Palatine Hill
Rome, Italy
Circus Maximus, Rome
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Photo: Jean-Pol GRANDMONT, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Free, 24 hours
- Hours
- Park open 24 hours; excavation area and VR tour on a schedule
- Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 30 min
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Excavations and VR tour
- Circo Maximo Experience — ticketed, set times
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Size
- ≈ 621 × 118 m — ancient Rome's biggest arena
- Time needed
- 20–30 minutes, about an hour with the VR tour
- Today
- A public park, jogging track and concert venue
- Location
- Between the Palatine and Aventine; Metro B Circo Massimo
Key facts
≈ 621 mlength — the largest racetrack in ancient Rome
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English Wikipedia≈ 150,000spectators by most estimates
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English Wikipedia6th century BCraces here are traditionally dated to Rome's kings
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English Wikipedia7 lapsmade up a standard chariot race
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English Wikipedia2 obelisksstood on the central barrier — now in Piazza del Popolo and at the Lateran
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English WikipediaAD 549the last recorded races
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English WikipediaIs the Circus Maximus free?
Yes. The Circus Maximus is a public park, free and open 24 hours. Only the fenced excavation area at the curved eastern end, and the Circo Maximo Experience virtual-reality tour, charge a fee and keep set hours — check Rome's municipal museums site for current times and prices.
A short history
Despite the name, this was no circus of acrobats but a chariot-racing stadium, the biggest in Rome. It filled the valley between the Palatine and Aventine hills: about 621 metres long and 118 metres wide. Estimates put the crowd at up to 150,000 — several times the Colosseum.
Legend credits Rome's early kings with the first races in the 6th century BC; Julius Caesar built stone stands and later emperors enlarged them. The last recorded races took place in AD 549, after which the valley silted up and only its shape remembered the track.
How the races worked
Teams of four horses — quadrigae — burst from starting gates at the north-west end and raced seven laps around the central barrier, the spina, which was lined with statues, shrines, obelisks and lap counters shaped like dolphins and eggs. Charioteers drove for four factions — Whites, Reds, Greens and Blues — each with fanatical supporters, and star drivers became rich celebrities. The race in *Ben-Hur* gives a good idea, though it's set in Antioch.
What to see at the Circus Maximus
- The track outline — a long grassy hollow with a jogging path around its rim.
- Palatine palace ruins — the finest view of the imperial residence, from below.
- Remains of the stands — in the fenced excavation area at the eastern end.
- Torre della Moletta — a medieval tower built on the ruins.
- Circo Maximo Experience — augmented-reality headsets show the circus as it was.
- Rome's Rose Garden — on the Aventine slope opposite, open in spring.
How to get to the Circus Maximus
Tap a route to highlight it on the map.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
On foot
- Palatine Hill is about 14 min away on foot.
- Mouth of Truth is about 7 min away on foot.
- Santa Sabina is about 9 min away on foot.
More tips
- Metro line B to Circo Massimo — the exit is right at the eastern end.
- From the Colosseum, 10 minutes' walk along Via di San Gregorio.
- Tram 3 and buses 75, 81, 118 and 160 stop on Via del Circo Massimo.
- From the Mouth of Truth, 5 minutes to the western end.
Best time to visit
Go towards sunset, when the light turns the Palatine ruins and the grass gold. Mornings belong to joggers circling the old track. In summer the valley hosts open-air concerts and festivals, when parts of it are fenced off.
Is the Circus Maximus worth seeing?
Yes, if you're nearby: it's free and gives the best view of the emperors' palaces. Don't expect Colosseum-style ruins — it's mostly grass and open space. Sit on the slope and imagine 150,000 people roaring; with the VR tour, it truly comes alive.
