An Extensive Guide to the Colosseum Entrances in Rome
Take a trip to the pride and glory of Rome, the Colosseum. It is often hailed to be one of the best landmarks of Rome found on the east side of the Roman Forum. Famous for its origin in the gladiator battles, the Colosseum is one of the wonders of the world.
If this is your first visit to the Colosseum, you might find this Colosseum entrance guide helpful. Keep reading to find out more about how to enter the Colosseum.
Where is the Colosseum?
The Colosseum is located in the city of Rome in Italy. It is perched on the east bank of the River Tiber, close to the Roman Forum.
Address: Piazza del Colosseo, 1, 00184 Roma RM, Italy | Find on Maps
Directions to ColosseumHow to Enter the Colosseum?
To enter the ancient arena, you can go through one of the three Colosseum entrances, based on your ticket type. All guests must purchase a ticket to enter the facility. Keep reading to find out about the different Colosseum entrances and which one is suitable for you!
Colosseum Entrances Explained
Individual Visitors Gate
This entrance faces the forums of the Colosseum and is called the Sperone Valadier entrance. It is named after the architect who rebuilt this part of the arena. Individual guests can access the Colosseum through this entrance. 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
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
Named after the architect who designed it, the Stern entrance is located on the opposite side of the main entrance. Please keep in mind that 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.
Which Colosseum Entrance Do I Choose?
There are three main entrances at the Colosseum - the Individual Visitors Gate, the Group Gate, and the Stern Entrance.
- The Individual Visitors Gate is meant for guests who have a single ticket. This could be for a guided tour, skip the line tickets, or regular entry tickets.
- The Group Gate is meant solely for groups who have a professional guide with them.
- The Stern Gate is for guests who are accompanied by an accredited tour guide.
Choose your entrance based on the type of ticket you hold.
Queues at the Colosseum
At the Individual Visitors Gate, there are two queues - one for guests with skip-the-line tickets called ‘Visitors with Reservations,’ and the other for other ticket types. All other entrances have a single queue.
Disabled Access
The entry access for disabled people is at the main entrance and has been made step-free. Guests can visit the ground floor and the middle tier by taking the elevator, which has space for two wheelchairs at a time. There are restrooms on both these floors, which can be located with the help of sign boards.
Unfortunately, the underground and top-level are difficult to navigate in a wheelchair and are not recommended for people with reduced mobility. Guests with disabilities are required to carry their certificates and ID to enter the 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
A. The main entrance of the Colosseum is located near the Sperone Valadier, which is close to the Arch of Constantine.
A. The Colosseum has three entrances - the Individual Visitors Gate, the Group Gate, and the Stern Entrance.
A. The Sperone Valadier has the shortest wait time to enter the Colosseum. Through this entrance, you get a full view of the Colosseum and the benefit of exploring the first and the second floors. This is only possible if your tickets have access to these floors.
A. The average wait time at the Colosseum entrance is between one to two hours if you have a regular ticket. However, the average wait time also 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: 45 minutes.
A. Skip the line ticket holders can use the Individual Visitors Gate and use the ‘Visitors with Reservations’ line to enter.
A. The second entrance or the Group Gate, is used for Colosseum guided tours.
A. If you have pre-booked your Colosseum tickets, you can enter through the Individual Visitors Gate.
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.
A. If you are traveling with a group, you can use the Group Gate or Stern Entrance. Keep in mind that the stern entrance is reserved for schools and groups with an accredited tour guide.
A. 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.
A. The Colosseum is located in Rome, Italy.
A. The Colosseum is open from 10:30 AM to 7:15 PM every day. The last entry is at 6:15 PM. The Colosseum is closed on holidays like 1 January and 25 December.
A. The best time to visit the Colosseum to avoid waiting in line is afternoon, around 2 PM.
