A Complete guide to Rome Colosseum, Underground, Night Tours
Built between 72 A.D. and 80 A.D. under the Emperor Vespian, the Colosseum in Rome is one of the world's most historical sites and is visited by millions of tourists yearly. Made from concrete and stone, this magnificent monument was built with tens of thousands of slaves. It is the largest amphitheater in the world, measuring 189 meters long, 156 meters wide, and 50 meters high. This arena can easily fit a modern-day football pitch inside.
The events which were previously held in the Colosseum were very brutal, and sometimes a few games held by the emperors would kill more than 10,000 animals in single day. As protection for spectators from the blistering sun and heat of Ancient Rome, there was an awning that could be pulled over the top to of the seating to provide shade, also referred to as velarium.
There were numerous rooms and underground passages below the colosseum where the gladiators and animals were kept. There were also three dozen trap doors in the arena which were mainly used for special effects. Although two-thirds of the Colosseum has been destroyed over the years, mostly the result of fire, earthquakes and vandalism, it remains one of the most popular tourist sites today.
Quick Jump links to Rome Colosseum
1. Understanding Rome Colosseum Floors
Colosseum Outer Walls
The outer wall of the colosseum us 57 meters high and is built of travertine marble that is held together by iron clamps instead of mortars. The outer wall has been damaged several times by earthquake and in 1349, its entire south side collapsed. The fallen stone was used in the construction of buildings throughout Rome, but the original layers can still be seen in the arches and pilasters in the remaining north side.
Colosseum Interior
The interior of the Colosseum was divided into different sections and spectators were seated according to their rank, or lack thereof. The emperor and the vestal virgins had the best views from the boxes at the south and north ends of the arena. Some of the names of the senators are carved in stone of the area between the south and north ends as the seats there were reserved for them. On the second course sat the noble families and the general public sat on the third and fourth levels.
The Hypoguem
The Hypoguem or the arena floor is 83 by 48 meters. It is built of wood and covered with sand. Although it has long been destroyed, visitors today can still see the walls of the hypogeum which is a massive two-storey underground labyrinth of tunnels connecting cages for exotic wild animals, training room for gladiators, and store rooms. Caged animals and scenery were lifted to the arena by elaborate machines. Sometimes the arena was filled with water for mock sea battles.
Arch of Constantine
The Arch of Constantine stands beside the Colosseum and it is a triumphal arch in honor of Emperor Constantine who was known as the 'liberator of the city of Rome and the bringer of peace' after his victorious rally at the battle of the Milvian Bridge. It is the largest and best preserved roman triumphal arch standing 21 meters tall. Decorated with reliefs taken earlier structures, some of the scenes on the arch have little to do with Constantine's victory.
3. Plan Your Rome Colosseum Visit
The Colosseum can be overwhelming especially for someone who did not do enough research. So we have done the hard work for you and left no stone unturned to get you the best insider tips when it comes to planning your Rome Colosseum visit.
Go with a guide
Going with a guided tour helps you get the most out of your visit to the ruins. You get to jump queue and have someone knowledgeable tell you all about the amphitheater's history. You also get access to exclusive areas of the site which are not open to the rest of the public. Another excellent option is a group tour if you are on a budget but still want to all the highlights. With a competent guide, the glory of ancient Rome can be brought back to life.
Dedicate a whole day
The Colosseum is massive and can be overwhelming so dedicate at least one whole day so you can explore to your heart's content. Don't rush and sell yourself short. You already paid good money so you must see to it that you get your money's worth. Busy tourists crowd around the Palatine Hill, Roman Forum and the Colosseum and it can take you quite some time to get through everything that you want to see, the same reason why it is better to get a guide. There are plenty of Rome pass tickets to choose from so it shouldn't be that difficult to find one suitable for you.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Rome is from October to April. This is when most of the tourist crowds have dissipated and the rates for rooms are lower. Weather this time of the year hardly dips below freezing but you will need a coat to keep yourself warm. If you want warmer weather without plenty of tourists and sweltering heat, you can go in May or September.
Colosseum Tickets Cost and Opening Times
- The Colosseum is open all days from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm from the last Sunday in October to the 15th of February;
- 8:30 am to 5:00 pm from the 16th of February to the 15th of March;
- 8:30 am to 5:30 pm from the 16th to the last Saturday of March;
- 8:30 am to 7:15 pm from the last Sunday of March until the 31st of August;
- 8:30 am to 7:00 pm from the 1st to the 30th of September;
- and from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm from the first to the last Saturday in October.
