Colosseum: reviews, price and Exclusive Promo Code

+45
recos
4.5/5 13 reviews
Piazza del Colosseo , 00100 Rome, Italy
Piazza del Colosseo , 00100 Rome, Italy
Colosseum + Roman Forum + Palatine Hill + Audio Guide from $27*
Booking recommended
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Colisée de Rome
La fleur du Colisée
Vue de haut du Colisée

Visiting the Colosseum

As the largest amphitheater of the Roman Empire, the Colosseum stands as the symbol of the Italian capital and remains the most visited monument in the country. A designated Unesco World Heritage site, it draws over 6 million visitors annually. Also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, named for the emperors Vespasian and Domitian who initiated its construction in the year 72, its sheer scale will surprise you. It measures 188 meters long, 150 meters wide, and 50 meters high, all while maintaining a striking profile.

An arena of unmatched scale

While you likely associate this space with gladiator combat, exploring the ruins provides deep insight into its engineering and multi-century evolution. Thousands of slaves constructed the structure in roughly a decade. Equipped with an ingenious system of 80 entrances that functions much like a modern NFL stadium, it could accommodate an estimated 50,000 to 80,000 spectators, divided into 4 categories based on social standing. A massive canopy was even deployed to shade visitors from the sun. The emperor provided these spectacles, which sometimes spanned several days, to the public, featuring traditional games, wild animal hunts, and executions. In the 4th century, as Rome became Christian, these events were eventually banned, largely due to a lack of funding.

A monument saved from ruin

The Colosseum later served as a fortress before being slowly dismantled for building materials to construct the St. Peter's Basilica and the Church of Saint Mark. It was not until 1753 that Benedict XIV officially banned the use of the site as a quarry. In 2011, a partnership with the footwear brand Tods funded restoration work totaling 25 million EUR (about $27 million). Today, you can visit about 35% of the site, primarily the central arena, which retains a distinct sense of power and architectural harmony. Make sure to climb to the top level for a view of the city. The sight overlooking the Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum is worth the effort.

Colosseum + Roman Forum + Palatine Hill + Audio Guide from $27*Booking recommended
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Opening hours

Open daily from 8:30 AM to 7:15 PM from late March through September, and until 4:30 PM during the winter months.
Hours are indicative and subject to change

*Information subject to change

Reviews of Colosseum

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Summary of 13 reviews
4.5/5
Average rating
+45
Total recommendations

Ratings by visit type

With family
4.4
As a couple
4.5
With friends
4.5

Avygeo ranking

#11
in the world
#11
in Europe
#1
in Italy
#1
in Rome

A legacy of ancient Rome

The Colosseum might not be the most beautiful monument I have ever seen in my life, but it is without a doubt the most impressive. Its immense arches and grandiose appearance make you kind of forget its wear and tear. Inside, you can really get a sense of what gladiator fights and other spectacles must have been like during the Roman Empire.

12
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Definitely at night!

I am very torn because I have been there three times and each time I had to deal with the mass of tourists and ticket scalpers that flood the site. Without a guide, the visit is clearly useless because you do not have any information on site, and with a guide, it quickly becomes complicated to get around... I preferred admiring the Colosseum at night, which is lit by a soft light that gives it back its glow. The perfect moment to stroll with your partner and take some pretty photos of the site.

2
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The Colosseum from the outside

Seeing the Colosseum from the outside is an impressive experience. Its massive dimensions leave you speechless, a striking testament to the grandeur of ancient Rome. The large crowd all around only accentuates its mythical aura. Even without going inside, I felt the full power of this monument filled with history. A must see, majestic from the very first glance.
To visit it, you would need to book in advance and arm yourself with patience, as the crowds are definitely there.

3
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Impressive

I still remember my first impression of it. I was just impressed that such a monumental ruin is still standing! No Roman monument you can see in France compares to it (and that is pretty normal). There are a lot of people though, and some pushy street vendors who might try to rip you off. Stay vigilant!

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Must-see!

A must-see, the Colosseum is simply impressive (especially from the inside). It is not for nothing that it is the symbol of both ancient and modern Rome. A few tips: arrive early and remember to book a skip-the-line ticket!

3
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Very impressive

I highly recommend visiting the Colosseum during your trip to Rome. It is a very impressive monument right in the heart of the city. You can visit the different levels. If possible, buy your tickets in advance. This will save you from waiting in line for hours. The Colosseum always attracts a huge crowd.

3
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A must-see colossus

You cannot visit Rome without stepping inside the walls of its Colosseum. Even though large sections of the monument are in ruins, with a little imagination, I was emotionally transported back to the time of the gladiators. Beyond the seating areas that give you an idea of the thousands of citizens gathered there, it was the underground labyrinth, a complex of machinery worthy of a modern opera house, that really fascinated me. Numerous signs also helped me better understand the history of the building and the Roman games. Unfortunately, groups of tourists often spoil the immersion.

3
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A symbol of impressive proportions

I had already seen Roman amphitheaters or arenas before, in Nimes for example. The one in Rome impressed me with its size. And I had a strange thought: were there really that many people who wanted to see gladiators kill each other? A bit sad...

3
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Big but not the most beautiful monument in Rome

Huge ancient amphitheater that you see in all the photos of Rome and Italy. So, having visited the inside, yes, it is big and impressive, but I wouldn't call it the most beautiful monument in Rome.

3
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Huge

Imagine the gladiator shows in this huge arena? Well, it is possible. You can visit the inside of the monument, go into some of the seating areas, or walk out onto the central stage.

3
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The theater of the gladiators

The symbol of an era, that of the gladiators, a time when bread and games were given out to buy social peace. A must-see.

3
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Huge

I was expecting some small stone arenas, but I was surprised to see an immense structure rising up over several stories. I couldn't help but think about the people and animals that were brought there to be killed just to entertain the public.

2
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The Colosseum

The Colosseum is one of the most stunning places I have ever seen.
Of course everyone knows it and we know exactly what to expect when we discover it. But what is amazing is seeing all this traffic, this flow of modern cars circling around the ancient Colosseum. It is a striking contrast that I have never encountered anywhere else.

3
30/01/2015

Je suis d'accord avec l'image surprenante des voitures roulant juste autour du Colisée (qui se trouve en plein centre ville). Dans la même idée, j'ai été aussi très surpris de voir les Pyramides de Gizeh côtoyées par les bidonvilles du Caire

30/01/2015

Je suis d'accord avec l'image surprenante des voitures roulant juste autour du Colisée (qui se trouve en plein centre ville). Dans la même idée, j'ai été aussi très surpris de voir les Pyramides de Gizeh côtoyées par les bidonvilles du Caire

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