I’ve spent years wandering Rome’s backstreets and staring up at the Colosseum, and I still catch myself stopping short every time I round that corner from the Metro. The sheer scale of it — 50,000 spectators once packed those tiers — hits you differently when you’re standing on the new marble slabs that mark where the original columns stood. A recent restoration project recreated parts of those columns, which once towered up to 165 feet high along the arena’s exterior arcades, using travertine marble from the same quarries the ancient Romans used. That kind of continuity is what makes this city feel less like a museum and more like a conversation across centuries.
The restoration received 160,000 euros from Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan, in addition to annual Colosseum Archaeological Park funds.
This guide covers the practical side of seeing both the Colosseum and Florence’s Duomo — how to plan your time, what the restoration work means for your visit, and where the crowds actually concentrate. I’ll also point out a few things that surprised me, including one logistical headache that caught Michael off guard on our last trip together.
You can see both the Colosseum and the Duomo in a single trip, but don’t try to do them on the same day — the high-speed train between Rome and Florence runs about 1.5 hours each way, and both sites demand at least half a day each. The Colosseum’s new piazza restoration is worth a look, but the real bottleneck is ticketing: the official online slot for 8:15 a.m. entry is the only way around the queue that wraps past the Ognissanti church by 9 a.m. in July.
Rome and Florence: two cities, one itinerary
First-time visitors to Italy
History and architecture enthusiasts
Travellers with 5–7 days
Rome and Florence sit roughly 280 kilometres apart, connected by high-speed rail that makes the trip in about 1 hour 30 minutes on trains like Italo and Trenitalia’s Frecciarossa. That proximity means you can base yourself in one city and day-trip to the other, though I’d recommend at least two nights in each to avoid feeling rushed.
The honest tradeoff: both cities are packed with visitors year-round now. Rome’s shoulder seasons have become peak due to heat, and Florence’s historic centre can feel like a single-file corridor between the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio during summer afternoons. If you’re travelling with kids — Lily and Ethan found the crowds around the Duomo’s baptistery overwhelming by 11 a.m. — plan your major sightseeing for early morning or late afternoon.
High-speed train time between Rome Termini and Florence Santa Maria Novella.
emilyinitaly.com
Inside the Colosseum and around the new piazza
The Colosseum’s recent restoration has changed how you approach the monument — literally, because you can now sit where the columns once stood.
The restored piazza and what it reveals
The project focused on a semicircular piazza outside the amphitheater, where Roman spectators once gathered while waiting to pass through the entrances and find their seats. Those structures collapsed over the centuries due to earthquakes and unstable foundations. Now, large marble slabs mark where the columns stood, and you can see reproductions of the Roman numerals that identified seat sections. Italian architect Stefano Boeri, who designed the piazza, told the Associated Press the idea was “to give back to the public the perception of the proportion of the arcades.”
One detail I hadn’t expected: the new metro line beneath the Colosseum has a station where commuters and tourists can stop to look at artifacts unearthed during construction — ceramic vases, buckets, and the ruins of a 1st-century cold plunge pool and thermal bath. It’s free to view and rarely crowded.
Night visits and the selfie factor
The Colosseum at night is a different experience entirely — the floodlighting softens the travertine and the crowds thin out significantly after 7 p.m. On a recent high-profile visit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni took a late-evening walk through the Colosseum, with videos showing them leaning against a railing overlooking Rome’s skyline during sunset. You won’t have that kind of private access, but the evening atmosphere is noticeably calmer.
Book the “Colosseum Underground and Arena Floor” tour for access to the hypogeum — the lift system that raised gladiators and animals into the arena. The 8:30 a.m. slot in summer lets you finish before the heat peaks.
Florence’s Duomo: climbing Brunelleschi’s dome
The Duomo complex in Florence includes the cathedral, baptistery, Giotto’s bell tower, the crypt, and the museum — and each requires a separate ticket or a combined pass.
The climb and the queue
Climbing Brunelleschi’s Dome means 463 steps up a narrow, sloping staircase that gets tighter as you ascend. There’s no lift, and the passage is one-way in sections, so you can’t turn back once you’re committed. The view from the top — across Florence’s red-tiled roofs toward the hills of Fiesole — is the payoff, but the staircase itself is narrow enough that two people can’t pass easily. If you’re claustrophobic or have mobility concerns, the bell tower offers a similar view with slightly wider stairs.
The combined “Brunelleschi Pass” includes access to all monuments in the Piazza del Duomo complex and is valid for 72 hours. It costs around €30 and must be booked online with a time slot for the dome climb. Walk-up tickets are not available for the dome itself.
The Duomo’s facade is free to enter, but the line for the dome climb can stretch to 90 minutes even with a reservation during peak months. The 8:15 a.m. slot is the only one that consistently moves quickly.
The baptistery and the Gates of Paradise
Across from the cathedral, the octagonal baptistery is famous for its bronze doors — the originals are in the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, but the copies on site are detailed enough to appreciate Ghiberti’s panels. The interior mosaic ceiling, particularly the massive Christ in Judgment, is often overlooked by visitors rushing toward the dome. It’s included in the Brunelleschi Pass and takes about 20 minutes to see properly.
