All you need to know to visit the Colosseum underground and top tier: best tickets + why we believe this is the best way to experience the Roman Colosseum. [Guide updated in March 2026].
I have visited the Colosseum many times and some of the best experience I had there involved access to two unique areas of the amphitheater: the underground area and the so called attic of the Colosseum.
The option of visiting these areas only became available a few years ago and it was a fantastic addition to the classic Colosseum ticket offering which covers the general areas.
The underground area is the part of the Colosseum under the arena floor: when operational, this part of the Colosseum was used as backstage area, to keep props, animals and gladiators waiting to enter the area.
The ‘Attic’ of the Colosseum is the top tier of the amphitheater so basically the opposite of the underground area! While one allows to learn the inner workings of the Colosseum from its underbelly, the other offers birdie views of the Colosseum as a whole.
The attic of the Colosseum is one of the most beautiful viewing spots in the whole of Rome.
Need to know! At present, there is NO ticket that allows entrance to both these areas. This option existed in the past, but now the Colosseum is divided into different areas, each with a different ticket. Tickets for the underground and attic are available separately from one another. I recommend underground if you are interested in facts and the inner workings of the Colosseum; I recommend attic is you prefer a spectacular viewpoint (must not be afraid of heights)
This is all you need to know to buy tickets for a tour of the Colosseum underground area and top tier, and why we believe this is the best way to enjoy and visit the Colosseum.
Please note: this post contains affiliate links and, should you make a purchase through them, we might make a small commission.
How to buy tickets for the Colosseum underground area and top tier
At present, there is no combined ticket for both the underground and the top tier directly from the Colosseum website. Access must therefore be purchased separately.
The official links to book Colosseum tickets form the official site are:
>> Entry ticket with access to arena and underground area (no tour)
>> Entry ticket with access to arena and underground area (with tour)
>> Entry ticket with access to the attico (no tour)
When to book colosseum underground and attico tickets
Colosseum tickets are released 30 days ahead at 8.30 am Rome time, then again on a weekly basis.
If you don’t find the tickets you want straight away, I recommend you bookmark the page and go back regularly for updates.
The official website is http://ticketing.colosseo.it
Best budget-friendly Colosseum tour
Parco Colosseo – this is the official Colosseum ticket concession and the cheapest way to get a guided tour of the Colosseum.
This tour includes the underground area, arena level and second floor, where you also find a well laid out exhibition about the history of the Colosseum.
The link to book direct is >>> Entry ticket with access to arena and underground area (with tour)
The guided tour and you get an in person guide who will guide you and give explanations on what you are seeing. This is a standard guided tour and, I believe, the best value.
The tours are led by experienced guides, are offered in several languages and are excellent.
I am a Roman history graduate and pretty fussy about my guides, and I could not fault them.
The tours start from the back entrance of the Colosseum, operate on a time slot system and must be booked in advance, which means there is not queuing, aside from the short delay for security checks (you will need to open your bags for checks, its only takes a minute)
The tour is suitable for most visitors including families with kids who are able to follow a standard guided tour. You can buy tickets here.
Other Colosseum underground and top tier tours
Getting tickets to the underground areas of the Colosseum is exceptionally hard as demand outdoes supply.
This difficulty applies to individual buyers like you and me, but also to tour operators, and it is very common to hear stories of people who trusted operators who promised tickets and then cancelled last minute when unable to secure them.
The best way to protect yourself from this situation is by buying direct from the official website or be in close contact with reliable operators who can tell you honesty if they can / cannot secure what you are after.
Always keep an eye on notifications you may receive from you operator, should they entail a chance of plans (in that case, there is usually a refund involved for the missed area and the rest of the tour goes ahead as promised)
At present, the only tour of the attic I could find is this one:
Need to know: all tour providers must get tickets from the official concession and must provide the exact names of the tour participants at the time of booking. Your ID will be checked upon entering the Colosseum.
What to expect on a tour of the Colosseum with underground / attic
The last few times I visited the Colosseum with this option was via the Parco Colosseo website.
The very first time was with a comprehensive tour now no more in existence; the following times I went with the official tour, with the audioguide and in my own time to the attic.
I found the tours excellent, especially those with an actual live guide.
