How to visit Palatine Hill Rome Colosseum Forum Rome Tickets

The Palatine Hill Roman Forum and the Colosseum are the top three sites in Rome Italy. Imperial palaces have been built on the site of the Palatine Hill, since Augustus built one back in 27BC. So much so, that this is where the word Palace originates from.

Partial ruins of Augustus, Tiberius and Domitians’ palaces can still be seen and even the Hut of Romulus* the home of the first king of Rome (771BC). It is difficult to believe that some visitors, short on time, dismiss this site as not interesting enough. Our Airbnb Rome host, recommended the Palatine and the lesser known Terme di Caracalla (link at bottom of page) as her two favourite outdoor sites to visit. They are indeed both wonderful places to visit but the Palatine is my favourite.

Just to wander at ease through the ruins is a pleasure, plus it is easy to envisage at least some of what went on all those centuries ago.  You will find less crowds here than at either the Forum or Colosseum. In fact looking down on the Roman Forum from the Palatine is one of the best ways to enjoy the Forum.

Click here to Find tours for things for Couples to do in Rome

 

When to Visit Palatine Colosseum Forum Rome

Palatine Hill Rome is beautiful in April. The trees are green, there is plenty of room to move and it’s not overly hot.

I suggest reading this Rome Guide. It gives a seasonal and month by month description and is one of the best I’ve read.

 

What to see Palatine Hill Rome.

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One of the features that attracts me to the Palatine is it’s lines of towering plane trees, or umbrella palms, with their bare leaning trunks and crowns of green. I know I’m in Rome when I see them and this open-air museum wouldn’t be the same without them.

 

Palatine Hill History

But, the real emblem of Rome comes from mythology and concerns the she-wolf named Lupa.

When Amulius threw babies Romulus* and Remus into the Tiber River, Lupa rescued them, mothering the future founders of Rome in a cave, here on what was to become one of Rome’s iconic seven hills.

Eventually a herdsman named Faustulus found and raised the brothers, but until then they survived solely by suckling the wolf.

Photo of Statue of Lupa suckling Romulus and Remus.

Palatine wolf drinking water fountain. Free drinking fountains are a common sight in Rome.

Toward the end of April Spring is running riot in Rome. The trees are in full flower and the air is full of blossom – pack antihistamines if you need them.

Allergies aside, this is probably the best time to visit. Skies are mostly sunny and temperatures mild and perfect for walking in the wide open Palatine spaces. A mini picnic would go down well on the grass beneath the big trees or even beneath the branches of an olive.

Main Courtyard and Sunken Octagonal Fountain. See the remnant column that once supported a shade structure.

The emperor and his court had views over the 6th century BCE Circus Maximus where the Romans held chariots races. The Circus now is just a long open dirt space with green banks either side, but walking along it and contemplating it from the grassy slope is one of those special Rome moments. Nowadays music festivals lure the crowds instead of chariots, but, you guessed it – what a great picnic spot that bank would make.

This photo shows Circus Maximus the home of ancient Roman chariot races.

The retaining walls of Palatine Hill as seen from Circus Maximus.

Unearthed fragments displayed in their original layers within the Palace.

Back in time the Palatine Stadium (160m x 48m) was a garden with flowers, paths and horse exercising areas. Only important villas had gardens like these, with their fountains, sculptures and columns similar to a Greek gymnasium. Like us, the Ancient Romans strolled along the top of the walls, looking down on the garden.

Domus Augustana Lower Courtyard.

There are two viewpoints in Farnese Gardens – one overlooking the Forum and the other to the dome of St. Peters.

Beneath the Orange Trees in the Palatine’s Farnese Gardens.

When you’re amongst the crowds in the Forum, or the Colosseum for that matter, it’s difficult to see the big picture of Ancient Rome, but it comes into focus when looking down onto it. The Palatine has to be the best view point in all of Rome.

This photo taken from Palatine Hill shows the Roman Forum with the Roman Colosseum to the right.

Views also extend to the white marble Il Vittoriano with it’s Horse and Chariot statues.

We visited Rome as part of our Ten Weeks in Europe Trip.

Tips before visiting Palatine/Colosseum/Forum

Visit the Palatine first. If buying your Colosseum Palatine hill and Roman Forum tickets in person, the Palatine Entrance on Via di san Gregorio is the least busy of all three venues.

Palatine Hill Entrance Fee – Cost of joint ticket – Base price 12 Euro per adult. Most people die of shock when they see the line-up to the Colosseum. The answer is to buy fast track tickets.

CLICK HERE TO BUY FAST TRACK TICKETS TO COLOSSEUM/PALATINE/FORUM

Palatine Hill Opening Hours – 8.30 a.m. until one hour before Sunset.

Closest Metro is Colosseo.

Toilets are situated at: The Entrance; near the orange trees in Farnese Gardens; in the Museum.

There is an entrance into the Forum from within the Palatine. Walk downhill to the gate from either the Throne Room or inside the Palatine main entrance.

Use the Exit Only gate to reach the Colosseum easily from the Forum.

Please note: It is not possible to visit Palatine>Colosseum>Forum in this order, as the automatic ticket machines only admit to each section once (the Palatine and the Forum are considered to be one). If buying a fast track ticket you would begin and the Colosseum and then go to the Forum or Palatine. The only combinations that don’t work are Palatine>Colosseum>Forum or Forum>Colosseum>Palatine.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE A TOUR GUIDE AND TO SKIP THE LINE CLICK HERE.

 

Explore more near Palatine Hill, Colosseum and Forum Rome

Palatine Hill Rome is super close to:

• Baths of Caracalla and Al Callarello restaurant
• Aventino, Testaccio and Ostiense neighbourhoods
• Circus Maximus – See Below

 

Palatine Map

To help you discover more Rome treasures I’ve made you this map.

 

Circus Maximus Rome

The emperor and his court had views over the 6th century BCE Circus Maximus where the Romans held chariots races. The Circus is now a long open gravel space with green banks either side. Strolling where chariots one raced and contemplating from the grassy slope is one of those flash-back Rome moments.

Nowadays music festivals lure the crowds instead of chariots and it would make a great picnic spot.

This photo shows Circus Maximus the home of ancient Roman chariot races.

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