Hello fellow travelers! Travel always seems to give us reasons to practice our Yoga breathing! It’s time to put on your Patient Hat–especially when visiting Rome…and the Colosseum.
Please be advised that due to new mandatory security regulations every visitor must wait in a security line prior to entering the Colosseum. For safety reasons the Colosseum can accommodate a maximum of 3,000 people at once and every visitor must pass through a metal detector. The Colosseum previously instituted security changes disallowing all large backpacks, suitcases, trolleys, and large purses. Why lug these things around with you all day, anyway! Sightsee light.
These new measures, and the fact that there is only one metal detector at the museum, are causing long delays at the entrance to the site, even for pre-booked visitors.
Who is affected by the new security regulations?
Every visitor. Including regular and ‘Skip the line’ ticket holders and visitors who booked a guided tour.
What are the wait times to enter the site?
The wait times vary from about 1 hr 30 min to 2 hrs, however, it is likely the average time could go up as we enter high season. Saturday and Sunday currently experience the longest wait times.
Should you skip the Colosseum?
No Way! Just plan accordingly. If you’d wait in line for a table at the hottest restaurant in town, or for the newest and fastest roller coaster, or for Black Friday Deals, or to shop ANY day at Home Goods, you should wait to see the Colosseum.
With more than 6 million visits in 2015, the Colosseum is Rome’s most visited attraction and travelers who want to visit the interior of the site should take into consideration the long wait times and plan their visit accordingly. Just remember–you are in Rome!! You made it!! And perhaps be thankful you didn’t enter the premises near the Lions den at the bottom in the day of the Caesars!