The last entrance is an hour before closure. The Colosseum is closed on the 1st of January and the 25th of December.
- When bough on site, the ticket costs €12 for the full price,
- €7.50 for European Union members who are between 18 and 25 years old;
- and free for all citizens under the age of 18.
- Open tickets can only be used from 2:00 pm while admission tickets cannot be moved to another date.
4. Best Colosseum Underground, Night Tours & Tickets
The Colosseum, or the Flavian Amphitheater, as it is sometimes called is one of the world's most recognizable monuments. Millions of people flock to see it yearly. First-timers to the Eternal City are often left confused as to what tour to choose because of the many available choices. Other people just do not have the time to research and leave everything to chance. We will help not waste your time or your money by scouring what is available and coming up with the best Rome attraction tickets.
Tour |
Highlights of the Tour |
Price, Duration & Reviews |
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1. Skip the Line: Ancient Rome and Colosseum Half-Day Walking Tour |
| 1. Skip the Line: Ancient Rome and Colosseum Half-Day Walking Tour |
- Skip the line outside the Colosseum so yo don't waste any time getting inside to marvel at this icon
- See ancient ruins like the Temple of Julius Caesar
- Limited to 25 people
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Price: €42.40
Duration: 3 hours
Reviews :
- our guide was fantastic, she brought everything back to life and helped us see back to the past.
- Damine was a fantastic guide. He had a depth of knowledge only a trained anthropologist could have.
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2. Colosseum and Ancient Rome: Skip-the-Line Originals Tour |
| 2. Colosseum and Ancient Rome: Skip-the-Line Originals Tour |
- Skip the line with priority entrance and get the fastest way to get to the world famous monument.
- After the Colosseum, move to the Palatine Hill and some of the most ancient parts of the city
- Continue on to the tomb of the emperor Julius Caesar
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Price: €36.96
Duration: 3 hours
Reviews:
- Well worth it.
- Our guide Matteo was very well informed and we had a super interesting afternoon. I would recommend the tour
- ˜Fantastic tour arranged easily online.
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3. In the Footsteps of a Gladiator |
| 3. In the Footsteps of a Gladiator |
- Enter the most iconic monument of the Eternal city without spending time in the queue
- Take part in the guided tour and not miss any key information about one of the most important monuments in the world
- Walk in the footsteps of gladiators and hear their stories
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Price: €32
Duration: 3 hours
Reviews:
- Enthusiastic and interesting guide.
- ˜Tour was great. Good value for money.
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4. Rome in a Day: Vatican and Colosseum with Skip the Line |
| 4. Rome in a Day: Vatican and Colosseum with Skip the Line |
- Bypass the crowds with the skip-the-line access to Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica and the Colosseum
- See all the essential attractions in Rome in just one day
- Upgrade and get picku p lunch at a local restaurant
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Price: €86
Duration: 7 hours
Reviews:
- The sights were amazing and the tour guide was knowledgeable.
- Theonly way to tour the Vatican.
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5. Vatican and Colosseum Combo Saver Tour |
| 5. Vatican and Colosseum Combo Saver Tour |
- Combine a trip to two of Rome's greatest and most popular sites in one day
- Take advantage of special no-wait entry at the Vatican and skip-the-line access to the Colosseum
- Experience the majesty of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica
- See the glory of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill
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Price: €112
Duration: 1 day
Reviews:
- This tour is completely worth it. If you don't skip the line, you're in for a long wait'
- Wonderful and complete at a brisk but not too fast pace.
- Once we found out where to meet your guides, the tour was excellent.
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6. Rome Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour |
| 6. Rome Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour |
- Take a hop-on, hop-off tour by open-top bus and spend time sightseeing as you travel past Rome's most significant and most popular attractions
- See the Colosseum and Vatican City
- Relax aboard the double decker tour bus and listen to the commentary
- Select a sighseeing ticker that's valid for 24 hours or 48 hours
- Pick the upgrade option and get entry to the Vatican, Sistine Chapel, Roman Forum and more
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Price: €23
Duration: 2 days
Reviews:
- Great service.
- The tour was very comprehensive and the audio tour guide was very clear and of good quality.
- I love the Hop-On Hop-Off.
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7. Skip the Line: Colosseum and Ancient Rome Small-Group Walking Tour |
| 7. Skip the Line: Colosseum and Ancient Rome Small-Group Walking Tour |
- See the best parts of Rome without waiting with the skip the line tour of the Colosseum and Ancient Rome
- Walk through the Roman Forum and Capitoline Hill which was once the center of the Roman Empire
- Visit the oblong Piazza Navona which was once a massive Roman circus
- Small group tour size of only 18 people
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Price: €45.60
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
Reviews:
- Tour guide was phenomenal
- The guide was amazing and helpful. We have an amazing time.
