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Recommended Reviews - Colosseo
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Needless to say, this is a must see whenever you're in Rome even if you don't plan on going inside! I walked or ran by it almost every day when I was in town to run the Rome Marathon. Even what's left of it was an awesome structure to see in person! Be sure to bring your patience as the surrounding areas will be crowded with tourists and more tourists!
I've always loved reading about Roman history, so finally seeing the Colosseum in person this October was incredible. Even in the "off season," it was busy, which shows how high up the list it is for any visitor. Walking through the structure and looking down into the arena from above, I could really picture the energy of the crowds and the events that once took place there. The Colosseum is huge, up to 50,000 people once packed inside, and it was used for all sorts of public spectacles, not just gladiator fights. I'd recommend taking a guided tour if you can; it helps skip the ticket line and gives context that really adds to the experience. Also, make sure to explore the area around it--the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are right next door and worth the time. If you're in Rome and even a little curious about history, the Colosseum is absolutely worth seeing. It really brings ancient Rome to life.
Beginning in the eighth century B.C., ancient Rome grew from a small town on central Italy's Tiber River into an empire that at its peak encompassed most of continental Europe, Britain, much of western Asia, northern Africa, and the Mediterranean islands. Nowhere on Earth captures the spectacle of ancient Rome quite like the Colosseum. Towering above the eastern edge of the Roman Forum, covering more than six acres, the Colosseum remains one of the world's most famous architectural marvels and is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, where my partner, our friends, family member, and I were able to obtain 8:30am entry for self-guided exploration of the first and second levels but not to the arena floor where the gladiators fought. The ticket also includes visits to the Roman Forum, the Imperial Forum, and the Palatine Hill. Upon arrival, as one walks around the outside, one senses how huge it is, measuring approximately 620 feet in length, 513 feet in width, and over 160 feet in height, with an efficient network of arches, corridors, and staircases to accommodate rapid filling and evacuation for more than 50,000 people. To enter, one must arrive 15 minutes before the time specified on the ticket. However, it was crowded in mid-September during the week, which would be overwhelming, particularly around peak hours. On the other hand, the line for security checks was short. It looked very simple on the outside, but it has a very complex interior structure. One can see a lot from the first ring: the center stage/games area; the seating sections reserved for the emperor, the vestal virgins, and the senators; an overview of the now-exposed underground facilities; and the walls of rising seats above you. It can also get crowded here, and one might have to wait for visitors to move on to get a clear viewpoint. This is a building that captured our imagination since its construction and continues to be this symbol of Rome's power, of Rome's brilliance, which we can recommend.
Came at the end of November of 2025, and it was crowded most of the time had a line to go everywhere. The normal pass has limited access: only to the ground level and to go around the colosseo. The view is majestic and the architecture is full of details and its surprising that it was done centuries ago... Definitely worth coming to this place!
This might be one of the busiest tourist attractions in the world. You need to be physically and mentally prepared for long lines and wait times. We booked a tour through a 3rd party, and were spared much of that waiting, at a cost. That said, once we were inside, the history and nostalgia were captivating. Truly a highlight in my life. Did you know that il Colosseo was once covered in polished marble, and that it was stripped to build out the Vatican?
The Colosseum -- come for the history, stay because you're still waiting to hear "Are you not entertained?" echo through the stone. If you want to feel small, insignificant, and totally wowed, step inside the Colosseum. Pictures don't prepare you. This thing is massive. The ancient Romans didn't just build stadiums -- they built a statement, and nearly 2,000 years later it's still standing stronger than half the hotels on the Vegas strip. History check: Construction kicked off under Emperor Vespasian in AD 72, and his son Titus wrapped it up in AD 80. It could hold somewhere between 50,000-80,000 screaming Romans, all of them showing up to watch gladiators, wild animal hunts, mock naval battles, and a few thousand other events that would make modern NFL games look like a church picnic. And here's the kicker: they've done an incredible job refurbishing the inside. New exhibits line the corridors, the underground hypogeum (the maze where fighters and lions waited their turn) has been restored and opened for tours, and they even added a modern elevator so you can get between levels without feeling like you're on a gladiator training montage. With the restorations and displays, this isn't just a "walk in, take a selfie, walk out" situation -- it's a full-day affair. The scale of it makes you pause. You're walking where emperors stood, looking up at arches that have survived earthquakes, wars, looting, and centuries of tourists. You realize the Colosseum is less a ruin and more a survivor. And no, Russell Crowe wasn't there. I checked. "It's brutal, it's beautiful, it's Rome distilled -- glory and gore, still standing." Bottom line: Between the restoration work, the exhibits, and the sheer atmosphere, the Colosseum isn't just a bucket-list item -- it's a bucket that overflows.
