Colosseum Tours and Activities

Colosseum showing heritage architecture, a monument and a ruin
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A true architectural heavyweight, the 2,000-year-old Colosseum is often considered one of the seven “modern” wonders of the world.

Completed in the year 80 during the reign of Titus, the Colosseum was the biggest amphitheater ever built by the Roman Empire. It once regularly hosted 50,000 spectators cheering and jeering at combating gladiators, executions and battle reenactments. While the baying crowds are no longer there, the structure itself has defied earthquakes, stone thieves and car pollution to remain standing today at the heart of Rome.If you plan ahead and purchase combined tickets to the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill in advance, entrance to the famous site begins by breezing past the long line straight inside. But, even if you have to stand in line, don’t worry too much. What you’ll see when you enter this enormous amphitheater is worth the wait. To get the most of the site, pay to join a tour when inside. You can also rent an audio guide. Although the interior of the Colosseum is now largely deteriorated, there is still much to see. The structure’s centerpiece is the hypogeum, part of the subterranean network, above which the arena floor would have been. Weave your way through the pillars and plant life at your leisure.It is also possible to visit the winding network of underground tunnels — where the gladiators would steel themselves before facing the crowds — and the third level of the Colosseum. This must be done with a special guide and booked in advance. If you don’t manage this, take a walk around the entire outer edifice to admire the three-tiered travertine arches and see how the whole structure fits together. In particular, take note of the very bottom layer of arches, built not for aesthetics but rather as an essential means of crowd control.While the gladiatorial tussles and live animal hunts are long gone, the Colosseum is still used from time to time as a spectacular backdrop for summer concerts, often for big performers like Paul McCartney and Simon and Garfunkel, so always check the schedule before you visit.

The Colosseum is in central Rome. Bus stops and the Metro train station Colosseo are all nearby.

Compare 10,638 hotels close to Colosseum with room rates, reviews, and availability. Most hotels are fully refundable.

Hotel Quirinale
Hotel Quirinale
4 out of 5
Via Nazionale 7, Rome, RM, 184
The price is $161 per night from Mar 27 to Mar 28
$161
per night
Mar 27 - Mar 28
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Rome. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the spacious ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,003 reviews)
"Good location"

Reviewed on Mar 23, 2023

Hotel Quirinale
The Hive Hotel
The Hive Hotel
4 out of 5
Via Torino 6, Rome, Roma, 184
The price is $255 per night from Apr 6 to Apr 7
$255
per night
Apr 6 - Apr 7
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Rome. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,002 reviews)
"Super hotel and room, Breakfast is great too. however there was one night we couldn't sleep until very late due to peoples welling and doing party in the street . Also we walked to the hotel from Termini Station and wife felt unsafe clause to hotel by seeing all the dirt/garbage everywhere and homeless ..."

Reviewed on Mar 14, 2023

The Hive Hotel
UNAHOTELS Decò Roma
UNAHOTELS Decò Roma
4 out of 5
Via Giovanni Amendola, 57, Rome, RM, 185
The price is $226 per night from Mar 26 to Mar 27
$226
per night
Mar 26 - Mar 27
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Rome. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the bar and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,002 reviews)
"Great location to transportation"

Reviewed on Mar 21, 2023

UNAHOTELS Decò Roma
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Best Lodging Options Near Colosseum

Suitedreams
Suitedreams
Via Modena 5, First Floor, Rome, RM, 184
Suitedreams
The Hive Hotel
The Hive Hotel
4 out of 5
Via Torino 6, Rome, Roma, 184
The Hive Hotel
UNAHOTELS Decò Roma
UNAHOTELS Decò Roma
4 out of 5
Via Giovanni Amendola, 57, Rome, RM, 185
UNAHOTELS Decò Roma
Hotel Quirinale
Hotel Quirinale
4 out of 5
Via Nazionale 7, Rome, RM, 184
Hotel Quirinale
Best Western Plus Hotel Universo
Best Western Plus Hotel Universo
4 out of 5
Via Principe Amedeo 5/B, Rome, RM, 185
Best Western Plus Hotel Universo
iQ Hotel Roma
iQ Hotel Roma
4 out of 5
Via Firenze, 8, Rome, RM, 184
iQ Hotel Roma
Hotel Artemide
Hotel Artemide
4 out of 5
Via Nazionale 22, Rome, RM, 184
Hotel Artemide
Gioberti Hotel
Gioberti Hotel
4 out of 5
Via Gioberti, 20, Rome, RM, 185
Gioberti Hotel
Domus Liberius
Domus Liberius
Via Liberiana, 17, Rome, 00185
Domus Liberius
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.