Visiting the Colosseum: Must-Know Tips, Best Tours, Mistakes to Avoid

Visiting the Colosseum is a must on every first-timer's Rome itinerary. But without a solid plan, it can easily become one of the most disappointing experiences of your trip. 

These days, Rome is busy year-round – and only getting busier. So even though spontaneity and la dolce far niente are part of Italy’s magic, the Colosseum is one place where those ideas completely backfire.

Long lines, sold-out tickets, miserable summer heat, and overcrowded tours can quickly turn this iconic landmark into a stressful experience you’ll wish you’d skipped (in favor of another plate of carbonara at one of Rome’s best restaurants).

But you can avoid all of that by planning wisely and booking well in advance!

I’ve toured the Colosseum and Roman Forum many times over multiple trips to Rome, so I’ve learned what works, what doesn’t, and how small choices can make or break your experience.

Here are my must-know Colosseum tips to help you avoid common mistakes, get skip-the-line tickets, choose the best Colosseum tours, and plan a seamless, memorable visit!

There are so many different Colosseum tour options and tickets available online. If it’s your first time, it can be hard to know which ones are worth booking – or what to even look out for.

So, first of all, I’ll say this: I strongly recommend booking a guided Colosseum and Roman Forum tour that includes skip-the-line tickets. That way, you’ll actually understand what you’re looking at – and all you have to do is show up. No ticket stress, no logistics, no standing in line for hours.

That said, your experience will still vary depending on the tour type and group size you choose.

Most guided tours include:

• The Colosseum (general-access areas only)
• Roman Forum (the ruins of ancient Rome’s political and social center)
• And Palatine Hill (the legendary birthplace of Rome, with panoramic views over the Forum)

Some tours also include restricted-access areas, such as:

• The Arena Floor
• The Hypogeum (the underground labyrinth that housed gladiators and wild animals before combat – A.K.A. the “backstage” area)

There’s also an ultra-limited VIP tour that includes special access to rarely opened Palatine Hill SUPER Sites – more details below.

For most travelers, a standard-size group tour is the best choice – budget-friendly and perfectly adequate.

That said, if you’re after a more personal or immersive experience, you can book a small-group Colosseum tour or a private Colosseum tour.

Best Colosseum Tours (My Top 3 Picks)

Touring the Colosseum complex with an expert guide brings Ancient Rome to life before your eyes – and makes the whole experience a lot more meaningful. Here are the three best Colosseum tours to book!

Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill Tour

This skip-the-line Colosseum and Roman Forum tour is my go-to recommendation for most travelers.

You’ll get priority entry, expert storytelling that makes Ancient Rome make sense, and seamless access to all three major sites without juggling tickets or timing yourself.

If this is your first time in Rome and you want a smooth, efficient, budget-friendly experience, this is the tour to book. 

My husband and I did this exact tour recently, and we’d happily book it again. It was well-paced, engaging, and our guide was fantastic.

Click here to book your skip-the-line tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.

Colosseum Arena Floor or Underground Tour

If you want something even more special, the Colosseum Arena Floor or Underground tour is it!

This skip-the-line tour goes beyond the general-access areas, taking you either onto the Arena Floor or into the Underground corridor network (you choose when booking). It also includes the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, so you won’t miss out on anything.

Access is limited, so these tours sell out quickly – especially during peak season.

Click here to book your Colosseum Arena Floor or Underground Tour (with Roman Forum and Palatine Hill).

VIP Colosseum and Ancient Rome Tour with Palatine SUPER Sites

The VIP Colosseum and Ancient Rome tour is the most exclusive Colosseum experience you can book – and the one I still think about years later.

On my tour, we visited the House of Augustus, one of the Palatine Hill SUPER Sites that’s rarely open to visitors.

It was just me, my brother, and our guide inside the entire villa, wandering through rooms filled with remarkably preserved frescoes, surrounded by complete silence.

It’s hard to describe how incredible it was to stand inside the home of Rome’s first emperor. But if you can, I think it’s something you should experience.

Access to SUPER Sites varies by day and availability, but may include places like the House of Augustus, House of Livia, Santa Maria Antiqua (an early Christian church), or the House of Tiberius. No matter which site is open, the experience is quiet, immersive, and worlds away from the chaos elsewhere in the Colosseum complex.

If you love history, despise crowds, and want a genuinely once-in-a-lifetime experience of Ancient Rome, then book this VIP Colosseum and Ancient Rome tour.

