Circus Maximus (Circo Massimo)
Free admission
Via del Circo Massimo, Rome, Province of Rome, 00186
The Basics
Measuring more than 2,000 feet (610 meters) long and 387 feet (188 meters) wide, and capable of holding an audience of 150,000, the Circus Maximus (Circo Massimo) was built on the plain between Aventine Hill and Palatine Hill in the sixth century BC. Five centuries later, Julius Caesar gave the venue its distinctive shape—especially suited to chariot racing. The stadium was enlarged repeatedly over the next several centuries, and Emperor Trajan completely rebuilt it in the early second century. Its last recorded use dates from the sixth century, after which the site fell into disuse and became a public park.
Today, as one of the most important sites dating from imperial Rome in Italy’s capital, the Circus Maximus is best visited as part of an Ancient Rome guided tour, which also includes skip-the-line access to the underground chambers and arena inside the Colosseum and the ruins of the Roman Forum. You can combine private Circus Maximus visits with an Aventine Keyhole tour, for the iconic view of St. Peter’s Basilica through the famous garden door.
Small-Group Tour of Roman Forum, Palatine Hill & Circus Maximus
$64.38 per adult
Traveler Favorite
Enjoyable tour with a great guide
Enjoyed the tour with Rosy, an excellent guide. Booking it was simple and the information that came with the ticket was very useful. Also appreciated being able to upload it into my wallet. One day earlier we were informed that the start of the tour was moved from 11:30 to 11:00, which suited us fine.
Bettina_D, Dec 2022
Why you are seeing this
Things to Know Before You Go
The Circus Maximus is a must-see for ancient history and architecture buffs, and all first-time visitors to Rome. Older children especially enjoy visiting this huge Roman circus and imagining it filled with thousands of cheering Roman spectators.
Circus Maximus and combo tours are mostly outdoors, so be sure to dress appropriately for the weather. A hat and sunblock are particularly important in summer.
The Circus Maximus is accessible to wheelchair users except for the Torre della Moletta (a watchtower located on the site dating from the Middle Ages) and the highest perimeter terrace.
How to Get There
The Circus Maximus is located between Via dei Cerchi and Via del Circo Massimo in central Rome. Take the metro’s Line B to Circo Massimo station, located directly in front of the archaeological site.
Trip ideas
When to Get There
The Circus Maximus is open from Tuesday to Friday for guided tours, and on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm to the general public. As it’s an outdoor archaeological site, try to visit on clear days when the temperature is mild.
The Egyptian Flaminio Obelisk
The towering Flaminio Obelisk (Obelisco Flaminio) in the center of Rome’s Piazza del Popolo was built in Egypt in the 13th century BC. Emperor Augustus had it brought to Rome in 10 AD and placed as part of the central barrier in the Circus Maximus. Pope Sixtus V moved it to its current location in 1587.
- Things to do in Lake Bracciano
- Things to do in Lake Bolsena
- Things to do in Assisi
- Things to do in Siena
- Things to do in Naples
- Things to do in Capri
- Things to do in Pompeii
- Things to do in San Gimignano
- Things to do in Sorrento
- Things to do in Florence
- Things to do in Pisa
- Things to do in Bologna
- Things to do in Lazio
- Things to do in Umbria
- Things to do in Tuscany
- Domus Augustana
- Palatine Museum (Museo del Palatino)
- House of Augustus (Casa di Augusto)
- House of Livia (Casa di Livia)
- Arch of Constantine (Arco di Costantino)
- Basilica of Saint Mary in Cosmedin (Basilica di Santa Maria in Cosmedin)
- Piazza della Bocca della Verità
- Palatine Hill (Palatino)
- Forum Boarium (Foro Boario)
- Orange Garden (Giardino degli Aranci)
- Case Romane del Celio
- Arch of Titus (Arco di Tito)
- House of the Vestal Virgins (Casa delle Vestali)
- Rome Basilica di Santi Giovanni e Paolo
- Basilica di Santa Francesca Romana