The Colosseum is Rome's original multipurpose arena, brought to you by 1st-century imperial ego and a bloodlust budget that would make Hollywood blush. Built in eight years, because apparently slave labor and divine confidence are the ultimate project management tools. It's officially called the Flavian Amphitheater, but let's be honest "Colosseum" just sounds cooler. Probably because it was built next to a colossal statue of Nero, who thought the best way to be remembered was to build a 100-foot-tall bronze version of himself. What a humble guy. Anyway, the Colosseum. It's big. It's round(ish). It's missing a few chunks thanks to earthquakes, vandals, and that one time the Catholic Church thought it'd make a great quarry. Yes, parts of your local church may literally be made from ancient death-sport arena scraps. Blessings all around. Some for you, some for me. Inside? Back in the day, it seated 50,000 people who came to watch their favorite Netflix series: Live Gladiator Fights, Season Infinity. Lions? Check. Naval battles? Yup, they flooded the place. Prisoners forced to reenact mythology with a 100% fatality rate? That's dinner and a show. Modern visitors are now obsessed with its bones, snapping selfies while ignoring the fact that this is essentially a 2,000-year-old murder dome. And yet, there's something romantic about it. Probably because nothing says "eternal city" like scaffolding and a souvenir vendor catcalling tourists in broken English including me. So yes, go see the Colosseum. Take in the grandeur. But please remember humanity's timeless thirst for spectacle and egoism.
The Colosseum in Rome is known for being the world's largest amphitheater ever built and largest one standing in the world! Built between 72-80 AD on the site of Nero's Golden Palace. It only took 8 years to build and notably no concrete was used to build the main structure. 85,000 people could fit in it! It's where everyone went to watch gladiator fights and mock sea battles. It had 24 manual operated elevators to transport animals. It has 80 entrances and underground tunnels and chambers called Hypogeum. One of the 8 wonders of the world and amazing both inside and out!! Very amazing to see the architecture and walk on the path of past victors and losers!
The colosseum is one of the wonders of the world and is a must see when in Rome. We arrived late and were questioned about it and were asked to show proof as to why. We came in the afternoon on a summer, so it was hot. We walked around and admired the feat of human engineering. Afterwards, we made our way to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill (included in ticket).
We tried so hard to get tickets to the underground tour portion, including logging on at midnight for weeks on end as tickets were released. In the end, no tickets. There are long lines to enter here with and without tickets and the adjacent archaeological park. Like most attractions in Italy, there are multiple, confusing lines. You can circle the structure for free and just avoid the people selling tours.