- Our guide was brilliant and really knew her stuff.
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8. Colosseum, Trevi Fountain & More: Rome Icons ComboSaver Tour |
| 8. Colosseum, Trevi Fountain & More: Rome Icons ComboSaver Tour |
- See all of Rome's must-see sights including the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain
- Learmn fascinating details of Roman life and history from your expert guide
- Try homemade gelato in summer or keep warm in winter with a complimentary drink
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Price: €74.70
Duration: 8 hours
Reviews:
- Well worth the time and money.
- Actually 2 separate tours but it was enjoyable.
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9. Rome: Nero's Golden House Underground Tour and Colosseum |
| 9. Rome: Nero's Golden House Underground Tour and Colosseum |
- Start your unique tour in the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and the Roman Forum
- Have a short break and descend into Nero's buried Golden House
- Visit the underground rooms and corridors of Rome's Domus Aurea on a virtual reality tour using 3D glasses
- Travel back in time to Ancient Rome
- Get in-depth insights into the city during the Roman Republic
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Price: €99
Duration: 5 hours
Reviews:
- Great trip, guide excellent and highly recommended.
- Incredible guide.
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10. Rome: Colosseum by Night Tour with Colosseum Underground |
| 10. Rome: Colosseum by Night Tour with Colosseum Underground |
- See the Colosseum and Ancient Rome by night
- Veat the crowds and experience the breathtaking views from the third tier with exclusive access
- Be amazed by the various statues, piazzas, museums and much more
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Price: €69
Duration: 2.5 hours
Reviews:
- Night tour of the Colosseum was very quiet and would recommend.
- The tour was good.
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Quick Jump Links To Rome Colosseum And Ticket Options
1. Skip the Line: Ancient Rome and Colosseum Half-Day Walking Tour
What's the tour all about?
- Skip the line outside the Colosseum with your priority-entrance ticket
- Learn all about the gladiators and emperors who decided their fates
- Walk around the first and second tires of the Colosseum, hearing its story from your guide
- Explore the Roman Forum, seeing the House of the Vestal Virgins and walking along Via Sacre
- Upgrade and get access to the Colosseum's arena floor, third tier, and underground chambers
Highlights of the tour
- Professional guide
- Entrance fees to the Palatine Hill and the Roman Colosseum
- Headsets to hear your guide clearly
- Skip-the-line entrance ticket to the Colosseum
Explore the amphitheater's first and second levels with a knowledgeable guide who can entertain and educate you about the gruesome gladiator battles.
Important tour details
Duration: 3 hours
Price: €42.40
2. Colosseum and Ancient Rome: Skip-the=Line Originals Tour
What's the tour all about?
- Walk in the footsteps of the emperors with this 3-hour guided tour
- Skip the lunes with a priority entrance
- Headsets to hear the tour guide
- Entrance tickets to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Palatine Hill
Highlights of the tour
- Skip the lines and enter through a priority entrance
- Embark on a 3-hour tour with an experienced guide
- Get access to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill
- Learn the history of ancient Rome and its famous emperors
Important tour details
Duration: 3 hours
Price: €36.96
What's the tour all about?
- Skip the line entry to the Colosseum so you do not waste precious time
- Walk in the footsteps of the gladiator and hear their stories
- Get transported to ancient Rome with the help of your guide
- Feel the crunch of sand underfoot, just as the gladiators did 2,000 years ago
Highlights of the tour
- Discover the secrets of Rome with the help of your professional guide
- Take advantage of the skip-the-line tickets
- Walk in the footsteps of the gladiators
Important tour details
Duration: 3 hours
Price: €32
4. Rome in a Day: Vatican and Colosseum Skip the Line
What's the tour all about?
- 7-hour tour to see Roman highlights: ancient Rome, the Vatican Museums, and the Colosseum
- See Rome's most important monuments in a single tour
- Skip-the-line access to all attractions that lets you bypass the crowds
- Upgrade your tour and enjoy pickup lunch at a local restaurant
Highlights of the tour
- Professional guide
- Exclusive skip the line entrance to the Vatican Musuems as official tour partners
- Entrance tickets with exclusive skip the line service at the Colosseum
- Hotel pickup for centrally located hotels in Rome
- Transportation only during the tour only for tour type with pickup and lunch
Important tour details
Duration: 7 hours
Price: €86
5. Vatican and Colosseum Combo Saver Tour
What's the tour all about?
