The Farang Life
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Our Philosophy
  • Destinations
    • America
      • Arizona
      • California
      • Colorado
      • New York
      • Washington
    • Central America
      • Costa Rica
      • Dominican Republic
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Czech Republic
      • France
      • Greece
      • Hungary
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Netherlands
      • Portugal
      • Scandinavia
        • Denmark
        • Norway
        • Sweden
      • Spain
      • Switzerland
      • The United Kingdom
        • England
        • Scotland
      • Vatican City
    • South East Asia
      • Cambodia
      • India
      • Indonesia
      • Laos
      • Malaysia
      • Philippines
      • Singapore
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • The Middle East
      • Israel
      • Palestine
    • Oceania
      • Fiji
      • New Zealand
  • Travel Tips
  • Where We’ve Been
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy

The Farang Life

  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Our Philosophy
  • Destinations
    • America
      • Arizona
      • California
      • Colorado
      • New York
      • Washington
    • Central America
      • Costa Rica
      • Dominican Republic
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Czech Republic
      • France
      • Greece
      • Hungary
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Netherlands
      • Portugal
      • Scandinavia
        • Denmark
        • Norway
        • Sweden
      • Spain
      • Switzerland
      • The United Kingdom
        • England
        • Scotland
      • Vatican City
    • South East Asia
      • Cambodia
      • India
      • Indonesia
      • Laos
      • Malaysia
      • Philippines
      • Singapore
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • The Middle East
      • Israel
      • Palestine
    • Oceania
      • Fiji
      • New Zealand
  • Travel Tips
  • Where We’ve Been
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
EuropeItaly

The Roman Colosseum & Roman Ruins Guide

by kylebvick July 25, 2012
July 25, 2012
The Roman Colosseum & Roman Ruins Guide

This historical landmark used for gladiatorial games in the Roman empire is probably my favorite Roman historical sites besides the Pantheon and is probably the most well known in Rome. This amphitheater is somewhere around 2000 years old (72 AD). The Colosseum is so vast and the history documented and linked to this amphitheater is powerful. This is the number one most visited monument in Rome. The best view is on the Colosseum’s northern side, since on this side all 4 floors are still existing. On the other sides the Colosseum is only 3 floors tall. There is one entry on the southern side with a security check point. You enter the Colosseum on the second floor. You are allowed to bring purses and bags through the checkpoint but no liquid or glass or weapons. There is a free water fountain inside!

Cost

The Colosseum Tickets for adults cost 12 euros. There is a cheaper fee for EU-citizens ages 18-25. Teenagers and children under 18, as well as handicapped persons and their assistant are free. The tickets are valid for 2 days and also allow you to enter the Forum Romanum and the Palatine Hill. There is a full pass option that includes the Colosseum, the forum, Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica for 75 euros. There are audio tours that help you skip the line for 19 euros. There are the full ticket days and locations options located here.

Hours

The hours change and vary based on the season of the year. The last entry is 1 hour before closing. There is normally quite a line that takes a while to get in. The Colosseum is open to the public daily, except January the 1st and December the 25th.

  • last Sunday of October until the 15th of February from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm
  • 16th of February until the 15th of March from 8:30 am until 5 pm
  • 16th of March until the last Saturday of March from 8:30 am until 5:30 pm
  • Last Sunday of March until the 31st of August from 8:30 am until 7:15 pm
  • 1st until the 30th of September from 8:30 am until 7 pm
  • 1st of October until the last Saturday of October from 8:30 am until 6:30 pm

Colosseum by Night ‘the moon over the Colosseum’

This is a special event night entry to the Colosseum to see the moon and stars overhead. This is a separate entry ticket from the day ticket to get into the Colosseum. The night pass is not in the Roma pass or any other pass. The night entry ticket is a special event and is not a part of any other Colosseum entrance ticket that you buy.

When

The night tours of the Colosseum start in the spring and go through around late October. The night tours are closed for winter.

Hours

8pm-12am midnight. Last entry at 10:50pm.

  • March and December every Saturday
  • April, May and October every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday
  • June until September daily
  • November every Friday and Saturday

Cost

The ticket to visit the Colosseum by night, which includes a tour in English (or Spanish or Italian), is 20€. This is if you choose to use the tour company that is in charge of the Colloseum called Coop Culture. There is no booking fee so that is the final price per person. Kids 7-12 years old, the reduced fee is 18€. For 6 and under, it’s free, but you still need a ticket for anyone 3-6 years old (it’s free but you have to save a “spot” on the tour.)

