Colosseum, Forum and Palatine, the centre of the ancient world in a day.

The amphitheatre, the square where politics was done and the hill where the emperors lived are next to one another and can be seen with the same ticket. Allow half a morning for the Colosseum and the rest of the day for the Forum and the Palatine, which have little shade.

What you see and why it matters

The Colosseum is the Flavian Amphitheatre, inaugurated in AD 80. With the basic ticket you walk the first and second levels, with their terraces over the Forum and the Arch of Constantine, and the small museum of the monument itself. The arena and the underground passages, from which wild animals and gladiators emerged, are not included: that is what the Full Experience tickets are for.

On leaving the Colosseum you cross to the Roman Forum, the political centre of the city: the Via Sacra, the Arch of Titus, the temples and the Curia, where the Senate met. Above it, the Palatine holds the remains of the imperial palaces and looks out on one side to the Forum and on the other to the Circus Maximus. The same ticket includes the Forum Museum and whatever exhibitions are on at the time.

Opening hours

The archaeological park changes its hours with the seasons. From 25 October 2026 to 28 February 2027 the Colosseum opens at 8:30, the Forum and the Palatine at 9:00, and everything closes at 16:30; the last entry is at 15:30. It is closed on 25 December and 1 January. From spring to autumn the hours extend into the evening: check the table on the park's website for your travel date.

Tickets and prices

• Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine: €18. You choose an entry time for the Colosseum and have 75 minutes inside; the Forum and the Palatine are visited once in the 24 hours before or after.
• Ages 18 to 25, EU citizens: €2, up to the day you turn 25.
• Full Experience: adds the underground passages and arena, or the attic with its panoramic lift, depending on the option. It is valid for two consecutive days and always booked in advance.
• Free: the first Sunday of each month and on 25 April, 2 June and 4 November, with a ticket collected at the ticket office on arrival.

Tickets go on sale 30 days ahead on the park's official website (ticketing.colosseo.it) and are named: bring ID in the same name. Since May 2026 the holder can only be changed once, up to midnight seven days before, and for specified reasons.

Getting there

Go by public transport: the Colosseo stop on metro line B comes out right in front of the amphitheatre. Tram 3 and buses 51, 75, 81, 85, 87 and 118 also arrive. By car it makes no sense: the historic centre is a limited traffic zone and there is no parking next to the monument.

Accessibility and with children

The Colosseum has an accessible route and a lift between levels. The Forum and the Palatine are another matter: uneven stone, slopes and stairs. With small children, a baby carrier is better than a pushchair. Children respond more to the Colosseum than to the Forum, which needs imagination: if they are tired, do the Palatine by the upper part and leave the Forum for another day within the 24 hours.

Afterwards, the Monti district is ten minutes' walk away for lunch. If you have another day in Rome, the Borghese Gallery and the Appian Way by bike complete the ancient side of the city.