The Circus Maximus was ancient Rome's greatest arena for chariot racing, a long valley between the Palatine and Aventine hills where crowds of more than 150,000 people once cheered their teams. Today the Circus Maximus is a broad grassy park, free and open to all, with the ruins of the imperial palaces looking down from one side. It takes some imagination, but standing on the old track is one of the simplest ways to connect with everyday life in ancient Rome.
Why visit the Circus Maximus
Races were held in this valley from the early days of Rome, and the circus was rebuilt and expanded many times, notably under Julius Caesar and later emperors. At its largest it was the biggest public venue in the Roman world. Chariots raced seven laps around a central barrier, the spina, which was decorated with monuments including two Egyptian obelisks. Both obelisks were later moved, and one now stands in Piazza del Popolo.
The racing teams, known by their colours, inspired passionate loyalty, and emperors watched from their palace on the Palatine above. The last races were held in the 6th century, after which the structure was gradually stripped of its stone.
Getting to the Circus Maximus by metro
The nearest station is Circo Massimo on Line B, at the eastern end of the circus. You arrive right beside the park, making this one of the easiest sights in Rome to reach by metro.
- Colosseo is just one stop away on Line B, so the Circus Maximus fits neatly into a day around the Colosseum and Forum.
- From Termini, Line B takes only a few minutes.
- On foot, the walk from the Colosseum along Via di San Gregorio, past the Palatine, takes about 15 minutes.
Entry and what you can visit
The open valley is a public park, free and accessible at any time. There is no ticket for walking the track or sitting on the slopes.
At the curved eastern end, near the station, an excavated area shows the remains of the arena's seating, shops and passages, along with a medieval tower. This area is open on a limited schedule with a paid ticket, and the city has also offered augmented and virtual reality tours that recreate the circus in its heyday. Opening times change, so check the City of Rome's cultural heritage website for current details.
The park is often used for major concerts, festivals and public events, when parts of it may be fenced off.
Best time to visit the Circus Maximus
Late afternoon is the nicest time, when the sun lights up the brick ruins of the Palatine palaces and local runners and dog walkers fill the track. There is almost no shade, so avoid the middle of summer days. Allow 30 minutes for a walk along the valley, or an hour or more if you visit the excavations.
Highlights and viewpoints
The Palatine palaces
From the valley floor, look up at the massive arches of the Domus Augustana and the imperial palace terraces. This is the side of the Palatine that faced the races.
The excavated eastern end
The only place where you can see original structures of the circus at close range, including the base of the seating tiers.
The Roseto Comunale
Rome's municipal rose garden lies on the Aventine slope just above the circus. It opens in spring when the roses are in flower.
The Aventine Hill
Climb the slope to the Orange Garden for a view over the Tiber, then visit the Knights of Malta keyhole, which frames St Peter's dome.
Nearby on the same metro stop
Circo Massimo station is a useful base for this quieter corner of the centre:
- Baths of Caracalla: the vast imperial baths, a ten minute walk south.
- The Palatine Hill: reachable from the entrance on Via di San Gregorio.
- The Mouth of Truth: the Bocca della Verità, in the portico of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, at the western end of the circus.
- Testaccio: a food-loving neighbourhood south of the Aventine, around 15 to 20 minutes on foot.
See more around this station on the Circus Maximus on Around the Metro, or browse the full Rome metro map.