Colosseum

Colosseum

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Dating back two millennia, this historic Roman amphitheatre is one of the world’s greatest architectural wonders.

Nearly 2,000 years ago, this was the site where tens of thousands of spectators would flock to see gladiators in combat, public executions, and the re-enactment of famous battles. Construction on the Colosseum was finished back in the year 80 AD, and while these days the crowds may not visit to enjoy the spectacles of the blood sports of ancient Rome, huge numbers still visit this famous spot to see the great structure still standing.

As well as the remains of this towering old amphitheatre, here you can explore the Colosseum’s network of underground tunnels. Walk in the footsteps of gladiators who once readied themselves for battle within these tunnels. Book in advance to explore the network with a special guide. Or alternatively, you can wander around the outside of the Colosseum and gaze at the three-tiered edifice, and imagine how this place must have looked when the ancients packed the stadium.

The gladiators may be long gone, but the Colosseum is still in use today as a venue for concerts during the summer. Big names from the music industry have played here such as Paul McCartney and Simon and Garfunkel – check what’s on before you visit.

You can buy in advance tickets that will get you into the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill without having to queue. But even if you do have to wait for your ticket, you’ll be rewarded as soon as you see inside the splendid surroundings of the amphitheatre.

Once inside, you have the option of either paying for an organised tour, or hiring an audio guide and exploring at your own pace. The interior today has been left in ruins, but you can still see the centrepiece of the structure – the hypogeum – upon which the arena floor was originally built.

Located right in the heart of Rome, you can easily reach the Colosseum wherever you are staying in the city. You’ll find bus stops as well as the Metro train station close by.

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Massimi City Garden Hotel
Radisson Blu GHR Hotel, Rome
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Reviews of Colosseum

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
1369
" "5 - Excellent 69.14141414141415%
4 - Good
509
" "4 - Good 25.707070707070706%
3 - Okay
87
" "3 - Okay 4.393939393939394%
2 - Disappointing
12
" "2 - Disappointing 0.6060606060606061%
1 - Terrible
3
" "1 - Terrible 0.15151515151515152%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
8 Mar 2020

Get to the collesium early

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
18 Jan 2020

Impressive architecture. Keep in mind that the ticket also gives you access to the Forum & the Palatine Hill & that all these sites close at 4:30pm, but the last entrance is at 3:30pm so you need to plan your visit carefully if you're going in the afternoon & you want to see all 3 places.

3/5 - Okay

Chloe
7 Jan 2020

Pay in advance. The cue is 1hr+ wait. And there is a lot of “tour guides and staff” who try to sell you tickets outside the the ticket cue but of course for a crazy price. If you’re willing to spend more I was told you’d pass through with no cue and have ear pieces for translation. You can see most of the outside of the colosseum but not inside without paying.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
6 Jan 2020

Definitely worth buying a skip the line ticket in advance from the official website. We went in January and it took us 5 minutes to get in, with our advance ticket. Other people were queuing for over three hours.

2/5 - Disappointing

John
5 Jan 2020

View seriously compromised by major construction work

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
4 Jan 2020

If getting here via tram get yourself masses of time to walk to site,locals just seemed to send us everywhere rather than direct walk It’s a long walk.If prebooking tour get a midday one in order to get there on time if you arrive late they will not let you in.An afterthought would be get off tram and grab a taxi for last leg.

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