Expert Guided Tour of Colosseum Arena OR Underground, and Forum
Description
Explore the world's most visited monument in the most comfortable and complete way. Visit areas of the Colosseum not accessible by regular-ticket holders. Step on the exclusive Arena floor OR descend into the Underground section (depending on the option you select during booking). Walk the steps of the Gladiators and find yourself in the backstage of the most famous games in Ancient Rome. Then, take a journey back in time from the 10th century B.C. to the 5th century A.D. at the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Chart a course through the archaeological tribal beginnings of Rome and marvel at the beauty of ancient temples and ruins. Options available for small-group and private guided tours.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Explore the world's most visited monument in the most complete way. Visit areas of the Colosseum not accessible by regular-ticket holders, either step on the Gladiators' Arena floor or descend into the exclusive Underground section (depending on the option selected). Walk the steps of the Gladiators and find yourself in the stage of the most famous games in Ancient Rome. Learn about the innovative building techniques used by the ancient Roman engineers. Travel back in time as you immerse yourself into the history of Ancient Rome and find out about the social and political function of this mighty amphitheater.
After the first part of your tour, head together towards the archeological area of the Roman Forums and Palatine Hill for another 1-hour guided tour.
Start the second part of your tour by exploring one of the largest triumphal arches in Roman history: the Arch of Constantine the Great, before meandering through the ruins of the Roman Forum.
Here, you will immerse yourself in the ruins of ancient temples and will walk the paths of Emperors and Senators. Learn how this beautiful area became the beating heart of Ancient Rome. Hear about the Vestal Virgins and see their gardens and the pagan temple of the Goddess Vesta they served. Learn about the Basilica Julia and the penal system of Ancient Rome and its effects on Christianity. See the temple of Castor and Pollux and the Arch of Titus and learn about the sacking of Jerusalem. Discover the Senate House, where senators met to decide the fate of the Roman Republic and how that climaxed with the murder and cremation of Julius Caesar.
Walk the paths of the Roman Emperors while visiting the hill where the legend of Romulus and Remus places the foundation of the city: the Palatine Hill. Learn how it later became one of the most exclusive areas of Ancient Rome and enjoy breathtaking views over the Colosseum and Roman Forum. From the heights of the Palatine Hill, enjoy a bird's eye view over what is considered to have been the largest structure for public games ever built by mankind, the Circus Maximus.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- IMPORTANT: After entering the participants’ names during the booking process, please specify in the “Special Requirements” field who the adults and children are, so we can issue the correct Colosseum tickets. Missing information may result in denied entry.
- Please provide the full names of all travellers when booking. Failure to present a voucher with all travellers' full names at the ticket office prior to entry may result in denied entry to the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
- Please note that the tickets for this tour are nominative. We will register on them the names you have provided during checkout. Please make sure to provide the names of the people attending the tour as they appear on their ID or passport.
- You will pass through strict security checks both at the Colosseum and at the Roman Forum entrance. Please be aware that security check lines are not skippable.
- The order in which the sites are visited during the tour can vary; either the Colosseum or Forum and Palatine Hill will come first
- A moderate amount of walking and steps are involved; wear comfortable walking shoes
- Please note that the group will leave the meeting point 15 minutes before the starting time in order to pass the security check
- This tour is subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund
- Each traveler must present a valid passport or ID document that matches the name provided at the time of booking for successful entry to the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
- Please be at the meeting point 30 minutes before the tour starts in order to complete the signup. We might not be able to accommodate, refund or reschedule late arrivals
- Flying drones and knives of any kind are strictly forbidden. Neither trolleys and big backpacks nor animals are allowed into the Colosseum. Glass/metal containers and sprays of any kind are also not allowed.
Reviews(5,240)
We had a great time on our tour. She was knowledgeable and informative. We all really appreciated our guide’s thoughtfulness about the impact the unusually hot weather would have on us and she kept us in the shade as much as possible. She was also extremely accommodating to the folks who were less agile and needed to use the elevator. I wish she was the guide on all of our tours here in Rome!
Very disappointing paid for colosseum and arena tour only to be told at gates at colosseum that our tickets were not valid. We than had to purchase new tickets and told by tour operator that we would only receive a 40% refund . Our guide was fantastic and full of knowledge just wish the rest of organisation was as good.
Mario was extremely knowledgeable and did a great job of explaining what we were seeing and how it was built thousands of years ago. He included humor where it was appropriate which helped maintained everyone’s interest!
Highly recommend this tour! Our guide, Manola, was fantastic — extremely knowledgeable and engaging throughout. She brought the history to life with vivid stories that made the Roman ruins feel real. If you are looking for a tour covering the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and the Roman Forum, this is the option to choose.
Thank you so much, we are glad to hear that you enjoyed our Colosseum tour with Manola!
The tour was amazing, the tour guide was also very informative with his knowledge of the Colosseum. Our group wasn’t large so it gave a very intimate vibe for everyone involved and it made the tour enjoyable. It was hot though and our guide made sure to stop and allow people to get water before continuing on the journey. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking to visit the Colosseum.
This tour of course has a lot of walking. Near the end when my 65 year old husband was offered the elevator in the coliseum, he accepted. The guide said he would meet us at the top. By the time we managed to get in the third elevator, our tour group was gone and we never found them again. We spent a frustrating hour searching and figuring out how to return the audio devices. We asked Viator for a refund and they declined. It seems like a breach of contract to me and is certainly a cautionary tale about separating even briefly and with permission from the group.
Thank you for your review. We are sorry to hear that you did not enjoy our tour. We did speak with the guide and they said they wait for a bit and did not see you, so they thought you had left. For any future issues, please note that the voucher has our phone number that you can use to call us.
So much info shared, much deeper in terms of the history than I was expecting. This was fantastic!
Thank you! We are glad to hear that you enjoyed our Colosseum guided tour :)
This tour is a must-book. Laura was our tour guide and she was so knowledgeable. It was so amazing and a perfect amount of time. We went on a hot day and she was great about being accomodating for everyone and doing everything she could for this experience to be so enjoyable for all. She was so smart and amazing at answering questions and providing little fun facts that were so memorable! So glad we did this!!
Thank you so much, we are glad to hear that you enjoyed our Colosseum guided tour with Laura!
Rosie was a fantastic guide. Very informative, personable, and helpful.
Thank you for your review, we are glad to hear that you enjoyed our Colosseum tour with Rosy!
Our tour guide was a wealth of information. We had many curious questions from our group and she expertly answered them based on historical facts. So interesting! Was a highlight of our trip!
Thank you! We are glad to hear that you enjoyed our Colosseum guided tour!
