Colosseum and Roman Forum - Private tour
Description
Enjoy the Forum and Ancient Rome through a relaxing and entertaining private tour with priority access tickets. You'll explore the first and second levels of the Colosseum, one of the largest structures of the ancient world, where Romans once gathered to watch the gladiator games, battles with wild beasts. Discover how the Colosseum, a massive stone amphitheater that seated an estimated 60,000 spectators. Your guide will unlock fascinating stories of the design and construction, the political benefit, the fighters, and the eventual end of the games at the Colosseum. On this tour your English-speaking guide will explain the history of early Roman life and bring the ruins back to life. Than you will entry at the Roman Forum, where you'll get a crash course in day-to-day life in the historic heart of the city; this spot was the center of western civilization. Although the ruins can be hard to decipher, your guide will bring the old stones to life with thrilling stories.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Stretching elegantly between "Piazza Venezia" and the "Colosseum", Via dei Fori Imperiali is a majestic avenue carved through the heart of ancient Rome. Lined with the ruins of the Imperial Fora — Caesar’s, Augustus’, Nerva’s, and Trajan’s — it offers a breathtaking walk through millennia of history. Originally built under Mussolini between 1924 and 1932, the road both reveals and bisects key archaeological zones, making it a dramatic ribbon of civilization where past and present intersect.
The Roman Forum, also known by its Latin name Forum Romanum, is a rectangular forum surrounded by the ruins of several important ancient government buildings at the center of the city of Rome.The political and business centre of ancient Rome, the warn away paths are covered in history. This is where the citizens came to listen to speeches, to meet the senators or to see people like Julius Caesar or Cicero. The ruins tell a story, and it is the story of Rome and its politics, with the likes of the ancient Curia (the Senate) that is still visible, but also with the impressive marble columns of temples which were erected for the first time in V century BC.
The Curia Julia, commissioned by Julius Caesar and completed under Augustus in 29 BC, served as the meeting place of the Roman Senate. Located in the Roman Forum, its imposing rectangular structure symbolized the political heart of ancient Rome. Remarkably well preserved, it still conveys the power and authority of the Senate that once shaped the destiny of the Empire.
Erected in the Roman Forum by Augustus in 29 BC, the Temple of Divus Julius honored the deified Julius Caesar after his assassination. Standing on the site of Caesar’s cremation, the temple became a place of cult and political symbolism, where citizens could pay homage to Rome’s first deified leader. Today, only ruins remain, yet the site continues to embody the turning point from Republic to Empire.
One of the most sacred sites of ancient Rome, the Temple of Vesta was dedicated to the goddess of the hearth. Its circular design symbolized eternity and the continuity of the Roman state, while within burned the eternal flame, tended by the Vestal Virgins. Though only fragments remain today, the temple still evokes the deep spiritual life of the Roman Forum.
The Arch of Titus, built in 81 AD by Emperor Domitian, commemorates the victories of his brother Titus, including the conquest of Jerusalem. Standing at the entrance to the Roman Forum along the Via Sacra, the triumphal arch is decorated with detailed reliefs depicting the spoils of war and the emperor’s triumphal procession. It remains a powerful symbol of Rome’s imperial glory and architectural mastery.
The Arch of Constantine, erected in 315 AD near the Colosseum, celebrates Emperor Constantine’s victory over Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge. Adorned with reliefs and sculptures reused from earlier monuments, it symbolizes both the grandeur of imperial Rome and the transition to a new era under Constantine’s rule. Today, it stands as one of the most iconic triumphal arches of the ancient world.
Enjoy a private tour with your personal storyteller by entering the Colosseum, a true blessing especially during hot and crowded summer days! Your private guide will help your imagination with visual aids and reconstructions of ancient buildings and you will experience how Roman history comes to life thanks to an expert storyteller. Retrace the same sites you got to know in your favorite Ancient Rome movies like “the Gladiator”, “Spartacus”, “Ben-Hur”. The Colosseum or Coliseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, is an oval amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome. Built of travertine limestone, tuff, and brick-faced concrete, it was the largest amphitheatre ever built at the time and held aprox 60,000 spectators.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
You will meet your private driver speaking English in the lobby of your hotel or in front of your AirBnB and you'll go to meet your private guide (ONLY with Pick Up option / Transfer selected)
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Dress code is casual
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
- A bottle of water will be always helpful
- Important Information for Your Visit To ensure a smooth entry, please remember that all members of your group must present a valid, government-issued photo ID (a photo of your passport is also acceptable). Tickets are strictly personal, and the names provided at the time of booking must match exactly the names shown on your passport. Please note that only the person listed on the ticket will be admitted; unfortunately, last-minute substitutions are not allowed. The Colosseum Archaeological Park requires that the full official name and surname shown on your ID match the information on your entry ticket. For this reason, we kindly ask you to provide your complete legal names at the time of booking; nicknames or variations cannot be accepted.