11 years ago
You can't come to Rome without coming to Colosseum.... This is one and only Colosseum in the world. So much history! Look at the architecture.... amazing! Just look at outside, you can admire this architecture for long time. Yes, definitely need to take lots of pictures!! When you walk in, climb up the stairs.... OMG!! It is massive! You can stand at any angle and you can get a good view. ** They sell admission tickets to both 3 places, Arch of Constantine, Colosseum and Palatine Hill. Go to the ticket office at Palatine Hill because shorter line. DO NOT go to Colosseum ticket office because the line is super long. You can get the same tickets at any ticket offices. read more
Besides the Vatican, this is the most impressive sight to see in Roma. Absolutely incredible what they accomplished so long ago. True engineering so far ahead of its time, from the under ground pathways to the entries and seating. When coming I highly recommend doing one of the many walking tours. The lines can be very long on hot summer days. But if you pre book one of the walking tour companies you get in and around much quicker and have more time to enjoy your day. We used Walks of Italy and they are great. They use smaller groups and available for just about any language. I would say it's mandatory for the Vatican tour. Book early before temps get hot and you beat some of the crowds Loved everything to do with Rome read more
10 years ago
The Colosseum is absolutely beautiful and definitely a must-see when visiting Rome. I would recommend visiting not only in the daytime, but also in the evening as well because all of the lights inside make it look breathtaking. Much like most of the main sights in Rome, it is pretty much located in the center of the city. You just walk right up to it off the street. I was lucky enough to stay in a flat nearby during my visit, so I was able to make several trips to the Colosseum and take lots of pictures. Don't just take pictures from the outside, it is definitely worthwhile to wait in the long line to see the beauty inside. I loved seeing the underground where the warriors would walk through before fights (reminding me of Game of Thrones). Beware though that the stairs leading to and from the levels are VERY steep, they actually hurt my knees a little bit. Also note that entrance is free every first Sunday of the month, you must enter by 3:30 though (not just be in line but actually enter) or you will be turned a way. The line is long, very long. I waited about 45 minutes on a rainy day. It was well worth it however. I wouldn't recommend the tour guide either. Your entrance fee also covers Palentine Hill (with amazing views up top) and the Forum, and lasts for two days. Also, if you could walk, I would recommend that as the metro stop gets very packed, but it is nice that the metro stop is so close. Take your time and enjoy. read more
The Colosseo is such a cool place to visit and great location for sightseeing in Rome. Be prepared for many lineups and big crowds as it is one of the most popular tourist destination in Italy. I recommend purchasing tickets beforehand online so that you do not have to wait in line for ticket purchase. Both times I was there I waited over 30 minutes to purchase a ticket. You also have the option of going with a tour at almost double the price but we ended up just exploring the Colosseo without a guide. read more
We booked a guided walking tour of the Colosseo through Viator. The tour also included access to The Forum and the Palantine directly behind the Colosseo. Yes, you pay more and sometimes some tour guides aren't as entertaining as others, but you get to skip the fat line to get in. Even that CityPass line was extra long. Time is worth more than money. The Colosseo is huge and it gets stuffy in the enclosed inside portion of it. There's a lot of stairs but an elevator for those who are disabled. It was nice to look at, but I enjoyed more of the Forum. Sorry, I was just not into the whole Gladiator thing. But definitely agree with my Yelp buddy Ken K. You can save money and get great shots of the Colosseo from outside. Since it's a must see in Rome. There's partial construction on it, but the beauty is all on the outside than more the inside. You can buy a separate ticket to see the Forum if you go this route. read more
The Colosseum (Colosseo) is one of the great examples of Roman engineering. If you think it is amazing on the outside, you need to go inside. Check out my photos. We skipped the Disneyland like lines by going with a local guide. I know you may say you would rather do it on your own with the thousands of aps available today, but your ap isn't going to let you skip the lines. Trust me on this. read more
