Here is a quick trivia question for you:
What is the most iconic visual symbol for Rome and the Roman Empire?
Answer: The Colosseum.
We see it on T-shirts and on all kinds of souvenirs. We see it in movies and through various mediums.
It was perhaps the most important site for the ancient Romans due to its socio-political significance. It provided entertainment and brought masses of people together. It also spoke volumes about the culture and histories that surrounded the presence of the emperors and the gladiators. More light-hearted events took place there such as re-enactments of sea battles, but so did more sombre occasions such as public executions.
This magnificent Flavian amphitheater is a must-see attraction for any traveler who is visiting Italy.
But when is the best time to visit it to avoid the crowds and enjoy the experience to the fullest?
This article will provide you with some useful tips that can be used to strategically plan your trip to the Colosseum.
Colosseum opening hours
The Colosseum is generally open all seven days of the week for the public.
It is only closed on the following dates:
- 1st January for New Year’s Day
- 1st May for Italy’s Labour Day (Festa del Lavoro)
- 25th December for Christmas day
The opening hours of the Colosseum should be taken very careful note of. Throughout the year the timings change, mostly due to the change in daylight hours. Have a look at the following timings:
- 2nd January-15th January: 8:30-4:30 PM
- 16th February-15th March: 8:30-5:00 PM
- 16th March-last Saturday of March: 8:30-5:30 PM
- Last Sunday of March-31st August: 8:30-7:15 PM
- 1st September-30th September : 8:30-7:00 PM
- 1st October-last Saturday of October: 8:30-6:30 PM
- Last Sunday of October-31st December: 8:30-4:30 PM
But with being one of the famous places in ancient Rome, is it actually easy to access and fully enjoy the Colosseum?
Best time of the year to visit the Colosseum
Considering that the Colosseum is practically an open-air site, the climate plays a huge role on your experience of it. What can you expect at different points of the year?
- Spring (March to May): Spring provides pleasant, breezy temperatures as well as sunshine, but there may be possible overcrowding of the Colosseum during Easter holidays.
- Summer (June to August): The weather is very hot and sunny, with long lines due to peak season and high temperatures inside the Colosseum.
- Autumn (September to November): This season witnesses mild temperatures and fewer tourists.
- Winter (December to February): The weather is colder and wetter, with possible earlier closures and reduced hours of monument visitations.
We want to lay emphasis on the most crowded times:
- Tourist season: The high season runs from June to August, with peak crowds in July and August.
- Holidays: Periods such as Christmas, New Year’s Eve and Easter are particularly chaotic for visits to any monument.
Always try to recognize the overlap of these different factors when choosing your day to visit the Colosseum.
Best day of the week to visit the Colosseum
Although it can be a bit trickier to determine the best days to tour the Colosseum, we can infer that the weekdays may be a better time to go. The weekends are generally more crowded, especially on Sundays. This is because most tourists find time to spare to travel during the weekends.
If you are lucky enough to have a few weekdays as part of your trip to Rome, take full advantage of them and book visits to ancient sites such as the Colosseum on those days!
Is it better to see the Colosseum at night?
Lit up with a luminescent glow against an inky sky, the Colosseum at night is sensationally striking at night. In our opinion, the best time of the day to visit the Colosseum depends on what you would prefer to encounter.
Along with a unique beauty cast within the Colosseum at night, there is a thrill to exploring it when its darker outside. The atmosphere feels more tense and eerie, creating a perfect backdrop for the stories of the amphitheater to come to life.
However, since night tours operate after the opening hours for the public, they tend to be more expensive as well.
Natural light flooding the site during the day makes it a more favourable opportunity to notice the architectural details much better. You will have a clear, crisp sight of the intricate layers of the Colosseum.
However, you may have to ward off crowds, and depending on when you go, you may have to deal with the heat.
There is a possibility to book guided tours in the evening which have tickets included. If this strikes your fancy, look into it! We provide further information at the end of this article.
Is it best to buy Colosseum tickets in advance?
As everyone in our team is always immersed in the sphere of Italian tourism, we know the ins and outs of its mechanisms and can anticipate the complications that may arise quite well.
This is why we will always advocate for preparing well and buying tickets in advance for monuments like the Colosseum!
Here are some of our best tips to navigate your ticket purchasing:
- Book online: Purchasing tickets in advance helps you to avoid long waiting queues. On-site ticket offices also stop operating an hour before closing, which along with long lines, can create additional problems.
- Visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon: Crowds tend to be smaller during these times.
- Consider taking an off-season tour: Autumn and winter offer a much quieter experience.
- Consider a guided tour: Experienced guides can lead you through the Colosseum while avoiding the congested areas. Walks Inside Rome is a certified operator with brilliant tour guides who know all the nooks and crannies of the amphitheater. Not only will you be able to secure skip-the-line tickets, but we can also ensure that you will have the most holistic experience of the awe-inspiring amphitheater.
Conclusion
With a little bit of planning, it is possible to visit the Colosseum at any time of the year and enjoy it to the fullest.
We encourage you to use this guide to make some strategic decisions. Consider how you would like to experience the Colosseum. Would you want an overview of its functions and histories? Would you also like to tour the Roman Forum which is just adjacent to the Colosseum? Is there a particular part of the Colosseum you would like to explore more deeply?
Here are some tour possibilities:
- Private Ancient Rome and Colosseum Tour with Arena Floor: Combine your venture into the world of the Colosseum with the exploration of the Roman Forum and the Palatine hill, where Rome is said to have been founded.
- Sistine Chapel and Colosseum Express Tour: Witness two great treasures, one being Rome’s famous amphitheater and the other being the world’s most famous chapel within the city-state of the Vatican.
You can always reach us at info@walksinsiderome. com to explore your options further!
