Travel Tip - Coliseum in Rome

Rome’s Coliseum, aside from being the largest building constructed during the Roman period, was also internationally voted one of the New 7 Wonders of the World in 2007. The sordid entertainment that it provided Roman society, gladiator and animal battles, is no doubt another morbid reason for the modern world’s fascination with the arena.

The Coliseum seated 60,000 spectators and is made up of 80 arches on the ground floor through which ancient Romans could gain access to the grounds. However, nowadays, only a single entrance is used, contributing to massive lines, where tourists can spend hours waiting to purchase admission tickets. To skip the wait, visit the neighboring Palatine Hill first. The line to access the Palatine Hill is significantly shorter, and once there, you can buy a dual Coliseum/Palatine Hill ticket. The halls of the Coliseum also play host to temporary art exhibits that shouldn’t be ignored.