Colosseum Opening Times in 2024 and 2025

Visiting Rome? Knowing the Colosseum hours will help you make the most of your trip.

Here are the 2024 and 2025 opening hours so you can plan ahead. Day or night tour, we’ve got you covered, and you’re guaranteed a great time.

Colosseum Opening Times – Overview

To plan your visit to the Colosseum effectively, it’s important to have a clear understanding of its schedule.

Here is the table with the specific hours for each period:

Period	Opening Hours
January 2nd to February 15th	8.30 to 16.30
February 16th to March 15th	8.30 to 17.00
October 1st to the last Saturday of October	8.30 to 17.30
Last Sunday of March to August 31st	8.30 to 19.15
September 1st to September 30th	8.30 to 19.00
October 1st to last Saturday of October	8.30 to 18.30
March 16th to the last Saturday of March	8.30 to 16.30

Seasonal Variations in Opening Hours

The Colosseum hours change a lot depending on the season. From April to September, the Colosseum is open from 8:30 to 19:15.

But in November to February, the Colosseum closes earlier, around 16:30.

Make sure to check the hours for your visit so you can make the most of it and choose the best time to visit the Colosseum.

Special Closures Throughout the Year

In addition to seasonal hours, the Colosseum also has special closures throughout the year. These are mainly on holidays: Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Easter Sunday.

On these days the Colosseum is closed to the public.

Make sure to plan your visit accordingly and avoid these dates so you don’t get surprised when planning to visit the Colosseum.

Event	Date
Christmas Day	December 25th
New Year’s Day	January 1st
Easter Sunday	Date varies each year

Now you know the Colosseum hours, including the seasonal hours and special closures, you can plan your visit with ease.

Planning Your Visit to The Colosseum

Visiting the Colosseum requires planning to have a smooth experience. To make the most of your trip you should consider the best times to visit and buy tickets in advance.

Best Times to Visit Without the Crowds

Visiting the Colosseum when it’s less busy will make a big difference – Avoid the peak hours.

Usually early mornings and late afternoons are less busy, so you can visit the Colosseum in a more peaceful way. Consider visiting on weekdays as weekends are more touristy.

If you like a quiet experience, visiting in winter, especially January and February is a good option. The Colosseum is less busy during these months so you can enjoy its beauty and history without the chaos.

Purchasing Tickets in Advance

One of the best ways to save time and avoid the ticket counter queues is to buy your Colosseum tickets in advance. Online platforms like the official website and authorized ticket sellers allow you to pre-book and skip the lines.

By buying tickets in advance you will have a stress free visit and more time to visit the Colosseum and the Roman Forum or other sites in the city.

Book your tickets at least a few days in advance, especially during peak season to be sure to have availability.

Optimizing Your Experience

When visiting the Colosseum, consider joining a guided tour, as a professional guide will make your visit more interesting and fun.

Some guided tours also offer skip the line access so you will save even more time and make the most of your visit.

Last but not least, check the weather and dress accordingly.

Best Times to Visit	Purchasing Tickets in Advance	Optimizing Your Experience
Early mornings and late afternoons	Online platforms and authorized providers	Consider a guided tour
Weekdays	Book in advance, especially during peak seasons	Check the weather forecast and dress comfortably
Winter months (January and February)	Book at least 24 hours in advance	Consider a guided tour

Night Visits at the Colosseum

Night visits at the Colosseum are a special experience, you can visit this landmark in a different way. And coming here at night is one of the best things to do in Rome after dinner, so do it.

The Colosseum looks completely different at night, it’s magic. For a guided experience there are several guided tours available for night visits to the Colosseum.

These tours will give you in-depth information about the history and importance of this ancient amphitheater so you will understand and appreciate more this architectural wonder.

One of the advantages of visiting the Colosseum at night is that you will avoid the crowds. In fact, daytime can be very busy, especially during peak season so it’s hard to fully be in the moment.

By visiting at night, you will have a more intimate and peaceful atmosphere and be able to connect with the Colosseum more.

Besides the peaceful atmosphere the illuminations make the Colosseum even more beautiful at night. If you want a unique and memorable experience at the Colosseum and avoid the crowds, consider a night visit.

Besides the peacefulness, the illuminations make the Colosseum even more magical at night. The lights show off the details of the building, it’s a real showstopper.

If you want to visit the Colosseum and avoid the crowds, consider a night visit. Whether you do a guided tour or go at your own pace, the nighttime and the illuminations will leave you with a beautiful souvenir.

Advantages of Night Visits	Don’t forget…
Avoid the crowds for an immersive and quiet experience	Book your guided night tour in advance. Check the availability of night visits. Dress accordingly to the weather.

Conclusion

Visiting the Colosseum in 2024 and 2025 you need to know the opening hours and plan ahead. By knowing the seasonal variations, special closures and daily operations of this landmark you will optimize your time and cherish the experience.

One thing to consider is to buy your tickets in advance – This will save you time and you will avoid the long queues and make the most of your visit, so make sure to grab them ahead of time.

And consider a night visit to have a different perspective, away from the daytime crowds and see the Colosseum all lit up.

Day or night.