07/05/2026
I read through the comments on my earlier Rome, Italy walking tours, and one theme stood out: viewers wanted to see more ruins and fewer streets and churches.
So, this time around, I planned a Rome walk focused much more on ancient Rome. I started at the newly reopened Belvedere Cederna, looking out over the Colosseum, and then spent the day filming the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Altar of the Fatherland, and the area around Piazza del Campidoglio.
Here are a few things I learned:
- I had an 11:15 AM time slot for the Colosseum. Even though there was a long line of people waiting to get in, once it was my entry time, I was able to go to the front of the line.
- You will not be able to purchase a ticket online outside of ticket office hours. I bought my ticket to the Colosseum online (https://colosseo.it/en/tickets/24h-colosseum-roman-forum-and-palatine/) before I flew to Italy, but I had to wait until midnight to do it.
- The standard ticket costs €18 and gives access to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. The better option, though, may be the Full Experience ticket, which costs €24. Depending on the version you buy, it gives access to either the underground area or the third level of the Colosseum. What I did not realize is that it also gives access to additional sites inside the Roman Forum. You can see the extra sites included with the Full Experience ticket in the photo above.
- I would recommend booking the earliest Colosseum time slot possible. Even at 11:15 AM, it was already so crowded inside that it was difficult to move in some areas.
- Belvedere Cederna can be reached from a ramp near the Colosseo metro stop, or by taking the steps next to the Tourist Information Center.
After filming the day walk, I went back out and filmed an evening walk as well.
Final step count for the day: 36,266.
