Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill, Rome

Rome, Italy

HistoryArts CulturePhotographyFamily Friendly

Would you do this?

Duration4 hrs

EffortModerate

BudgetMid-Range

PriceUSD 20

StyleSelf-Guided

OpenEvery day

Best monthsMar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov

StatusMust-See

About This Activity

The Colosseum held 50,000 spectators for gladiatorial combat and remains the world's largest ancient amphitheatre — kids are awestruck by its sheer scale. Book a timed-entry ticket in advance as walk-up access is no longer available. The combined ticket (€18, free for EU youth under 18) includes the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill: walk the Via Sacra past the Temple of Saturn and the Arch of Titus, then climb Palatine Hill for sweeping views over the ruins. Allow at least 4 hours and wear comfortable shoes on uneven stone.

Seasonal note: Best March–May and Oct–Nov; summer very hot and crowded; open daily except 1 Jan and 25 Dec

Compare with Alternatives

See how Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill, Rome stacks up against other must-see activities nearby.

vs Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel, Rome → vs Pantheon, Trevi Fountain & Piazza Navona, Rome →

See This in an Itinerary

This activity appears in 436 of our curated itineraries.

Best 3 Days in Italy

Rome → Florence

Day 1 · 2 cities · 4 activities

Best 3 Days in Italy (Saturday Start)

Rome → Florence

Day 1 · 2 cities · 4 activities

Best 3 Days in Italy (Sunday Start)

Rome → Florence

Day 1 · 2 cities · 4 activities

Best 3 Days in Italy — History

Rome → Florence

Day 1 · 2 cities · 4 activities

Best 3 Days in Italy — History (Saturday Start)

Rome → Florence

Day 1 · 2 cities · 4 activities

Best 3 Days in Italy — Art & Culture (Sunday Start)

Rome → Florence

Day 1 · 2 cities · 4 activities

More Activities in Rome

St. Peter's Basilica and Vatican Museums with Renaissance architecture

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel, Rome

Pre-book Vatican Museums tickets to see the Sistine Chapel and Raphael Rooms without queuing for hours

Renaissance art gallery with classical sculptures and paintings

Villa Borghese Gardens & Borghese Gallery, Rome

Reserve a mandatory 2-hour slot at the Borghese Gallery, then let the children ride bikes and row boats in Rome's loveliest park

Trevi Fountain at sunset with its baroque sculptural elegance

Pantheon, Trevi Fountain & Piazza Navona, Rome

Visit the Pantheon, toss a coin in Trevi Fountain with the children, and stroll to Piazza Navona for gelato

Authentic Italian pasta dish with traditional Roman cuisine

Trastevere Neighborhood Evening Walk, Rome

Wander Trastevere's cobblestone lanes at sunset and eat supplì, cacio e pepe, and Roman pizza al taglio

Ostia Antica Archaeological Park Day Trip from Rome

Take a 30-minute train to Ostia Antica and walk Rome's ancient port city — better-preserved and far less crowded than Pompeii

Fresh homemade Italian pasta on a wooden table

Fresh Pasta Making Class in Rome

Make fresh ravioli, fettuccine, and pappardelle in a small-group Roman cooking class — great for children age 5+

Authentic Italian street food and traditional Roman cuisine at Testaccio market

Testaccio Market & Street Food Tour, Rome

Shop the Testaccio covered market and taste supplì, porchetta, and maritozzo in Rome's most authentic food neighborhood

Roman Catacombs on the Appian Way, Rome

Descend into the Catacombs of San Callisto on the ancient Appian Way and walk 500,000-grave underground tunnels