tourist rome colosseum

To see all Colosseum ticket options

Visiting the Colosseum

The Roman Colosseum is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a must-see sight if you’re visiting Italy’s capital, the Eternal City.

Below you’ll find useful information to plan your visit, such as opening hours, transport to the Colosseum, information about security and accessibility, and more.

Colosseum Ticket Options

Colosseum tickets sell out fast in high season.

We recommend looking on both  Tiqets  and  GetYourGuide  to increase your chances of finding a ticket.

• The Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
• St.Peter’s Basilica or Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
• Castel Sant’Angelo or Pantheon
• Pre-book everything in one go – quick & easy!
• Entry tickets: Colosseum + Roman Forum + Palatine Hill Enjoy reserved entry to three of Rome’s top sites. Pick your visit date, check the available tickets, and choose the one that suits you best.
• Guided Tour: Colosseum & Arena Floor Get VIP access to the arena floor! Live guide available in 5 languages.
• Group Tickets For group tickets (8+ people) visit our partner groupsightseeing.com

(Access to the Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill is included in all tickets)

Read more about:

The Colosseum and underground area, the Hypogeum.

Where is the Colosseum located?

The address of the Colosseum is Piazza del Colosseo, 1, in Rome, Italy .

For those travelling by car, the Colosseum’s GPS coordinates are 41.8902° N, 12.4922° E .

If you’re in Rome and need directions to the Colosseum, use the following Google Map to find the best route from your current location.

Important: Be sure to check the Opening hours before your visit, as they vary depending on the time of year.

How to get to the Colosseum

The Colosseum is very well serviced by Rome’s extensive public transport network. It can be reached by subway, multiple bus lines, and by tram. Below is a list of all public transport options to go to the Colosseum from practically anywhere in Rome.

• Metro B line, get off at the Colosseum stop.
• Bus lines 51, 75, 81, 85, 87, and 118.
• Tramway line 3.

If you don’t want to take public transport you can also take a taxi, just make sure that it is an official, licensed cab.

You’ll recognize them because they have the “TAXI” sign on the roof of the vehicle, are all white, and they have the Commune di Roma logo on the side.

Also make sure your cab has a meter, and that the driver turns it on when you get in, otherwise you could end up paying much more than you should.

Things to see near the Colosseum

The Colosseum is surrounded by other beautiful and famous monuments that are well worth viewing . The most important ones are:

• The Arch of Constantine: Situated right next to the Colosseum, this triumphal arch celebrates Constantine’s victory at the Battle of Milvian Bridge. It’s an unmissable sight, and the best part? You can access it without a ticket.
• Mamertine Prison: A hidden gem of ancient Rome, this underground prison is where Saints Peter and Paul were said to be imprisoned before their martyrdom. It’s a powerful, historical site with deep ties to early Christianity. Prebook your ticket here to get access to Mamertine Prison and other iconic Roman sites.
• The Roman Circus ( Circus Maximus): Imagine chariots thundering around this massive arena, the crowds cheering wildly. It’s a peaceful park now, but standing here, you can almost hear the echoes of those ancient races. At the Empire’s peak, it could seat up to 150,000 spectators. For the best perspective, view it from the Palatine Hill.
• The Palatine Hill: Known as the birthplace of Rome, the Palatine Hill houses the remains of many ancient palaces and temples. It offers stunning panoramic views of the Roman Forum and Circus Maximus. Entry is included with Colosseum tickets.
• The Roman Forum ( Foro Romano): This was the beating heart of ancient Rome, where everything happened—politics, religion, commerce. Wander through the ruins and picture what life was like 2,000 years ago. You can visit it with the same ticket as the Colosseum.

Tips and things you should know for your visit

Below are some tips and other important information you should take into account when visiting the Colosseum.

Like all major tourist attractions, the Colosseum’s security is quite stringent to keep visitors safe. Visitors are not allowed to enter the monument with large bags, suitcases, or backpacks.

If you are carrying your travel backpack or luggage, you will be denied entry. Small and medium-sized bags are allowed but will be screened by security and must pass through a metal detector.

Italy’s military police force, the Carabinieri

Skipping the line

No one likes to wait in long lines, especially under the Roman sun. If you pre-book your tickets, you can  skip the ticket line , but you’ll still need to pass through security. Depending on the time of year, this could take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour.

To make the most of your visit, try to get there early—around 8:30 AM when the Colosseum opens—or just before closing time. Not a morning person? Consider joining a guided tour that often comes with priority access. You can find more info on our tours of the Colosseum page.