Before you go
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Ancient Rome: compare and choose
Ancient sites in Rome rated by YesGo. Click a column header to sort.
| Pantheon | 82 | 30 min | ≈ €5 | 28 min walk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colosseum | 73 | 2 h | ≈ €18 | 13 min walk |
| Circus Maximusyou are here | 63 | 30 min | Free | — |
| Roman Forum | 63 | 1 h 30 min | ≈ €18 with Colosseum | 12 min walk |
| Trajan's Column | 60 | 15 min | Free | 19 min walk |
| Capitoline Hill | 58 | 30 min | Free | 15 min walk |
| Castel Sant'Angelo | 57 | 1 h 30 min | ≈ €15–20 | 43 min walk |
| Arch of Constantine | 57 | 15 min | Free | 10 min walk |
| Palatine Hill | 54 | 1 h 30 min | ≈ €18 with Colosseum | 5 min walk |
| Mausoleum of Augustus | 53 | 45 min | ≈ €5, booking | 41 min walk |
| Largo di Torre Argentina | 53 | 30 min | Free from street; walkways ≈ €5 | 22 min walk |
| Pyramid of Cestius | 52 | 20 min | Free | 20 min walk |
| Appian Way | 49 | 3 h | Free | 6.3 km |
| Domus Aurea | 49 | 1 h 15 min | ≈ €18, with VR ≈ €26 | 17 min walk |
| Mouth of Truth | 49 | 20 min | Donation ≈ €2 | 7 min walk |
| Baths of Caracalla | 48 | 1 h 15 min | ≈ €8 | 15 min walk |
| Catacombs of Rome | 48 | 1 h 30 min | ≈ €10–12 with guide | 24 min walk |
| Ara Pacis | 47 | 1 h | ≈ €13–15 | 42 min walk |
| Theatre of Marcellus | 47 | 20 min | Free | 15 min walk |
| Vatican Museums | 44 | 3 h | ≈ €25 | 3.4 km |
| Capitoline Museums | 43 | 2 h 30 min | ≈ €15–19.50 | 14 min walk |
| Baths of Diocletian | 42 | 1 h | Basilica free; museum ≈ €10–12 | 37 min walk |
| Basilica of San Clemente | 39 | 1 h | Upper free; excavations ≈ €10–12 | 18 min walk |
| Imperial Fora | 38 | 1 h | Free from the street; museum ≈ €13–15 | 16 min walk |
| Testaccio | 38 | 2 h | Free | 24 min walk |
| Palazzo Massimo | 34 | 2 h | ≈ €10–12 combined ticket | 35 min walk |
| Ostia Antica | 31 | 3 h | ≈ €12–18 | 22.0 km |
| Hadrian's Villa | 29 | 3 h | ≈ €12–15 | 24.8 km |
Palatine to Aventine
The Palatine on your Colosseum ticket, then down to the Circus Maximus, the Mouth of Truth and up the Aventine to the keyhole.
- Palatine Hill1 h 30 min · ≈ €18 with Colosseum
- 5 min walk from the previous stopCircus Maximusyou are here30 min · Free
- 7 min walk from the previous stopMouth of Truth20 min · Donation ≈ €2
- 10 min walk from the previous stopAventine Keyhole45 min · Free
4 places · about 3 h 27 min with walks · 22 min on foot in total
Nearby and on the way
How to do it right
- The best view of the Palatine palaces is from the track's edge.
- Sunset turns the valley gold.
- Circo Massimo metro exits right at the arena.
- Summer concerts close parts of the valley.
Questions
Is the Circus Maximus free?
Yes, it's a free public park open 24 hours; only the excavations and VR tour charge.
How many people did the Circus Maximus hold?
Up to about 150,000 by most estimates.
How big is the Circus Maximus?
About 621 m long and 118 m wide.
What is left of the Circus Maximus?
The shape of the track, remains of the stands at the eastern end and a medieval tower.
What happened at the Circus Maximus?
Chariot races, usually seven laps around the central barrier.
How do I get there?
Metro line B to Circo Massimo.
How long should I spend there?
20–30 minutes, about an hour with the VR tour.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English Wikipedia, Circus Maximus
- Rome municipal museums (Sovrintendenza Capitolina): Circo Maximo Experience
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