Roman Forum opening hours at a glance
The Forum and the Palatine open at 9:00 in every season. What changes is the last entry and the closing time. The park does not have a weekly closing day for the whole site, but single houses have their own rest days.
The times below are for the Forum and the Palatine, not for the Colosseum, which opens at a different time. Plan the two visits separately, even when you use one combined ticket. Opening times can change at short notice, so check the current timetable on the day you plan to go.
Times by season
Forum and Palatine. Last entry is the latest time you can enter.
| Period | Opens | Last entry | Closes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 March to 30 September 2026 | 9:00 | 18:15 | 19:15 |
| 1 to 24 October 2026 | 9:00 | 17:30 | 18:30 |
| 25 October 2026 to 28 February 2027 | 9:00 | 15:30 | 16:30 |
For March 2027 and the summer season of 2027, check the current timetable before you go. In 2026 the summer schedule began on 29 March. Closed on 25 December 2026 and on 1 January 2027. Holiday hours can differ: on 1 January 2026 the site opened as a one-off from 8:30 to 16:30, with last entry at 15:30.
Roman Forum tours at set times
Guided visits and combined tickets with a fixed start time, with live prices and availability.
Special sites have their own times
Single houses can differ from the times of the park.
SUPER sites
The special sites on the Palatine and in the Forum open from about 9:30 and close one hour before the park closes. Single sites keep rest days, restorations and special rules.
The Palatine →House of Augustus
Closed on Mondays.
House of Livia
Closed for restoration. No reopening date is set.
The first Sunday of the month
On the free Sunday the Curia, the Palatine Museum, the Houses of Augustus and Livia and other interiors are not open. The Domus Tiberiana is open as a walkway only.
Free days →Evening visits and the Imperial Forums
The evening visit is a separate guided programme. In 2026 it runs on Fridays from 19:30 to 22:00, with last entry at 20:30. It does not change the daytime hours, and the site does not stay open until late. See the Forum at night for details and the price.
Trajan's Markets, next to the Imperial Forums, are a separate museum with their own times. They are open daily from 9:30 to 19:30, with last entry one hour before closing. On 24 and 31 December they close at 14:00, and they are closed on 1 May and 25 December. Adults pay €15 in 2026, reduced €9.50, and €1 is added when you buy in advance. See the Imperial Forums.
The passage from the Imperial Forums to the Curia is part of the Forum Pass SUPER. In winter, do not plan to use it until 18:00, since the site closes at 16:30 from 25 October 2026.
Choosing your time of day
Planning tips, not rules.
Arrive at 9:00 in summer
Starting at opening helps you get through the open ruins before the midday heat. Bring water and sun protection.
Best time to visit →Allow for short winter days
From 25 October 2026 the last entry is 15:30. Allow time for the climb to the Palatine and enter early.
Fit the Colosseum slot
The Colosseum has its own opening time and a booked slot. Plan the Forum around it. You can visit the Forum first. For the Colosseum itself, see Rome in One Day.
Ticket rules →Water, shade and rest during the day
Opening hours decide how long you can stay, but the day on the site is long and mostly open to the sun. The park names 10 drinking fountains, among them near Vicus Argentarii and the Tabularium, at the south-east corner of the Basilica Julia, in the Farnese Gardens, near the Domus Augustana and on the southern path of the Palatine. It also counts about 70 benches. Do not count on continuous shade along the Via Sacra or across the Forum.
Glass bottles are not allowed. Wear sturdy shoes, because the ground is uneven. Do not climb on capitals, columns or wall blocks, and keep to marked paths. In summer, plan breaks and keep water with you.
Roman Forum opening hours: frequently asked questions
What time does the Roman Forum open?
At 9:00 in every season. The Colosseum opens at a different time.
What time does the Roman Forum close?
At 19:15 from 29 March to 30 September 2026, at 18:30 from 1 to 24 October 2026 and at 16:30 from 25 October 2026 to 28 February 2027. Last entry is one hour before closing: 18:15, 17:30 and 15:30.
Is the Roman Forum closed on any day?
There is no weekly closing day for the whole site. It is closed on 25 December 2026 and on 1 January 2027. Single houses have rest days, such as the House of Augustus on Mondays.
Can I visit the Forum after dark?
Only on the guided Friday evening visit, from 19:30 to 22:00 in 2026. Seeing the ruins from outside is not an entry.
Are Forum and Colosseum open at the same time?
No. They have different opening times, even though the combined ticket covers both. Check each before you plan the day.