Guide to Free Entry: Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

 

Experience the allure of ancient Rome with Free Entry to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Step into history as you explore these iconic sites without cost. Moreover, Castel Sant’Angelo, the Baths of Caracalla, and the ancient ruins of Pompeii also welcome you free of charge, inviting you to unravel their mysteries at no expense.

Italy offers a special treat for visitors known as ‘Free Sunday.’ On the first Sunday of each month, you can explore a variety of state sites and museums for free! For more information, click here to visit my page dedicated to exploring the Colosseum on Free Sunday.

But you can’t snag these free tickets ahead of time. You’ll need to head to the ticket offices next to the Colosseum or at the Roman Forum on Via dei Fori Imperiali on the day itself. Just remember, only regular access tickets are up for grabs—Full Experience tickets are off the table.

Since Free Sunday only rolls around once a month, it might not sync with your travel dates. But don’t worry! Check out the rest of this page to find out other ways you might score free entry to the Colosseum and more.

 

 

Get Free Entry to the Colosseum

General Categories for Free Entry

• Under 18 Years of Age: All individuals under the age of 18 can enter the Colosseum for free. Simply present a valid ID or passport as proof of age at the entrance.
• Disabled Visitors and Companions: Visitors with disabilities are entitled to free entry, along with one companion or caregiver. You will need to provide valid medical documentation that confirms the disability.
• European Tour Guides: Professional tour guides from the European Union can enter for free by presenting appropriate certification that proves their status as a tour guide.

Special Initiative

Born with Culture” Initiative: This unique program offers free entry to newborn babies up to their first birthday, along with two accompanying family members. This initiative is designed to encourage early exposure to cultural heritage.

Professional and Educational Categories

• • • • • Italian Teachers: All Italian teachers are eligible for free entry. You will need to show documentation such as a teacher’s ID or a letter from your school.
      • • European Union Touristic Interpreters: Interpreters who are actively working in tourism within the EU can enter for free. Proper professional documentation is required to prove your status.
      • • Employees of the Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Activities: Employees of Italy’s Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Activities can enter for free with a valid ID from the ministry.
      • • Members of ICOM and ICCROM: Members of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) and the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) can enter for free by presenting their membership cards.
      • • EU School Groups: School groups from the European Union, with one teacher and up to ten students, can enter for free. Advance reservation is required, and you need to provide a letter from the school and a list of participants.
      • • University Teachers and Students: Students and teachers from accredited institutions studying architecture, conservation of cultural assets, learning sciences, and literature with an archaeology or art-history focus are eligible for free entry. This includes Socrates and Erasmus students in these fields. You need to present a valid student or teacher ID or an enrollment certificate.
      • • High School Art-History Teachers: Teachers who specialize in art history at the high school level can enter for free with appropriate proof of their teaching position.
      • • Specialized School Students: Students from the Central Institute of Restoration, Opificio delle Pietre Dure, and the School for Mosaic Restoration can enter for free. Valid student ID or enrollment certificate from these institutions is required.
      • Accredited Journalists: Journalists who are on duty can enter for free by presenting suitable documentation that proves their professional activity, such as a press card or a letter from their editor.

 

 

 

 

 

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Free entry with Roma Pass or City Pass

If you have a Roma Pass or another Rome city pass, you can use it to gain at least free entry. Make sure to choose the Colosseum as one of your included attractions when you purchase the pass. While using a Roma Pass or another City Pass can provide you with free entry to the Colosseum, there are some important details to consider:

• • • • • • • Free Entry: The pass typically includes at least one free entry to major attractions in Rome, such as the Colosseum.
          • • Reduced Fees: After using your free entry, you may still benefit from reduced entry fees for other museums and monuments.
          • • Convenience: Purchasing a pass can be convenient, especially if you plan to visit multiple attractions during your stay in Rome.

Considerations When Using the Pass

• • • • • • • While purchasing the Roma Pass or City Pass grants free entry to certain attractions, users still need to reserve a spot for the Colosseum visit.
          • • There is a €2 booking fee associated with reserving a spot using the pass, which means entry is not entirely free but rather at a reduced cost.

Is it Cost Saving?

Well the answer is for travelers who intend to visit multiple attractions covered by the pass within a short duration, the pass can potentially save money. However, for those with a more relaxed sightseeing pace or focusing on a limited number of attractions, the pass might not offer significant cost savings.

