Night Tour of the Colosseum: A cool evening breeze, the soft glow of moonlight, and an almost haunting silence that lets you hear your footsteps echoing through 2,000 years of history: welcome to a Colosseum night tour.
As one of the world’s most iconic and frequently visited landmarks, exploring the Colosseum (officially known as the Flavian Amphitheatre) is undoubtedly one of the top things to do in Rome.
For a truly unique experience that goes beyond the typical visit, consider exploring the Colosseum at night.
After spending months thoroughly exploring Rome, including touring the Colosseum three separate times, we found the nighttime visit to be absolutely enchanting.
If you’re thinking of doing the same, here’s everything you need to know before you go!
What’s it like to visit the Colosseum at night?
Upon entering the Colosseum at night, the first thing you’ll notice is the (near) silence.
Only a few tour groups are allowed in after hours, creating an atmosphere that feels almost like you have the entire monument to yourself.
Skipping past security—perhaps with a satisfied grin at the empty checkpoints where daytime visitors once waited in long lines—and descending directly into the Colosseum is nothing short of sublime.
We’ve been fortunate enough to explore the Colosseum in various ways—independently, with a daytime guide, and now with a nighttime guide—and we firmly believe that our after-hours visit was our favorite of all.
Pros and Cons of Taking a Colosseum Night Tour
As much as we loved our after-hours visit, there are certain trade-offs to consider when deciding between a nighttime or daytime Colosseum tour, especially if it’s your first time in Rome!
Here are the key pros and cons to help you decide if a Colosseum night tour is right for you.
The Pros of Visiting the Colosseum By Night
- The atmosphere is incredible.
The ambiance of the Colosseum at night is truly unparalleled and is the top reason to book a night tour. The silence, the space, and the way the darkness enhances the sense of history make it a magical experience. - You’ll share the experience with very few people.
Having toured the Colosseum twice during the day, I cannot overstate how much the lack of crowds transforms the experience. The quiet and the ample space to think make a night tour unforgettable. - It’s not hot (very important in the summer).
Rome can get extremely hot during the summer, which is also peak tourist season! Avoiding the daytime heat is a huge plus of taking an evening tour.
The Cons of Visiting the Colosseum By Night
- You can’t visit the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
While the Colosseum is open for night tours, the nearby Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are typically closed. Since these sites are usually included in the same ticket, this is a notable downside. - It’s a bit harder to take the typical photos.
Capturing photos inside the Colosseum is a bit more challenging at night, especially if you want to be in them! However, it’s still possible, as demonstrated by the photos in this post. - It’s the pricier option.
If you’re visiting Rome on a budget, this is an obvious downside. Evening tours are generally more expensive than daytime visits, and you must book a tour to visit the Colosseum at night.
Our Colosseum Night Tour (+ How to Book)
We had an incredible time on this highly-rated Colosseum night tour!
Our evening began by meeting our guide near one of the best viewpoints of the Colosseum. From there, we enjoyed a brief walking tour around the exterior, learning about Ancient Rome, the Colosseum’s construction, and more.
As night fell, we entered the Colosseum. Rome strictly manages its Colosseum tours, meaning most tours will include separate guides for inside and outside the monument (this was also our experience during a daytime tour).
Our second guide, who was also very knowledgeable about the history of the Colosseum and Ancient Rome, led us straight past the empty security lines into the depths of the Underground.
Not all Colosseum tours—night or day—include access to the Underground and the Arena Floor, but we highly recommend it. This area adds valuable context to the building, showcasing where gladiators, animals, and sets were prepared for the “shows” above.
Our tour concluded with a breathtaking view of the Colosseum, illuminated by moonlight with a refreshing evening breeze. We had a fantastic experience and highly recommend taking an after-hours tour of the Colosseum.
Other Ways to Visit the Colosseum in Rome
If a nighttime visit doesn’t suit your plans, there are several other ways to experience the Colosseum!
We previously took a popular guided tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill, which we can highly recommend.
For those who prefer independent exploration, a timed entry, skip-the-line ticket for the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill is an excellent alternative.
That said, after visiting Rome’s Colosseum three separate times, there’s no doubt that our night tour was the most memorable of all.
