Magpie
4.7(869 reviews)

Rome: Colosseum, Gladiator Arena & Roman Forum Private Tour

Rome, Italy

About this activity

Enjoy skip-the-line entry to the Colosseum and exclusive access to the Gladiator Arena Floor on a private walking tour. Explore the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill to learn about Rome's rich history.

Highlights

  • Discover the Colosseum with an expert, private guide on a walking tour in Rome
  • Save time standing in line with skip-the-line entry tickets and your own guide
  • Follow in the footsteps of gladiators with exclusive access to the Arena Floor
  • Relive life in ancient Rome amongst the ruins of the spectacular Roman Forum
  • Visit the palaces of emperors and enjoy the views over Rome from Palatine Hill

Full description

With entrance tickets purchased in advance, you can skip the lines and spend more time exploring Rome. There is so much to discover and learn at the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill, and your private guide is on hand to lead the way on your walking tour.

Discover the truth behind the legends of the gladiators and gain new insight into the magnificent ancient Colosseum. Undoubtedly the most amazing monument in Rome, the Colosseum is the stuff of legends. 

Gladiatorial games of epic proportions took place here, and on your Colosseum tour, you’ll learn the difference between fact and fiction. Hear who the gladiators were and what took place on the arena sands. See the imperial box and learn how the games played a vital role in ancient Roman society. 

Access to the arena floor is only possible for a limited number of visitors each day, and as some of those lucky few on your walking tour, you’ll get to channel your inner Russell Crowe as you visit this exclusive area of the Colosseum.

Touring the Roman Forum, learn about Roman history in the very place where the events occurred. These atmospheric ruins were once the political heart of the ancient city. 

Your private tour includes the Senate, the gardens and House of the Vestal Virgins, the Basilica of Julia and the Basilica of Maxentius, the temple of Castor and Pollux, and the temple of Antoninus and Faustina. 

Walk on one of the most important Roman roads, the Via Sacra, where you can still see the wheel ruts of the carriages that passed over it for centuries. Another highlight of your private Rome tour is the triumphal Arch of Titus and Arch of Septimius Severus.

Ascend Palatine Hill to see the palaces of ancient Rome's emperors, and learn the story of the city's creation. Palatine Hill is the oldest part of the ancient city, and according to legend, this was the place where the young Romulus and Remulus were discovered by the she-wolf.

Included / Excluded

  • All Fees and Taxes
  • Expert, English-speaking private guide
  • Skip-the-lines Access
  • Exclusive Arena Floor visit
  • Headsets (for groups of 6 or more)
  • Transportation to and from the meeting and end points
  • Food and beverages
  • Gratuities (optional)

Important information

Know before you book

  • As this is a walking tour through large archaeological sites in Rome with steps, staircases and uneven surfaces, comfortable walking shoes and a bottle of water are strongly recommended.
  • Please advise if any travelers have mobility concerns so that we can best accommodate you.

Know before you go

  • You will meet your guide in front of the Cafe/Restaurant Angelino ai Fori. The address is Largo Corrado Ricci, 43a. They will have a Through Eternity sign or flag.
  • Please ensure you arrive 10 minutes early and at the right meeting point, as we cannot wait for late arrivals.
  • If you are unable to find your guide by 10 minutes before the starting time, please call our office at +1-800-267-7581 or + 39 348 923 6621.
  • Immediately upon booking, please email the ages of all children traveling with you to office@througheternity.com
  • As this is a walking tour with steps, staircases and uneven surfaces, comfortable walking shoes and a bottle of water are strongly recommended.
  • Large bags, luggage, glass bottles, alcoholic beverages or spray canisters (such as sunscreen) cannot be brought into these sites and there is no space on-site to leave your belongings, therefore we encourage you to leave such items at your hotel.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 15 days before the activity starts

15 or more days before the tour day: 90% of the cost will be refunded, minus ticket costs; Between 8 and 14 days before the tour day: 50% of the cost will be refunded, minus ticket costs; 7 days or less: no refund.

Reviews

4.7(869 reviews)
Google
K B
Jul 2026
4.0

Good tour, covers the main highlights of the Vatican. Knowledgeable tour guide.

Google
Michael Hartung
Jul 2026
5.0

We absolutely loved our tour of the Uffizi! Our guide, Ilaria, really brought the museum to life for us. With her depth of knowledge, she gave us so much insight, background, and fascinating facts about the art, the artists and the history of not only the museum, but of Florence as a whole. We wholeheartedly recommend this tour. Our experience of the Uffizi would not have been as wonderful without Ilaria and Through Eternity!

Google
Sean Baylor
Jul 2026
3.0

We used Through Eternity for guided tours of the Vatican and the Colosseum/Roman forum. The day before our Colosseum tour, we were notified that they were canceling the tour due to “circumstances outside of their control”. They did offer a 30% off discount from the price we paid for the tour package which seemed really low considering it was essentially the price of the Colosseum tickets that we ended up having to buy separately.

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