Is the Colosseum accessible for disabled people?

Yes, the Colosseum is accessible to disabled people. Its main entrance has no stairs, the inside is mostly flat save a few areas because of the old cobblestones, and there is an elevator that takes visitors to the upper floor.

Parking near the Colosseum

Thinking of driving to the Colosseum? Here’s the best advice:  don’t do it . Navigating and finding parking in Rome’s city center is a real challenge, especially if you’re not familiar with the area.

You’ll save yourself a lot of time, money, and stress by sticking to public transport. Yes, pickpockets can be an issue, but as long as you stay aware and keep an eye on your belongings, you should be just fine.

Does the Colosseum have a dress code?

The Colosseum doesn’t have a dress code. But, keep in mind that you’ll be doing a lot of walking and climbing stairs, so comfort is key. Think sneakers or comfy sandals, and breathable clothes like shorts, leggings, or hoodies.

Rome can get pretty sunny, especially if you’re exploring the area around the Colosseum, so don’t forget to pack your sunscreen.

Is the Colosseum child friendly?

Yes, the Colosseum can be a great experience for kids, but a bit of planning helps. If you’re visiting during the summer, try to go early in the morning to avoid the heat. Book a guided tour if possible — it helps you skip the long lines and keeps the visit organized, which is especially helpful with little ones in tow.

Beyond that, it depends on your child. If they’re into stories of ancient ruins and brave Roman gladiators, they’ll probably love it. The Colosseum is where history comes alive, making it a fun and educational experience for curious kids.

What is the best way to see the Colosseum?

The best time to visit the Colosseum is early in the morning before large crowds form, and the best days are during the week, as it will usually be less crowded than on the weekends. However, if you’re willing to spend a little more, a night time tour is probably the most interesting way to visit. Keep in mind that the night tour does not include a combined ticket for the Roman Forum and the Palatine hill as a normal Colosseum ticket would, so if you want to see those monuments too you’ll have to visit them separately.

The Colosseum Piazza del Colosseo, 1 00184 Rome, Italy

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Who Knew the Colosseum Was So Old? Tourist Apologizes for Defacement.

A man who etched his initials and those of his girlfriend in a wall of the nearly 2,000-year-old monument wrote a letter of apology, and his lawyer says he is hoping for a plea bargain.

By Elisabetta Povoledo

A man seen on video last month using his keys to etch his love for his girlfriend on a wall in the Colosseum in Rome has written a letter of apology, saying he had no idea the nearly 2,000-year-old monument was so ancient.

“I admit with deepest embarrassment that it was only after what regrettably happened that I learned of the monument’s antiquity,” the man — identified by his lawyer as Ivan Danailov Dimitrov, 27 — wrote in a letter dated July 4 and addressed to the Rome prosecutor’s office, the mayor of Rome and “the municipality of Rome.”

Portions of the letter were first published on Wednesday in the Rome daily newspaper Il Messaggero.

In it, Mr. Dimitrov acknowledged the “seriousness of the deed I committed,” and offered his “heartfelt and sincere apologies to Italians and the entire world for the damage done to a monument, which is, in fact, heritage of all humanity.” Mr. Dimitrov offered to “sincerely and concretely” right his wrong and redeem himself.

The carving came to light last month after a fellow tourist in Rome filmed a man scratching “Ivan + Hayley 23/6/23” into a brick on a wall of the Colosseum. The video went viral, and “Ivan,” whose identity was then not known, was widely rebuked for his devil-may-care attitude. Admonished — with an expletive — by the video-taker, Mr. Dimitrov carried on.

The brick that was defaced was actually part of a wall built during a mid-19th century restoration of the monument, which was inaugurated in the first century A.D. But that made little difference to Colosseum authorities who said that it didn’t change the fact that the act was vandalism.

Mr. Dimitrov was eventually identified by Italian military police officers who crosschecked the two lovers’ names with registered guests in Rome and found they had stayed in an Airbnb rental in the Cinecittà neighborhood. Roberto Martina, the police commander who oversaw the operation, said they tracked Mr. Dimitrov to England, where he and his girlfriend, who is not under investigation, live.

Italy is no stranger to unruly visitors leaving their mark. Three years ago, a spate of incidents prompted lawmakers to stiffen penalties for vandalizing Italy’s venerable cultural heritage. And the country wants to impose even tougher laws on climate activists, who have vandalized cultural property to protest what they call government inaction on climate change.

