Colosseum Arena Tour with Archaeologist
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore Colosseum's ancient arena
- Learn from an expert archaeologist
- Access Roman Forum ruins
- Skip-the-line entry
- Discover ancient Roman history
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Guided tour of Colosseum Arena
- Expert archaeologist guide
- Access to Roman Forum
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Itinerary
Meet your archeologist guide outside the Colosseum and enjoy a short introduction to the area. Use a privileged backdoor entrance and get exclusive access directly into the Gladiators’ Arena. Save time waiting in ticket lines with this tour that includes Colosseum admission..
Once inside, walk in the Arena floor through the notorious “Porta Libitinaria”. Feel like a Gladiator and journey back to the days of the Roman Empire with a professional archeologist. Marvel at this mighty wonder of ancient engineering and learn about the innovative techniques used to build it. Discover the political and social reasons that led to its construction and hear about the bloody games that took place within it. After your official tour ends you can either use your tickets to visit the archeological area of the Roman Forums and Palatine Hill on your own or with a guided tour (choose the option you prefer during your booking).
OPTIONALLY, you can join the guide to head towards the archeological area of the Roman Forums and Palatine Hill in another 1-hour guided tour. Choose this option during your booking. 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.
Meeting point
Start Location
Piazza del Colosseo, 21, Piazza del Colosseo, 21, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
Important information
Know before you book
- Tour operates in English; ensure you understand the language
- Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult
- Photography is allowed; tripods and selfie sticks are prohibited
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes for uneven terrain
- Bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated
- Be prepared for security checks at entry points
Cancellation policy
If you cancel at least 7 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel within 7 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
Accessibility
- Infant Seats Available
- Service Animals Allowed
- Easy Public Transport
- Stroller Accessible
- Wheelchair Accessible
Good to know
- 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 be at the meeting point 30 minutes before the starting time.
- 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.
- Travellers younger than 18 years old must present a valid document or proof of ID
- You will need to pass through strict and mandatory security checks to enter the Colosseum
- Trolleys and large backpacks are not allowed inside, neither are glass/metal bottles or sprays (e.g. perfumes etc.)
- Drones and knives of any kind are strictly forbidden at the monuments
- 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.
- Pets are not permitted
Traveler reviews
A factual and engaging tour.
A thoroughly interesting tour of the Colosseum, Palentine Hill and The Forum (despite the rain) and Bogdan kept us engaged with such interesting and well pitched content throughout. The poor weather meant the tour was almost private, but he would deliver to a greater audience just as well. They provide radio transmitters and headphones so everyone can hear.
How culture is really fun
We had a very good guided tour with a sympathetic and extremely knowledgeable tour guide who responded very well to questions from the group and created a great tension in her head. This is how culture is really fun! Thank you for that!
Magnificent to finally see, excellent tour guide, get there as early as possible to slighly minimise the crowds
Of course it was packed but that's par for course. It was still amazing to see it from the arena. The tour guide was excellent and is clearly an expert at herding sheep through tiny cattle gates as she navigated the crowds with aplomb. My only complaint it that the crowds caused so much of a delay that we literally only got to see the Forum from the Palantine balcony areas. She offered to take us down there but said it would be very rushed and made it clear she thought it was a bad idea. I get it, it's crowded but if a tour say you'll walk in Roman Forum then that's what should happen or a slight refund offered.
Decent experience but not what I was hoping for
The tour itinerary was different than indicated— first a tour of Palatine Hill region, then overlook and description of the Forum, followed by Colosseum tour. Numerous members of our group had mobility issues, and I was very surprised that the tour said “wheelchair accessible” and did not indicate that attendees should be able to climb stairs and walk along lots of uneven ground and essentially stand for most of 3 hours. It was unfortunate for everyone because the people who could not walk and climb easily were not able to experience the whole tour and the tour was slowed because of this. Our guide was entertaining, very pleasant and patient, and gave context and stories to make the history come alive. He was not an archaeologist, as the tour title indicates. I should have read extensively ahead of time to better understand the features and structures we saw. I was hoping for a more historical details. On a high note, the Palatine Hill area has many amazing features—I did not think this was part of the guided tour. As a side note, restrooms were few and far between.
Five Star tour
A huge shout out to Elisa navigating us to the group as we walked to the meet up point. Mario is a very knowledgeable guy gave us insight to the history of the Colosseum kept the multi aged group fascinated. Don’t be put off with the steps as there is a lift inside for those who may need it. Well worth excursion with professional guide definitely way to go. Highly recommend. Sun in September was bearable 30 degrees for in arena.