How to Visit Colosseum in 2025: Tickets, Tours & Levels Explained (Rome, Italy)
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Traveling to Rome, Italy, in 2025 and wondering how to visit the Colosseum? In this guide, you’ll find an overview of the best Colosseum ticket options, an explanation of different levels (regular levels 1 and 2, the Underground, Arena Floor, the Attic (levels 3, 4, 5)), and the best tours.
The most famous Roman Amphitheater in the world – the Colosseum – is one of the most iconic landmarks in Rome and needs no introduction. No matter if you are visiting Rome for a day or a week, the Colosseum site, including the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, is not to be missed! But how to visit and which Colosseum tickets or tours to book? You’ll find all the answers below!
PRO TIP: Short on time and just want the best Colosseum experience? Book a guided tour that includes the Underground level. This area is only accessible with a guide, and a tour takes the hassle out of planning – no need to figure out where to go, you’ll skip the lines, and you’ll gain fascinating insights into the history and workings of the arena (that you can only experience at the Underground level).
Having visited the Colosseum both on our own and with a guide, I can confidently say that a guided tour offers a far richer and more engaging experience. The stories bring history to life in a way that exploring alone simply can’t match.
Good to know: All Underground tours include regular access to the Colosseum and usually also the Arena Floor. Be sure to read the tour description so that you know exactly what to expect! Getting tickets for the Colosseum is becoming increasingly complicated, so you really need to see what’s available for your travel dates and book asap.
READ ALSO: The Best Area to Stay in Rome
The Colosseum is located in the center of Rome, so getting here is simple. It takes about 20-30 minutes to walk to the Colosseum from the historic city center. If you are staying further away, simply take a metro.
However, the Colosseum tickets must be bought well before your visit! Without a ticket, you will end up wasting half a day in line – or not being able to visit at all. The Colosseum and the Vatican are among the top sights in Europe where advance bookings are absolutely essential. You can find more information about the tickets below.
Good to know: 2025 is a Jubilee Year, a rare event at the Vatican that happens only once every 25 years, drawing millions of pilgrims to Rome. This means Rome will be busier than ever! Planning ahead and pre-booking tickets for major attractions is absolutely essential. To give you an idea – even in February, typically a low season, visitors faced 2-3 hour lines to enter the Colosseum without advance reservations.
READ ALSO: Tips & Tricks for Visiting Rome
Colosseum Tickets – Best Options
All Colosseum tickets include entry to the main levels (1 and 2) of the Colosseum, plus the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill (all these places together are also known as Parco Archeologico del Colosseo). In addition, tickets also include the so-called Super Sites, but hardly anyone visits those.
You’ll have to choose the specific time slot to enter the Colosseum; the rest is flexible.
While you can get tickets for the Colosseum upon arrival, the queues are insane – and not just in the high season. If you want to be sure to visit inside, you really should reserve your Colosseum tickets online. Tickets are typically released 30 days in advance, and if you want to be able to pick a time slot, book asap.
Here is an overview of regular Colosseum tickets:
- Tickets on the official site – available 30 days in advance and you really have to book asap!!!
- Tickets on GetYourGuide – they usually have better availability and allow bookings longer ahead, but it costs a few euros extra.
- Last-minute tickets – you will see the best still available ticket/tour options via this link.
- Rome Tourist Card – this is a combined ticket that includes entry to all the top sights in Rome (Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica + Dome). You can choose time slots for all the top attractions in one go (not necessarily on the same day) and simply show digital tickets on your smartphone.
Good to know: Children under 18 can visit the Colosseum for free, and EU citizens under 25 just a few euros (this counts for regular tickets, not tours). Be sure to select the right tickets when making reservations and bring your ID with you!
TIP: If there are no tickets available, don’t panic and simply book a guided tour (we recommend going with a guide anyway!). They usually have better access to tickets that are not available to the general public, plus you can book a tour long in advance or at the very last minute. See our hand-picked selection of Colosseum tours further below and if you find an option that suits you, book asap!
READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Rome
Colosseum Tours
If you want to make the most out of your visit to the Colosseum, consider going with a guided tour. You won’t have to worry about tickets, which entrance to take, or where exactly to go inside the Colosseum. Not even to mention trying to navigate the huge archeological site of Forum Romanum and Palatine Hill.
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen people share frustrating stories about their visit to the Colosseum. The worst part? Missing something just because you unknowingly walked past a turn or staircase, only to realize later that you can’t go back. And that’s just the Colosseum! The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are massive, and without a guide, it’s easy to feel lost, not knowing where to go or what you’re even looking at.
We have been to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum on our own several times and it was an enjoyable visit – we saw it, ticked the box, and were happy. But recently, we wanted to see the Colosseum Underground (this level can only be visited with a guide) so we booked a small-group guided tour. It was an incomparable experience! We learned so much in such a short time! It’s only now that I realized how little did we actually see in the past.