“It should be said that when foreign tourists come to Italy, from anywhere, not any particular nationality, there’s this idea that they’ve come to a country where everything is allowed, where they turn a blind eye, where it’s ‘that’s how it goes,’” said Alexandro Maria Tirelli, Mr. Dimitrov’s lawyer. But his client may get caught in the crackdown, risking between two and five years in prison and a fine up to 15,000 euros, about $16,300. Mr. Tirelli said he was hoping for a plea bargain that will allow his client to pay a fine but serve no jail time.

Mr. Dimitrov’s apology, the lawyer said, was an attempt to make clear “that he had pulled what he thought was a harmless stunt.”

Italian media on Wednesday pulled no punches. The letter of apology “defaced common sense,” Il Messaggero declared. Dagospia, a popular online website, suggested the letter only made things worse (Did he think the Colosseum was a fast-food restaurant, it asked?). A news anchor on the lunchtime news program of RAI 1, the main state channel, said the fact that Mr. Dimitrov hadn’t known that the monument was ancient “is really a somewhat unbelievable excuse.”

A spokesman for the Rome’s mayor office said that they had not received Mr. Dimitrov’s letter. The Rome prosecutor’s office declined to comment.

“I hope this apology will be accepted,” Mr. Dimitrov wrote in the letter.

An earlier version of this article misstated the age of Ivan Danailov Dimitrov. He is 27, not 31.

When we learn of a mistake, we acknowledge it with a correction. If you spot an error, please let us know at [email protected] . Learn more

Elisabetta Povoledo is a reporter based in Rome and has been writing about Italy for more than three decades. More about Elisabetta Povoledo

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What happened to the tourist accused of carving his name into Rome Colosseum wall?

Ivan dimitrov, a 27-year-old fitness instructor living in bristol, faces up to five years in prison and a €15,000 fine after being filmed defacing 2,000-year-old amphitheatre of world historical importance, article bookmarked.

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The British tourist who attracted outrage in Rome after being accused of carving his name into the Colosseum walls with a key is facing up to five years in prison and a €15,000 (£12,850) fine .

The man – identified as Ivan Dimitrov , a 27-year-old fitness instructor and delivery driver resident in Bristol but originally from Bulgaria – was visiting Italy’s Eternal City with his girlfriend Hayley Bracey when he was filmed scratching “Ivan + Hayley 23” into the ancient stone walls of the 2,000-year-old amphitheatre.

The venue, a protected Unesco World Heritage site , was constructed during the reigns of the emperors Vespasian and Titus in the first century AD. It attracted the Roman public to see spectacular gladiatorial bouts, historical reenactments and parades of exotic wild animals imported from Africa and the Middle East, including elephants, rhinoceroses, giraffes, lions, leopards, panthers and ostriches.

The act of vandalism was caught on camera by another visitor, Californian Ryan Lutz, who was incensed by the incident and asked “Are you serious, man?”. He then uploaded the footage to YouTube under the title “A****** tourist carves name in Colosseum in Rome”, where it promptly went viral.

The Italian Carabinieri responded to the video and quickly identified Mr Dimitrov as their suspect, with Major Roberto Martina telling the media he had expressed “sincere remorse” for his actions when confronted.

“He told us he was very upset by what he had done, and he kept apologising for it,” Major Martina told Mail Online .

“I think he was worried about the consequences of any trial and we explained that he could be jailed for between two and five years and be fined up to €15,000,” he said.

The major went on to say he believed the case would be reasonably straightforward to prosecute because of the video evidence.

“He had contacted us after we secured his mobile telephone from hotel records and left a message for him to call us,” Major Martina said of the Carabineri’s investigation.

“He was naturally worried about the legal implications, and these were all explained to him.

“We didn’t ask him why he did it, that will be for a judge to hear, we just told him that he was a suspect and was part of the investigation.”

The officer added that Ms Bracey “is not part of any complaint so is an innocent party as far as we are concerned”, adding: “Although technically, she could be seen as an accessory.”

Italian culture minister Gennaro Sangiuliano thanked the police for identifying the suspect of the “uncivilised and absurd act committed at the Colosseum”.

“It was an act that offended those around the world who appreciate the value of archaeology, monuments and history,” he said.

“Now I hope justice will take its course by rigorously applying the laws.”

This is not the first such incident at the Colosseum.

A Russian tourist was given a suspended four-year jail sentence and fined €20,000 (£17,000) in 2014 for engraving a “K” on its walls.

The following year, two American tourists were also cited for aggravated damage after they likewise carved their names into its stones.

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