- Full-day Rome combo with skip-the-line walking tours of the Vatican Museums, St. Peter's Basilica and Colosseum
- Combine two best-selling Rome tours in one memorable day with the help of expert guides
- Avoid the lines at the Colosseum and explore the first and second levels
- Tour the fascinating ruins at the Roman forums and visit the Palatine Hill
- Enjoy free time between the Vatican and Colosseum visits
- View the Vatican's art treasures, including Michaelangelo's Sistine Chapel and visit St. Peter's Basilica
Highlights of the tour
- Professional guide
- Skip-the-line access to the Vatican Museums through a reserved entranceway
- Access to the Sistine Chapel
- Entrance free to the Colosseum, Roman forum and the Palatine Hill
- Audio headsets when required
Important tour details
Duration: 1 day
Price: €112
6. Rome Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour
What's the tour all about?
- Hop-on Hop-Off sightseeing tour of Rome
- Create a personalized sightseeing itinerary and explore Rome at your own pace
- See attractions such as the Vatican City, the Trevi Fountain, and the Colosseum
- Hop on and off as many times as you wish at any of the eight stops
- Listen to interesting onboard audio commentary as you travel
- Upgrade to a 48-hour ticket to include entrance to the Roman Forum, Colosseum, the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
Highlights of the tour
- Skip the line access to some of Rome's most famous attractions
- Relax on the double-decker bus and listen to the audio commentary
Important tour details
Duration: 2 days
Price: €23
7 Skip the Line: Colosseum and Ancient Rome Small-Group Walking Tour Including Pantheon and Piazza Navona
What's the tour all about?
- Tour two levels of the Colosseum, one of Italy's most recognizable monuments with skip-the-line access
- Walk the ancient cobblestones of the Roman Forum
- Admire the view of the Forum from the Capitoline Hill
- See the impressive dome of the Pantheon
- Imagine the Roman circus that once stood in what is now Piazza Navona
- Enjoy seeing all the highlights of ancient Rome on a tour idea for new visitors of the city
Highlights of the tour
- All admission fees
- Professional guide
- Headsets provided to hear the guide clearly
- Guaranteed to skip the long lines
- Small group
- Perfect introduction to first-time visitors
Important tour details
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
Price: €45.60
8. Colosseum, Trevi Fountain & More: Rome Icons ComboSaver Tour
What's the tour all about?
- Cover all of Rome's must-see sights including Trevi Fountain, Colosseum, and the Pantheon
- Walk the same road once graced by victorious Roman armies
- Explore the remains of temples, banks, and homes of Ancient Rome
- Learn fascinating details of Roman history from your expert guide
- Eat homemade gelato in the summer or warm up in the winter with some hot drink
Highlights of the tour
- English-speaking guide
- Audio headsets
- Skip-the-line admission to the Palatine Hill, Roman Forum and Colosseum
Important tour details
Duration: 8 hours
Price: €74.70
9. Rome: Nero's Golden House Underground Tour and Colosseum
What's the tour all about?
- Explore Nero's buried 'Golden House' at the Domus Area
- Visit the first and second levels of the Colosseum
- Visit the Roman Forum and walk along the Via Sacra
- Take a tour of the legendary Palatine Hill where Rome began
- Experience the Golden Vault Room in virtual reality
Highlights of the tour
- Skip the line entrance access to all sites
- 3D glasses
- Join a guide and a small group of people to explore the Colosseum
Important tour details
Duration: 5 hours
Price: €99
10. Rome: Colosseum by Night Tour with Colosseum Underground
What's the tour all about?
- See the Colosseum in a different light on this original night walking tour, visiting after the crowds have left
- Tour the Roman Forum as seen from the bird's eye view of Campidoglio as well as other nearby sights of Ancient Rome
- Venture into the Colosseum underground and journey through the passages once walked by gladiators and animals before their battles
Highlights of the tour
- Enjoy a hassle-free tour of the Colosseum and Ancient Rome at night and avoid the crowds
- Skip the line access to the Colosseum
- Groups no larger than 25 people
- English speaking tour guide
- Headsets when needed
Important tour details
Duration: 2.5 hours
Price: €69
Rome was not built in a day and seeing the city in its entirety is also going to take more than a day. There are various free things to do in Rome, as well as Rome day trips to choose from but it is important to select one that will help you save time because the lines can get very long especially during peak season. Another great way to experience the city, as well as its most famous attractions is the Rome Hop On Hop Off bus. Rome deserves more than just a cursory glance so when in Rome do as the Romans do and take your time to truly experience it.
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