An Extensive Guide to the Colosseum Entrances in Rome
Where is the Colosseum?
Address: Piazza del Colosseo, 1, 00184 Roma RM, Italy | Find on Maps
The Colosseum is situated in the heart of Rome, near the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill. The Colosseum can be easily reached by various modes of transportation.
How to Access Colosseum Entrances?
Metro: The Colosseum has two metro stations nearby: Colosseo and Fori Imperiali/Colosseo. Both stations are on Line B of the Rome Metro. From either station, it is just a short walk to the Colosseum.
Bus: Several bus lines pass near the Colosseum, including bus numbers 75, 81, 87, 117, 175, and 810. The closest bus stop to the Colosseum is "Colosseo.
Directions to ColosseumHow to Enter the Colosseum?
The Colosseum has three entrances: the Arch of Constantine entrance, the Colosseum Square entrance, and the Palatine Hill entrance. These entrances provide access to different areas of the Colosseum and its surroundings. All guests must purchase a ticket to enter the ancient amphitheater.
Colosseum Entrance Location and Getting There
Sperone Valadier Entrance
Where is it? This entrance faces the forums of the Colosseum
Named after the architect who rebuilt this part of the arena, this entrance is reserved for individual guests. If you have a time-scheduled ticket, a guided tour ticket, or an audio and visual guides ticket, you can enter from here. Guests with Roma passes can also enter from here. Skip the line ticket holders can also enter from here, through the ‘Visitors with Reservations’ section.
Entrance timings: This entrance is open daily from 9:30 AM to 7:15 PM, with the last admission at 6:15 PM. It is closed on 25 December and 1 January.
Average wait time: The Sperone Valadier entrance has a wait time of about 45 minutes. It has longer queues in comparison to the other entrances.
Parking: The nearest parking facility from this entrance is at T.parko Losseum.
Group Gate
Where is it? You can find this entrance on the North side of the arena.
As the name suggests, this entrance is reserved for groups only. Each group must have a minimum of 14 members or a maximum of 50 members, along with a professional tour guide. Group tours follow a strict schedule and all guests are required to leave the premises after their tour ends.
Entrance timings: The group entrance is open from 9:30 AM to 7:15 PM daily, with the last admission at 6 PM. The entrance is closed on 25 December and 1 January.
Average wait time: The average wait time at this entrance is around 15 to 20 minutes, depending on how many groups are present at the given time.
Parking: You can find car parking at T.parko Losseum.
Stern Gate
Where is it? Located on the opposite side of the main entrance.
Named after the architect who designed it, this entrance is only for groups, schools, or visitors accompanied by an accredited guide. Additionally, a guest's tickets must include access to the Underground Colosseum, Colosseum Arena, and the Belvedere.
Entrance timings: The group entrance is open from 9:30 AM to 7:15 PM daily, with the last admission at 6 PM. The entrance is closed on 25 December and 1 January.
Average wait time: The average wait time at this entrance is about 10 to 15 minutes. The Stern Entrance ensures quick entry into the Colosseum.
Parking: You can find parking near this entrance at Park Services Colosseum.
A Brief History of the Colosseum Entrances
The Colosseum used to have 76 general entrances and 4 other Grand entrances. The 76 entrances were used by the general public, while the Grand entrances were used by emperors, senators, wealthy patricians, dignitaries, and the Vestal Virgins. The 4 Grand entrances were located at the North, South, East, and West points of the arena.
The North entrance was used by the Magistrates, while the South entrance was used by Senators, Emperors, and Vestals during ceremonies. The West entrance was known as the ‘Gate of Death’ and was used to carry away the dead bodies of gladiators and animals. The East entrance, known as the ‘Gate of Life,’ was used by the gladiators to parade before their combat and exit after a victory.
Colosseum HistoryAll Your Colosseum Ticket & Tour Options
Frequently Asked Questions About the Colosseum Entrances
The Colosseum, historically, had 80 entrances. Today, three entrances of these entrances are used by visitors - the Sperone Valadier Entrance, the Group Gate, and the Stern Entrance.
The main entrance to the Colosseum is the Sperone Valadier entrance, which faces the forums of the Colosseum. It is meant for individual visitors with different types of tickets, including time-scheduled, guided tours, audio and visual guides, Roma passes, and skip-the-line tickets.
The wait time depends on the entrance and the type of ticket you have. The average wait time for each of the entrances is as follows: Individual Visitors Gate, 45 minutes; Group Gate, 15 to 20 minutes; and Stern Entrance, 15 minutes. If you have a regular ticket, the wait time can range from one to two hours. However, you can reduce the wait time by choosing to purchase a skip-the-line ticket.
The Individual Visitors Gate (Sperone Valadier entrance) is the best entrance for visitors with tickets. It serves as the general entrance, accommodating various ticket types, including skip-the-line tickets.
The Individual Visitors Gate (Sperone Valadier entrance) is located facing the forums of the Colosseum, near the Arch of Constantine.
The Stern Gate typically has the shortest wait time, averaging around 10 to 15 minutes. This entrance is exclusively for groups, schools, or visitors accompanied by an accredited guide.
Skip-the-line ticket holders can enter through the Individual Visitors Gate (Sperone Valadier entrance) via the 'Visitors with Reservations' section. They enjoy priority access to avoid long queues.
If you are traveling as a group, you should use the Group Gate, located on the North side of the Colosseum. This entrance is reserved for groups consisting of 14 to 50 members, along with a professional tour guide.
A. If you don't have the tickets, you will need to use the main entrance at the Individual Visitors Gate for single tickets and the Group Gate for group tickets.
The main entrance provides step-free access for disabled individuals. Guests can conveniently explore the ground floor and middle tier using the elevator, which can accommodate up to two wheelchairs at a time.
One of the best ways to avoid waiting in line for a long time at the Colosseum is to get the skip the line tickets. With these tickets, you can enter the Colosseum in about 15 minutes.