Tour Companies/ Time

The tour in the Colosseum lasts just over 1 hour. This also, however depends on the company and can be up to 2 or 2.5 hours with the company you choose. You can book your tour through the main company that runs the Colosseum which is Coop Culture, book your online tour with them here. This is often known as the shorter and more basic tour that is not as complete but is more budget. The other option is to find your own private tour company.

Day v.s. Night Visit

There is a pros and cons list for each type of visit listed out below to help you make your decision. If you have never been to Rome or seen the Colosseum before it is best to start with a day trip. That also helps you see the other Roman ruins and sites on your trip. If you have already been and seen it then this is a fresh new experience and different way to experience the site.

Pros of the day visit

  • Visit by yourself without a guide
  • Time flexibility and freedom during all hours of the day
  • You have covered entrance to the Roman Forum as well as Palatine Hill ruins
  • You are given 2 days to visit all the sites that can be visited with your ticket (each location one entry within 48 hours)

Cons of the day visit

  • The huge massive crowds and noise
  • The heat temperature as well as overexposed lighting and too many people to take pictures
  • You cannot visit the underground floor or arena floor

Pros of the night visit

  • Seeing the Colosseum lit up at night with all kinds of interesting lighting and shadows for pictures
  • You have the Colosseum to yourself and your small tour group and it is quiet
  • You visit the arena floor
  • You visit the Hypogeum (underground) and it is dark as you see where the gladiators would have been kept

Cons of the night visit

  • More expensive than the day ticket
  • You don’t have entrance to the Roman Forum and Palentine Hill included
  • These tours sell out fast and must be made far in advance

How to get there?

Public transportation is the best way to get around in the busy city with lots of traffic. Conveniently next to the Colosseum is the metro station ‘Colosseo’ of the metro line MEB. Furthermore, on the southern side of the Roman Colosseum there is the tram station ‘Piazza del Colosseo’ where you can get to by taking the tram lines 3 and 8. Moreover, you can reach the Colosseum by means of several buses: the lines 51, 75, 85, 87, 117 and 118 bring you very close to the Colosseum. You just have to get off at the station ‘Celio Vibenna’ or ‘Colosseo.’ In order to stop at the Forum first, get off at the bus station ‘Fori Imperiali/campidoglio’ (line 51, 85, 87 or 118). This station is right next to the Roman Forum. From there you will walk for about 10 minutes along the Roman Forum to get to the Colosseum. These are also the best views far off in the city of the Colosseum. The ticket you buy at the Colosseum gives entrance as well to the Forum so don’t visit the Forum before the Colosseum!

Other Roman Ruins

The Pantheon

The Pantheon is a historical monument that is an iconic temple built circa 118 to 125 A.D. The Pantheon has a dome & Renaissance tombs, including Raphael’s. This was close second favorite to visiting the Colosseum. The dome and architecture is magnificent. This is one of the most epic ancient ruins in Rome. The Pantheon sits on Piazza di Santa Chiara a great place to have dinner or a drink and people watch and behold the glory of the Pantheon for longer after you tour inside.

Hours

Monday-Saturday 8: 30-19: 30 (last admission 19.15); Sunday from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm (last admission 5.45 pm). Midweek holidays from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm (last admission 12.45 am). The pantheon is closed on January 1st, December 25th except for special openings on the MiBAC project as per   DM 330 30/06/2016 ,  Criteria for opening to the public, supervision and security of state museums and cultural sites.

Cost

Free admission!!! Yes you heard that correctly. This is unheard of in Europe and in most historical sites that are as grand as this. This is a top budget site to visit! For more information and their site check here.

How to get there

The streets near the Pantheon are far too narrow for buses. All the popular hop-on, hop-off sightseeing buses have a stop a few minutes walk away. There is no Metro station nearby. By bus, the Piazza Argentina is on the route of many buses (40, 60 and 64 buses) that shuttle between the Vatican, the center of the city and then on up towards Termini Station.

Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are located on the same archaeological area and count as one admission to enter both sites with two separate entrances. The Roman Forum is one of the best Roman ruins historical sites. The forum is a huge excavated area of Roman temples, squares & government buildings, some dating back 2,000 years. Palatine Hill is the founding site of the city and ruins of Roman Imperial palaces, temples & baths. The ruins can be walked through and explored.

Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Tickets

The entrance ticket also includes entrance to the Colosseum nextdoor and lasts for two days for all three attractions. There are different options to enter the Forum and how to get a ticket listed below. Don’t buy your ticket at the Colosseum because it has the longest lines; buy your ticket at the Palatine Hill entrance. This is the secret to getting the fastest ticket into the Colosseum without the wait. The ticket kiosk for Palatine Hill is halfway down the road Via di San Gregorio going from the Colosseum along the base of the Palatine Hill less than a 5 minutes’ walk from the Colosseum. The hop-on hop-off sightseeing buses drop between the Colosseum and the entrance to the Palatine Hill.

  • Queuing and paying for a ticket on the day
  • Buying a skip the line ticket avoiding the queues in advance for a supplement
  • Gaining entry using the Roma Pass
  • By guided tour as part of a group

Cost

The average entrance fee ticket to cover all three Roman Ruins is 20 euros a person.

Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Hours

08.30 – 16.30
from January 2 to February 15
last admission at 15.30

08.30 – 17.00
from February 16 to March 15
last admission at16.00

08.30 – 17.30
from March 16 to last Saturday of March
last admission at 16.30

08.30 – 19.15
from the last Sunday of March to August 31
last admission at 18.15

08.30 – 19.00
from September 1 to September 30
last admission at 18.00

08.30 – 18.30
from October 1 to last Saturday of October
last admission at 17.30

08.30 – 16.30
from the last Sunday of October to December 31
last admission at 15.30

Last admission 1 hour before closing time
Closed: December 25, January 1

How to get there

The main gate entry for the Roman Forum is along the Via dei Fori Imperiali between the Colosseum and Piazza Venezia, near the Piazza Venezia end. There is an exit gate from the Roman Forum close to the Colosseum. You cannot enter the Roman Forum at the gate nearest the Colosseum, this gate is just an exit.

Roman Baths of Caracalla

The baths of Caracalla are ruins of a large rectangular-shaped Roman thermal bath complex used from around 216 A.D. to 537 A.D. These were the cities largets bath and build in the 200s under the direction of Marcus Aurelius.

Hours

Tuesday – Sunday: 9am – 6:30pm
Monday: 9am – 2pm

Cost

Adults: 6€
EU citizens (aged 18 – 24): 3€
EU citizens aged less than 17 and older than 65: free entrance

How to get there

They are only 1.1km from the Colosseum as well as Palatine Hill. There are two ways you can reach the baths, by the metro or bus.

Metro station: Circo Massimo, line B.
Buses: 118, 160 and 628.

Circus Maximus

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Troy (@cassiel66) on Mar 5, 2019 at 1:01pm PST

This is a historical place that was the largest stadium in Rome built for chariot races and games. This is a green space that has remains of a stone & marble arena that could seat 250,000 Romans for chariot races. This is definitely not as visited as the Colosseum and is easier and cheaper to get into with less tourists and crowds. This is really a secret park green space for locals to walk dogs, have a picnic and get a quieter escape from the city.

Hours

Open to the public !!

Cost

These are the only ruins in Rome that are completely FREE! This is an open to the public space with no entry ticket or fee. This area is not very well known by tourists and is awesome!

How to get there

It is within walking distance of the Roman ruins of Palatine Hill and the Colosseum area. Otherwise you can get off the metro at MEB1 the Circo Massimo stop pictured below.

Pyramid of Caius Cestius

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cori Kavanaugh (@cori.danielle) on Oct 15, 2016 at 9:34am PDT

This is an old Egyptian-style pyramid with a frescoed interior, built as a tomb for a rich Roman magistrate. This tomb was built between 18 and 12BC. This is a pretty wild sight to see in Rome rather than Egypt. So if you want to visit a historical Pyramid in Rome look no farther. This is a very unique experience most people don’t know about in the city. This is the only Egyptain pyramid in Europe and a cool place to go!

Hours

Open on the 3th and 4th Saturdays and Sundays of the month. Closed during August.

