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Colosseum Route | Guide for Visiting the Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

Colosseum access includes entry to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, which must be visited within 24 hours of your Colosseum entry. Located next to each other, exploring all three sites together offers a more complete understanding of life in Ancient Rome.

This gives you the flexibility to visit everything in one day or spread your visit across two consecutive days, depending on your schedule. Planning your route in advance helps you make the most of your time.

Recommended Route For Your Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Visit

Route 1: Palatine Hill - Roman Forum - Colosseum

Although a less conventional way to explore these landmarks, this route has clear advantages. The biggest one is shorter wait times at Palatine Hill, which is typically less crowded than the other two sites. Starting here helps you avoid longer waits at the Colosseum later in the day. Many of the hop-on hop-off buses also stop near both the Colosseum and the Palatine Hill entrance, making this a convenient starting point.

  • Explore the hill and visit the Palatine Museum
  • Continue to the Roman Forum and enjoy sweeping views of the ruins as you descend
  • Use the exit gate near the Colosseum to make your way to the amphitheatre

If you’re visiting all three sites in one day, this route helps you reach the Colosseum closer to closing time, when crowds are typically lower.

Route 2: Colosseum - Roman Forum - Palatine Hill

If you prefer a classic, structured route, starting with the Colosseum is a natural choice. Plan ahead and book your timed entry or guided tours in advance to avoid long waits at the entrance.

  • Explore the different levels of the Colosseum, including areas like the Underground and upper tiers (when included)
  • Continue to the Roman Forum. The walk from the Colosseum entrance can take a few minutes, but once inside, you’ll see the remains of ancient government buildings and public spaces from early Rome
  • End at Palatine Hill for sweeping views over the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the city

Don’t miss the Palatine Museum, where you can explore artifacts and learn about the hill’s history, dating back to early prehistoric settlements.

Route 3: Walking In Nero's Footsteps: Palatine Hill - Valley of Colosseum - Oppian Hill

This route is not recommended for those who wish to visit all three sites, and is meant for those who wish to gain an insight into Nero’s architectural vision.

  1. The route starts off at the Neronian Cryptoporticus, an underground passage that was a part of the Domus Tiberiana.
  2. After this head to the Baths of Livia, the first palace built by Nero that extended from the Palatine to the Esquiline.
  3. The next stop on this route is the porticoed room under the Casina Farnese.
  4. You will find a Coenatio rotunda, a brick structure at the northern edge of the Vigna Barberini area on the Palatine Hill.
  5. From the northern offshoots of Vigna Barberini, you can enjoy unparalleled views of the Colosseum Valley.
  6. Finish off the tour at Oppian Hill Park, an archeological park, where you will find the ruins of Domus Aurea.

Frequently asked questions about Colosseum routes

Since most Colosseum access also grant access to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, a time-saving way to cover these sites is to start at the Palatine Hill, which usually sees the least amount of crowds. From Palatine Hill, move on to the Roman Forum, and finally end your tour at the Colosseum.

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