How to Visit the Colosseum Underground + What It Is

The Colosseum is one of Rome’s most well-known monuments that millions of visitors explore each year from the Underground to the Arena Floor. However, getting tickets to the Underground isn’t easy, and it’s growing more difficult each year, which is why it’s critical to plan ahead. Read on to find out everything you need to know about how to see the Colosseum Underground and what to do if it’s sold out.

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Pro Tip: It’s easier to organize your trip when you have all your resources in one place. Bookmark this post along with our Colosseum guide for more planning resources, our top-rated Colosseum tours for a memorable trip, and what to see at the Colosseum.

What To See at the Colosseum: Arena Floor and Underground

In case you’re not entirely certain what the Underground is, here’s a quick overview of what you can see at the Colosseum. The Colosseum is made up of several levels that are mostly above ground, since around 60,000 spectators used to sit and watch gladiatorial games here. There are 80 entrances that allowed fast entry and exit on game days.

The Underground is located underneath the entire Colosseum. It’s where all the behind-the-scenes action happened during the games. From cages to armories and narrow passageways and trap doors, this entire area is still an active archaeological site.

The other popular area visitors love is the Arena Floor where they can walk out into the arena like a gladiator! The original floor was actually removed in the 6th century after the Romans stopped holding games here. But a reconstructed floor was built so visitors could walk out safely and feel what it was like. Most spectators in ancient times didn’t even get this perspective!

Not ready to book a tour? Find out why a Colosseum tour is worth it.

How To Visit the Colosseum Underground

Now let’s talk about how to see the Colosseum Underground when you’re in Rome. As we mentioned, getting access to the Colosseum Underground is a challenge, and the policies from Colosseum management have recently changed too. That means it’s much more difficult to book tickets to the Colosseum Underground.

We have worked closely with the Colosseum for over a decade to help tourists get the most out of their trip to Rome. But with limited ticket availability, even our tickets sell out almost immediately.

When you book a Colosseum Underground tour, you’ll need to include the full name of each person going on the tour to meet Colosseum admission requirements. You’ll also have to bring a passport to the Colosseum to verify your Underground tour tickets.

Please note that this means any Underground tickets will not be refundable or exchangeable when purchased. If you want more flexibility or want to enjoy the view from above, then opt for the Arena Floor tour instead.

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our Colosseum Guide for more info.

What To Do If the Colosseum Underground Is Sold Out

What happens if you’re unable to book tickets for the Colosseum Underground? Fortunately, there are other great tours to explore other unique areas of the Colosseum too. I can’t think of a bigger mistake than to not go inside the Colosseum when you’re in Rome!

So if the Underground tickets are sold out, then I recommend our Special Access Arena Floor tour that the whole family will love. It provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity to see the Colosseum the way the gladiators used to see it! And honestly, the other people at the Colosseum will wonder how you got to stand on it while they’re stuck in the upper levels.

There’s no better way to take in the sheer size of the Colosseum and marvel at the incredible monument. You’ll look up to the top levels of the stadium and down to the Underground passageways. The photos you take here will be ones to keep forever!

This tour also takes you to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill to explore where Rome’s elites lived. Here you’ll see the remains of Augustus and Olivia’s villa that overlooked where Circus Maximus used to be. Sound familiar? It’s the original stadium used for the famous chariot races memorialized by the movie Ben-Hur.

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our Colosseum Guide for more info.