Magpie
4.1(1,010 reviews)

Colosseum Express Guided Tour

From€45
2 hours – 3 hours
Province of Rome, Italy

About this activity

Experience Ancient Rome's iconic sites with a guided tour, including skip-the-line access to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.

Highlights

  • Skip-the-line access to the Colosseum
  • Guided tour of Ancient Rome's landmarks
  • Admission to Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
  • Explore the heart of the Roman Empire
  • Learn about gladiators and emperors

Full description

Step back in time and immerse yourself in the grandeur of Ancient Rome with our Colosseum Express Guided Tour. Skip the lines and delve into the history of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Led by expert guides, you'll uncover tales of gladiators, emperors, and the daily life of Romans. This tour offers a perfect blend of history, architecture, and culture, ensuring an unforgettable journey through Rome's ancient heart. Don't miss this opportunity to walk in the footsteps of legends and witness the marvels of the Roman Empire firsthand.

Included / Excluded

  • Skip-the-line access to the Colosseum
  • Guided tour of Ancient Rome's landmarks
  • Admission to Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
  • Food and beverages

Itinerary

1

Visit Rome's symbolic monument with a tour that makes it easy and fun for all ages. Learn about the amphitheater's history from a guide with an art and archaeology background. Learn about the spectacular games and bloody battles that were held inside. Hear about the techniques of construction invented by the Romans, the incredible ability of the gladiators, the violent fighting between exotic animals, and the high level of technology achieved by Roman engineers to build the Colosseum. Walk around the first tiers and reach the arena to learn about the trapdoors and all the mechanisms used to animate the games. Your guide will keep you entertained with stories of sea-battles, the cages where lions were kept before the games started, the rooms in which gladiators were waiting before they reached the arena, the executions, and the excitement of the spectators attending the most spectacular, fantastic, and expensive games in human history.

Duration: 1 hourAdmission: YES
2

ourney into the heart of Ancient Rome at the Roman Forum. Discover the center of Roman society at the Forum, where laws were decreed, politics discussed, and goods bartered. This is the beating heart of Ancient Rome: an unmatched social, economic, religious, and political powerhouse.

Duration: 1 hourAdmission: YES
3

Palatine Hill, four-sided plateau rising 131 feet (40 metres) south of the Forum in Rome and 168 feet (51 metres) above sea level. It has a circumference of 5,700 feet (1,740 metres). The city of Rome was founded on the Palatine, where archaeological discoveries range from prehistoric remains to the ruins of imperial palaces.

Duration: 45 minAdmission: YES

Meeting point

Start Location

Unknown location

Important information

Know before you book

  • The tour is conducted in English; ensure you understand the language.
  • Photography is allowed, but tripods and flash are prohibited.
  • Large bags and backpacks are not permitted inside the Colosseum.

Know before you go

  • Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress appropriately for the weather.
  • Bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated during the tour.
  • Be prepared for security checks at the entrance.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 7 days before the activity starts

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

  • Stroller Accessible
  • Easy Public Transport

Good to know

  • The Colosseum security checks the names and ID cards of each visitor, so the wait can be longer than expected. You can enter only with a valid ID card!
  • Please provide the full names of all travelers when booking. Failure to present a voucher with all travelers' full names at the ticket office prior to entry may result in denied entry to the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
  • The activity can suffer 20/30 min variation due to organizational reasons
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult. Discount for children under 18 years is applied only with a valid ID card! Without valid ID ticket control operators will deny entry at the Colosseum.
  • For the Sel Guided Tour Option Smartphones to download the app for the audioguide must be of the latest generation (No older than the year 2020)
  • Please note that for safety reasons the Colosseum can accommodate up to 3.000 people at once.This could lead to delays in access to the site, even for pre-booked visitors.
  • For security reasons all visitors and their luggage shall be screened.
  • Forbidden objects inside the Colosseum: bottles and glasses containers, alcholic beverages and aerosols, backpacks, camping, bulky bags and luggage / trolley
  • Can be introduced medium and small size backpacks to shoulder, which must be checked, as any other bag, with metal detectors, opened and visually inspected by the Urbe Security Institute, responsible for the entrance inspection
  • Please notice that the Colosseum Administration, which depends on the Ministry of Cultural Assets and Activities has the faculty to close the Colosseum, or parts of it, with or without notice, for events, strikes, heavy rain, or any other reason. In which case, we will offer an alternative itinerary as it seems fit and offer a partial refund
  • Activity not recommended for people with motor lag
  • No change on a booking can be accepted after 24hrs to the starting time of the tour. In that instance, no refund will be issued.
  • For the safety of all guests, the tour operator reserves the right to refuse service to passengers who are intoxicated or show signs of intoxication. If, as a result, your tour is canceled, you will not be entitled to a refund.
  • The itinerary may vary depending on weather conditions (ice, rain, or high temperatures) or other events beyond the travel agency's control.

