The Ultimate Colosseum Experience: Best Views, Tips & Photo Spots

Are you ready to discover one of the 7 wonders of the world? The largest amphitheater in the ancient world, which could accommodate up to 80,000 spectators. Where the greatest shows of antiquity were staged. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the iconic, imposing, timeless symbol of Ancient Rome: the Colosseum.

So called because the colossal statue of Emperor Nero stood next to it, the Colosseum is one of those attractions that if you travel to Rome you cannot avoid visiting, even just to check if it is exactly how you imagined it. It was here that in Ancient Rome the shows with wild beasts, gladiators, but also tragedies, comedies and naval battles took place that so impressed the spectators. Discover with us everything you need to know to visit it at its best!

The Flavian Amphitheater, affectionately called the Colosseum by all, is located inside the Colosseum Archaeological Park, which in addition to the Amphitheater includes the Roman Forum, the Palatine Hill and the Domus Aurea.

The Colosseum is open all year round, every day, it is closed only on December 25th and January 1st. The opening hours vary depending on the season: from March 30th to September 30th it is open from 8:30 to 19:15 (last admission at 18:15). Starting from October 1st, closing is scheduled for 18:30, while in the winter months with short days, closing is brought forward to 16:30.

The queue to access the Colosseum is always very long; therefore, it is advisable to buy skip-the-line tickets, or packages that include guided tours and that have preferential access, otherwise you will have to make your peace and wait several hours in line before entering. The best times to visit it are early in the morning or late in the afternoon (especially in summer). If you manage to enter as soon as 8:30 strikes, you will have the advantage of avoiding the crowds and being able to better enjoy its beauty, while if you arrive in the afternoon you will be lucky enough to have beautiful views in the light of the setting sun.

Inside the Colosseum you can see the Cavea, all the steps where there were once seats for spectators and also the underground of the Colosseum where the wild beasts and gladiators waited their turn, but what are the best panoramic points from which to look at the Colosseum from the inside? The best point from which to have a complete overview of this majestic monument is the third level, or the highest point you can reach, it will offer you a unique perspective on the entire structure.

But if you didn't buy the tickets in advance and the long queue has discouraged you, what are the best panoramic points outside the Colosseum from which to observe the great Flavian Amphitheatre? A truly special panoramic point is inside the upper part of the Roman Forum, the Temple of Venus, from here you will have a splendid perspective. Alternatively, you will have to walk towards the climb that leads to Colle Oppio, in front of the Colosseum, from there you will also have a superlative view. The last place from which you can admire the Colosseum is the Vittoriano terrace, certainly from here you will have a slightly more distant perspective, but the Colosseum is enormous and the view will be equally satisfying.

If you care about taking home the most beautiful photos of the Colosseum, before talking about perspective, choose the right time of day. If you are an early riser, take advantage of the first light of the morning, when Rome is still asleep and few people move around the streets, another fantastic time is in the late afternoon evening, when a soft and warm light will allow you to take splendid photos.

As for the best points, which on Instagram will allow you to gain lots of likes, consider Via Nicola Salvi, the street that goes up towards Colle Oppio, continue along it and choose the best perspective, alternatively the small bridge of Largo Gaetana Agnesi, it is the pedestrian bridge located above Via degli Annibaldi, the street that then meets Via Cavour.

Let's start by saying that to access the Colosseum it is forbidden to bring backpacks or bulky bags, make do with a small bag or backpack. Wear comfortable shoes, so avoid both heels and flip-flops. Inside the Colosseum it is not allowed to bring food, instead it is a must to bring a water bottle, which you can then fill up at one of the many fountains in Rome, which are also found inside the Colosseum Archaeological Park.

If you visit the Colosseum during the summer season, make sure to bring a hat and cream that protects you from the sun's rays, especially if you did not buy tickets in advance and find yourself in one of those terrible queues under the sun. Out of respect for the place you cannot access the Colosseum in a bathing suit, formal wear or masks. In the surroundings of the Colosseum you will find an infinite number of bars, pizzerias and restaurants where you can eat something, there are also some facing the Colosseum, from there at rest you can enjoy the view of the majestic Amphitheatre.

The Colosseum Archaeological Park has a single entrance ticket that gives access to the various attractions: Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill and Domus Aurea. The advice, therefore, is to plan an entire day to spend in the area to discover all its wonders. The idea we propose is to start with a visit to the Colosseum, it is the monument that opens before the others and the one where the greatest crowd of people is concentrated, take your time!

Then to stretch your muscles and walk in larger spaces you can take a tour of the Roman Forum area: the center of Ancient Rome where the life of the city was concentrated. From the Roman Forum go up to the Palatine Hill, from here enjoy the wonderful view that can be admired from above. The last destination to reach, once you leave the Roman Forum is the Domus Aurea, the Golden House; consider that the remains you will see of this grandiose residence represent only a tenth of what was the sumptuous and enormous villa of the emperor Nero.

Visiting the Colosseum, from the inside or even just from the outside, is more than a simple tourist stop to spend a few minutes, it is an emotional immersion in history, it is something that deserves all your attention and not just to say: I also saw the Colosseum, but to share the symbol of the eternal city.

An important tip if you intend to visit Rome is to make sure you have a City Pass, as the Visit Rome Pass. You will have a single App that includes all the entrances to the main attractions of Rome and not only, you will have the advantage of being able to use all the public transport in Rome in an unlimited way and some special visits and exclusive opportunities to be able to say you are truly satisfied with your trip.