Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Tickets Rome

The Colosseum: Rome's great amphitheatre

The Colosseum was begun under Emperor Vespasian around AD 70 and opened in AD 80 under his son Titus. It could seat tens of thousands of spectators, who came for gladiator fights, animal hunts and public spectacles, and it remained in use for centuries. Even in ruins, its huge elliptical shape of stone arches is the enduring symbol of Rome.

If you are searching for Colosseum tickets or a Colosseum tour, this ticket lets you enter at a timed slot, so you avoid the longest waits. Inside, the digital audio guide explains the tiers of seating, the underground passages where animals and fighters waited, and how the building was used, while the Express option focuses on the Colosseum in about an hour.

The Roman Forum: the heart of ancient Rome

Walk from the Colosseum along the Via Sacra into the Roman Forum, the political, religious and commercial centre of ancient Rome. Among the ruins you will see the Temple of Saturn, the Arch of Septimius Severus, the Arch of Titus, the Senate House and the House of the Vestals, and you can picture generals returning in triumph and senators debating in the same space.

Many people ask whether the Roman Forum is worth visiting or how much time to spend there. Give it about an hour: the ruins are scattered and often just fragments of columns and foundations, so the audio guide is helpful for placing each building in its context and understanding how the area worked.

Palatine Hill: where Rome began and emperors lived

Palatine Hill rises above the Forum and, according to legend, is where Romulus founded Rome. It later became the most fashionable address in the city, and emperors built palaces there, including the vast residence of Domitian. From the terraces you can look down on the Forum and across the Circus Maximus, and the Farnese Gardens add shade and quiet.

The hill is a cooler, calmer part of the visit, and many travellers keep it for the end of the day. When you plan your route, remember that opening hours change by season, and that the Colosseum and Forum are usually closed on a few public holidays such as 25 December and 1 January. The booking panel shows the available times.

Planning your Colosseum visit: how to get there and what to know

To reach the Colosseum, take metro line B to Colosseo station, which is right beside the monument, or use trams and buses that stop nearby. The best time to visit the Colosseum is early in the morning or in the late afternoon, when the light is softer and the crowds thinner, and the summer midday heat can be intense.

Bring water, a hat and comfortable shoes, as you will walk on uneven stone. All visitors pass through a security check, and large bags are not allowed. A host meets you at the meeting point to help with your ticket and audio guide app, so download the app in advance where possible and bring headphones. The Arena Floor is not included in either option.