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Where are you going?
Where are you going?
Verified Writer
Rome, Italy
4.98(1839)
15 Guests Max
3 hrs
Flexible TravelYou don’t have to come to Rome to visit a beautifully preserved Roman amphitheatre. Across the former territory of the Roman Empire — from Britain to North Africa, and Spain to Syria — more than 230 Roman amphitheatres still rise from city centres, deserts, and coastal hillsides: some remarkably intact, others significantly weathered by time.
Map of Roman Amphitheatres across the Roman Empire
These arenas once hosted gladiatorial combat, wild animal hunts, and — most alien to our modern sensibilities — public executions. Today, many are still places where crowds gather to watch more humane cultural spectacles, from opera performances under the stars to contemporary music festivals.
This article covers some of the most interesting Roman amphitheatres from across the Roman Empire, whether for the state of their preservation or the stories we have from them. If this list speaks to your inner history nerd, consider visiting Rome’s Colosseum with Carpe Diem Tours. Nothing beats seeing it with a guide who brings the place to life.
Now, let’s go beyond Rome as we explore the remnants across its Empire.
The northern Italian city of Verona is better known for medieval stories than for its Roman history, not least because its most famous site is the so-called Balcony of Juliet, the ill-fated young lover immortalised in Shakespeare’s tragedy. But Verona is home to an amphitheatre that not just predates the Colosseum but outshines it in its remarkable state of preservation.
Built during the reign of the emperor Tiberius around 30 AD, the Verona Arena is one of the earliest large amphitheatres of the Imperial era. Scholars estimate it could accommodate around 22,000 spectators, just a couple of thousand short of the Premier League’s Selhurst Park stadium in London.
Roman Amphitheatre of Verona, Italy
Verona’s amphitheatre is exceptionally well preserved in its core structure. While parts of the outer ring were damaged over the centuries, major restoration beginning in the 16th century helped secure its survival, and the Arena’s shape remains instantly legible: oval tiers, grand entrances, and sweeping stone seating that still feels engineered for drama.
And drama is exactly what you get. Since 1913, the Arena has hosted the world-famous Arena di Verona Opera Festival, which has hosted household names like Luciano Pavarotti and Maria Callas.
Croatia’s Pula Arena is one of the largest and most impressive amphitheatres on the Adriatic Coast. Built early in the Roman Empire, between the reigns of Augustus and Nero (27 BC and 68 AD), it’s a monumental reminder that Roman architecture was designed not just to function, but to dominate the skyline.
Roman amphitheatre in Pula, Croatia
In antiquity, the arena could hold up to around 23,000 spectators, but what makes it truly exceptional is its state of preservation. Pula still retains its full circuit of outer walls, something almost no other Roman amphitheatre — including the Colosseum — can claim. You can appreciate just by looking at them how effectively crowds could flow in and out during games.
After the Fall of the Western Roman Empire, the amphitheatre was repurposed as a fortification, a quarry, and even as a grazing ground for livestock. In recent times, it has undergone a resurgence, serving as the focus of the Pula Film Festival since 1954.
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Built around 100 AD, the Arena of Nîmes is among the best preserved amphitheatres from the Roman world, with much of its exterior still standing tall, clean, and surprisingly “complete” for its age.
Roman amphitheatre in Nîmes, France
This is very much in keeping with other Roman remains in Nîmes. This city in southern France is sometimes referred to as the most Roman city outside Italy, as it is home not only to the arena but to the Maison Carrée (a former temple to Augustus’ heirs) and the Pont du Gard — a stunning, and highly innovative stretch of Roman aqueduct.
Pont du Gard, just outside Nimes. Photo credit: Wolfgang Staudt
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The amphitheatre’s original capacity is typically cited in the 20,000–24,000 range, so just a little more than the Premier League team Burnley’s Turf Moor stadium. One reason it remains so intact is that it was never abandoned. Over time, the arena was adapted into a fortress and later used as a kind of enclosed settlement. Enclosing those within prevented the structure from being dismantled for building stone.
Nîmes’ arena still hosts events to this day, especially for the annual Festival of Nîmes.
Built just a decade after the Colosseum in 90 AD, during the reign of the emperor Domitian, the Arles Amphitheatre looks like a Roman arena with a medieval crown. This is no accident. Like the Colosseum in Rome, this amphitheatre was transformed into a fortified complex during the Middle Ages, with towers added around the rim (still visible today).
The Roman Amphitheatre in Arles, France
During the Roman Empire, Arles could hold over 20,000 spectators, and like many arenas of the empire, it was a stage for spectacle: gladiators, hunts, and big public entertainment. Today, the amphitheatre is used for a series of public spectacles, including bullfighting during the Feria d’Arles.