This is what to expect on a Colosseum full experience tour.
Colosseum underground area
The underground area of the Colosseum is the area of the theater below the arena floor.
Access to the Underground area of the Colosseum is via ramps or lift/elevator, and poses no difficulties.
As you arrive at the main Colosseum entrance, you are shown the meeting point relevant to your tour and you are met by your guide/staff member through the entrance leading you to the lower area of the Colosseum first.
Soon, you find yourself in the belly of the theater and what you see is simply wonderful.
Here, you can appreciate how massive the structure really is, you can see the inner workings of the theater including how the sewage would have worked and you will see where the animals and gladiators would have gotten ready to perform.
The highlight of this part of the tour is likely to be the animal lift.
This is a modern replica of the real thing but it is just how it would have been in ancient times.
The lift/elevator was manually operated and would have been the machine that allowed theater props and wild animals to reach the arena.
If you consider wild animals including exotic beasts as big as tigers and elephants, you can see how this is a machine not to be missed!
It is an incredible vantage point!
The underground area of the Colosseum is cooler than the arena as it is in the shade however, it is not claustrophobic as it is not really underground: it is under the stage BUT they removed the stage in that part for light, visit and safety reasons so you are in the open air most of the time.
You do not find yourself in small tunnels and there is a lot of air and natural light coming in, meaning this area is suitable also for people who don’t love enclosed spaces and kids.
The Colosseum arena area
After the underground area, you normally emerge on the main arena area.
The arena floor was the stage and where gladiators and animals would have fought and it is a great vantage point to see how the Colosseum amphitheater was conceived.
From here, you can see all the seating, so numerous and high you’d struggle to take in its size, and your guide will use this time to explain where the Emperor would have sat and where you could have has the women, the senators are the slaves.
In this part of the visit, you learn most of your fun facts about the Colosseum and Roman society in general.
From here, you can also peek down to the underground area and what used to be under the stage, the tunnels you have just walked in the first part of the tour!
Good to know: the sun is very strong in this part of the Colosseum so if you are visiting in summer, make sure you have a sunhat and sunscreen.
From here, you also have access to the steps leading you to the second tier, above the arena.
This floor is scenic, as if offers beautiful views both onto the inside and the outside of the theater and it is also home to a nicely laid out exhibition about the history of the Colosseum.
The exhibition has an interesting reconstruction of the Colosseum as it used to be and interesting artifacts that tell us the story of the (many) uses the Colosseum went through during the course of the centuries.
The Colosseum upper tier, the attico
The third and final stop of the Colosseum underground and upper tier tour is the top ring of the Colosseum.
This is the most scenic part of the Colosseum and one I believe should not be missed.
Access is via a series of steps, so this part of the Colosseum is a little harder to reach if you have mobility issues or are visiting the Colosseum with kids and it is not accessible via ramps – please do take this into account if mobility is an issue.
At the top of the stairs, you find wonderful viewing terraces overlooking both inside and outside the Colosseum and your guide will make the most of the opportunity to point at Rome landmarks you can spot from here, including the San Giovanni’s Basilica and the Temple of Venus.
In terms of visual impact, this is by far the most beautiful part of the Colosseum.
The area is pretty high up so you may not be happy here if you have a fear of heights, however, there are several areas that are not exposed so I feel unless you are severely acrophobic, you will be able to enjoy it!
What to pack for visiting the Colosseum top tier and underground area
You don’t need special equipment or attire for this visit however, I recommend you:
- wear comfortable shoes with rubber sole, to help you stay safe on uneven surfaces and steps
- leave home bulky bags, which can cause delays and problems at security checks
- bring a sun hat and sunscreen if visiting in the height of summer
Visiting the Colosseum top floor and underground area with kids
The underground of the Colosseum is fantastic for kids, who are sure to love the lift and the stories about the wild animals.
The main arena area and underground tier are stroller accessible while the top tier is not.
I recommend you bring a carrier for the day or a compact stroller you can carry on your shoulder up the (short) flight of stairs up to the top tier.
I hope you enjoyed this quick overview of why and how to visit the Colosseum underground and top tier level, and why we believe it is the best way to visit the Colosseum. Safe planning!
A visit to the Colosseum is on our top ten of the best things to do in Rome.