Honeymoon in Rome. What a perfect place to visit for a Honeymoon. Some people enjoy being on a beach with a frozen drink, not us. We wanted to explore, get caught up in history and see the sites of one of the most romantic cities in the world. This place was built in 80 AD. Let that sink in for a while....it's an incredible feat that this place was built so long ago and you can walk around in present day - just as Romans did SO MANY years ago. Yes, the events that were held here could make you sick to your stomach. But, with all due respect it was a different time in history. Luckily we have evolved and understand now that watching people get killed for fun isn't really enjoyable. With that said, it's still chilling to walk into a place with such history. As soon as we got out of the subway the Colosseum slapped us right in the face. There it was...right across the street. Only the second time in my life that I have been totally blown away by a landmark. We didn't get a tour - we did it on our own. Walking in wasn't bad. There weren't crazy lines (but I understand that's not always the case). We headed up the stair case and wow were they steep! I might of been a little out of shape but these steps were so hard to go up. We made it to the second level and looked down at the somewhat destroyed main floor which reveals the once covered underground walkways where I can only imagine gladiators (and wild animals?) were escorted through before being elevated to the main floor. Mind blowing. We snapped a ton of photos and walked around the entire thing getting different angles. We took about an hour and a half to see everything (I thought we would take a lot longer) but this is considering that it wasn't packed so allow more time in case it is super busy! read more
If you are in Rome as a tourist, the Colosseo is probably one of your top places to visit. After all, it's one of the few things left from Ancient Rome. If you are planning to come here, I recommend buying a ticket online because the standard admission line can be really long. Like others, I became really interested in coliseums after watching Gladiator. The movie made coliseums seem larger than life and after coming here, I can see why. Roaming around Colosseo was an amazing experience. You get to really appreciate the architecture because they made this a couple hundred years ago and it's still standing. The field had a cool maze vibe to it but you are not allowed to go down there unfortunately. It does get really busy and can get quite hot so plan accordingly. Don't forget water, glasses, hat, etc. Other than that, everything else was great. I would recommend coming to the Colosseo if you are in Rome. read more
8 years ago
Aaahh I still can't believe we got to see this live and in person. It is phenomenal! Since I had been wanting to go to Europe my entire life , and I wanted to have the chance to go to several countries, I went with the flow and skipped tours and purchased tickets for everything well in advance . When you purchase tickets online for the colosseum you actually are granted two day access to both the colosseum and palatine hill. You don't need the tours and you don't need separate tickets. Do your research and you will save a fortune and most of all save valuable time and enjoy these beautiful places at your own pace ;) I can't wait to return to the eternal city read more
Don't let that crazy long line deter you from taking a huge step back into history. if you're smart or have just done a little research you can literally race past the three hour line and not wait a minute. Here's how: visit the Roman Forum (10 minute wait) and buy your combo pass. After visiting the remarkable ruins of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, make your way over to the Colosseum and prepare to be amazed. The Colosseum was as impressive as I imagined it to be. Once again, read up on your history. We chose not to do an audio or guided tour so i can't really speak to whether it is worth it or not. I do however have a husband who's a walking history book so I never feel too lost. Some one back home actually said she was kind of underwhelmed by the experience. I am now beginning to wonder about her taste in all things or whether she's just doing drugs... A few more tips: Outside, there are a lot of people trying to up-sell you on their tours. Be cautious... there are some real sharks out there. They will try to intimidate you into buying from them and there are a LOT of them. Just use your street smarts and you'll be fine. The Roman Forum, Palatine Hill and the Colosseum will take upwards of a day to properly explore (plus have lunch somewhere in between). Avoid the restaurants at the top of the hill overlooking the monument. They are truly terrible and overpriced. My mistake for ignoring advice and not doing my research. If you are visiting Rome and all of what it has to offer then you're lucky. Enjoy your time, be smart and be safe! read more
10 years ago
If I was in Rome and could only visit one major landmark, I wouldn't miss the opportunity to walk through the Colosseum again. I've viewed it three times since 2010, and one of these days I should probably take the underground path tour. Ah, well. Even without seeing it from that perspective, this is a great spot and a must-see. Your 12 euro ticket comes with entry to the Forum and Palantine Hill also. As others have mentioned, be sure to buy your ticket in front of the Forum, or you may be waiting a long time. You can't buy a ticket solely for the Colosseum anyway. It's super easy to access this landmark. Either take the metro and pop right out in front of it, or walk. I prefer walking since Rome is very easy to navigate. read more
Holy cow! One of the locations I always wanted to visit growing up! Such a wonderful experience. We took the underground/ arena tour and what a amazing experience it was. I can't to return again. Suggestions- do the underground tour Moose Out read more
8 years ago