PRO TIP: If you want to not just see the Colosseum and Roman Forum, but actually understand what you are seeing, do yourself a favor and go with a guide!
You can find an overview of the best Colosseum tours here.
TIP: Please note that there are tons of different options when it comes to guided tours of the Colosseum and what they offer changes from time to time. So if you want to stand on the Arena Floor, explore the Underground, or have a guide at the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill, be sure to double-check if these options are actually included when you book!
TIP: If you are looking for a more special experience, take a look at this Arena floor & Special Gladiator’s Gate Access Tour. This company runs the most amazing tours, some with special access or at the times when the sites aren’t open to the general public. We have done many tours of them and they are always top-notch! Here you can find an overview of all their tours in Rome – check them out!
Why Visit Colosseum?
Built almost 2,000 years ago as an entertainment arena, the Colosseum is the world’s largest amphitheater and the symbol of Rome. It’s simply #1 of all the must-see places in Rome!
A visit here is like taking a trip back in time. As you explore different levels of the Colosseum or stand on the Arena Floor, it’s easy to imagine the infamous gladiator fights and the roaring crowds of 50,000-80,000 spectators.
A tour of the Colosseum Underground gives you a unique insight into the workings of this entertainment arena. Here, you can see where gladiators waited for the battles and where wild animals were kept and the mechanisms used to bring them upstairs or flood the arena with water in order to recreate sea battles.
In addition, as already mentioned, your Colosseum tickets also include entry to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. These are the oldest ancient landmarks in Rome with origins dating from around the 10th century BC. This is where the city was born!
READ ALSO: The Most Interesting Ancient Sites You Can Visit in Rome
Colosseum Levels & Tickets Explained
When choosing which Colosseum tickets to book for your visit, you should know that there are several levels that you can visit, and not all tickets are the same.
Regular tickets give you fast-track access to all the main areas of the Colosseum, levels I and II, including the museum. All Colosseum tickets also include access to the nearby archeological sites of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
In addition, it’s also possible to visit the Arena, the Attic, and/or the Underground levels of the Colosseum. You will need tickets for each area that you want to visit, but there are no tickets that would include all levels. So you will have to choose – that is, if you are quick enough to get the tickets as they go on sale. Otherwise, just book what’s available or reserve a guided tour.
- The Underground level is the most interesting and sought-after. It can only be visited with a guide and it’s also possible to book guided tours outside of the official website.
- The Attic tickets are also very hard to get as the space is limited.
- The Arena Floor has better availability and there are also tours available. Most Underground tours also include the Arena Floor, but double-check!
Below, you can find more information about all the Colosseum levels and tickets.
Here are more details and info about all these places/tickets:
The Main Floors of The Colosseum
Regular Colosseum tickets include fast-track timed entry to the main levels of the Colosseum and the main levels of the amphitheater.
Inside, you can also visit a small exhibition showcasing all kinds of ancient Roman artifacts and pieces of art found here. This ‘museum’ is located inside the Colosseum and is just a small part of the building.
Once again, with the standard entry ticket, you can see the Arena and also the underground of the Colosseum, but you cannot visit these levels.
The regular Colosseum tickets also include a one-time entry to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill – see below. You can book regular tickets here.
Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill is a large archeological site located just next to the Colosseum and accessible with all tickets.
Palatine Hill is the birthplace of the city of Rome and the Roman Empire. It was also the place where the rich and the famous lived during the glory days of the Empire.
The Roman Forum, at the foot of Palatine Hill and just next to the Colosseum was the economic and political center of Ancient Rome. Here, you can see some impressive remains of ancient temples, palaces, and important buildings.
You could spend hours wandering around here. But without a guide or some background info (guidebook, audio guide), it’s hard to appreciate what you see.
Colosseum Arena Floor
The partially reconstructed Arena floor offers the gladiators’ perspective on the Colosseum. It gives you a very unique view of the amphitheater and how enormous it is. Just try to imagine how it must have felt to stand here when the Colosseum was filled with over 50,000 people, all shouting and cheering waiting for the ‘show’ to begin.
Because the gladiator arena floor is only partially covered, from here you also have a very good view of a big part of the underground level below.
While you can see the Arena with a regular ticket, you’ll need a separate ticket to enter it. The availability of these tickets is even more limited, so be sure to book in advance!
TIP: If the tickets are sold out, you may still be able to visit this level on a guided tour (just double-check that the tour you chose actually includes the Arena access!). Here you can see an overview of tours that visit the Arena Floor.
Colosseum Underground
The Colosseum Underground (aka hypogea) is a sort of ‘backstage’ located under the Arena Floor. It is a network of corridors, narrow passages, and dark cells where wild animals were kept and where gladiators used to wait for their battles.
