Circo Massimo
Circo Massimo
3.5
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Neighborhood: Aventine
Contrary to the chaos of the city, the Aventine is Rome’s oasis. A neighborhood made up of a patchwork of ancient churches, hidden gardens, private homes and embassies, peace and quiet is top priority and the vibe definitely friends and family. Take a walk around the Aventine and you’ll find a treasure hunt of surprises like the clever little keyhole at the Knights of Malta entrance (the only place you’ll find a line) along with Parco Savello (Giardino degli Aranci) next to the ancient Santa Sabina church. Keep your eyes on the 1960s architecture, several modern buildings are built atop Rome’s original 4th century BC wall.
How to get there
- Circo Massimo • 5 min walk
- Fori Imperiali-Colosseo • 10 min walk
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See what travelers are saying
- Jan U20 contributionsancient racetrackthe structure in the accompanying picture is a part of Palatine hill, not Circus maximus. Circus Maximus is for the most part a gravel racetrack with spectator lounge remnants in the eastern end. virtual reality goggles available. limited number of visitors in the compound, you may need to wait.Visited February 2024Traveled soloWritten February 10, 2024
- Considered ReviewNorwich, United Kingdom1,333 contributionsA site (and sight) to stir the imagination with sounds of crowds, chariots, and horsesAlthough the sports arena is long gone the footprint remains - a long flat oval with tiered sides. But just seeing the place sets off the imagination with wild images of furious crowds, flying hooves, and straining chariot wheels. History rarely gets this close. Enjoy.Visited October 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten March 6, 2024
- AnuradhaNew Delhi, India1,258 contributionsImportant historical landmark but not much to explore hereIt is an ancient Roman chariot-racing stadium and mass entertainment venue in Rome. In the valley between the Aventine and Palatine hills, it was the first and largest stadium in Ancient Rome. Presently it’s a large walking area with peaceful ambience. Looks great in the evening at sunset time. Can be seen from Palatine hill too.Visited May 2024Traveled with familyWritten June 12, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
2,087 reviews
Excellent
486
Very good
551
Average
680
Poor
256
Terrible
114
CaptainEero
Kyiv, Ukraine55 contributions
Feb 2020
Ancient Roman chariot-racing stadium and not only that. Gladiators, boxing, sports and even bloody fights beasts vs. human.
Standing there in the middle of stadium with closed eyes, remembering the old classic film Ben Hur and feeling excited. You can almost hear horses and chariots clatter.
Even though in that film race was not there but in Judea.
Standing there in the middle of stadium with closed eyes, remembering the old classic film Ben Hur and feeling excited. You can almost hear horses and chariots clatter.
Even though in that film race was not there but in Judea.
Written February 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
majesty318
Rahway, NJ1,781 contributions
Feb 2020
Google Maps does not really seem to know where Circo Massimo is located. I arrived on the wrong side which meant quite a long trek down the field to the entrance at the opposite end. Check your directions carefully.
Without the virtual reality headset, this is essentially a large open field with a couple rocks. The virtual reality really makes it come alive as you can see what the stadium looked like in ancient times. It is especially interesting as there are multiple stations, each with different scenery and info, and in real life you are then looking exactly where the reenactment on the headset is taking place. The staff was very helpful, expecting difficulties using the headsets.
Not sure if this would be good for kids, even with the virtual reality, as each station has quite a bit of historical commentary.
Without the virtual reality headset, this is essentially a large open field with a couple rocks. The virtual reality really makes it come alive as you can see what the stadium looked like in ancient times. It is especially interesting as there are multiple stations, each with different scenery and info, and in real life you are then looking exactly where the reenactment on the headset is taking place. The staff was very helpful, expecting difficulties using the headsets.
Not sure if this would be good for kids, even with the virtual reality, as each station has quite a bit of historical commentary.