Visiting the Colosseum Without a Guide: Is It Worth It?

Visiting the Colosseum without a guide is totally doable. It’s cheaper, but in my opinion, it’s not ideal. Without a guide, you miss out on historical context (that's what makes the visit special) – and you’re a lot more likely to run into logistical issues.

How to Buy Colosseum Tickets Without a Tour

If you choose this route, you should purchase your timed-entry ticket online from the official Colosseo website. Tickets are released exactly 30 days in advance, and they sell out very quickly in the high season! Set calendar reminders for yourself to avoid missing out!

If they sell out, you can always book a guided tour as your Plan B, since tour operators buy up large ticket allocations.

Colosseum Ticket Prices and What’s Included

Standard tickets cost €18 and include entry to the Colosseum at your booked time, and the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill at any time while your ticket is valid. There are other ticket types available too, including the Full Experience ticket for €24, which includes the Underground levels and Arena.

What Happens If You Don’t Book Ahead

Showing up at the Colosseum without a tour or pre-booked ticket is a gamble – especially around midday between March and December.

If tickets aren't already sold out, you could be stuck waiting for hours to get inside. And no, I'm not exaggerating.

If you do try your luck at the ticket office, bring your ID or passport, which is often required for in-person purchases.

6 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Visiting the Colosseum

Let’s talk about what not to do. These are the errors I see travelers make over and over again… Avoid them, and you'll have a much better experience.

1. Showing up without tickets. This is a recipe for disaster – in the form of waiting in the ticketing line for hours (potentially in the hot sun). 
2. Visiting around midday in the summer. This is when Rome temperatures and crowds peak. Enough said.
3. Assuming all Colosseum tours are the same. Pay attention to what you’re booking and read the fine print! Large group, small group, private, standard access, Underground access, Arena Floor access, and SUPER Sites access are the main variations to look out for.
4. Accidentally booking a tour that doesn’t include tickets. I’ve heard of travelers showing up for their guided tours without realizing they had to pre-book their own tickets online, causing them to forfeit their tours and wait in the ticketing line for hours instead. Don’t worry – all of the tours I recommend include tickets! 
5. Skipping the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. These sites are just as interesting and important as the Colosseum – if not more so! 
6. Underestimating how much time the full visit takes. Including traveling to/from the Colosseum complex, your visit will take up four or five hours of your day. This is especially important for day-trippers and cruisers to keep in mind!

More Tips for Visiting the Colosseum

• Timing: I much prefer visiting the Colosseum in the afternoon! Morning crowds are intense, and mid-day heat can be brutal (especially between April and October). Late afternoon tends to be calmer, cooler, and far more pleasant!
• Opening hours: In general, the Colosseum closes an hour before sunset, so you won’t have any problem finding an afternoon tour! Last entry is one hour before the official closing time (which varies by season, of course). When planning, check the official schedule.
• Dress code: There’s no official dress code, but you’ll be walking on uneven – and sometimes slippery – ancient stone. Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and breathable clothing. Personally, I love wearing my lightweight Allbirds sneakers and flowy linen outfits or sundresses.
• Belongings: Bring a hat and a refillable water bottle. Small bags and backpacks are allowed, but large bags and suitcases are not due to security concerns.
• Tipping: Tipping isn’t required in Italy, but it’s appreciated. It’s customary to tip guides €5 to €10 per person.

FAQs About Visiting the Colosseum and Roman Forum

Visiting the Colosseum: What to Know Before You Go

Bottom line? Don’t wing the Colosseum. Please.

Planning ahead (with free cancellation, just in case!) will save you time and money, help you avoid frustration, and turn the Colosseum into a memorable experience instead of a logistical headache. 

For most travelers, I recommend booking the skip-the-line Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill Tour; my husband and I took this tour recently, and even though it was a large group, we couldn’t fault the experience for the price.

That said, if you’re a history buff or want to see something extra special, go with the skip-the-line Arena or Underground tour, or the VIP Colosseum and Ancient Rome tour with Palatine SUPER Sites if it’s available on your travel date.

The VIP tour is undeniably pricey, but after seeing the spectacular frescoes in the first Roman Emperor’s house – without anyone else around – I can say it doesn’t get much better!

As you curate your Rome itinerary, know that experiencing the Colosseum the right way is absolutely worth every penny! And once you’ve checked it off, you can reward yourself by slowing down, wandering the Eternal City aimlessly, and diving into Rome’s best restaurants (though they, too, require reservations!).