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The outer arcades of the Colosseum in Rome

No. 12 Top Landmarks & Attractions 2026

Colosseum

Rome, Italy · City guide: Rome

The largest amphitheatre of the Roman world, where gladiators fought before tens of thousands.

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Photo: Nicholas Hartmann, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

The Colosseum is No. 12 in Tripadvisor's Travelers' Choice Best of the Best 2026 ranking of the top attractions in the world. The Flavian Amphitheatre was begun under Emperor Vespasian in the AD 70s and inaugurated by his son Titus in AD 80 with games that lasted 100 days. It could hold tens of thousands of spectators for gladiator fights, animal hunts and public spectacles.

Earthquakes and centuries of stone-robbing have left it partly ruined, but its outer walls still stand about 48 metres high. The Colosseum is part of the Colosseum Archaeological Park (Parco archeologico del Colosseo) with the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill, and lies within the UNESCO-listed Historic Centre of Rome.

The underground passages of the hypogeum beneath the Colosseum arena
The underground passages of the hypogeum beneath the Colosseum arena. Photo: Jebulon, CC0, source

Best time to visit

Book the first entry of the morning or a late-afternoon slot to avoid the worst crowds and the midday heat in summer. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons.

Highlights

  • 1

    The arena

    Some tickets let you step onto a partly rebuilt section of the arena floor for a gladiator's-eye view of the tiers of seating.

  • 2

    The hypogeum

    The underground network of passages, cages and lifts that raised animals and scenery into the arena can be visited on special tickets or guided tours.

  • 3

    The upper tiers

    The upper levels give views over the whole amphitheatre and out to the Arch of Constantine and the Forum.

  • 4

    Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

    The standard ticket also covers the ruins of ancient Rome's civic centre and the hill of the imperial palaces next door.

Getting there

Colosseo station on Metro line B is right opposite the amphitheatre. From Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO), the Leonardo Express train runs to Roma Termini, where you can change to line B.

Practical tips

Tickets
Tickets are for a timed entry and are issued in the visitor's name, so bring ID. Buy only from the official Colosseum website and beware of resellers. Ticket types differ in whether they include the arena, the hypogeum or the upper tiers.
Security
Expect airport-style security checks. Large bags are not allowed.
Time needed
Allow an hour or two for the Colosseum and at least two more hours for the Forum and the Palatine.
Safety
Watch for pickpockets and unofficial ticket touts around the monument. The emergency number is 112.
Visa & entry
Italy is in the Schengen Area. Many visitors, including citizens of the US, Canada, the UK and Australia, can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) now records non-EU travellers' entries and exits at the border, and the ETIAS travel authorisation is due to follow. Check the official EU site travel-europe.europa.eu and your own government's travel advice before you go.

Official information: Parco archeologico del Colosseo (official website). Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.

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