Written March 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mgsnorwich
Norwich, UK965 contributions
Sep 2020
Another amazing part of the City. Flat, it looks as if the track is over 800 meters long in a shape with two long sides and a sharp bend at each end. You can easily imagine the chariots thundering around the arena. At one time it had a capacity of over 150,000 spectators but, like much of Rome, is regrettably overgrown. And only one end is open to visitors but which was shut because of Covid when we tried to visit. But to get a feeling for the sheer scale, walk down to the track, cross the centre to the other side of the track and climb up to the top of the viewing bank opposite. It is huge.
Written October 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lynne M
3 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
As you go past the site it just looks like a bare field with a few ruins BUT you can rent virtual reality headsets which are really fun.
There are eight stops and at each stop put on the headset and see how the site would have looked in Roman times and listen to the narration explaining the history. The last stop is a chariot race :).
While the quality of the video is a bit lacking it was still interesting to actually see how the site would have looked instead of having to rely on your imagination.
The tour takes 50 minutes. There is no shade so check opening times and choose a cooler time of the day.
We bought our tickets at the Circus Maximus site in advance as they only allow a limited number of people in at a time. It is possible to buy tickets online on the official website but we had issues getting a text code.
We paid 32 euros. Going through a tour company costs around 40 Euros for exactly the same thing.
There are eight stops and at each stop put on the headset and see how the site would have looked in Roman times and listen to the narration explaining the history. The last stop is a chariot race :).
While the quality of the video is a bit lacking it was still interesting to actually see how the site would have looked instead of having to rely on your imagination.
The tour takes 50 minutes. There is no shade so check opening times and choose a cooler time of the day.
We bought our tickets at the Circus Maximus site in advance as they only allow a limited number of people in at a time. It is possible to buy tickets online on the official website but we had issues getting a text code.
We paid 32 euros. Going through a tour company costs around 40 Euros for exactly the same thing.
Written August 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Spanish Steps Apartment
Rome, Italy34,167 contributions
Nov 2022
Ancient Rome's greatest "circus" for chariot racing, at the foot of the Palatine Hill. Today, a grassy area where people come to walk dogs or hang out. We did the Circus Maximus Virtual Reality Experience and really enjoyed it, well worth the 12 euros to make this site come alive.
Written November 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arn E
Stockholm, Sweden484 contributions
Oct 2022
This antique race track housed gigantic crowds in its days. The original seating is lost, but sit down on one of the benches on top of the slope and imagine being one of the spectators. You can see to full length of the track, and if you walk down to the centre you grasp the enormity of it. When you look at it this way, it is easy to imagine the galloping horses and the jockeys giving it all to win.
Written January 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dkw239
Suffolk, UK216 contributions
May 2022
You can stroll along most of it, as it is still used by the locals for recreation and a gathering place for special occasions. There is only one part of it that has actual ruins. Its worth paying the 12 euros for the full experience tour, which uses virtual reality head sets and brings the history alive. Check the opening times for this.
Written May 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hans
Kwadendamme, The Netherlands4,184 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
The area which you see, can be divided in two, a large section which is free of charge but not that interesting and a small part which charges a small fee. You can visit, let’s say budget wise and you can take the VR tour, that way you will have a better impression on the sight’s history. Besides that there some small ruins to walk through.
Written March 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kim D
Norwich, UK94 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Small site that is easy to get around in under an hour, but surprisingly informative. Although there is not a great deal to see, what there is well presented and you can get much closer to the ruins than at other sites.
Information boards around the site give full details about its history. There is a small charge to enter the site, with a larger fee to try the VR experience (which we did not find necessary). There is also a tower you can climb on site to get a panoramic view but, be warned, it is a narrow spiral staircase and felt a little wobbly!
Site has a WC and small gift shop but no other facilities. Be aware that entrance to the site is only at the east end (near the Metro stop) as it's not greatly signposted.
Information boards around the site give full details about its history. There is a small charge to enter the site, with a larger fee to try the VR experience (which we did not find necessary). There is also a tower you can climb on site to get a panoramic view but, be warned, it is a narrow spiral staircase and felt a little wobbly!
