Roman Forum and Palatine: what to see, included in your Colosseum ticket

Q: What can you see in the Roman Forum and the Palatine?

In the Roman Forum the highlights are the Via Sacra, the Arch of Titus, the House of the Vestals, the Curia and the temples at the political heart of Ancient Rome. On the Palatine, the emperors' hill, you can see the remains of the imperial palaces, the Stadium of Domitian and viewpoints with views over the Forum and the Circus Maximus.

Q: How long does it take to see the Roman Forum and the Palatine?

To see the Roman Forum and the Palatine at a relaxed pace you need between 2 and 2.5 hours: around 1-1.5 hours for the Forum and 45 minutes to 1 hour for the Palatine. They are very large open-air spaces, so comfortable footwear, water and sun protection are advisable, especially in summer.

Many people book the Colosseum without knowing that the same ticket includes the Roman Forum and the Palatine, two of the most impressive places in Ancient Rome. Here we tell you what to see in each one —the House of the Vestals, the Arch of Titus, the Stadium of Domitian— and how much time you need so you don't miss the important things.

The Roman Forum with its temples and columns, included in the Colosseum ticket — The Roman Forum, political heart of Ancient Rome, next to the Colosseum.

Included in the same ticket

The Colosseum ticket gives access to three sites: the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine, which form a single archaeological area. The ticket is valid for 24 hours and allows one entry to each place, so there is no need to see it all at once: you can walk the Colosseum one day and leave the Forum and Palatine for the next morning, when there are fewer people and less heat.

What to see in the Roman Forum

The Forum was the political, religious and commercial heart of Ancient Rome. Walking it along the Via Sacra you will see:

Arch of Titus: the triumphal arch beside which you enter from the Colosseum, with reliefs of the sack of Jerusalem.
House of the Vestals: the residence of the priestesses who guarded the sacred fire, with its courtyard and pools.
The Curia: the seat of the Roman Senate, surprisingly well preserved.
Temples and basilicas: the remains of the Temple of Saturn, that of Antoninus and Faustina and the Basilica of Maxentius.

What to see on the Palatine

The Palatine is the hill where, according to legend, Romulus founded Rome, and where the emperors later lived. It is the word that gave rise to "palace". Don't miss:

The imperial palaces: the remains of the Domus Augustana and the Domus Flavia, residences of the emperors.
The Stadium of Domitian: a huge elongated enclosure that served as the palace's private garden-hippodrome.
The viewpoints: balconies with spectacular views over the Roman Forum on one side and the Circus Maximus on the other.

Remains of the imperial palaces on the Palatine hill, above the Roman Forum — The Palatine, the emperors' hill, with the remains of the imperial palaces.

How long it takes

To see the Forum and the Palatine at a relaxed pace allow between 2 and 2.5 hours: around 1-1.5 hours for the Forum and 45 minutes to 1 hour for the Palatine. If you add the Colosseum, the full site takes 3-4 hours. You have the detail in our guide on how long it takes to visit the Colosseum.

Tickets to the Colosseum, Forum and Palatine

One booking, all three sites. With the audio-guide ticket you walk the whole site at your own pace, without queues; with the guided tour an expert explains the history of the Forum and Palatine so you miss nothing.

See skip-the-line tickets from €26 →

⏳ The Colosseum sells out daily in high season. Book ahead · free cancellation.

Prefer an English-speaking guide? See the guided tour →

Tips for the visit

Make the most of the 24 hours: split the visit over two days if you travel with kids or don't want to tire yourself out.
Comfortable footwear: these are large grounds, with slopes and uneven surfaces.
Little shade: bring water and a hat; check the best time to visit.
Start with the Colosseum: the natural route then descends towards the Forum by the Arch of Titus.

Frequently asked questions

Are the Roman Forum and the Palatine included in the Colosseum ticket?

Yes, the Colosseum ticket also includes the Roman Forum and the Palatine: the three sites form a single area with one ticket. The ticket is valid for 24 hours and allows one entry to each place, so you can see the Colosseum one day and the Forum and Palatine the next.

What can you see in the Roman Forum and the Palatine?

In the Forum the highlights are the Via Sacra, the Arch of Titus, the House of the Vestals, the Curia and the temples at the political heart of Ancient Rome. On the Palatine you can see the remains of the imperial palaces, the Stadium of Domitian and viewpoints with views over the Forum and the Circus Maximus.

How long does it take to see the Roman Forum and the Palatine?

To see them at a relaxed pace you need between 2 and 2.5 hours: 1-1.5 hours for the Forum and 45 minutes to 1 hour for the Palatine. They are large open-air spaces, so comfortable footwear, water and sun protection are advisable. More detail in how long it takes.