Rome

Visiting the Colosseum

Are you planning a visit to Rome and have the legendary Colosseum on your list? While the iconic arena itself is breathtaking, did you know you can actually explore the Colosseum’s mysterious Underground? This area is packed with history and offers a truly unique look at ancient Roman engineering. Here’s everything you need to know to plan your trip, skip the long lines, and buy official tickets for both the standard and Underground experiences


How to Skip the Colosseum’s Lines


Nobody likes standing in a long line, especially with the sun beating down and so much more to see in the city. The fastest way to avoid the queue at the Colosseum and Roman Forum is to purchase your ticket online on the official Colosseum ticket website. By buying ahead of time and reserving your slot, you can head straight to the entrance and start your adventure without the hassle. You don’t need a private guide or pay for a group tour to enjoy “skip-the-line” entry. The official online ticket allows you to discover the site at your own pace. If you’re unable to pick a date online or decide last minute, you can still try your luck at the ticket office, but keep in mind that on busy days, same-day tickets may be sold out and lines can be very long.


Tickets for Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill

Booking tip: Buy online to bypass the ticket office. All visitors still pass security screening; arrive ~15 minutes early for your slot.

24h – Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine €18

  • Includes (Colosseum): 1st & 2nd levels, panoramic terraces, Colosseum Museum.
  • Includes (Park): One entry to the combined Roman Forum–Palatine–Imperial Fora area + ongoing exhibitions.
  • Validity: 24 hours from first use.
  • Time limit inside Colosseum: 75 minutes (enforced).
  • Entries: One entry to the Colosseum (at your booked time) + one entry to Forum–Palatine–Imperial Fora within the 24h window.
  • Forum/Palatine entrances: Arch of Titus; Largo della Salara Vecchia; passage of Via del Tulliano; via del Foro Romano; via di San Gregorio; Piazza della Madonna di Loreto (Trajan’s Column).
  • Roma Pass: reduced price option available (does not include special areas).

Full Experience – Underground & Arena €24

  • Includes (Colosseum): guided Underground + Arena floor, Colosseum Museum.
  • Includes (Park): One entry to Forum–Palatine–Imperial Fora + SUPER sites (e.g., Curia Iulia, Santa Maria Antiqua, Domus Tiberiana rooms, Houses of Augustus/Livia when open) + ongoing exhibitions.
  • Validity: 2 consecutive days (one Colosseum entry at booked time + one Park entry within the 2-day window).
  • Time limit inside Colosseum: 90 minutes (enforced).
  • Booking window: releases ~30 days before visit date on the official portal.
  • Forum/Palatine entrances: same as above.

Variant – Full Experience: Arena (no Underground) €24

  • Includes: Arena + 1st & 2nd levels, Colosseum Museum + Forum–Palatine–Imperial Fora + SUPER sites.
  • Validity: 2 consecutive days; one Colosseum entry at booked time + one Park entry.
  • Time limit: 90 minutes inside the Colosseum.
  • Booking window: releases ~7 days before visit date on the official portal.

24h – Only Arena €18

  • Includes (Colosseum): Arena platform access only (no loop walk on 1st–2nd levels).
  • Visit time on Arena: ~20 minutes at the booked time; entry/exit via “Sperone Stern”.
  • Includes (Park): One entry to Forum–Palatine–Imperial Fora within the 24h window.
  • Tip: If you want the loop walk on 1st–2nd levels, choose the Standard 24h ticket or the Full Experience – Arena.
  • Pick your order: you can start at Forum/Palatine and then enter the Colosseum at your reserved time (or vice versa) within the ticket validity. See inclusions and entrance list on the ticket pages: 24h ticket/Full Experience.
  • Mind the time cap: staff enforce 75–90 minutes inside the Colosseum depending on ticket.
  • Official help if something goes wrong: booking helpdesk
    helpdesk@ticketcolosseo.com and same-day issues +39 06 21115843 (listed on themOpening Times & Tickets page).
  • Bonus: the park’s free app MyColosseum (iOS/Android) adds interactive audio guides and route tips, links are on Opening Times & Tickets.

What’s Included with the Colosseum Full Experience Ticket?

With this ticket, you get:
  • Guided access to the Underground and Arena Floor at your reserved time
  • Entry (once per site) to the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and Imperial Forums within a 2-day window
  • Any special exhibitions on display in the archaeological area during your visit
The Full Experience ticket costs €24. This price is all-inclusive, there’s no extra booking or reservation fee.

Full Experience Ticket Validity

This ticket is valid for 2 consecutive days from your first use. Your Colosseum Underground slot is at a specific time, but your entries to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill can be made at any time during those 2 days, as long as you stick to the “one entry per site” rule.

What You’ll See Underground

Beneath the arena floor, you’ll discover ancient passageways, trapdoors, and holding spaces used by gladiators, performers, and animals. It’s a fascinating look at the life and technology of ancient Rome, and lets you experience parts of the monument that most visitors never see.

The Roma Pass: What’s Included (and What’s Not)

If you’re sightseeing in Rome, you might consider the Roma Pass. While it includes entry to the Colosseum (using a reduced “Roma Pass” ticket), as well as the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, it does not give you access to special areas like the Arena, Underground, or Attic. If you want to see the Underground, you’ll need to purchase the Full Experience ticket.

Current opening hours & free days

  • Hours: check the live schedule here: Opening times. (Colosseum opens 08:30; Forum–Palatine 09:00; last entry is one hour before closing.)

  • Closed: 25 December and 1 January.

  • Free admission: first Sunday of the month + 25 April, 2 June, 4 November (tickets issued in person at the park ticket offices; special areas like Underground/Arena are excluded on free days). Details here: Oening Times & Tickets, and free-day explainer: Free entry at PArCo.

How Long Can You Stay?

Once inside, you’re free to explore until the closing time. After your Underground tour, you can linger within the Colosseum itself, soaking up the atmosphere and taking photos from every angle.

Combining Colosseum Tours With Other Sites

You can use your Full Experience ticket to visit the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill either the same day as your Underground tour or the next day, as long as you’re still within the validity window. Entry to each of these sites is limited to one time per site, so plan your visit route ahead to maximize your experience!

Security, Bags, and What to Bring

For your safety, large luggage and wheeled suitcases are not allowed inside the Colosseum, Roman Forum, or Palatine Hill. Small backpacks (up to about 40x30x15 cm) and handbags are permitted, but they will be screened by security. There are no official cloakrooms or lockers inside the Colosseum, so travel light or use private storage options located just outside the monument if you have big bags.

Quick Booking Tips for Travelers

  • Always use the official website (colosseo.it) for tickets to ensure you pay the correct price and avoid third-party scams.
  • Book your Underground ticket well in advance, especially during holidays or peak seasons.
  • Bring a smartphone or tablet to display your PDF e-ticket, as it’s no longer necessary to print.
  • Plan your time well, decide which sites you want to see first, and don’t forget the “no re-entry” rule!

Contact and Assistance

If you have special issues the day of your visit, you can contact official assistance at +39 06 21115843. For information about ticket options, see the official Full Experience page here. The Colosseum is a highlight of any trip to Rome, and seeing its Underground is a truly unforgettable experience. With a little advance planning and the right ticket, you can step back in time and explore this world wonder in comfort and style. Buy official Colosseum tickets here or for the Underground here, skip the line, and start your Roman adventure!

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