Site has a WC and small gift shop but no other facilities. Be aware that entrance to the site is only at the east end (near the Metro stop) as it's not greatly signposted.
Written September 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Considered Review
Norwich, UK1,333 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Although the sports arena is long gone the footprint remains - a long flat oval with tiered sides. But just seeing the place sets off the imagination with wild images of furious crowds, flying hooves, and straining chariot wheels. History rarely gets this close. Enjoy.
Written March 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Salve, il due settembre sarò al concerto di Max Pezzali e ho un biglietto per la sezione "PRATO". È possibile con questo accedere alla sezione Prato 2? Grazie e buona giornata
Written August 25, 2023
Soory I cannot read the question, English only
Written August 30, 2023
What time can you enter Circus Maximus for concert with show starting at 8pm.
Does everyone in your party have to enter at the same time.
Thank you, Maureen M
Written May 19, 2023
Sorry Dear, I have no idea, I did not attend a concert there
Written May 23, 2023
Has anyone been to this place to celebrate New Year’s Eve? I’m going this year and be great to get some tips 👍🏻
Written December 16, 2022
Buongiorno, sabato devo andare al concerto di Vasco, vorrei sapere se è consentito introdurre zaini all'ingresso.. il mio ha capacità 22 litri ma ho letto che in diverse strutture gli zaini di capacità superiore ai 10 litri non sono ammessi. Qualcuno mi può illuminare? Grazie
Written June 7, 2022
Thanks for the informative description of the Circus Maximus. You mention readers to watch Spartacus. Did you mean by mistake to watch Ben Hur? I enjoyed both movies tremendously, but there was more in Ben Hur that related to the Chariot races. Maybe I was wrong, thanks anyway for the review.
Written March 30, 2020
Hi. There are many things about chariot racing in Ben Hur that are inaccurate (eg the chariots were a light basket arrangements not heavy wooden things reminiscent of western wagons etc). I would suggest if you visit the Circus Maximus that you pay for the virtual reality experience. It might interest to you that the Circus was surrounded by a shopping arcade, which offered all manner of things to buy, that it was in or near the Circus that the great fire of 64 AD started (the shops were located in a wooden structure) and that the capacity of the Circus was estimated to be around 120-150,000 people. The CM and the history of chariot racing is fascinating, perhaps more so than the ill-famed gladiatorial games.
Written April 4, 2020
Sabato vorrei andare a un concerto, ma conosco poco la zona. Secondo voi è fattibile arrivare a Roma Tiburtina per le 0.15 avendo un Flixbus a quell'ora (non ancora prenotato, ma l'idea era quella di viaggiare di notte avendo poi un impegno nel primo pomeriggio, la domenica )?
Written September 3, 2019
Il traffico nella zona del Circo Massimo è piuttosto scorrevole e per Tiburtina si impiegano circa 20’, ma in occasione di concerti o manifestazioni è facile che si congestioni in modo problematico. Una soluzione potrebbe essere lasciare il concerto poco prima della conclusione in modo da trovare ancora le strade libere.
Written September 3, 2019
Is this accessible through regular admission or do you need a tour? If a tour is required, recommendations would be great!
Written January 22, 2019
It is available to anyone. There is no admission fee and no organized tours.
Written January 23, 2019
Anyone know where will call is? Trying to trade my voucher for tickets for Bruce Springsteen! Show starts in 15mts
Written July 16, 2016
¿La entrada es gratuita? En que web puede ver horario y demas
Written July 8, 2015
lo que es el circo maximo esra en la calle sin limitacion de acceso. es como pasear por j parque. puedes pasar por alli y verlo porque escomo u a gran pista de atletismo conunas rui as en uno de sus lados. lo bueno que tiene es que esta junto al palatino y pocomas adelante el coliseo todo seguido. te aconsejo que saques las estradas para el colisdo e las taquillas del.palatino porque o hay colas ybasi te evitaras colas monjmentales del ckliseo
Written July 9, 2015
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