Magnifico! There wasn't a doubt in my mind that the Colosseum would amaze me. It was the first historic landmark to visit on our Italian adventure. Of course I've seen pictures of it but when you see it in person, the majestic sight makes you stop in your tracks. You can walk around the entire outside structure so there are many photo opportunities. We probably took hundreds of photos just being here. Lucky for us we paid for a Small Underground Tour which allowed us to skip the lines and enter early. Our tour guide was wonderful as we walked around various sections of the Colosseum. There is so much history to take in. The beauty in the structure will leave you in awe. So When In Rome... make it a point to enter a piece of history. read more
The Colosseum is another of Rome's major tourist attractions. Its construction was started by emperor Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty in 72 AD and was finished by his son Titus in 80 AD. If you plan to visit Rome head there early in the morning to avoid the massive lines. Personally, I would travel there during the wintertime for the best airline prices and there no need for travel tour passes. Why? It is not really a tourist season. The elliptical amphitheater could hold up to 50,000 people who turned out to watch gladiators do battle, people be publicly executed and enjoy other forms of entertainment. Trust me, when you know this and see it personally, you will agree with those stats. Everything about this place is just amazing. This stone and concrete structure, built in the first century, was the largest amphitheater in the Roman Empire. It is considered one of the Romans' greatest architectural and engineering feats. Of course, you will notice this in every turn you make in the place. Note: Have comfortable sneakers available for all tours, especially this one. If you plan to visit is in summer, you will need sunblock and water. Yes, it gets quite warm. If you have the opportunity to visit in the winter, it should be your first option. My Plane Trip cost me during the winter: $300 (with tax includes) dollars round trip and my Airbnb that near the Vatican cost be $150 read more
10 years ago
One of the most iconic places here in Rome. Yea,, everybody knows where you are when you take selfie here. Amazing history, great place to take pictures and awesome spot to rest up and people watch. #TonsOfAmericans read more
Quite simply the most beautiful place ever. It's incredible to find something beautiful that used to host violent, gory, and deadly battles, but the pure structure is something to uphold. This structure is in the Ancient Rome part of rome along with the roman forum and Palentine hill (you can buy a value ticket/Roma pass and get all of these places for one price). It also has a museum in it with artifacts from animals involved in some of the battles. Upon entering the colosseum, you can see how every other stadium in history is influenced by this great place. A great place to just stand and bask in the glow. The lower part still has barracks the fighters used to stay in (you can even look down and see some skulls) and a piece of reconstructed arena floor that the fights took place ( I think you have to pay extra to go down in this area, although you still have an excellent and close view from where you can go on the regular price ticket). The only slightly negative thing I can say is the stairs to walk up is super steep and are a true workout in its own right. Overall I see why this is one of the 8 wonders of the world and a must for anybody and yes I mean anybody. read more
I will never forget my trip to this amazing and impressive piece of architecture. I remember walking towards it thinking, "holy cow, this is AMAZING". And I also vividly remember how unbearably hot it was that day. I do not recommend visiting Rome in the summer months, lol. It literally felt like 120, but I actually think it was at least 90 that day. There were tons and tons of crowds and tourist groups with headsets and cameras walking aimlessly just in awe at the structure. The outside of it is amazing but the inside is just as incredible. I highly recommend putting this on your list of things to visit before you die. Not only was there the Colosseo itself, but the grounds and buildings around it were just as impressive. read more
7 years ago
Inside of the " Flavian amphitheater" aka colosseum or coliseum.. absolutely amazing. ps: If you are into world history and hire a private tour guide one gets to learn so much. Worth the extra money spent read more
This is like walking into "The Gladiator" head on. History, the ancient kind, staring you straight in the face. Absolutely brilliant. We took my son and nephew to the coliseum, and it was if they never wanted to leave, the only thing that captivated them to this extent were the topless women on the Barcelona beaches. They couldn't seem to get enough of the spectacular architecture and that this place was built around ( or before ) the time of Christ, so the miracles of modern engineering were nonexistent at that time...... Fantastic Much bigger than I thought it would be, yet I think that it sat about 70K people ( just a little smaller than South Carolina's William's Brice stadium ), and that's pretty good size even by today's standards. I read that the entire place was originally covered entirely in marble, although most of it was recycled a long time ago. I can only imagine the spectacle it must have been at that time. I was in awe the entire 5 hours that we spent there, MAGNIFICENT !!!!! Hints: Wear your sunblock, it's wicked hot You don't really need the tour unless it's included in your package Don't drive there, the subway stops across the street Watch you wallet, this applies to most of Europe though Drink tons of water, it's free through the city aquaduct system, it's cold and damned good Get there very EARLY What else can I say that hasn't already been said by my fellow Yelpers. Enjoy. read more