Few Roman amphitheatres can compare to the one in the Tunisian city of El Djem. Built around 238 AD, right at the beginning of what historians call the Crisis of the Third Century, this amphitheatre of the ancient settlement of Thysdrus is among the largest in the Roman world, with an estimated capacity of about 35,000 spectators.
El Djem Amphitheatre in Tunisia
It’s also one of the best preserved Roman stone ruins anywhere. One reason it’s so striking is its scale combined with isolation. Instead of being hemmed in by modern buildings, like Rome’s Colosseum or Verona’s Arena, El Djem rises from the landscape like a monolith hewn in stone.
Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an unforgettable stop for travellers who love Roman history with fewer crowds than Italy or France.
Carthage’s amphitheatre isn’t the best preserved in terms of standing walls. However it may be one of the most haunting in terms of historical weight. We have surprisingly few authors from the ancient world who describe what went on inside a Roman amphitheatre in any detail. But one we do have, a late third-century Christian called Tertullian, writes about two sinister figures — Mercury and Dis Pater — who appeared on the arena sands as what I have termed the grim reapers of the Roman arena.
Carthage amphitheatre as it survives today
The amphitheatre in Carthage was built at the end of the 1st century or beginning of the 2nd century, and was in use by 133 – 139 AD. This marks almost 300 years since the Romans had sown salt into the earth around Carthage, once Rome’s great enemy, before colonizing the city and settling it with Romans. Academics believe it held perhaps 30,000 spectators before expansions in the 3rd century, making its capacity the same as the Premier League’s Molineux Stadium — home to my beloved Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Today, the amphitheatre survives in a more fragmentary, archaeological form. But, like the entire archaeological site of Carthage, and others around Tunisia, it rewards travellers who like their ancient sites big, complex, and deeply tied to world history.
Ancient Rome wasn’t just marble temples and Mediterranean sunshine. It was also frontier towns, legions, and life along the empire’s edges. The Aquincum Military Amphitheatre in Budapest captures that side of the story perfectly.
Built around 145 AD, during the reign of the remarkably boring emperor Antoninus Pius (seriously, find me four interesting facts about him and this job is yours), this amphitheatre served a Roman military settlement on the Danube frontier. It had a capacity of roughly 10,000–13,000 spectators: smaller than the Mediterranean giants, but still a major venue for a provincial outpost.
Military Roman amphitheatre in Budapest, Hungary
Close-up of stonework of Aquincum Amphitheatre in Budapest
Its remains show how Roman amphitheatres adapted to place: built for function and durability, with seating supported by surrounding earthworks rather than monumental stone walls alone.
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And if all roads still lead to Rome… there’s no better way to experience the greatest amphitheatre on Earth than with a guide who helps you see beyond the ruins.
➡️ Want to do the Colosseum properly? Check out our Colosseum tours
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Rome, ItalyReady to travel back in time to experience the might of the Roman Empire? Our small-group Colosseum guided tour lets you step straight into ancient Rome, no time machines (or long lines) required. With timed -entry and fast-track access and an expert licensed guide, you’ll breeze past the queues and straight into the jaw-dropping world of emperors, gladiators, and ancient stories that will stick with you forever.
We’ll start our 3-hour adventure at the Colosseum, Rome’s most famous amphitheatre and the site of some of the most bloody public spectacles in history. Your guide will reveal the story and secrets behind this impressive monument and provide answers to your burning questions:
The answers might surprise you, but not more than the exclusive above-the-arena views that offer a new perspective of the Eternal City.
After your immersive Colosseum tour, we’ll ascend Palatine Hill, Rome's legendary birthplace. It was here that Romulus founded his city, after murdering his brother Remus, and here where the rich and famous of the Roman Republic had their homes. During the time of the Roman Empire, the Palatine Hill was the site of the emperor's palace, royal intrigue, and some of the city's best panoramic views. This is where myths met marble, and emperors ruled with an iron fist.
Then we will head down into the Roman Forum, once the buzzing hub of Roman public life. We’ll wander through the ruins of ancient temples, triumphal arches, and the political stages that shaped the Roman Empire, all brought to life through the expert storytelling of your licensed guide.
With the comfort of a small group, a well-paced itinerary, and the best value for money of any Colosseum tour, this isn’t just a tour, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience through the rise (and fall) of ancient Rome. Spots fill fast, so grab yours and make your Roman holiday legendary.
Travelling with 6 or fewer people? We recommend upgrading to our semi-private tour of Ancient Rome for a more personalised experience. With this semi-private Colosseum tour, you can explore at a more relaxed pace, enjoy a more intimate experience with the people you care about most, and experience the personalised attention of a guide who can answer all of your burning questions.
4.96(2727)
Rome, ItalyThis semi-private tour grants you priority access to ancient Rome's iconic Colosseum Arena floor, recently reopened to the public. Your small group of just 6 people max will steer clear of the crowds, enjoying the dedicated attention from an expert guide. Ask all of your burning questions while you explore the Roman Forum, the Palatine Hill, Colosseum & Arena, and immerse yourself in ancient Rome's most awe-inspiring sites.
