You have booked your flights for a Rome city break – how exciting! Since you only have a few days in this popular city, you are going to have to create an itinerary. You want to ensure you see all of the popular tourist sights when you are there and leave feeling happy with your city break.

One place that is bound to be on your list is the Colosseum. It is the largest amphitheater in the world, finished in 80 AD. There are some brutal stories about the place, and most people are familiar with the gladiator battles here. But, there is so much left to learn about.

You might be debating whether to go for general admission or a Colosseum tour. Generally, people that are going for a short city break prefer a tour. But, let’s take a look at the options and figure it out for your vacation.

Colosseum Tour

First, you must consider booking a Colosseum tour. While this will be the most expensive option, it also offers many benefits that tourists love. In particular, you get to learn more about the history of the Colosseum, which you cannot do on your own. Tour guides take you around specified locations, educating you on stories and facts about the amphitheater. It is fascinating to dive into Ancient Rome and figure out about the gladiator battles and entertainment that happened here.

Moreover, a Colosseum tour condenses all of the important information into a few hours. You can see everything from the Arena floor to the different tiers, absorbing all of the facts. You simply listen to your guide and can ask questions. Generally, people agree that the experience is more fulfilling this way.

Let’s not forget that certain areas of the Colosseum are not available with general admission. For example, the underground area is off-limits, and you must have a tour in order to see this space. You should remember this, and if it interests you, you are better off booking a tour. Some of the upper tiers are also off-limits too. For example, What a Life Tours offers this option for you to enjoy. You can book Roman Colosseum underground tours, which allow you exclusive access. With experienced guides and competitive prices, you can have a great time visiting this popular attraction.

Something you should also realise is that the lines to the Colosseum can be long. This is particularly true if you are going during the summer. You can wait hours to get in. Thankfully, some tours allow you to skip this line. It saves you time, and can make a more enjoyable experience.

General Admission

With general admission, you still need to purchase a ticket. The difference is that you can take yourself around the Colosseum without a tour guide. Some people prefer this approach if they want to view their favorite parts independently. There are signs you can read at this attraction, which allows a self-guided approach. What’s more, there is information online that allows you to learn before you go.

Something to note is that areas will be restricted with general admission. You can only access the first and second floors of the Colosseum. Again, tours have more privileges, allowing you to explore the underground and the top tiers. If this is going to be more interesting to you, you are better off booking a tour in advance. Always read the information on the tour so you know what you are getting.

General admission can be a better option if you have a strict time schedule. Often, people are able to tour by themselves in around an hour. You have the freedom to decide how long you want to be at each area for. Some areas might interest you more than others and you can accommodate this.

If you are on a budget for your city break, this might be another reason to consider general admission. You will pay less for a ticket since some tours can be expensive. Thus, if you are watching your money, this can be a way to go around Rome without spending too much.

What is the Best Option for a City Break?

Now you have explored each of the options. But, if you still cannot decide what option is going to be best for a city break, here is a summary. If you are someone that wants to learn and get the most out of an experience, you can benefit from booking a tour. You can learn facts that are not well-known and hear stories from Ancient Rome. The tour guide makes it easier to absorb all of this information and really make the most of your experience.

One of the huge advantages of booking a tour is the fact that you can access all areas. There are many that are exclusive and general admission will not let you in. So, if you want to ensure you see all of the cool areas of the amphitheater, a tour will allow you to do this. What’s more, certain tickets can allow you to skip the long line, which can save you time on your city break.

But, this is not to say that you should rule out general admission. There are some people that might prefer this option when they are on a short city break. You can guide yourself around the Colosseum, skipping any parts that do not interest you. Indeed, you can condense the tour to make it as long as you want. So, if you do not have long to explore, this can be a good way to do it. What’s more, if you are on a budget, general admission is going to be cheap.

Think carefully about what type of experience you want to have on your city break. If you want to learn and immerse yourself in history, consider booking a tour. If you are on a strict time schedule and want to save money, you might be better off selecting general admission.