Reviews(190)
We were 4 people. My father and his wife are both in 80s with very limited speed. Our Driver picked us up and was very patient and kind. Her brought us to the tour guide Barbara. She was very knowledgeable and walked at a slow pace as not to rush us. My father was very impressed with her knowledge of the area. After the Colosseum my Dad and his wife decided they could not do the Forum and the walking was tough. She called the driver brought them back to meet the driver and my husband and I went on to finish the tour. We really enjoyed the day and highly recommend.
Thank you so much for your wonderful 5-star review! On behalf of Barbara and our driver, thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We are delighted to hear that Barbara's knowledge and thoughtful approach made your visit so enjoyable. She will be especially happy to know that your father appreciated her passion for Rome's history and archaeology. At Kai Travel, we always strive to tailor each experience to our guests' needs, so we are pleased that Barbara and our driver were able to adapt the tour to ensure everyone was as comfortable as possible. Providing a flexible and personalized service is something we truly care about. Thank you once again for choosing Kai Travel and for your kind recommendation. It was a pleasure to welcome your family to Rome, and we hope to have the opportunity to see you all again for another unforgettable experience. Warmest regards, Ruth by Kai Travel
We have been blessed to travel around the world and we were equally blessed to be on this amazing tour with Denis learning about the ancient history of Roma and the Colosseum. Denis was an incredible guide who welcomed us with a warm smile and treated us to a great tour! We spent a lot of time learning about the history and architecture and he both readily and easily answered our questions. He had picture of what the ancient city looked like giving us a perspective of what that area looked like at the height of its architectural glory. He navigated us easily through the crowds. We never felt rushed or inundated by the crowds around us. Being in the Colosseum itself was awe inspiring, not only for its beauty and historical significance but because Denis really brought the games to life with his vast knowledge of the history, which brought the Colosseum to life. This tour, with Denis, was profoundly meaningful and we would highly recommend it to anyone.
Dear Bernadette, Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for such a beautiful and heartfelt review. Reading your words is incredibly moving for us. Knowing that, after traveling all over the world, your experience with Denis and Kai Travel was so meaningful is the greatest compliment we could ever receive. Denis is deeply passionate about the history of Ancient Rome, and nothing makes him happier than bringing the Colosseum and the Roman Forum to life through the stories, people, and architecture that shaped this extraordinary city. We are delighted that his passion, knowledge, and personal approach made your visit so memorable. Your recommendation means the world to our family business. Reviews like yours inspire us every day to continue sharing the beauty and history of Rome with travelers from around the world. Thank you once again for choosing Kai Travel. It was truly an honor to welcome you, and we sincerely hope to have the pleasure of seeing you again in Rome—or perhaps in Florence, Venice, or along the Amalfi Coast—for another unforgettable adventure. With our warmest thanks, Ruth
Wonderful, kind & knowledgable tour guide. Great communication prior to tour. Hectic site but tour guide made it very comfortable for my party. Worth the money!
Dear Jessica, It has been a true pleasure assisting you from the very beginning and helping you and your family enjoy what we hope was an unforgettable experience in Rome. Thank you so much for your wonderful 5-star review! We are delighted to hear that you had such a positive experience with Maria Serena. We will be sure to share your kind words with her—they will mean so much to her. It is wonderful to know that Maria Serena's kindness, expertise, and attentive communication made your visit enjoyable and comfortable, even in such a busy setting. Creating memorable and stress-free experiences for our guests is always our greatest reward. Thank you once again for choosing Kai Travel. We truly hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you and your family back to Rome for another unforgettable adventure! Warm regards, Ruth
We had a wonderful private tour with a very knowledgeable guide. She spoke great English and knew so very much about everything we were looking at.
