Travel bucket list idea:

The Colosseum

Rome, Lazio, Italy

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Bucket List Experience

Last updated: 28 May, 2023

Expert travel writer: Rebecca Winke

Built by Emperor Vespasian beginning in AD 72 and known as the Flavian Amphitheatre in ancient times, the thrilling Colosseum still manages to pull a hefty crowd.

Inaugurated by the Emperor’s son, Titus, in AD 80, it could hold an unruly crowd of more than 50,000 spectators. With a circumference of 545m, it’s considered one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and engineering.

The remarkably well-preserved walls, seating stands and underground tunnels are an evocative reminder of gory gladiatorial history.

Lovers of the film Gladiator will relish a guided tour of the monumental arena, where gladiatorial contests and traditional games were held.

While you’re there

For a truly instagrammable shot of the Colosseum in all its glory, go to the northern side of the monument next to the Metro station. There, stairs go up from the street to a landing where you can perfectly capture, in perpetuity, Rome’s most ancient and iconic ruin.

Logistics

Price from: £14

Minimum age: Any

Age suitable: 8+

When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

Get to the Colosseum by metro or tram (Colosseo station). Note that if you’re planning to visit the Forum too, you may want to start there – you can exit the Forum via the Colosseum, but not the other way round.

New 60- to 75-minute guided tours provide access to the fascinating underground space, as well as the very top tier of the Colosseum; the tour is popular, so book well in advance. Audio tours (1 hour 10 minutes) are also available – there’s even one in Latin!

A bit of reading up prior to your visit will bring the ruins to life. See this website for a useful resource on the Colosseum, including practical guidance and background information on the games and architecture of the amphitheatre.

Come prepared with sunscreen and hat during summer, when the Colosseum can seem like a giant bowl of heat.

When to do it

The Colosseum is open all year round, seven days a week. The best times to visit are on weekdays at opening time to beat the crowds. Alternatively, leave it until late in the day.

Try to avoid visiting on a rainy day, as much of the action is outside.

The perfect time to visit the Colosseum is sundown. The Moon over the Colosseum guided tour starts from 25 July until 31 October. Available for purchase online.

Who to go with: organised tours

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Colosseum with Arena Access and Ancient Rome Tour

Rome

Priviledge access to the Arena Floor of the Coliseum, enjoy a real journey through ancient Rome. You will visit the Colisseum, the Arena exclusive floor and proceed to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill with priority tickets. You will tour with a dedicated guide in a sharing tour of about 26 average participants or less and access into the Colosseum through the Vip Gladiator's entrance so called because it was once of the access gladiators. Here, you will enjoy a spectacular view over the Arena and a panoramic view of the Dungeons from the Arena. This tour is offered in various languages so please make your language election. In the 3-hour tour you will also visit the Palatine Hill once the residential hills of the Roman emperors and the Roman Forum with the Temple of the Vestal virgins, the Curia and the Temple of Julius Caesar. Your guide will bring Ancient Roman times back alive!

Price: €30

Min age: 0

Rating 4.50 / 5 [2171 ratings]

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