Rome: Colosseum

Cost: E13.50 (Online Combo Pass for Colosseum/Forum/Palentine Hill) or it’s included in Roma Pass

Rating: *****

Links: Online Information or Buy Ticket Online

Time Required: Once you get there, plan on about an hour to walk around both levels. If you wait in the general admission line it can add another 30-60 minutes.

Getting There: The Colosseum is on the south side of the city, about 2km to the southwest of Termini Train Station. There is also a metro stop (Colosseo) on Line B that is right across the street from the Colosseum.

What to Expect: The Colosseum was a must-see sight, especially from the outside. Make sure to walk all the way around the outside because each side has a different view. Depending on how much time you have in Rome, it might not be worth your time to visit the inside unless you have plenty of time.

Photos: On our walk toward the Colosseum we came down Via dei Fori Imperiali, passing the Roman Forum on the right. There is a hidden stairway on the right side of the road (just past the brick wall with 4 maps) that takes you to a small lookout where you can see the Colosseum from an elevated perspective. It is partially blocked by a tree, but you get a different vantage point at least.

We came back at sunset to get photos of the Colosseum at dusk. The photos were worth the wait if you have time. However, as you wait to get the right shot, there are TONS of street vendors that walk by you often and try to sell you all of their little trinkets.

Things You Might Not Know: If you buy the Roma Pass ahead of time, it gets you entrance into this site and allows you to get in a separate line to bypass the general admission line. It can save you a lot of time.

There is an info desk once you get in, where you can ask for a map (you can also get a map with the purchase of an audio-guide) but we passed up the audio guide for this site.

Summary: