Colosseum Access Review: Plus Arena Upgrade Option

Visiting the Colosseum in Rome, now that’s a thing to cross off anyone’s bucket list, right? Getting to walk through this ancient amphitheater where gladiators used to battle and so many spectacles took place is like, something else. I mean, thinking about all the history that happened right there kind of gives you chills. I’m writing to give you the lowdown on getting in and to figure out if springing for that Arena upgrade is genuinely worth it. I figured that with my experience, I can break down all of your options to consider before going, right?

Choosing Your Colosseum Access

Alright, so there are loads of different ways to actually see the Colosseum, too. First, you could just get a regular entry ticket. That gets you into the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, but you might be stuck in a really long line, and it won’t give you special access. It will, however, let you into a historic building!

Now, if you aren’t into all the waiting in those very lines, you could go with a guided tour. These tours, they are great ’cause you usually get to skip the super long line with this route. It could be that some of these tours cover the Forum and Palatine Hill, as well. It may really depend on which tour you go with. A local showing you all of the details is actually awesome if that is something you want to go with!

Here’s a secret you’ll want to hear! Getting an upgrade to also have Arena access could be totally cool, since it lets you step onto a section of the arena floor itself. This kind of gives you, like, the gladiator’s perspective, or something very close to that viewpoint. However, do all of these various options give you the most appropriate choice for you? Read further to fully uncover if the added upgrade is right for you!

The Allure of the Arena Upgrade

What is it about that Arena upgrade, anyway? Well, walking on the Arena floor is seriously amazing, more or less. When you stand there, like, you get a sense for what it felt like to be in the middle of everything when the games went on. Imagine the roar of the crowd, the spectacle and thinking about gladiators fighting, very cool right?

However, a little heads up; only some parts of the Arena floor are actually open to visit now. The original wooden floor, that is no longer there, yet it has been replaced with a walkable surface in parts. So you will get an idea of the setting, yet maybe not a completely genuine view of the Colosseum as it stood originally, as you might picture it. As long as that is not something you are particularly keen on seeing.

Also, access to the Arena is generally via tours only, as I have found. So you end up needing to factor the price of a guided tour with the upgrade amount for the arena included, too. It would not surprise me that spots could be pretty limited too, and it’s pretty common that they might book up well in advance, so there is something to keep in mind. But! Planning further in advance is not the end of days, in fact, many prefer that as that means there are definite set plans that you won’t have to rearrange when arriving.

Weighing the Costs: Is the Arena Upgrade Worth It?

Right, so what it comes down to really, is it worth dropping the money for the Arena upgrade? To get it straight, you need to factor a few things into the equation. First up, is how you care for the historical deal.

If getting as near to the real gladiator experience, something really historical, is actually important to you, then forking out a bit extra for the Arena area probably makes sense. Then again, if you’re cool with simply seeing the Colosseum and walking around, then just that regular entry or that tour might be what you want, like, and those still give you plenty of history!

Consider, as well, how cool the crowds can be. I am serious when I tell you this. That Arena could be that place that everyone is aiming for, which actually can mean you might have to contend with loads of other visitors once you are up there. So you’ll want to work out what you reckon is alright for that personal balance that you want in enjoyment for the masses. If you love quieter exploring that regular or tour tickets sound more your thing.

Alternative Colosseum Experiences

Now, if you don’t want to go with an arena tour, guess what? Other ways for getting the most from the Colosseum could happen. Ever given any thought towards doing a night tour of the Colosseum?

This really can bring you a complete other vibe and does let you stay well out of those crowds when it comes to daylight tours too! Likewise, have a look around that Roman Forum and Palatine Hill; these locations are commonly included alongside that ticket to that Colosseum and could give you, too, so many old ruins for that complete view. Another tour for checking is under the Colosseum.

One additional point to check, the location when you have time during the day is a photo spot called, Colle Oppio. From that position on the slope of the hill, the full magnificence of the Colosseum is very much on view, at an angle and length so incredible it may beat any photo one might capture inside the tourist hotspot, in fact.

Final Thoughts on Colosseum Access

When planning any travel it would be something amazing to consider. Is that Arena pass really that ideal? In essence, that depends entirely upon that specific kind of experience which you really want. Factoring these facts should give you more of a picture before any kind of choice can occur, yet. A bit more insight? You bet!

• Regular Tickets: Give access to the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
• Guided Tours: Provides that line skipping, or other knowledge and historic contexts.
• Arena Upgrade: An incredible way towards feeling like you really get there in a once-in-a-lifetime option.
• Alternative Experiences: The Under the Colosseum, night tours, Roman hill view from Oppio can give amazing angles without high costs.