Colosseum

The Colosseum, properly the Flavian Amphitheatre, was begun under the emperor Vespasian and inaugurated by his son Titus in AD 80. For centuries it staged animal hunts, executions and gladiatorial combats in front of tens of thousands of spectators, and after the fall of Rome it served as a quarry, a fortress and a place of Christian devotion. Today it is the centrepiece of the Parco archeologico del Colosseo, which also manages the Roman Forum, the Palatine Hill and the Domus Aurea.

What you see depends on the ticket you buy. The standard 24-hour ticket covers one visit to the first and second tiers of the amphitheatre plus one entry to the Roman Forum and Palatine. Other options add the arena floor, the underground passages where animals and scenery were hoisted into the arena, or the attic level, reached by a panoramic lift with views over the Forum and the Arch of Constantine. The arena and underground slots are limited and sell out quickly in spring, summer and autumn, so buy as early as you can, and only through the official ticketing site.

Opening hours follow the daylight. The site opens at 8:30 every day, and closing time moves from 19:15 in summer to 16:30 in the winter months, so check the current timetable before you plan an afternoon visit. Entry is free on the first Sunday of each month, which brings large crowds. The free MyColosseum app provides audio guides in Italian and English, and the panoramic lift makes the upper levels reachable for visitors who cannot manage the stairs.

The Colosseum suits almost everyone, from children who enjoy the gladiator stories to history enthusiasts who will want a specialist guided visit. Allow at least an hour and a half for the amphitheatre alone, and most of a day if you add the Forum and Palatine on the same ticket. Arrive at your time slot with time to spare for the security check, wear comfortable shoes and carry water, as there is little shade outside.

Colosseo station on Metro Line B is directly opposite the entrance on Piazza del Colosseo, and tram 3 and several bus lines also stop nearby. The Arch of Constantine stands beside the amphitheatre, the Roman Forum entrance on Via dei Fori Imperiali is a short walk away, and the Monti district, with its cafés and trattorias, is just up the hill for lunch afterwards.