The underground level was connected to the main stage by innovative mechanics and sort of ancient elevators which were used to bring gladiators and animals to the main Arena.
As you stand here, try to imagine that this area was totally dark and you were deafened by the earsplitting noise of the crowd above. Not even to mention the roaring and the smell of wild animals, or the blood of fellow gladiators… A visit here is a truly unique experience that gives you a much better understanding of what the Colosseum is really about.
Good to know: This part of the Colosseum has been closed for years and only opened to the public a few years ago. It is only possible to visit the Underground of the Colosseum with a guide.
The Underground Level ticket usually includes Arena Floor access as well. See the official website for tickets (which are usually sold out the moment they are released). Here you can find an overview of the best tours that visit the underground level (these are usually easier to get – but don’t wait to book!).
The Attic of the Colosseum
The Attic of the Colosseum is the highest level of the amphitheater (levels III, IV, and V), offering a unique perspective on the arena and the city. A visit to the Attico provides a fascinating look at the upper tiers, where the seats for the poorest members of society were located.
A panoramic lift takes you up to the inner arches, from where you have to take some stairs to the highest levels of the Colosseum.
Good to know: This part of the Colosseum is very small and has reopened after renovations just recently. The Attic can only be visited with the “Full Experiences Ticket With Entry to the Attic of the Colosseum” sold on the official site. Tickets are available 30 days in advance and are usually gone in seconds.
The Attic vs. Underground
Since you cannot visit both – the Attic and the Underground of the Colosseum – with the same ticket, you might be wondering which one to choose. Here are some things to consider:
The tickets are hard to get for both levels, but the Underground tours on external sites have better availability.
The view from the Attic is similar to what you see from the lower levels – just from much higher up. The main difference is the limited number of visitors, which gives it a more exclusive feel (so you can brag to your friends that you did something special ;)).
My opinion: If I had to choose between the Underground and the Attic, I would go for the Underground. It’s a far more fascinating experience – you get a behind-the-scenes look at how the Colosseum operated, including where gladiators and animals waited before fights. Plus, Underground access also includes a visit to the Arena Floor, where you can stand where the battles actually took place.
READ ALSO: Hidden Gems of Rome That Most Tourists Never See
So How to Visit the Colosseum?
There is really not one ‘best’ way to visit the Colosseum, so choose the tickets or tours that align with your interests, time, and budget.
If you are looking for the best-value guided tour, then consider this highly-rated experience that – in addition to all the ‘regular’ levels and sites – includes the Arena floor & special Gladiator’s Gate access.
If you want to see most levels and insights into the workings of the Colosseum, then book a guided tour that includes the Underground and the Arena Floor (we did a tour like that and thoroughly enjoyed our visit).
If you are short on time or rather go on your own, you can see the impressive interior of the amphitheater and visit the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill with a regular ticket. TIP: In that case, consider this Rome Tourist Card that includes Colosseum tickets, the Vatican Museums with the Sistine Chapel, the Pantheon, and a 10% discount on other attractions in Rome.
FAQ
- Do you need to book Colosseum tickets in advance? Yes, if you want to be 100% sure that you can visit the Colosseum inside, you have to reserve timed entry tickets in advance. While you can get a ticket on the day of your visit, you can easily waste 2-3 hours in line, if not more!
- Which Colosseum levels can you visit? Which Colosseum levels you can visit, depends on the ticket you get. With general admission, you have access to the first and second floors including the museum. If you want to visit the Arena Floor or the Attic, you need different tickets for those levels. The Colosseum Underground can only be visited with a guide. All Colosseum tickets include entrance to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
- How much time do you need at the Colosseum? With skip-the-line tickets or a guided tour, you need about 1 hour for the Colosseum. We took a tour that included the Arena Floor and Colosseum Underground and were in and out of the Colosseum in about an hour. However, you should count at least 1-1.5 hours for a visit to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, plus the queue. Realistically, you need at least 2.5-3 hours for the Colosseum.
- Is it Colosseum or Coliseum? The Colosseum is located in Rome, Italy, whereas Coliseum is one of the largest theaters in London’s West End. So the correct spelling for the ancient gladiators’ arena in Rome is Colosseum.
READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Rome
More travel inspiration and information for your visit to Rome:
- Practical info:
- Best Area to Stay in Rome
- Rome Airport Transfers (Fiumicino & Ciampino)
- Tips for Planning a Trip to Europe
- Food:
- How to plan your visit:
- 1 Day in Rome
- 2 Days in Rome (the musts + a few hidden gems)
- 4 Days in Rome (top sights, ancient landmarks, hidden gems)
- If you have more time:
TIP: Planning a trip to Italy? Check out our Italy travel guide! It contains an overview of all our travel guides, info, and experience-based tips for a wide variety of amazing destinations all over the country.
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