ticket online here.

Here you can find the schedule of the S.U.P.E.R event and the Colosseum hours:

• 9:00 – 18:30, until October 27th. The ticket is not valid on May 1st and the first Sunday of each month.
• 9:00 – 15:30, from October 28th. The site is closed on December 25th and January 1st, and the ticket is not valid on the first Sunday of each month.

How to save time when buying Colosseum Tickets ?

When you purchase the ticket to the Colosseum, you automatically receive admission to the Roman Forum, even though it is a separate site. You can now choose between an “open” ticked and a timed-entry ticket. We highly recommend to book your defined entry time online to make sure you wont wait in line.

With an “open” ticket, you can visit the Colosseum any day after 14:00, which does not affect the Roman Forum hours. With a timed-entry ticket, you will have to show up at a designated time and cut the wait by using the fast-track line.

Besides, you can use the services of a tour guide and buy Colosseum skip-the-line tickets and avoid waiting in the lines at the entrance. Trust me, it is totally worth it!

The full-priced adult admission to the Colosseum costs 12 euros. EU citizens ages 18-25 and EU state school teachers receive a reduced admission price of 7,5 euros. Both EU and non-EU citizens under the age of 18, along with Italian permanent teachers, receive free full admission to the Colosseum.

Moreover, the admission is free for every visitor on the first Sunday of the month. Because of that, it is not possible to book the entrance ticket on the first Sunday of each month.

How to purchase ticket to access the Roman Colosseum during open hours ?

There are 5 ways for you to purchase entrance tickets to the Colosseum and Roman Forum:

• Buy tickets at the ticket booth at Piazza del Colosseo (Colosseum) or any of ticket offices in Largo Salara Vecchia (Roman Forum), Via di San Gregorio (Palatine), and Via Sacra (Roman Forum).
• Reserve your ticket by calling +39 (0)6 399 677 00, Mondays through Saturdays from 9:00 to 13:30 and from 14:30 to 17:00.
• Purchase and print your tickets from the official website. Make sure to check the conditions and pricing for individual visitors compared to groups. To make an individual ticket reservation, you will have to pay a fee of 2 euros. Reservations are required for groups between 14-50 participants.
• Book your skip the line ticket online to save time and avoid queuing the Colosseum entry
• Buy a Roma Pass, either for 28 euros valid for 48 hours, or for 38,5 euros valid for 72 hours. The 32 euros card will give you free access to the first museum or archaeological site along with other benefits. The 52 euros card will give you free access to first two museums and/or archaeological sites along with other benefits and discounts.

Follow the Rules and Safety Procedures for the hours Colosseum Rome

Because of safety concerns, the Colosseum can only accommodate 3,000 visitors at a time. This is the reason why even the visitors who booked their ticket ahead of time might have delays in access to the site.

Before entering the Colosseum, the visitors have to pass a security check. Large bags and travel backpacks are not allowed, so be prepared to bring a small handbag or a backpack. Naturally, it is prohibited to bring firearms, knives, firecrackers, alcohol, spray cans, and glass bottles, along with other dangerous objects and substances.

You are allowed to bring an empty plastic bottle which you can refill from drinking fountain at the site.

The Colosseum’s Accessibility for Disabled

The Colosseum is accessible to disabled people in wheelchairs. The entrances to the site located along Via dei Fori Imperiali have ramps, while the ground floor is accessible and the first floor is accessible with elevators.

You can learn more about the accessibility of Colosseum at the ticket booths by the Colosseum metro station.

Discover the Colosseum Entrance Map

The official website where you can buy admission tickets to Colosseum provides the entrance map to the site which can be found here.

Make Your Visit to the Colosseum Memorable

To make the most out of your visit to the Colosseum, we recommend you to reserve your admission tickets ahead of time. Moreover, you can use the opportunities to get skip-the-line tickets with a Roma Pass or S.U.P.E.R pass(available here). These options will save you a lot of time to enjoy other attractions that you plan to experience in the Eternal City.

If you require more information about the Colosseum hours, Roman Forum hours, or the admission options, check out the Colosseum ticket offices official website. It is a helpful source of information on the Colosseum and special events happening in Rome in general.

A trip to the Colosseum is an unforgettable experience that for many happens once in a lifetime, so these tips will help you enjoy your adventure to the fullest.

Conclusion to the Colosseum hours and usefull informations

A trip to the Colosseum is an unforgettable experience that for many happens once in a lifetime, so these tips will help you enjoy your adventure to the fullest.Make sure you keep the Colosseum hours in mind to arrive at the right time! If your flights to Rome are already booked, find out the best hotels near the Colosseum Rome with our dedicated article.