Colosseum Free Entry with Parco Colosseo Card

The Parco Colosseo membership card offers a comprehensive package for those interested in frequent visits to the Colosseum and its surrounding archaeological sites. Here are the details:

Membership Costs

• • • • • • • 18 – 30 Year-Olds: €25
          • • Adults: €50
          • • Couples: €80

Benefits

• • • • • • • Unlimited Entry: The card grants unlimited access to the Colosseum for one year from the date of purchase.
          • • Includes Full Experience: Access to the Colosseum’s underground areas and the arena floor.
          • • Additional Sites: Entry includes the Palatine Hill and Roman Forum.
          • • S.U.P.E.R. Sites Access: Includes all S.U.P.E.R. (Seven Unique Places to Experience Rome) sites that are open, offering a broader exploration of Rome’s archaeological heritage.

Advantages for Locals and Frequent Visitors

• • • • • • • For residents of Rome or frequent visitors, this card is an excellent deal. It allows multiple visits to the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum without additional costs.
          • • Perfect for those passionate about Rome’s history and archaeology, providing deeper and repeated engagement with these iconic sites.

Considerations for Visitors

• • • • • • • For tourists visiting Rome for a short period, the card might not offer significant savings unless they plan to visit the included sites multiple times.
          • • Visitors should evaluate their itinerary and interest in repeat visits to determine if the card offers good value for their specific needs.

     

How to Purchase?

Visit the Parco archeologico del Colosseo website to learn more about the Parco Colosseo Membership Card and purchase it if you’re interested by clicking here.

Booking Fees for Free Entry to the Colosseum

It might seem contradictory, but booking a free ticket to the Colosseum can sometimes incur fees. Although it may be confusing, here are the guidelines on when a booking fee applies and when it doesn’t:

Colosseum Free Entry Tickets with Booking Fee

When booking a free ticket to the Colosseum with the Roma Pass or any other Rome City Pass, you will still need to pay a €2 booking fee.

Colosseum Free Entry Tickets Without Booking Fee

For other free tickets, the entry fee is zero, and there is no booking fee. These tickets are available for:

• • • • • • • Everyone under 18
          • • Tour guides
          • • Anyone with a Parco Colosseo membership card
          • • People with disabilities and their caregivers

To see this, simply start the booking process on the Parco archeologico del Colosseo website.

Get Free Entry to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

Access to Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

Your Colosseum ticket, whether it’s a standard 24-hour ticket or a Full Experience 48-hour ticket, also grants entry to the Roman Forum/Palatine Hill.

Here’s how it works for different ticket types and free entry categories:

Standard 24-Hour Ticket

• • • • • • • Colosseum Entry: One-time entry to the Colosseum.
          • • Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Entry: One-time entry to the Roman Forum/Palatine Hill.
          • • Validity: Both entries must occur within a 24-hour period starting from the first use.
          • • Free Entry Eligibility: If you qualify for free entry to the Colosseum (e.g., under 18, disabled visitors, Parco Colosseo cardholders), you also get free entry to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill within the same 24-hour window.

Full Experience 48-Hour Free Ticket

• • • • • • • Colosseum Entry: Visit the Colosseum once, including any booked experiences like the Underground or Arena floor.
          • • Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Entry: Visit the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill once within the period.
          • • Validity: Both entries must occur within a 48-hour period starting from the first use.
          • • Booking S.U.P.E.R. Sites: If you want to visit S.U.P.E.R. sites within the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill that require advance booking, you must book these in advance separately.

Free Entry Categories

• • • • • • • Everyone Under 18
          • • Tour Guides
          • • Parco Colosseo Membership Card Holders
          • • People with Disabilities and Their Caregivers

Steps to Book and Visit

• • • • • • • Start the booking process on the Parco archeologico del Colosseo website.
          • • Choose the category that applies to you (e.g., under 18, tour guide).
          • • Finalize your booking with a zero entry fee and no booking fee.
          • • While visiting the sites, present your booking confirmation and required documentation at the entry points.

Ticketing Update May 2024

A new ticketing system has been launched for access to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and Domus Aurea. Effective from May 1, 2024, onwards, the new ticketing system will be in place. Tickets are progressively released day by day, a month ahead. For instance, on May 20, tickets for June 20 became available, and the pattern continues. To prevent website crashes due to high demand, the new website employs a digital queue system. So, if you don’t gain immediate access to the site, don’t fret; you’re in line! While not all ticketing and tour options are currently accessible for purchase, keep checking back for updates if your preferred choice isn’t available yet.