Traveler reviews

4.1
1,010 reviews
5
574
4
173
3
96
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85

Big disappointment

When booking online it is not specified that the headphones are not provided and therefore we paid a guided tour without being able to enjoy it. We also thought the price included the total visit to the Coliseum, well no, we were denied access to the elevator to climb to the highest as access to the arena. We should have booked these "favours" online and of course paid extra. Even surprised at the Rome Forum when we wanted to enter the church: we needed another ticket, paid of course, even though it was in the description of the Pop Guide app. Really disappointed.

JeanBaptiste_MApr 23, 2026VIATOR

Rubbish audio tour- offered as an alternative to unwel tour guide - waste of time

Was offered 3 days before the trip to swap for a later time due to a poorly tour guide. This time didn’t work due to our evening flight home. Therefore was offered the audio tour, a self tour led by an app off your phone. Was totally rubbish and I should have been given money off what I paid for a proper guided tour. 4 short and useless clips briefly explaining in the colloseum. Building was so poorly sign posted so was impossible to find way to the Roman sites and palatine hill - the people at the venue were useless too. Providing an overall RUBBISH tour!

Anjali_BMar 29, 2026VIATOR

All right.

Excellent experience to get to know a little beyond ancient Rome. We did not queue and the entrance was super fast. Recommended

eduariassSep 19, 2025TRIPADVISOR

This tour did not allow...

This tour did not allow access to the lower level (coliseum floor) but view is actually better from above so I don’t think it’s necessary.

Vikki_SJun 7, 2025VIATOR

Alissia was great!

Alissia has terrific. She was interesting, personal and fun to be with. She was also concise and thorough in her historical information. She had many 2-D references that helped with understanding of the making and use of the colosseum. Our entire family enjoyed it.

valerig2017Apr 29, 2025TRIPADVISOR

Additional information

The Colosseum security checks the names and ID cards of each visitor, so the wait can be longer than expected. You can enter only with a valid ID card! Please provide the full names of all travelers when booking. Failure to present a voucher with all travelers' full names at the ticket office prior to entry may result in denied entry to the Colosseum and Roman Forum. The activity can suffer 20/30 min variation due to organizational reasons Children must be accompanied by an adult. Discount for children under 18 years is applied only with a valid ID card! Without valid ID ticket control operators will deny entry at the Colosseum. For the Sel Guided Tour Option Smartphones to download the app for the audioguide must be of the latest generation (No older than the year 2020) Please note that for safety reasons the Colosseum can accommodate up to 3.000 people at once.This could lead to delays in access to the site, even for pre-booked visitors. For security reasons all visitors and their luggage shall be screened. Forbidden objects inside the Colosseum: bottles and glasses containers, alcholic beverages and aerosols, backpacks, camping, bulky bags and luggage / trolley Can be introduced medium and small size backpacks to shoulder, which must be checked, as any other bag, with metal detectors, opened and visually inspected by the Urbe Security Institute, responsible for the entrance inspection Please notice that the Colosseum Administration, which depends on the Ministry of Cultural Assets and Activities has the faculty to close the Colosseum, or parts of it, with or without notice, for events, strikes, heavy rain, or any other reason. In which case, we will offer an alternative itinerary as it seems fit and offer a partial refund Activity not recommended for people with motor lag No change on a booking can be accepted after 24hrs to the starting time of the tour. In that instance, no refund will be issued. For the safety of all guests, the tour operator reserves the right to refuse service to passengers who are intoxicated or show signs of intoxication. If, as a result, your tour is canceled, you will not be entitled to a refund. The itinerary may vary depending on weather conditions (ice, rain, or high temperatures) or other events beyond the travel agency's control.
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