Colosseum
The Colosseum is bigger than photographs prepare you for. Standing at the base of its outer wall — 80 arched entrances stacked three stories high, Doric giving way to Ionic giving way to Corinthian — you get a sense of how deliberately this thing was designed to impress. It is 620 feet long, held 50,000 people, and was built on land Nero had seized for his own palace after Rome burned in 64 A.D. Vespasian gave it back to the city.
The arena floor is gone now, which means you look straight down into the hypogeum — the network of tunnels and chambers beneath where gladiators and animals waited before being lifted into the light. That exposed skeleton, more than anything else, tells you what this place actually was.
💛 What travellers fall for
People who come back tend to book the Underground and Arena floor experience rather than the standard entry — the guided hour below ground, moving through the service corridors, changes the scale of the place in a way the upper tiers alone don't. Early morning, just after the 8:30 opening, the light is better and the crowds are thin enough to stand still.
The story behind Colosseum
Emperor Vespasian commissioned the amphitheater around A.D. 70–72, built largely by enslaved Jews brought from Judaea. Construction took the better part of a decade; his son Titus formally dedicated it in A.D. 80 with 100 consecutive days of games. Domitian added the fourth story two years later. The architect's name was never recorded.
After four centuries of use the structure was abandoned, damaged by earthquakes in 443 and again in 1349, and systematically stripped for building materials through the medieval period. At various points it served as a church and then as a fortress held by two Roman families, the Frangipane and the Annibaldi. What remains is roughly two-thirds of the original structure.
Good to know
Metro Line B drops you at Colosseo, a two-minute walk from the entrance. Book online — slots open 30 days out — and choose a time before 10am or after 2pm to avoid the worst queues. The basic ticket (€18) covers the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill on the same or following day. Closed December 25, January 1, and May 1.
Summer (June–August) means full sun on the exposed seating tiers and temperatures that regularly exceed 32°C — bring water and a hat. Spring and autumn are considerably more comfortable for walking the site; winter visits are quieter, with shorter hours and the occasional sharp wind off the Palatine Hill.
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What travellers say about Colosseum
This is one of the most amazing structures ever built. Knowing the history and stepping on it. It was amazing, I wished I bought the one with the underground tour. But it’s okay so I have a reason to go back next time to do it plus the night tour. We went first week of June and the weather is 31 degrees even when our entry time is at 5PM. It’s still scorching hot but there’s shaded part. Bring water. Although tickets are hard to find, you just have to be patient and keep on checking the official website. I’m desperate, so I booked through get your guide and I ended up paying 3x because my first and second purchase from expedia and klook has been cancelled last minute. But then a few hours later there’s available tickets on their official website so lesson learned. We came in to start in the Roman forum and then saved the Colloseum for last and it was fantastic. I just wished we had more time to roam around longer. So don’t book anything else if you want to enjoy it. Just do a full day.
Amazing, much bigger than pictures depict. The scale of it when you are there is surprising. We arrived early at 08.15 for ticket of 08.45. If you get there any later, then the crowds build rapidly and make photos difficult. If you want some selfies get there early. I loved this place.Book ticket for early morning is my advice.
First off, trying to get there before they open. After they opened the line quickly fills up to get in. If you’re going to the bother of touring it, get a guided tour. The self guided tour and audio tour are good, but they limit the locations you can go to. I went to the man at the ticket counter and asked for the Colosseum and Roman form ticket and he gave me this one. But when I was in there, I found it was limited in access. Not sure if it’s just the default that they don’t tell you which tickets go where but be sure to make sure you know which ticket you’re getting. Because of the size and interests of the location I do recommend getting a guided tour if you’re going to the bother of looking in the Colosseum in the first place. It gives a lot of context and is definitely worth the cost. I love history myself, but even I quickly was bored of continual audio guide touring. I just happen to go on one of the hottest days of the year, so this is not usual however, I recommend going earlier for the weather as well. As there is not much shade there, you will be in the sun and will heat up quite quickly.
The Colosseum is truly one of the most beautiful places you can see in the world. Walking through the historic heart of Rome genuinely feels like walking through history itself. The site is extremely crowded, especially during holidays and peak tourist seasons, so be sure to bring water with you and check your ticket details in advance.
Stunning and Impressive! The history is unbelievable, yet absolutely true. We opted for a guided tour which included the lower levels. Absolutely loved the tour. We went in June and it was sunny, hot, and humid, but well worth it! It was quite crowded, but I wouldn't say it was uncomfortably crowded. I recommend reserving tickets in advance, regardless of if you are opting for a guided or self tour. Our guided tour lasted about 2 hours in the Colosseum. I would have actually liked more time to read and learn more of the stories behind the views and presentations, so I would plan for more than a two hour stay at the Colosseum. Even if you book a guided tour, your ticket is valid for the whole day, so you can stay or return (same day) if you wish. If you go, I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
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