With fast-track Colosseum entry, you’ll soar past the regular-ticket crowds, saving time, avoiding stress, and making the most of every moment with the people who matter most to you. After easing through the Colosseum's security check, you'll get straight to exploring the Colosseum's ground floor, passing through Gladiator's Gate and onto the arena floor, a route that gladiators took almost 2,000 years ago.
Your guide will transport you and your small group back nearly 2,000 years to the Colosseum's inaugural games, when more than 50,000 spectators filled the arena to watch gladiator fights, wild animal hunts, and grisly executions on the ground beneath your feet. You'll learn about the height of the Roman Empire and how the Colosseum acted as a main stage for showcasing everything that the empire conquered and captured, from exotic animals to riches, and even people. Discover the secrets of the Colosseum arena, and since there are fewer people in your group, your guide can tailor the information to focus on the questions that intrigue you most, like whether the Colosseum was ever flooded for ship battles, and how much of the Gladiator movie was true!
You'll then continue our journey to the birthplace of ancient Rome: the Palatine Hill. This archaeological wonder is a sight to behold, and a smaller group means more time to explore the ruins of opulent palaces and former settlements from the Iron Age to the 16th century. Plus, you can't beat the views!
Get your camera ready and take in the stunning cityscape before descending to the Roman Forum, the beating heart of the ancient City. It's here where your guide will tell you tales of laws, courts, and speeches that shaped Western culture. See the spot where Julius Caesar was cremated as Mark Antony whipped up the crowds into a frenzy against his assassins. Tread the cobbles of the Via Sacra (the Ancient Way) where triumphant generals rode their chariots in celebration of defeating Rome's enemies in battle. Stand beneath the triumphant arches of Titus and Septimius Severus, each of which tells a fascinating story about power and corruption.
There's a reason why visiting ancient Rome is on everyone's bucket list, so why not make the most of it with a semi-private tour, designed for curious travellers searching for a more intimate and personalised experience?
4.95(252)
Rome, ItalyChannel your inner-Maximus as you step out onto the Colosseum arena floor, enjoying exclusive access to this newly reopened section of the world's most famous amphitheatre. Don’t settle for half measures during your time in Rome. Seize the moment—carpe diem—and treat yourself to an immersive Colosseum arena tour with a private expert guide!
Unlike most other tours, this private tour gets you straight inside the Colosseum with timed-entry and out onto the arena floor through the Gladiator’s Gate. This is the route Rome’s gladiators took almost 2,000 years ago. Imagine the scene of them being greeted by the cheers and jeers of 50,000 spectators.
Your expert private guide will transport you back in time to the height of the Roman Empire when Nero’s Golden Palace fell and the Colosseum was constructed in its place. These were times when Rome was ruled by all-powerful emperors (sometimes wise, sometimes wacky), the city was flooded with exotic riches from around the world, and the Colosseum acted as the city’s main stage for showing off the animals and people that Rome had conquered and captured.
Next, we’ll climb the Palatine Hill, where Romulus founded the city. The Palatine Hill is a real archaeological wonder, home to settlements from the Iron Age to the 16th century. Gaze upon such sites as the Hut of Romulus, the houses of Augustus and Livia, and the Imperial Palace, where the emperors in their family engaged in ruling, politicking, and scheming.
The final destination on your Private Colosseum Arena Tour is the Roman Forum. As the beating heart of ancient Rome, the Roman Forum was once a bustling hub of markets, law courts, temples, and more. It was here that Julius Caesar was cremated, here where two disgraced emperors were murdered in 69 AD, and here where Cicero delivered the speeches that shaped western culture for centuries.
At the end of your private tour, feel free to stay and explore the Forum at your own pace.
4.96(237)
Rome, ItalyShort on time but big on curiosity? Our Colosseum Walking Tour is your express pass to ancient Rome, without waiting in queues. In just 1.5 hours we’ll walk the same route once trodden by gladiators and discover the drama, architecture, and daily life of the Roman Empire, all from outside its most legendary landmarks.
We’ll start just outside the Colosseum, where your guide will bring its epic past to life, from bloody battles to groundbreaking Roman engineering. Then, we’ll stroll through the Forum of Augustus, where politics met propaganda, and on to Trajan’s Column, once the empire’s grandest shopping and storytelling space. You’ll hear not just about emperors but also about the shopkeepers, citizens, and stories that represented everyday life in the Ancient City.
For the grand final we’ll enjoy a breathtaking view of the Roman Forum, the true heart of ancient Rome, where religion, power, and public life collided. It’s here where you’ll begin to truly understand the bigger picture of Rome’s rise, rule, and reinvention.
