The Colosseum, Rome
Must-SeeThe icon of Rome — 50,000 seats, 76 entrances, and a retractable awning. Skip-the-line tickets are essential. Underground tours reveal the machinery below.
Arena di Verona
Must-SeeThe third-largest Roman amphitheatre — and the only one still hosting performances. Summer opera here is transcendent.
Amphitheatre of Pompeii
Must-SeeThe oldest surviving Roman amphitheatre — 20,000 seats. Pink Floyd filmed Live at Pompeii here in 1971.
Amphitheatre of Pozzuoli
Must-SeeThe third-largest in Italy — the underground machinery survives intact (unlike the Colosseum). See how the arena floor worked.
Amphitheatre of Siracusa
Must-SeeA Greek theatre carved from living rock — 15,000 seats overlooking the sea. Greek drama festival runs May-June.
Where to start
Italy has the world's greatest concentration of amphitheatres. Use this guide to find the masterpieces — then let yourself be surprised by what you discover on your own.