The Colosseum is one of the monuments that hooks children most: gladiators, wild beasts and the grandeur of Ancient Rome give plenty to work with. Under-18s enter free (with a small booking fee), but it pays to choose the right ticket, work out the duration and know a few tricks so the visit becomes a good memory and not a tiring trek.
Yes. Under-18s enter free to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine, but —and this is important— they need their own named ticket, which normally carries a small booking fee of a few euros to process the ticket. It is not enough for them to be accompanied by an adult with a ticket: each child must have their own. Always bring a document proving their age, as it may be requested at the entrance.
On guided tours, children usually have a reduced price compared with adults. If you are unsure between options, our guide on which Colosseum ticket to buy helps you decide.
In every case, skip-the-line access is the most valuable thing when travelling with children: it saves you long waits in the sun that wear out anyone's patience.
With little ones it is best not to drag the route out too much. Allow 1-1.5 hours for the Colosseum and, if you fancy the Forum and the Palatine, another hour. As the ticket is valid for 24 hours, a good idea is to see the Colosseum one day and leave the Forum and Palatine for another time, to avoid tiredness. Take a look at how long it takes to visit the Colosseum to plan the day.
Standing on the Arena —the platform reconstructed over the underground where the gladiators fought— is usually the star moment for children. They can access it with the tour that includes the Arena, always accompanied. Bear in mind that the ground is uneven and there are sections on foot, so it is more comfortable for children who already walk well. If you want to know more about this area, read what the Arena and the underground are.
The family guided tour adapts the pace and the explanations to the youngest, with skip-the-line access to avoid waits. If you prefer to go on your own, the audio-guide ticket lets you stop whenever you like.
⏳ The Colosseum sells out daily in high season. Book ahead · free cancellation.
Yes, under-18s enter the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine for free, but they need their own named ticket, which usually carries a small booking fee of a few euros. You must bring a document proving the child's age. On guided tours, children usually have a reduced price.
For families, the family guided tour is designed so a guide can adapt the pace to the little ones. If you prefer to go on your own, the audio-guide ticket lets you go at your own pace. In both cases skip-the-line access is key.
Yes, with the tour that includes the Arena, always accompanied by an adult. Standing on the platform where the gladiators fought is usually what excites them most. The ground is uneven and there are sections on foot, so it is more comfortable for children who already walk well.
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