Disappointing photos show what it was really like to visit the Colosseum in Rome

Joey HaddenJul 24, 2024, 03:04 IST

Business Insider's reporter expected a less crowded experience at the Colosseum.Maria Szymczyk/EyeEm/Getty Images, Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I visited the historic and iconic Colosseum in Rome for the first time in October 2022.
I found the reality of visiting the popular attraction in Italy didn't match my expectations.

When I visited the Colosseum in Rome for the first time, I wanted to experience stunning views that would transport me to the past.

This was in October 2022 during a two-week train trip through Italy, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

When I booked my trip, I started looking up Colosseum posts on Instagram and found several photos of people touring — seemingly alone — around the gigantic historic structure. To me, these photos looked quiet and peaceful, and I wanted to have a similar experience.

Although the Colosseum is one of the most popular attractions in Rome, it has a capacity of 3,000 visitors at a time, The Washington Post reported in 2021. "So, how crowded could it really be?" I wondered.

Turns out — incredibly.

The Colosseum is a 2,000-year-old amphitheater in Rome that once hosted gladiatorial games. It's also one of the most popular tourist attractions in Europe.

The author visits the Colosseum in Rome for the first time in October 2022.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I booked a "skip-the-line" ticket that would allow me to enter the popular attraction without waiting behind thousands of other tourists.

Tourists at the Colosseum in June 2022.Riccardo De Luca/AGF/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Once inside, I figured there would be plenty of room to explore the nearly 6-acre space at my leisure.

A panoramic view of the Colosseum in Rome.Giuseppe Greco/Getty Images

But even with purchasing a skipping-the-line service, I was disappointed to find that long lines were unavoidable. There was no escaping the crowds of tourists.

Tourists crowd the Colosseum during the author's visit in October 2022.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

While I felt completely in awe of how massive the structure was, the environment felt more like a tourist trap to me.

Crowds inside the Colosseum in Rome in October 2022.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

As I approached the Colosseum and encountered more tourists, I suspected my experience wouldn't be as stress-free as I had hoped.

Crowds near the Colosseum's entrance in October 2022.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Upon arrival, I had to find a black flag next to the Arch of Constantine, another historical landmark near the Colosseum. But the piazza was so crowded that it felt like a game of "Where's Waldo."

People crowd the Arch of Constantine in October 2022.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Upon arrival, I had to find a black flag next to the Arch of Constantine, another historical landmark near the Colosseum. But the piazza was so crowded that it felt like a game of "Where's Waldo."

Luckily, I found the small black flag just in time for my scheduled entry time, but not without a bit of stress first.

The author finds her tour group and retrieves her ticket.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Once inside, I had to go to the bathroom, where I found people shoving and cutting each other in line. I was shocked when someone pushed me into a stall, and it soured my experience.

A line for the bathroom (L) and crowds inside the Colosseum (R) in Rome in October 2022.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Once inside, I had to go to the bathroom, where I found people shoving and cutting each other in line. I was shocked when someone pushed me into a stall, and it soured my experience.

After my half-hour ordeal of waiting to use the bathroom, I finally got to see the epic view of the arena inside the Colosseum's walls ... sort of.

People wait to take pictures in front of the arena in October 2022.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

At each viewpoint, I waited in line for five to 10 minutes to see the arena for what felt like 15 seconds before people rushed up to take my place.

People take pictures in front of the arena in October 2022.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

When I had my turn to stand on the edge overlooking the arena, I noticed the Colosseum was under restoration, which wasn't the most stunning view.

Construction on the Colosseum in October 2022.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Exhibits about the structure's history were just as packed as the viewpoints, and I quickly gave up trying to view them.

Crowds around the Colosseum's exhibits in October 2022.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The four-story structure also offered views of surrounding sites, but those areas were just as crowded.

People take photos of ancient Roman sites in October 2022.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I still want my quiet moment to walk the Colosseum floor and feel like a gladiator myself. Next time, I'll visit Rome during the winter for a quieter experience with fewer crowds.

The author visits the Colosseum in Rome for the first time in October 2022.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I still want my quiet moment to walk the Colosseum floor and feel like a gladiator myself. Next time, I'll visit Rome during the winter for a quieter experience with fewer crowds.

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Disappointing photos show what it was really like to visit the Colosseum in Rome

The Colosseum is a 2,000-year-old amphitheater in Rome that once hosted gladiatorial games. It's also one of the most popular tourist attractions in Europe.

I booked a "skip-the-line" ticket that would allow me to enter the popular attraction without waiting behind thousands of other tourists.

Once inside, I figured there would be plenty of room to explore the nearly 6-acre space at my leisure.

But even with purchasing a skipping-the-line service, I was disappointed to find that long lines were unavoidable. There was no escaping the crowds of tourists.

While I felt completely in awe of how massive the structure was, the environment felt more like a tourist trap to me.

As I approached the Colosseum and encountered more tourists, I suspected my experience wouldn't be as stress-free as I had hoped.

Upon arrival, I had to find a black flag next to the Arch of Constantine, another historical landmark near the Colosseum. But the piazza was so crowded that it felt like a game of "Where's Waldo."

Luckily, I found the small black flag just in time for my scheduled entry time, but not without a bit of stress first.

Once inside, I had to go to the bathroom, where I found people shoving and cutting each other in line. I was shocked when someone pushed me into a stall, and it soured my experience.

After my half-hour ordeal of waiting to use the bathroom, I finally got to see the epic view of the arena inside the Colosseum's walls ... sort of.

At each viewpoint, I waited in line for five to 10 minutes to see the arena for what felt like 15 seconds before people rushed up to take my place.

When I had my turn to stand on the edge overlooking the arena, I noticed the Colosseum was under restoration, which wasn't the most stunning view.

Exhibits about the structure's history were just as packed as the viewpoints, and I quickly gave up trying to view them.

The four-story structure also offered views of surrounding sites, but those areas were just as crowded.

I still want my quiet moment to walk the Colosseum floor and feel like a gladiator myself. Next time, I'll visit Rome during the winter for a quieter experience with fewer crowds.