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Rome Tickets Colosseum Roman Forum Plan Your Visit

Plan Your Visit to the Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

This page covers what to know before you go in: how long to allow at each site, what you can wear and bring, what facilities there are, and how to pick the ticket that suits you.

How Long to Allow at the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

Allow about an hour inside the Colosseum to see the first and second tiers without rushing.

On a guided tour you move at the group's pace. On your own, you can linger wherever you like.

Visitor Guidelines for the Colosseum Archaeological Park

Children under 12 must be with an adult who has a valid ticket. Keep hold of them near stairs, railings and uneven stone.

Stay on marked paths. Don't lean over railings, climb on columns or run.

Don't touch, write on or take anything from the ruins. Damage can bring fines of up to €60,000.

Follow staff instructions and signs. Their directions come before your own route plan.

Colosseum Dress Code and What You Can Bring

There's no religious dress code like at a church, but ceremonial dress, masks and costumes aren't allowed without prior permission.

Shoes matter more. You need closed shoes that can handle uneven ground, since most paths across the Colosseum, Forum and Palatine are original ancient stone. Leave the heels and flip-flops at the hotel.

On-Site Facilities at the Colosseum Archaeological Park

Restrooms and Drinking Water

There are 8 public restrooms around the park, mostly near the entrances and exits, plus more on the Colosseum's first tier. All of them have drinking water, and 10 drinking fountains let you refill a bottle as you go.

Benches, Baby Changing and First Aid

About 70 benches are spread around the park, with more planned. Baby-changing stations are at the Via di San Gregorio entrance, near the Via Foro Romano exit and on the Colosseum's first tier. There are also 14 defibrillators across the site.

Audio Guides

Several tickets include an audio or multimedia guide. Some come with a short multimedia presentation on ancient Rome, others with an app-based guide in several languages. Check what your ticket includes before you go.

Bookshops and Gift Shops

  • Five bookshops sell history books, guides in several languages, children's books, replica jewelry and souvenirs.
  • Location Three inside the Colosseum (two on the first level, one on the second) and two at the entrance to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
  • Timings They close 30 minutes before the site does. The shop on the Colosseum's second level closes 45 minutes before.

Accessibility at the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

  • Elevators connect the Colosseum's first and second tiers, and a freight elevator serves the underground.
  • The Forum and Palatine Hill's three main entrances (Largo della Salara Vecchia, Arch of Titus and Via di San Gregorio) are wheelchair-accessible. There are elevators or lifts at Salara Vecchia, the Curia Iulia, the Arch of Titus and the Palatine Museum.
  • You can borrow a wheelchair: 5 are kept at the Forum and Palatine main entrances, and 3 at the Colosseum's first-tier entrance.
  • A golf cart adapted for visitors in their own wheelchair helps with getting around the site.
  • 11 tactile panels in the Forum, on the Palatine, in the Palatine Museum and in the Colosseum help visitors with visual impairments.

How to Choose the Right Ticket for the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

A Fully Guided Half-Day Tour

If you want a live guide to explain what you're looking at, choose a ticket with a guide and headphones for all three sites. It usually takes half a day and covers the Colosseum's first and second tiers, the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, with entry fees included.

Self-Paced Entry with a Multimedia Introduction

To explore at your own speed, some tickets combine entry to all three sites with a short multimedia presentation on ancient Rome, and a few add a separate city walking tour. There's no guided walk through the ruins with this option, so read the ticket details before you book.

Adding the Mamertine Prison

A few tickets add the Mamertine Prison, an ancient jail with its own audio guide, alongside the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. It's about a 15-minute walk from the Colosseum.

Skipping the Colosseum for the Forum, Palatine Hill and Imperial Fora

If the Colosseum isn't your priority, one ticket type covers the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, the Imperial Fora and the Mamertine Prison with an audio guide, and leaves out the amphitheatre. It suits visitors who care more about the Forum's ruins.

Going Underground and Onto the Arena Floor

To go beyond the standard tiers, a separate ticket type adds the underground passages and the arena floor. It's usually valid over two consecutive days and includes the Forum and Palatine Hill. You need to book it as its own ticket, as it can't be added at the gate.

An Evening Visit Instead

A guided evening visit takes in the first tier, the arena floor and the underground in about an hour, with lit corridors and a holographic exhibition along the way. It only runs on certain evenings, so check available dates when you book.

Skip the line: Colosseum and ancient Rome

Highlights

Explore the renowned Colosseum with priority entry and expert narration.

Stroll through the historic Roman Forum, the former heart of political and social life.

Visit Palatine Hill and uncover the legendary origins of Rome.

Learn fascinating details and stories from an experienced local guide.

Benefit from included audio devices for an enhanced listening experience.

Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine: Entrance ticket + multimedia experience

Highlights

Enjoy a 25-minute multimedia presentation on ancient Rome.

Visit three iconic sites: the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum.

Benefit from guided assistance at the designated meeting point.

Explore the ancient ruins at your own pace.

Includes a walking tour covering Navona Square, Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain in English.

Mamertine Prison, Roman Forum and Palatine: Entrance ticket

Highlights

Skip long queues with a dedicated entrance.

Access multiple ancient Roman sites including the Mamertine Prison and the Imperial Forums.

Discover the House of Augustus, Temple of Romulus, and other historical landmarks.

Enjoy a self-paced tour with an audio guide available in several languages.

Perfect for history enthusiasts wanting a comprehensive Roman archaeological experience.

Colosseum and Mamertine Prison

Highlights

Gain entry to the iconic Colosseum, renowned for its ancient gladiatorial contests.

Explore the historically significant Mamertine Prison, once holding emperors and kings.

Roam freely through the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill at your own pace.

Benefit from an engaging audio guide that enriches your visit.

Enjoy short queues and a well-organized ticket process.

Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

Can I bring food and water?

Water is fine, and you can refill bottles at the drinking fountains. Eating isn't allowed inside the archaeological area, so have a meal before or after your visit.

Can I bring a suitcase or large backpack?

No. Bags must be under 30 x 40 x 15 cm, and there's no cloakroom, so leave larger luggage at your hotel or a storage service first.

Is the site accessible for wheelchair users?

Mostly, yes. Elevators connect the Colosseum's tiers, the main Forum and Palatine entrances are wheelchair-accessible, and you can borrow a wheelchair or use the adapted golf cart. Some ancient paths are still uneven.

Can I visit with children?

Yes. Children under 12 must be with an adult who has a valid ticket, and there are baby-changing stations on site.

Should I book a guided tour or visit on my own?

It depends how much background you want. A guided half-day tour covers all three sites with a live guide, while a self-paced ticket with a multimedia introduction lets you set your own speed.

Can I visit the underground and arena floor?

Yes, but only with specific ticket types, usually on a fixed guided time slot. A standard entry ticket doesn't include it.

This website sells official tickets for this venue. Please note, however, that it is not the official website of the venue.

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