10 Most Beautiful Roman Amphitheaters

The Colosseum, Rome
The Colosseum, Rome, Italy

Source: Flickr Alan

I spent two nights in Rome on my way to France. On the one full day I had there, I spent the morning touring the Vatican museums and the afternoon watching the light change on the Colosseum. I was kind of exhausted, so I found a perch with a good view and just sat, snapped off dozens of shots, ate a gelato, and took more photos until the sun dropped below the horizon. It was a very pleasant way to spend a few hours, and I really am in love with the Colosseum.

 

Roman Amphitheater, Arles
Arles Amphitheater, Arles, France

Source: Flickr Steven Ballegeer

Roman Amphitheater, Arles. Still in use today as a bull ring

 

Arena romana di Nîmes
Arena of Nîmes, Nîmes, France

Source: Flickr edo&bibi

Arena romana di Nîmes

 

The Verona Arena
Verona Arena, Verona, Italy

Source: Flickr Andrew Havis

The Verona Arena
A shot of the Roman-era Verona Arena. Of course, to tourists like me, it is better known as the “Verona Coliseum”, after its bigger and more famous counterpart in Rome.

This particular coliseum is well-known for its opera productions.

 

Croatia-Pula arena
Pula Arena, Pula, Croatia

Source: Flickr Andy Vaerini

Croatia-Pula arena
Very beautiful card with Pula Arena in Croatia. Thanks a lot to rlicul! (Switzerland to rest of the world TAG)

 

El Djem Amphitheater
El Djem Amphitheater, Thysdrus, Tunisia

Source: Flickr Walid Mahfoudh

El Djem Amphitheater
Built in the 3rd century and it is the 3rd largest amphitheater in the world with 35000 spectators, Only the Rome’s amphitheater (about 45,000 spectators) and the ruined theater of Capua are larger. It was used for gladiator shows and chariot races, a place where lions and people met their fate. In 1979, It was declared a UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. The amphitheater was used in 2000 to take some of the scenes of the film “Gladiator”.

 

Colosseum in Pompeii
Amphitheater of Pompeii, Pompeii, Italy

Source: Flickr Show In My Eyes

Colosseum in Pompeii

Tarragona Roman Ruins
Tarragona Amphitheater, Tarragona, Spain

Source: Flickr Emily

Tarragona Roman Ruins
Tarragona is a coastal town an hour south of Barcelona. I always thought that Barcelona was the center of the Northern Iberian Roman Empire, but it was actually Tarragona, which you understand better once you stumble upon this 2nd century Roman amphitheater still sitting on the shore.

 

Amphithéâtre romain d'Avenches
Amphitheater of Aventicum, Avenches, Switzerland
Durrës Amphitheater, Durrës, Albania

Source: Flickr Gilles

Amphithéâtre romain d’Avenches
C’est le deuxième plus grand amphithéâtre de Suisse et le mieux conservé. Au temps des Romains, quelques 8000 spectateurs pouvaient assister aux “joutes”.

 

Dürres. Albania.
Durrës Amphitheater, Durrës, Albania

Source: Flickr Els

Dürres. Albania.
Amphitheatre in Dürres. Albania.

The amphitheater in Dürres is the biggest tourist sight and also the biggest amphitheater in the Balkan countries. It was built by the romans in the second century AD, and once it could hold up to 20 000 spectators.

Durrës is the second largest city of Albania located on the central Albanian coast, about 33 km (21 mi) west of the capital Tirana. It is one of the most ancient and economically significant cities of Albania.