Planning your visit: tickets, timing, and transport
Both sites have specific ticketing systems that reward advance planning and punish spontaneity.
| Detail | Colosseum | Florence Duomo |
|---|---|---|
| Official ticket site | Coop Culture / Parco Colosseo | Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore |
| Standard entry price | €18 (includes Roman Forum & Palatine Hill) | Free for cathedral; Brunelleschi Pass ~€30 |
| Best time slot | 8:15 a.m. or after 4 p.m. | 8:15 a.m. for dome climb |
| Average visit duration | 2–3 hours | 1.5–2 hours (dome climb + baptistery) |
| Bag restrictions | No bags >35x30x15 cm | No large backpacks inside cathedral |
Getting between Rome and Florence
The high-speed train is the most efficient option. Roma Termini to Firenze Santa Maria Novella runs roughly hourly, with both Italo and Trenitalia Frecciarossa services. Prices vary from €20 to €60 depending on how far in advance you book. The train station in Florence is a 10-minute walk from the Duomo, making it easy to drop bags at a hotel near the station before heading to the piazza.
Driving between the two cities is possible via the A1 autostrada, but parking in Florence’s historic centre is restricted by ZTL (limited traffic zones) that operate from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays. Fines are issued automatically by camera, and rental car companies pass them on with an admin fee. If you’re driving, park at the Villa Costanza tram stop outside Florence and take the tram into the centre.
When the crowds are worst
July and August are the most crowded months at both sites, with the Colosseum seeing up to 25,000 visitors per day. The combination of heat and queues can make the experience feel more like crowd management than sightseeing. April, May, September, and October offer milder weather and slightly shorter lines, though weekends remain busy. The Colosseum is open year-round except January 1 and December 25; the Duomo complex closes on major religious holidays.
The Colosseum’s new metro station (Colosseo on Line B) puts you directly at the piazza. The station itself displays archaeological finds from the construction — ceramic vases, a cold plunge pool — so budget an extra 15 minutes to browse before you head upstairs.
What to pack and how to dress
Both sites have dress codes and practical requirements that catch travellers off guard.
Church dress code at the Duomo
Florence’s cathedral enforces a strict dress code: shoulders and knees must be covered for both men and women. This applies even if you’re only entering the cathedral for a few minutes to see the dome from inside. I’ve seen people turned away at the door in tank tops and shorts, even in August. A lightweight scarf or shawl works as a cover-up, and a pair of lightweight travel pants is more comfortable than jeans in the heat.
Footwear for the climb
The 463 steps up Brunelleschi’s Dome are uneven, sloping, and worn smooth in places. Sandals with no grip are a bad idea — I watched someone slip on the marble steps near the top and have to sit down for ten minutes. A pair of walking shoes with good grip makes a real difference, especially on the descent where the stairs narrow and the handrail is on one side only.
Bag policy at the Colosseum
The Colosseum does not allow bags larger than 35x30x15 cm inside. There’s no luggage storage on site, so if you’re travelling between cities with a suitcase, you’ll need to use a left-luggage service at Roma Termini or a nearby hotel. A small crossbody bag is ideal for carrying your phone, wallet, and a water bottle without triggering the size restriction.
- Book Colosseum and Duomo dome tickets online at least two weeks ahead during peak season — same-day tickets are rarely available.
- Wear covered shoulders and knees for the Duomo, and bring a small bag that fits the Colosseum’s size limit.
- Use high-speed rail between Rome and Florence rather than driving to avoid ZTL fines and parking costs.
Your questions about Rome’s Colosseum and Florence’s Duomo
Can I see the Colosseum and Duomo in one day?
Technically yes, but I wouldn’t recommend it. The train takes 1.5 hours each way, and both sites need at least two hours each. You’d spend more time commuting than sightseeing.
If you’re set on a single day, take the 6:30 a.m. train from Rome, visit the Colosseum at 8:15 a.m., then catch the 12:30 p.m. train to Florence for a 2 p.m. dome climb. You’ll be tired, but it’s doable.
Is the Colosseum restoration finished?
The piazza restoration is complete — the marble slabs and column markers are in place. The arena itself continues to undergo conservation work, but the main viewing areas and underground chambers are open.
The tradeoff is that some sections of the upper tiers remain closed during restoration phases. Check the official Parco Colosseo site before booking to see which areas are accessible during your visit.
Do I need a guide for the Colosseum?
Not required, but a guided tour gives you access to the hypogeum (underground chambers) and the arena floor, which are off-limits with a standard ticket. The difference is significant — you walk where gladiators walked.
Without a guide, you can still see the main arena and the Roman Forum with a standard ticket. The audio guide costs €6 and covers the basics well enough.
What’s the best time of year to visit both?
April, May, September, and October offer the best balance of mild weather and manageable crowds. July and August are hot and packed, with the Colosseum seeing up to 25,000 visitors daily.
Winter (November–February) has shorter queues and lower prices, but the dome climb can be cold and windy at the top, and daylight hours are limited.
Is the Duomo climb worth it if I’m afraid of heights?
The staircase is enclosed for most of the climb, so you don’t see the drop until you reach the top. The final section is an open balcony with railings, but it’s narrow and crowded.
If heights bother you, the bell tower (Giotto’s Campanile) has wider stairs and a similar view, though it’s also 414 steps. The baptistery and museum are ground-level alternatives that don’t require climbing.
Standing on the Colosseum’s new piazza, watching the evening light catch the travertine columns that were rebuilt from the same quarry the Romans used, I thought about how strange it is that a 2,000-year-old building can still feel unfinished — still being argued over, restored, and reimagined. That’s the thing about Rome and Florence: they’re not frozen in time. They’re still being built, one restoration at a time. If you want to dig deeper into planning your trip, I’ve written more about the best views from the Square Colosseum and how to navigate the city’s rhythms without burning out.
Sources and further reading
Rome Colosseum Restoration Columns 2026. Town & Country, 2026.
PM Modi, Meloni in Rome: Car ride, dinner and Colosseum visit ahead of talks. Times of India, 2026.
Colosseum selfies and Melody toffee: Modi visits Rome. The Peninsula Qatar, 2026.