This tour is perfect for travellers who want maximum insight in minimal time, so what are you waiting for?
Book now, and experience the stories, secrets, and sights that shaped the Eternal City, no tickets, no lines, just unforgettable history.
4.95(102)
Rome, ItalyFeed your curiosity as you please your palate on this indulgent Rome Food Tour! There's a reason our tour is multi-award-winning, and it's because we give you an all-access pass to savouring the Eternal City, stress-free. With everything pre-arranged, you’ll bypass the crowds as you taste your way through Rome; no queues, no guesswork—just authentic Roman cuisine. This fun (and filling) food tour gives you and a group of fellow foodies a taste of the city's culinary treasures, from local delicatessens and pizzerias to traditional trattorias and restaurants, you'll try all the authentic spots that the locals keep to themselves but your guide will reveal to you.
Our award-winning Rome food tour takes place in Trastevere, Rome's most traditional medieval neighbourhood. While the area is renowned for its buzzing nightlife and world-class cuisine, just like the rest of Rome, this neighbourhood also has its fair share of tourist traps. That's why we have teamed up with the places that keep to traditions and serve food for locals.
Because holidays are too short to eat badly, right?
This food tour in Rome will treat your tastebuds to at least 10 different tastings (vegetarian options available!) perfectly paired with a selection of local wines or non-alcoholic beverages for sober travellers. Try crispy Roman-style pizza by the slice, savoury supplì, and the best gelato in the city. Experience is more than just simply trying local cuisine, it's a glimpse inside the Roman kitchen—discovering the delicacies, the diet and the cultural dos and don’ts.
While you taste your way through the capital on this food tour; Rome will fully open up as you’ll also discover the process, meet the makers, and truly understand why Italian cuisine is considered the best in the world. So book your spot on our Rome Food Tour today and get ready for a true taste of the capital!
Please note: the places that we visit and the food that we try depend on the season.
Looking for a more intimate local experience with no strangers? We now offer an exclusive semi-private Rome food tour for groups of 6 or fewer.
This is a sustainable tour, meaning part of its profits go towards reforestation and other sustainable projects. We also ask all of our guests to bring a reusable water bottle to refill at one of the water fountains along our route to stay hydrated and help us reduce waste.
**Unfortunately, we can’t accommodate a gluten-free or vegan diet, but we hope to be able to in the future. While we can cater to vegetarians, we ask that you let us know about dietary requirements in advance so we can best suit your needs.**
4.96(3203)
Rome, ItalyThis isn’t your average elementary school pizza party; this is Rome, and we’re turning up the heat! Just ten minutes from the Colosseum, our high-energy cooking class is where pizzas fly and glasses are raised high.
In this dough-lightful evening experience, you’ll toss, top, and toast your way through a night of pizza-making, drink-sipping, and full-on Roman revelry. Ready to make your very own pizza? You’ll get a slice of pizza history from Rome and beyond, and a charismatic local chef will show you how to work the dough like a pro.
Roll, knead, and spread the dough before topping it off with everything your heart desires, except pineapple of course, we've got to stick to the rules. Then, as the dough rises, so does the mood because you'll get a crash course in Italian mixology. Sip on traditional Italian cocktails like Aperol and Hugo Spritz and socialise with your fellow chefs while your pizza bakes to Roman perfection.
Then, when everything is ready, it’s time to eat! You’ll dine like the Italians over a homemade pizza while continuing to sip on a Limoncello Spritz until your heart's content. You know the saying, when life gives you lemons, we turn it into a toast.
Whether you’re coming with friends, your amore, or are ready to make new pizza-loving pals, this isn’t just dinner, it’s a hands-on, wine-filled, flour-dusted party you’ll never forget.
So come hungry, bring your appetite for fun, and let’s raise a glass (and a pizza peel) to the tastiest night of your Roman holiday!
5(234)
Rome, ItalyDiscover the flavours of Rome on our Spritz and Spaghetti Class. Our centrally located kitchen is where you’ll learn everything you need to mix traditional Italian cocktails, and perfect the art of making fresh pasta. This is the only cooking class of its kind in Rome – a perfect blend of food, friends, and tipsy fun. So come join us and see what all the fuss is about!
Our team will welcome you and your small, intimate group with a mixology demo making Italy’s best-loved drink: Aperol Spritz. You’ll then get started on your hands-on pasta-making lesson led by a fun-loving, fluent professional chef before making a Hugo Spritz.
Your professional chef will guide you every step of the way – from kneading the dough to cutting the pasta. You’ll also be making a creamy carbonara sauce to coat your fresh pasta (vegetarians can try out another Roman classic of cacio e pepe). Travelling is all about meeting new people. At the end of this cooking class, you’ll dine on what you’ve made with a glass of Limoncello Spritz to wash it all down.
Book now and start making memories.
4.95(3841)