A Guide to the Different Tickets for the Colosseum

So, you’ve decided to visit Rome on your next holiday to Italy. We don’t blame you!

The Colosseum is a symbol of the Eternal City, with around 8 million visitors every year. You’re probably also considering going on a Colosseum tour, which is no shock, as it’s one of the largest and most famous landmarks in Italy.

But even though millions of people visit the Colosseum every year, getting tickets for Colosseum can be pretty challenging if you don’t know where to start.

Don’t worry – we’ll tell you everything you need to know about visiting the Colosseum in Rome, including recent changes that ticket holders need to know.

See also: Visiting Rome: Sights to Book in Advance

Why should I visit the Colosseum?

The Colosseum is the most significant ancient amphitheatre globally – and in human history in general. Construction for this massive monument began in 72 AD under the Roman emperor Vespasian. The builders only completed it in 80 AD under the reign of Titus, Vespasian’s heir and successor. 

It’s made chiefly of travertine limestone, volcanic rock and brick-faced concrete. In the early days, the Romans most famously used it to host gladiators and their contests and other public spectacles such as animal hunting, executions, battle reenactments, and Roman dramas.

As the years went by, its function transformed into housing, quarters, a fortress, a quarry and eventually, a Christian religious shrine.

Currently, grand restoration plans are in place to bring the Colosseum back to its former glory. The first restoration began in 2013 and became the first complete cleaning and repair in the history of the Colosseum. 

Since 2017, enough progress has been made that the top two levels have reopened for guided visits. However, you’ll need special tickets for Colosseum if you want to visit the top levels. 

See also: Things to Do in Rome: Our Rome Activity Guide

What will I find when I visit the Colosseum?

Before you arrive, you’ll find impressive construction at the monument outside. One of the best places to see the enormous exterior of the Colosseum is through Via Dei Fori Imperiali. This street provides one of the best views of the most well-preserved facade of the entire Colosseum. 

The Colosseum had 80 entrances and, at its peak, could fit 50,000 visitors in just 15 minutes. Today, visitors can visit from the Southside, and it now takes a bit longer to enter due to the long queues. The architects designed each of the five different levels in a unique style. 

Today, its designs for corridors and stairs are still being used as references for modern sports stadiums. At present, the essential ticket Colosseum visit begins on the 2nd floor. 

See also: First Time in Rome Itinerary

Different types of tickets for Colosseum

Before you enter, you should know that there are a few different kinds of tickets for Colosseum that you can choose. 

The basic tickets for Colosseum include access to the main floor and second-tier only, which will take around an hour to visit. You will also gain entry to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill on the same day.

However, suppose you’re after a Colosseum underground tour, including the arena, underground section, and third tier. In that case, you will need to purchase a Full Experience Arena ticket. This type of ticket is also valid for two days instead of one and often offers better insights into some of the best-preserved sections of the site. 

You can also find tickets for a group Colosseum tour or even a special night tour of the Colosseum.

Please note that you will need to print your ticket, or you can show your ticket receipt on your mobile device. 

The official website does not mention changing reservations or offering refunds, so be sure that you’re buying for the correct date when you’re ready to visit.

Buying Colosseum tickets online

One of the simplest and cheapest ways to get to the Colosseum is to buy Colosseum tickets online. We recommend buying tickets from either GetYourGuide or Tiqets.

One thing to note is that there are different Colosseum ticket price ranges for various visitors.

When looking at the Colosseum ticket price, Adults aged 25+ can expect to pay €18, youth between ages 18-25 pay €4 and children under age 18 can enter for free. 

If you want to purchase an Audio guide for your colosseum tour, it will set you back €5.50.

Additionally, if you don’t enjoy waiting in queues and are booking last-minute, get the last-minute priority pass.

The unique tickets for Colosseum

You can also find a few different kinds of tickets for Colosseum that offer far more than a typical touring experience.

Some excellent tickets for Colosseum you can find are:

Summary

When buying tickets for the Colosseum tour, remember that you need to be specific and cannot rely on a basic ticket to grant you access to every section.

If you want to spend less time waiting, get a skip the line Colosseum ticket to gain priority entrance to this marvellous landmark. There are also unique Colosseum underground tour options available if you’d like to delve deep into the historical significance of the world’s largest amphitheatre.

Another great tip to remember is the colosseum ticket price can vary. Whether you want a basic package or a combination tour that lets you access every level, you can expect prices to adjust accordingly. 

Perhaps you are looking for a more extensive Colosseum tour coupled with visiting another famous Roman landmark on the same day. You can find Colosseum tickets online for all of the above and many other unique tours of the Colosseum that are updated every year.

We hope we’ve made it easier for you to buy tickets for Colosseum when it is time for you to visit!