Colosseum Opening Hours

Opening hours for visiting the Colosseum

We provide you with the Colosseum entrance times and information on closing days, so that you can plan your visit to the Flavian Amphitheater in the best possible way.

Colosseum Opening Hours

The Colosseum has the following opening and closing hours:

  • Hours 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.: from the last Sunday in October to Feb. 15
  • Hours 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Feb. 16 to March 15
  • Hours 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.: from the 16th to the last Saturday in March.
  • Hours 8:30 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.: from the last Sunday in March until Aug. 31
  • Hours 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Sept. 1 to 30
  • Hours 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.: Oct. 1 to the last Saturday of October

Please note that the last entry is possible one hour before the Colosseum closes .

The Colosseum is open every day; it is closed only on January 1 and December 25.

Information on the best times to visit the Colosseum

Purchase the 2023 Admission Ticket

Tips for visiting the Colosseum 2023

Some tips for how to access the Colosseum and make your experience unforgettable

Information on best times for your visit to the Colosseum

The Colosseum cannot accommodate more than 3 thousand people at one time, considering that it is Rome’s best-known tourist attraction, be prepared for waits before entering because of the large influx of visitors.

The average waiting time to enter the Colosseum is 45 minutes to an hour. The best time of day to avoid long lines is to go in the early morning or late afternoon, when there are fewer tourists. Another good option would be to join a guided tour or hire an audio guide, for which there is a separate line that both individuals and groups can access.

Why choose the Colosseum tour?

Choosing the Colosseum tour offers many advantages, including priority access and no lines, the opportunity to explore not only the Colosseum but also other tourist attractions such as the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, and the presence of an experienced guide who will accompany you throughout the tour, telling you the history of the place and answering your questions.

Why book guided tours?

Booking guided tours is a good choice for those who want to maximize time and enjoy a more in-depth sightseeing experience. On a guided tour, an experienced guide will take you through the entire arena tour while also granting you access to the part of the Colosseum that is closed to independent visitors: the Colosseum’s underground vaults. In addition, many tours also include priority access without queuing, which saves valuable time and means you don’t have to wait in line under the sun.

Why buy tickets and tours?

Purchasing tickets and tours in advance allows you to avoid queues and secure access on the dates and times you want. In addition, there are also often online specials or packages that include different tourist attractions. Purchasing tickets and tours to the ‘arena in advance also allows you to better plan your trip and get an overview of the costs to be incurred in advance, avoiding unwelcome surprises.

How long does the visit take?

It will take at least an hour to visit the Colosseum alone, which includes time to explore the monument and take some photos and selfies. Covering other attractions such as the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill will take 3 hours. The time required to visit these monuments also depends on the type of tour chosen. Guided tours usually take longer than visiting alone.

An important tip for visiting the Colosseum:

  • The best time to visit the Colosseum would be between November and March because of more pleasant weather and fewer tourists.
  • During the day, it is recommended to visit the attraction during the early morning hours or just before closing time.
  • Plan to visit during weekdays to avoid crowds of visitors.

Colosseum tickets - Reduced tickets

Purchase the following activities and choose the Tour that meets your needs and remember to:

    • To access the reduction of € 2.00 for EU citizens between 18 and 25 years of age, it is necessary to show proof of identity.

Activities and ticket purchase at the Colosseum:

Also visit the Roman Forum and Palatine Museum

Visitors can also book a tour that combines a visit to the Colosseum with other places of interest, such as the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill and its Museum. These combination tours offer an extremely convenient way to visit all three attractions in one day without having to deal with the organization and risk wasting time in long waiting lines.

On the first Sunday of the month, many of Rome’s monuments and museums offer free admission to visitors, and these include the Colosseum, the Imperial Forum and the Palatine Hill. It is recommended to book online anyway, however, to guarantee you skip the line.

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Colosseum Rome

Buy skip-the-line ticket or guided tour