Best Ways to Get Colosseum Tickets
So you’re going to Rome–it’s so exciting! But you’re probably overwhelmed with all the options for buying Colosseum tickets (which always include Roman Forum and Palatine Hill). Here is my recommendation for buying Colosseum tickets.
There are really only two ways to get tickets for the Colosseum—one is to book through the official site and the other is to book a tour. If you book through the official site, know that tickets go on sale 30 days in advance and open around 8:30 am central European time (this is six hours before eastern standard time). They sell quickly, especially the underground tickets, so be ready to go when they open. Keep checking back. Start tracking times a few days in advance of when you want to book to get an idea.
The easier and, in my opinion, better way to visit is with a guided tour. The Colosseum is thrilling but without the context provided from a guide you won’t get as much out of the experience. This is especially true for the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill (included with your Colosseum pass). Wandering through the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill (one entry per ticket for both places that must be done at same time) is fascinating, but you’re looking at ruins of temples, palaces, justice halls, legislative buildings, etc. with little to no historical context. All these archaeological ruins need someone to bring them to life! I learn something every time I take a tour (the training to be a guide at Roman sites is rigorous). I’ve heard people say they don’t need a tour because they “know history.” Well, I hold a PhD in history…and I know enough to know that I don’t know everything. The guides do this every day and have been trained and tested thoroughly to show people the Colosseum area, so do yourself a favor and get a guided tour.
I suggest:
LivTours (may save 10% with code AMYRH10): https://livtours.com/destinations/rome-tours?af_code=E1DDN61
Tour Guy: https://tidd.ly/4a7kAr8
A Little History of the Colosseum
Back in the first century CE, crowds didn’t flock to Rome for gelato and to toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain—they came for spectacle. And nothing embodied Roman showmanship quite like the Colosseum (originally Flavian Amphitheater). When Emperor Vespasian ordered its construction, he wasn’t just giving the people a venue for gladiatorial combat; he was making a political statement. Built on land reclaimed from Nero’s lavish private lake, the Colosseum showed Romans that the government was returning land to the people (Nero’s ‘Golden House’ and grounds took up a lot of prime real estate). When Titus inaugurated it in 80 CE with 100 days of games, he did so then to win public favor while reinforcing imperial prestige and power.
Yet for all its grandeur, the Colosseum also had its critics—ancient moralists who grumbled that Rome’s appetite for bloodsport signaled societal decay. (Cicero probably would’ve written a scathing op-ed if he hadn’t died decades earlier.) Still, the amphitheater stood as a marvel of engineering: retractable awnings to shade 50,000 spectators, elevators powered by enslaved workers to hoist animals dramatically into view, and a seating plan so meticulously organized that even modern stadium architects take notes. They could even flood the stadium in order to have naval battles. The Romans knew how to put on a show, and they did it with characteristic flair—and a healthy dose of political propaganda.
Today, travelers visit the Colosseum to stand within the bones of an empire—its triumphs, its contradictions, and its sheer audacity. The colossal bronze statue of Nero (hence the nickname Colosseum) is no longer there, but the structure itself is in fairly good shape considering it’s almost 2000 years old and has seen two world wars, the fall of Rome, and numerous invasions. Wandering through its arches, you feel the echoes of ancient cheers and the weight of history layered into the stones. Whether you’re gazing across the arena floor, soaking up views of the Forum, or taking a tour of the hypogeum (underneath area where animals and gladiators waited to enter the stage) the Colosseum reminds us that Rome wasn’t built in a day…but it certainly knew how to entertain one.
Happy travels! Amy
Amy French, Ph.D., is the voice behind Roaming Historian. A professional historian and seasoned traveler, she shares stories that blend history and travel to give readers a deeper understanding of the places they explore.
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