Dear Jason, Thank you so much for your wonderful 5-star review! We are delighted to hear that you had such a wonderful experience with Maria Serena. We will be sure to share your kind words with her—they will mean a great deal to her. It is always our goal to provide knowledgeable, engaging, and memorable private tours, and we are thrilled that Maria Serena's expertise and excellent English helped make your visit to Rome so special. Thank you once again for choosing Kai Travel. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back to the Eternal City in the future! Warm regards, Ruth by Kai Travel
Our experience at Kai with our guide Mara was perfect! Despite the heat, she spared no effort to make our experience as pleasant as possible! 100/100
Merci infiniment pour votre magnifique avis ! Nous sommes ravis d'apprendre que vous avez passé une si belle expérience avec Mara. Nous lui transmettrons avec grand plaisir vos compliments, qui lui feront très plaisir. Même sous la chaleur de l'été romain, notre priorité est toujours d'offrir à nos hôtes une visite aussi agréable, enrichissante et mémorable que possible. Votre note de 100/100 nous touche énormément ! Nous espérons avoir le plaisir de vous accueillir de nouveau à Rome pour une autre découverte de la Ville Éternelle. À très bientôt ! Ruth Kai Travel
We had a private Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill tour with Denis, and he was excellent. He clearly knew the history, cared that our family stayed engaged, and gave us more time and attention than expected. The Forum, Palatine Hill views, and Colosseum were all much more meaningful because of his explanations. Dennis is also an excellent photographer and took the best picture of our entire trip. Great private guide and a very worthwhile Rome experience.
Thank you so much for your wonderful 5-star review! We are delighted to hear that you and your family had such an enjoyable experience with Denis. He is truly passionate about sharing the history of Rome, and we're so pleased that his knowledge, enthusiasm, and personal attention made your visit to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill so memorable. We're especially happy that he captured your favorite photo of the trip—that's a wonderful compliment, and we're sure Denis will be thrilled to hear it! Thank you for choosing Kai Travel. We hope to welcome you back to Rome for another unforgettable experience! Warm regards, Ruth by Kai Travel
First up, they pick us up from our hotel and took us back after the tour which was fabulous! The drivers were friendly and contacted our tour guide so the pick up and drop off was seamless. Next the tour was guided by the wonderful Maria Serena Lanfranca. She was patient with our many questions and very well versed on the history. She had a visual guide for many of the ruins showing us the before and current looks. It was so helpful. I cannot stress enough to book with Maria Serena! She was fantastic! Best tour we had in Rome!
Dear Amy, Thank you so much for your wonderful 5-star review. We are truly delighted to hear that you enjoyed every part of your experience, from the seamless hotel pick-up and drop-off service to the guided tour itself. It is especially lovely to know that Maria Serena Lanfranca made such a positive impression. Her patience, deep knowledge of Roman history, and use of visual materials to bring the ruins to life are exactly what we strive to offer our guests. We will certainly share your kind words with her, and we are sure she will be very happy to read your feedback. Thank you again for your recommendation and for choosing Kai Travel. We are thrilled to hear this was your best tour in Rome, and we would be honored to welcome you again in the future. Warm regards, Ruth Kai Travel
Wonderful private tour with Alberto! He was able to accommodate the tour for our specific needs. We had 2 mobile limited adults on the tour and he made sure they got through the tour safely and comfortably. Sincere and kind demeanor with lots of knowledge. Would highly recommend and book again.
Dear Francesca, Thank you so much for your wonderful 5-star review. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your private tour with Alberto and that he was able to accommodate your group's specific needs. Providing a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable experience for all our guests is extremely important to us, and we are pleased to know that Alberto's kindness, professionalism, and extensive knowledge helped make your visit memorable. Your kind words will certainly be shared with Alberto, who will be thrilled to know that his efforts were so appreciated. Thank you again for choosing Kai Travel. We truly appreciate your recommendation and would be honored to welcome you back to Rome in the future. Warm regards, Ruth
So very knowledgeable, kind & attentive to our handicap needs
Thank you so much for your wonderful 5-star review. We are delighted to hear that you found your guide knowledgeable, kind, and attentive to your needs. Ensuring that every guest enjoys a comfortable and memorable experience is always our priority, and it means a great deal to know that we were able to accommodate your accessibility requirements. Thank you for choosing Kai Travel. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back to Rome again in the future. Warm regards, Ruth by Kai Travel
The guide was amazing prepared and engaging available. We discovered not only the places but also many curiosities. MR KAITRAVEL FOREVER
Grazie di cuore per questa splendida recensione! Siamo davvero felici di sapere che la vostra guida sia riuscita a rendere il tour così coinvolgente, interessante e ricco di curiosità. Per noi non è importante solo mostrare i luoghi, ma far vivere ai nostri ospiti un’esperienza autentica e memorabile. Il vostro “KAI TRAVEL FOREVER” ci riempie il cuore di gioia. Speriamo di potervi accogliere nuovamente presto a Roma. Un caro saluto, Ruth by Kai Travel
