The Colosseum is an iconic historical site in Rome, but BI’s reporter thought it felt like a tourist trap.

The Colosseum is an iconic historical site in Rome, but BI’s reporter thought it felt like a tourist trap. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The Colosseum is an iconic historical site in Rome, but BI’s reporter thought it felt like a tourist trap. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

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My mood shifted drastically during my first visit to the Colosseum in Rome. I pranced down the cobblestone streets as I eagerly made my way to the iconic attraction. I was stoked for the views from within that would transport me to the past. But my excitement was soon replaced by confusion, frustration, and overall gloom.

This was in October 2022 during a two-week train trip through Italy, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

When I booked my trip, I looked up Colosseum posts on Instagram and found several photos of people posing around the historic structure with a crowd-free backdrop. To me, these photos looked quiet and peaceful, and I wanted to have a similar experience.

Although the Colosseum is one of the most popular attractions in Rome, it has a capacity of 3,000 visitors at a time, according to an official tour site. “So, how crowded could it really be?” I wondered.

Turns out — incredibly.