# Circus Maximus, Rome

> The Circus Maximus was ancient Rome's largest chariot-racing stadium, about 600 metres long, with room for some 150,000 spectators. Today it's a grassy valley tracing the track, with the ruined palaces of the Palatine above. Entry is free at any hour; 20–30 minutes is enough, and Metro B's Circo Massimo station is right at the edge.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/circus-maximus

- City: [Rome](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome), Italy
- YesGo score: 63/100 (Yes, go)
- Time on site: 30 min
- Opening hours: Park open 24 hours; excavation area and VR tour on a schedule
- With kids: Fine with kids
- Entry: Free, 24 hours
- Excavations and VR tour: Circo Maximo Experience — ticketed, set times
- 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
- Coordinates: 41.88590, 12.48570
- Facts checked: 10.11.2026

## Key facts

- **≈ 621 m** — length — the largest racetrack in ancient Rome (source: English Wikipedia)
- **≈ 150,000** — spectators by most estimates (source: English Wikipedia)
- **6th century BC** — races here are traditionally dated to Rome's kings (source: English Wikipedia)
- **7 laps** — made up a standard chariot race (source: English Wikipedia)
- **2 obelisks** — stood on the central barrier — now in Piazza del Popolo and at the Lateran (source: English Wikipedia)
- **AD 549** — the last recorded races (source: English Wikipedia)

## Is 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](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/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.

> **See it in virtual reality** The Circo Maximo Experience runs in the excavation area: headsets rebuild the circus through the ages, from wooden stands to Trajan's marble tiers. It takes about 40 minutes and doesn't run every day — check the schedule on Rome's municipal museums site.

## How to get to the Circus Maximus

1. Metro line B to **Circo Massimo** — the exit is right at the eastern end.
2. From the Colosseum, 10 minutes' walk along Via di San Gregorio.
3. Tram 3 and buses 75, 81, 118 and 160 stop on Via del Circo Massimo.
4. From the [Mouth of Truth](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/bocca-della-verita), 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

Tick off what's ready — your ticks are saved in this browser.

- [ ] Time it for late afternoon light on the Palatine
- [ ] Check the Circo Maximo Experience schedule
- [ ] Walk to the medieval tower at the eastern end
- [ ] Climb the Aventine to the Orange Garden
- [ ] Combine with the Palatine and the Mouth of Truth

## Ancient Rome: compare and choose

Ancient sites in Rome rated by YesGo.

- [Pantheon](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/pantheon) — YesGo score 82/100 (Yes, go) · 30 min · ≈ €5
- [Colosseum](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/colosseum) — YesGo score 73/100 (Yes, go) · 2 h · ≈ €18
- [Circus Maximus](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/circus-maximus) — YesGo score 63/100 (Yes, go) · 30 min · Free
- [Roman Forum](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/roman-forum) — YesGo score 63/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · ≈ €18 with Colosseum
- [Trajan's Column](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/trajans-column) — YesGo score 60/100 (Yes, go) · 15 min · Free
- [Capitoline Hill](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/capitoline-hill) — YesGo score 58/100 (Yes, go) · 30 min · Free
- [Castel Sant'Angelo](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/castel-sant-angelo) — YesGo score 57/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · ≈ €15–20
- [Arch of Constantine](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/arch-of-constantine) — YesGo score 57/100 (Yes, go) · 15 min · Free
- [Palatine Hill](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/palatine-hill) — YesGo score 54/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · ≈ €18 with Colosseum
- [Mausoleum of Augustus](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/mausoleum-of-augustus) — YesGo score 53/100 (Yes, go) · 45 min · ≈ €5, booking
- [Largo di Torre Argentina](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/largo-di-torre-argentina) — YesGo score 53/100 (Yes, go) · 30 min · Free from street; walkways ≈ €5
- [Pyramid of Cestius](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/pyramid-of-cestius) — YesGo score 52/100 (Yes, go) · 20 min · Free outside
- [Appian Way](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/appian-way) — YesGo score 49/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · Free
- [Domus Aurea](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/domus-aurea) — YesGo score 49/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · ≈ €18, with VR ≈ €26
- [Mouth of Truth](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/bocca-della-verita) — YesGo score 49/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Donation ≈ €2
- [Baths of Caracalla](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/baths-of-caracalla) — YesGo score 48/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · ≈ €8
- [Catacombs of Rome](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/rome-catacombs) — YesGo score 48/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · ≈ €10–12 with guide
- [Ara Pacis](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/ara-pacis) — YesGo score 47/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · ≈ €13–15
- [Theatre of Marcellus](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/theatre-of-marcellus) — YesGo score 47/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free
- [Vatican Museums](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/vatican-museums) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · ≈ €25
- [Capitoline Museums](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/capitoline-museums) — YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · ≈ €15–19.50
- [Baths of Diocletian](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/baths-of-diocletian) — YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Basilica free; museum ≈ €10–12
- [Basilica of San Clemente](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/san-clemente) — YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Upper free; excavations ≈ €10–12
- [Imperial Fora](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/imperial-fora) — YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free from the street; museum ≈ €13–15
- [Testaccio](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/testaccio) — YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Free
- [Palazzo Massimo](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/palazzo-massimo) — YesGo score 34/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · ≈ €10–12 combined ticket
- [Ostia Antica](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/ostia-antica) — YesGo score 31/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · ≈ €12–18
- [Hadrian's Villa](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/hadrians-villa) — YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · ≈ €12–15

## 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.

1. [Palatine Hill](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/palatine-hill) — YesGo score 54/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · ≈ €18 with Colosseum
2. [Circus Maximus](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/circus-maximus) — YesGo score 63/100 (Yes, go) · 30 min · Free
3. [Mouth of Truth](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/bocca-della-verita) — YesGo score 49/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Donation ≈ €2
4. [Aventine Keyhole](https://yesgo.io/italy/rome/aventine-keyhole) — YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Free

## Don't mix it up

The Circus of Maxentius on the Appian Way is a different, smaller racetrack — and far better preserved, with its starting gates and towers still visible.

## Tips

- 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.

## How we checked

History, dimensions and races from English Wikipedia. We couldn't confirm the VR tour's schedule and price at the time of checking, hence the 'checking' badge.

## Sources

- English Wikipedia, Circus Maximus
- Rome municipal museums (Sovrintendenza Capitolina): Circo Maximo Experience

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