6 years ago
Constructed between AD 72 and AD 80, the Colosseum (or Coliseum, Flavian Amphitheatre) remains an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome and is listed as one of the 7 New Wonders of the World. Predictably packed with tourists, and offering any number of unofficial tours, visitors can spend anywhere from 30 to 300 minutes exploring the ruins to their contentment, and a ticket also guarantees access to the Roman Forum within the same 24-hour period. read more
7 years ago
Wow! It's so much bigger, better, cooler, older, and ... just wow ... than I expected. Whether you call this most-famous of stadiums il Colosseo, the Colosseum, or Anfiteatro Flavio is not nearly as important as simply calling it one of the must-see destinations on your first visit to Roma. Seriously, you don't need a funny thing to happen on the way to the Forum nearby as long as you're on your merry way to the Colosseum. Of course, the ruins we see now filled with hordes of tourists must pale in comparison to the spectacle in its glory years. The skill to build such an impressive structure that still stands today is truly remarkable to me with a genuine feeling of wow. Facts: * In AD 72, construction began (emperor Vespasian) * Completed in AD 80 (emperor Titus) * Changes made from AD 81-96 (emperor Domitian) * The 3 emperors formed the Flavian Dynasty * Hence, the Latin name: Amphitheatrum Flavium * Or Anfiteatro Flavio in Italian * These days, locals simply call it il Colosseo * Name from former nearby colossal statue of Nero * 50,000 to 80,000 people could attend events * Average attendance was about 65,000 * There were 80 entrances to get people in & out * Almost all events were free (paid by the emperors) * Sometimes food was free, too * Construction materials included stone & concrete * It measures 189m long, 156m wide, & 50m high * Gladiator fights and animal hunts were brutal * Records show 10,000 animals killed some days * Estimated kills: 500,000 people; 1,000,000 animals * The first games (AD 80) lasted for 100 days! * Gladiator fights continued into the 5th century * Animal hunts occurred until the 6th century * A velerum awning extended for sun protection * 2 levels of tunnels underground called Hypogeum * There were 36 trap doors in the arena * Only 1/3 of the Colosseum remains today * Fires, earthquakes, & vandalism caused the decay * Marble façade plundered to build St. Peter's Basilica * Today, it ranks as the #1 tourist attraction in Rome * In 2018, 7.8 million visitors came to see the wow! read more
11 years ago
A trip to Rome without visiting the Colosseum should be a crime. Yes, it is a tourist trap and can get pretty crowded, but this is an epic wonder that will continue to leave you mesmerized and speechless. Super lucky to come on a morning that was sunny (then later started to raaaain) so plan accordingly! Also, find a tour that lets you visit the underground level. You get to follow the footsteps that the gladiators of Ancient Rome once walked. However, the underground will be closed on tours if it rains since their sewage system is still pretty old-school. I booked my tour with Select Italy, so check them out! Wear comfortable and sturdy shoes when you come! You'll be happy you did once you see all those steep steps. If you have the chance to come here at night, it's also quite the sight to see! They light up the architecture once it's dark, and there's also less people crowding here so you can take some pretty amazing photos. read more
It didn't matter how many guide books I read though or Google images I looked at - The Colosseum was unlike any structure I'd ever seen before. As we drove past it on our way from the airport to our hotel I was I was in awe. I had no words. Fast forward to the next day when our tour group actually got to visit and spend some time in the iconic structure. Again words escaped me.... "amazing" seems to simple. The grandeur of The Colosseum is all consuming and unbelievable. Think about the history, the preservation and the restoration - ah! A must see in Rome. As part of a guided tour, our group had presale tickets and were allowed to jump into a separate line to enter the building. Apparently people spend hours in line just to buy the tickets to get inside... our guide told us that you can also buy tickets at the Roman Forum entrance and the line is always shorter than the Colosseum line. Tickets bought at either gate get you into both the Colosseum and RF. I would totally use this option - allows for more time inside the Colosseum itself! And you're going to want to spend as much time inside exploring as you can. The place will be crowded and the ground is uneven - so wear comfy shoes. Make sure your camera battery is charged - there are so many wonderful pockets of architectural splendor you're going to want to snap. Others call it a 'tourist trap', I say it's one of the greatest architectural gems in the world. Go, take it all in, and judge for yourself. read more
8 years ago