Cost

Full tickets are € 5.50 per person. Online tickets include a reservation fee of € 2.00. Kids 12 and under are free! Groups have to have a reservation and are € 40.00 for up to 20 people. Buy tickets here online.

How to get there

The pyramid is near the Porta San Paolo at the Piramide subway station. The pyramid is on a busy street intersection outside the city center.

Metro: Line B stop Piramide 
Bus: n. 23

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

0 comment
0
FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
kylebvick

previous post
Roma, the Eternal City Bucket List
next post
4 Unique Experiences in Rome

You may also like

Saebo, Quaint Fishing Village on the Hjarundfjord &...

September 5, 2017

Top 5 Fjords to Explore in Norway

September 4, 2017

Alesund, Art Nouvea Town on the Geirangerfjord &...

September 3, 2017

Hiking Troll Tunga Fjord Guide in Odda Norway

September 1, 2017

Brussels, Belgian Beer & Chocolate and Cobblestone Streets

August 26, 2017

Amsterdam, the Venice of the North

August 26, 2017

Stockholm, Land of IKEA and modern Scandinavian Design

August 23, 2017

Lund, Camping with Sweden’s Right to Roam on...

August 22, 2017

Copenhagen, One of the Coolest Cities in Scandinavia

August 22, 2017

Prague,”City of a Hundred Spires”

August 19, 2017

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

About Me

About Me

Cait and Kyle Vick

Hi there, we are the Vicks. We love traveling around the world and taking photos to document beauty in every country and culture! We are currently living in Thailand as English teachers traveling SE Asia. We have been to 43 countries across 4 continents and can't wait to explore more!

Country Count: 43

Austria
Cambodia
Costa Rica
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominican Republic
Fiji
France
Greece
Hungary
India
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Laos
Malaysia
New Zealand
Norway
Palestine
Philippines
Portugal
Singapore
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Thailand
United Kingdom
United States
Vatican
Vietnam

Countries Visited Without Blogs (In Progress)

Taiwan
Japan
South Korea
Russia
Ukraine
Mexico
Poland
Germany
Canada

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

Instagram Slider

No images found!
Try some other hashtag or username

Categories

  • America (50)
  • Arizona (1)
  • Asia (39)
  • California (32)
  • Central America (2)
    • Costa Rica (1)
  • Colorado (1)
  • Destinations (62)
    • South East Asia (62)
      • Cambodia (5)
      • India (5)
  • Dominican Republic (1)
  • Europe (43)
    • Austria (1)
    • Belgium (1)
    • Czech Republic (1)
    • Denmark (1)
    • England (2)
    • France (1)
    • Greece (4)
    • Hungary (3)
    • Netherlands (1)
    • Norway (4)
    • Portugal (1)
    • Scotland (4)
    • Spain (1)
    • Sweden (2)
    • Switzerland (3)
    • The United Kingdom (2)
  • Fiji (1)
  • Indonesia (9)
  • Ireland (2)
  • Israel (6)
  • Italy (11)
  • Laos (3)
  • Malaysia (2)
  • New York (1)
  • New Zealand (2)
  • Oceania (3)
  • Palestine (3)
  • Philippines (2)
  • Scandinavia (7)
  • Singapore (4)
  • Thailand (29)
  • The Middle East (6)
  • Travel Tips (8)
  • Uncategorized (1)
  • Vietnam (3)
  • Washington (16)

Recent Posts

  • Koh Phangan, Home to the Bohemian Escape, “Secret Beach”
  • Koh Samui, Thailand’s Second Largest Island in the Gulf
  • Chiang Rai, City of Temples
  • Pai, the Hippy Gem of Mae Hong Soon Province
  • Phuket Weekend Guide

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest

Archives

  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • December 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • April 2016
  • January 2016
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • November 2013
  • July 2012

About Me

About Me

Hi there, we are the Vicks. We currently live in Thailand as English teachers and are traveling SE Asia.

Follow Me

Facebook

Instagram Slider

No images found!
Try some other hashtag or username

Instagram Slider

No images found!
Try some other hashtag or username

LATEST TRAVEL TIPS

Subscribe my Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & new photos. Let's stay updated!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram

@2017 - PenciDesign. All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by PenciDesign


Back To Top