Visiting the Roman Colosseum in Rome is an unforgettable experience—especially for first-time travelers looking to immerse themselves in the fascinating history of Ancient Rome. Located adjacent to the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill, the Colosseum stands at the heart of the same archaeological area, making it an ideal place to discover the legacy of the Roman Empire. Below, you’ll find all the essential details you need about opening hours, and practical tips for a smooth visit.
The Colosseum Opening Hours for 2025:
The Roman Colosseum is open every day of the year except on January 1 and December 25, when it remains closed. Typically, the site opens at 8:30 a.m. and closes roughly one hour before sunset. However, daily schedules can vary by month, and last entry is generally one hour before closing time.
| Month (2025) | Date Range | Opening Hours |
| January | 1 – 31 January 2025 | 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
| February | 1 – 15 February 2025 | 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
| 16 – 28 February 2025 | 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | |
| March | 1 – 15 March 2025 | 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| 16 – 28 March 2025 | 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | |
| 29 – 31 March 2025 | 8:30 a.m. – 7:15 p.m. | |
| April | 1 – 30 April 2025 | 8:30 a.m. – 7:15 p.m. |
| May | 1 – 31 May 2025 | 8:30 a.m. – 7:15 p.m. |
| June | 1 June 2025 | 10:30 a.m. – 7:15 p.m. |
| 2 June 2025 | 1:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. | |
| 3 – 30 June 2025 | 10:30 a.m. – 7:15 p.m. | |
| July | 1 – 31 July 2025 | 8:30 a.m. – 7:15 p.m. |
| August | 1 – 31 August 2025 | 8:30 a.m. – 7:15 p.m. |
| September | 1 – 30 September 2025 | 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. |
| October | 1 – 31 October 2025 | 8:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. |
| November | 1 – 30 November 2025 | 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
| December | 1 – 31 December 2025 | 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
People in the long queue at Colosseum. On a busy day, more than 19.000 people pass through the doors of the Roman Colosseum.
Today, the Roman Colosseum remains one of the world’s most popular tourist attractions—so popular, in fact, that long lines to get in form from morning to evening. But the wait is apparently worth it: Some 8 million visitors pass through the Colosseum’s entrance every year.
There is a small museum inside and some informational kiosks. But of course, the main attraction is the Colosseum itself. It is possible for visitors to simply walk around, but the experience is richer with guided tours, which are ordered by an official tour company as well as other companies. Access to the underground and the top story of the stadium is possible only with a guided tour, however, and these areas are not accessible for people with walking disabilities.
Coming to or leaving the Colosseum, tourists pass through a lively—as well as controversial—commercial scene. Vendors offer tourists all kinds of snacks as well as souvenirs, including keychains, illuminated plastic statues, and refrigerator magnets. Tour buses bring huge crowds of visitors in and whisk them away. And many local men stand around dressed as gladiators, offering to pose with tourists for photos. Although it is somewhat tacky, some view this commercial scene as a vast improvement over the bloody programs the arena once hosted.
The Best Time to Visit the Colosseum
Most people go to the Colosseum as part of a long day, integrating with Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum in the early morning or afternoon. Your ticket enables you to see all three over two days (re-entry is not allowed) so you could take a more leisurely look at any or all these in this time.
Colosseum Facts – Colosseum exterior in Rome, Italy. The Colosseum is one of Rome’s most popular tourist attractions with over 8 million visitors per year.
The best time to visit is early in the morning or late in the afternoon and at night the entire building is floodlit to spectacular effect.
Holidays
Colosseum is closed on December 25, January 1, May 1.
It is open on December 24 and 31.
Free Entrance to Colosseum
– Free entry on the very first Sunday of the month (no booking possible)– expect long lines.
– Free for European and non-European individuals under 18.
– Free for EU people over 65.
– Free for people with specials needs and their companions, with legitimate medical paperwork of the disability.
Colosseum Opening Hours
The Best Ways to Arrive
Colosseum is exceptionally main in the city of Rome: a couple of hundred backyards from Piazza Venezia, and near the Forums. On Sundays, motor traffic is prohibited and Via Dei Fori Imperiali and the square of the Colosseum are readily available to bikes and strollers. Simply outside the Metro station, there is a taxi parking, a Bike leasing, and a bar with tables outside: you can drink your coffee in the shade of the greatest thing in Rome.
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