The majesty that is the Colosseum takes my breath away. I don't think I have ever felt so much awe over a structure in my life. Pictures cannot do this beautiful place justice. When in Rome, every time I was near the Colosseum I wanted to go to it. It's just one of those sights you'll remember for the rest of your life. To go inside, I highly advise to book tickets ahead of time. I came here during low season and there were still crowds and lines around the Colosseum. To get access to the lower levels of the Colosseum, you have to have a guided tour booked. The view from the general levels are still a spectcular sight. My favorite tourist attraction of Rome. read more
Get ready to poop your pants. lol Seriously, the spectacle of seeing the Colosseum as we exited the Metro Station is something the Misses STILL won't shut up about. And I agree with her. As the doors of the station slide open, you come face to face with the majesty that is the Roman Colosseum. I compare it to how Dr. Grant looked when he first saw the Brontosaurus in Jurassic Park. It's literally awe inspiring. Certain things will proceed to do their damned best to take that awe away, and we'll get to those, but the first impression of this thing is second to none. Unfortunately, the introduction is where the Colosseum peaks. Immediately after seeing it, buckle up for a WAAAAAAAAAAAAAIT. Listen, we had the Omnipass, which lets you "skip the line," and OUR wait was close to an hour. I can only imagine what the poor bastards that didn't have an Omnipass had to do. I'm sure a couple had birthdays while waiting to get in. Seriously, and predictably, this place is PACKED. And, its poorly signed, as in you have no idea where to go, where to stand, and trying to ask someone will only get you propositioned to buy something. (More on THAT shit in a second.) Seriously, people are everywhere; inside, outside, in your way as you try to take pictures, you name it. AND, listen, this building is a thousand damn years old! Its amazing its still standing, so it shouldn't be a surprise that it ain't exactly up to code. The steps are CRAZY steep, and the step height is oddly high. It is a pretty damned good workout just moving through the Colosseum, and getting up and down the stairs. It was also PHENOMENALLY hot, though you might get a better day than we had. Theres not much to DO at the Colosseum, and the real thrill comes from going "holy crap....I'm at THE Colosseum!" We made a few laps and then got out of there. There's not MUCH to see that doesn't look exactly like everything else (brown rock), and even less to DO, other than look and try to imagine what it was like when this place was rocking. I'm sure a guided tour, or getting to go down to the catacombs or whatever would've been better, but that wasn't our experience. We definitely and literally spent longer in line to get IN, than we did actually walking around. The real tragedy of the visit is everything outside of the Colosseum walls. There is a veritable GANG of peddlers, waiting literally inches from the exit, that will descend on you like birds the SECOND you leave, trying to sell you EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING. The African peddlers are HYPER aggressive, following you, double teaming you, and they are stationed every 10 feet, so if you do get away from one, you won't make it far before someone else tries to get you. Its actually pervasive. Its something the Roman POLICE should get involved in. I had to actually get pretty assertive, rude and aggressive myself, just to be able to WALK. The sheer amount of times I had to say "NO!" was enough to drag down the whole experience. Which is a shame, because in the immediate area, there is SO much to do! There is The Arch of Constantine, the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and a cool little church, (where we went to escape the sweltering heat), if you don't mind a little hike up the hill. (Saint Bonaventure's, I believe). All in all, a great sight, and definitely one of those "bucket list" kind of moments. It would be so much better without all the annoyances, but even with them, its still absolutely worth it. read more
This place is amazing, words won't do it enough, you need to see it in person. The lines are insane, very very busy. Thank goodness we had skip the line pass and our tour guide to give us all the details. What an amazing place. read more
14 years ago
This was one of the best sights in Rome! If you want to see the Colosseum, Forum and Palatine Hill it is possible to do so in about a four to five hour time frame depending on how long you stay at each sight. Wear comfortable shoes because the paths are very rocky around the Forum and also don't forget to wear sunscreen!!! We purchased our ticket for the Colosseum on www.tickitaly.com. Since our hotel room wasn't ready yet we decided to arrive at the Colosseum an hour before our reservation time and had no problem getting in. After we bipassed the HUNDREDS of tourists wasting precious time waiting in line we arrived at the ticket booth and exchanged our reservation print out for a ticket. Hang on to this ticket because it also gets you into the Forum and Palatine Hill. (Both sights are in walking distance from the Colosseum.) If you don't want to waste your money stay clear of the gladiators, vendors, and pickpockets hanging outside the Colosseum. We didn't spend money on a tour guide and instead opted to listen to the free Rick Steves audio tour I had downloaded onto my iPhone. http://www.ricksteves.com/news/travelnews/0602/italy-audio-tours.htm The tour is very entertaining and Rick Steves will tell you everything you would want to know about the Colosseum. We got some excellent pictures of the Arch of Constantine and the Golden House of Nero from the upper level of the Colosseum! read more
I have wanted to see this beautiful old ruin since I was a little girl. Probably due to the movie Gladiator which is what first made me interested in Roman culture. My mother and I were in absolute awe when we first came upon this our first night in Rome, it was dusk, we were roaming around about halfway lost, determined to find and see the Colosseum before we went back to our hotel that night, tired though we were from our morning of travel and hustle and bustle and hotel check-ins, but then there it was ahead of us on accident and we immediately loved it. Because it was almost dark there were very few people, the lines were closed and the doors were shuttered. This was nice, most of the street vendors had cleared away so we weren't pestered and badgered to buy their items while we stood and took photographs of the Colosseum lit up at night with us in the photos (a must do for everyone who visits this site I'm sure). The outside is enormous. It's true it's basically nothing more than a husk at this point, a shell of it's former glory, but seeing something, that has been there since 72AD is amazing. Something that is older than the United States (as we know it)... something as grand and advanced as this.... where it had various entrances with roman numerals so that people could get in and out more efficiently... I could still see a few of the original numbers over two or three of the entrances - thinking back on it makes me excited to know I've seen such a thing. It was beautiful at night - a must see when the lights and the crowds fade away. But the next day my mother and I came back to tour the inside during the day, it was interesting to see the network of tunnels that run underground where the animals and props were kept... it really was something spectacular for their time and it is fascinating.... But the outside is what captivated me... even as a ruin it's absolutely beautiful. I don't think everyone can appreciate that something that amazing was built such a long time ago and still stands today even after all the things it's seen... wars, earthquakes, floods.... etc. This is an absolute must see for everyone who goes to Rome - even if you can't appreciate the gravity of the structure - you'll want to get the photo op. read more
So amazing!!!! I learned so much during my visit and was able to explore the entire colosseum. To think that they used to flood the colosseum and have mock sea battles. Gladiators that died for sport and the thousands of people who worked below the colosseum floor. I would make sure that you also pay for the underground tour. Is provides additional insight on what happened below the colosseum floor and how the animals and gladiators were staged. We had a private guide for our tour and it was worth every penny. To get personal insight was awesome. read more
Beautiful, massive and impressive. Buy your tickets early and make sure to get the audiovisual package option if getting a guided tour is out of your reach. We arrived early, around 8:30 am, and the lines were small and we were able to take amazing pictures. Take comfortable shoes because there is lots of walking involved. read more
This a definite must see when in Rome! We did a group tour and we learn a lot of neat history about the Colosseum. The plus side to doing a group tour was we got to skip the long lines of people trying to get in. We felt a little VIP to be honest. We booked the group tour online and it started off great, learning about the history, meeting new people etc etc. But once you're inside you just want to explore and see everything. As soon as our tour was over we explored. Took a gazillion photos and enjoyed the breathtaking views. I'm so happy we can say we came, we saw, we conquered.... Well sorta kinda. Do I have any tips?? Wear COMFY shoes!!! read more
8 years ago
10 years ago
I've learned so much about the Colosseum - both in high school history and in art history in college. It was so surreal to be standing in the Colosseum. Even just looking at it from the outside, it's a wonder how the ancient Romans managed to build such a colossal structure without any modern machinery! We got our tickets too late online so I was not able to book a 3rd ring tour - and we didn't want to take a private tour, which would've cost more than we wanted to pay. The 2rd ring is pretty high up already - the steps are actually really, really steep going up. Definitely be careful if you're afraid of heights like I am! Quick Tip: Buy your tickets online if you can and print them out at home - you get to cut the ticket line if you do this. There's a separate line up area if you already have tickets, which saves a lot of time. The tickets are valid for a period of time after purchase so you don't even have to pick a specific day to go. Quick Tip 2: Go later in the afternoon to beat out the crowds. We arrived at about 3pm and got in within 15-20 minutes. They actually opened up the group line-up area to us since there were no more groups going in at that time. After we finished in the Colosseum, we were able to walk over to the Roman Forum and look around before it closed for the day. read more
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Colosseo - localflavor - Updated June 2026
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