Rome Colosseum Tickets: Dungeon, Forum & Hill (Review)

Getting set for a trip to Rome and hoping to check out the Colosseum? Getting your tickets sorted is really important, and let’s be honest, it can be a bit of a maze with all sorts of choices. You’ll want to figure out how to see everything like the Colosseum’s underground areas, take a pleasant walk around the Roman Forum, and get up Palatine Hill for amazing views. I’m putting together the information you need to decide if getting the ‘Dungeon, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill’ priority tickets are a worthwhile move.

What You Get with Priority Tickets

Priority tickets are really about making your experience smoother. Usually, they include a few perks, so you are spending less of your vacation standing around in long lines and more actually looking at really old, very amazing history. Usually with these, you can skip the regular ticket line, giving you fast-track entry to the Colosseum. Access to restricted areas such as the Dungeon and Upper Levels is one perk some tickets provide, so it makes seeing more of the Colosseum possible. Plus, that ticket might get you into the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, and that saves you the bother of buying tickets separately, isn’t that nifty?

Specifically, when you are grabbing “Dungeon” tickets, keep an eye out on if they come with a tour, so that you learn a bunch from someone very experienced. Having someone describe the gruesome details of gladiatorial combat and what life was probably like down in the depths certainly seems like a good deal, almost, to really bring the site to life. Consider that tours might be in languages other than just English.

The *real* worth of those priority tickets? It’s the time saved, is that something you are okay with trading a few extra dollars for? When visiting Rome during really popular times of the year like summer or the holiday season, the lines might actually take away hours from seeing other fun attractions like the Trevi Fountain or the Vatican Museums. Is standing in line with lots of other sweaty tourists *really* how you want to spend your Roman Holiday?

Accessing the Dungeon: An Underground Adventure

Visiting the Colosseum’s dungeon, also known as the hypogeum, just lets you peek into its most secret areas. This part was constructed far below the main arena, and, basically, it was the backstage area when they did all those gruesome gladiatorial games. You can easily spot the elaborate system of tunnels, chambers, and trapdoors once you get down there. Animals could be kept in cages while gladiators were waiting to go out into the ring. Do keep in mind it’s somewhat dimly lit, so you’re seeing the atmosphere exactly like the old-timers would have.

Just walking where the gladiators would be is an absolutely *tremendous* experience! Imagine what it probably smelled like! Walking on ground that hosted so many important (and scary) events offers, in a way, a tangible connection with ancient history. Seeing the complex support structures firsthand shows just how good the ancient Roman engineers really were.

Just keep in mind the Dungeon portion of your tour is often time-slotted and there may be some restriction to photography, depending on which company you purchase through. I will say, your ticket must be secured well in advance of the date and time you hope to enter.

Exploring the Roman Forum: Where History Comes Alive

Walking around the Roman Forum allows a closer look at the center of old Rome’s political, religious, and social scene. It’s situated right near the Colosseum and the Palatine Hill, making all three pretty convenient to see in the same day. The Forum itself is an area that has old buildings, temples, and public spaces. The Arch of Titus and the ruins of the Temple of Saturn will certainly catch your eye!

It really can take hours to poke around the Forum completely, particularly when reading the descriptive signs that are placed throughout. Many different emperors tried their hand at rebuilding and designing what exists now, yet one still gets an obvious picture of Roman lifestyle once roaming around there. So you will probably appreciate wearing comfortable shoes.

I have seen visitors stroll casually between the stones wearing everything from Birkenstocks to high heels (definitely an odd choice!), still, sneakers or boots are almost better for this terrain.

Scaling Palatine Hill: Panoramic Views and Mythic Origins

Getting up Palatine Hill means seeing great views and entering ancient myths, too it’s almost as getting two for the price of one. Known as one of the seven hills of Rome, Palatine Hill had residences of the Roman emperors and plays an important part in Roman mythology. According to what the legends say, this is probably the place where Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, were raised by a mama wolf.

Taking a casual stroll up Palatine Hill will bring you to all sorts of old ruins such as the House of Augustus (the former Emperor!), offering insight into their opulent lifestyle. Getting up here also gets you bird’s-eye views over the Roman Forum and the Colosseum that will leave you very awestruck. The panoramic vista can often enhance an awareness of the sheer volume that the old city must have possessed.

Make sure you bring water when heading to Palatine Hill because it’s often extra hot there, and there is not any place selling water once inside! Is that so hard to be believe? Probably not!

Are These Tickets Worth the Cost? Factors to Consider

When deciding on if the ‘Dungeon, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill’ priority tickets will make your trip better, you ought to think about how much each part gives you. If seeing more of the Colosseum, especially its underground part, really makes you tick, then buying them will make total sense. Having access to restricted zones with a guided tour certainly enriches any visit, allowing deeper history insight.

Consider, too it’s almost, your priorities related to the amount of energy that is spent versus the time visiting these sites. Does saving time waiting in lines have a really high place on your priority list? Then I really would encourage you to purchase these tickets ahead of time. If that sounds like your ideal trip, it could really be worth the cost!

When buying your tickets, you have to make certain that whoever is operating it is respectable. See whether there are good reviews available, so it can be trusted to give exactly what they pledge on their sales copy.