Small Group Colosseum Arena Tour + Palatine Hill & Roman Forum
About this activity
Highlights
- A guided tour of the Colosseum, Forum, and Palatine Hill
- Save time by skipping admission lines with priority access
- Explore the restricted arena floor where gladiators once battled
- Travel with a guide: Dive deep into ancient Roman history
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Expert-led guided tour of Rome
- Discover the iconic sites of Ancient Rome in one tour
- Headphones available for audio tour
- Small-Group, personalised experience
- Passionate storytelling, and plenty of history to learn
Itinerary
This tour includes access to the Colosseum and entry onto the arena floor through the Gladiators’ Gate, the passage historically used by performers and participants entering the amphitheatre. From here, you’ll step into the central space where ancient spectacles once took place. With the guidance of a knowledgeable expert, learn about the Colosseum’s construction during the height of the Roman Empire and its role in Roman society. Your guide will explain how emperors used the amphitheatre for public events and displays, and how the Colosseum reflected Rome’s power, culture, and influence across the ancient world.
Next, continue to Palatine Hill, traditionally regarded as the birthplace of Rome. This significant archaeological area contains remains spanning from early settlements through later imperial and medieval periods. With your guide, view notable sites such as the Hut of Romulus and the ruins of the Imperial Palace, once associated with Rome’s ruling elite and administrative life.
The final stop on this tour is the Roman Forum. As the center of ancient Rome, the Forum was a bustling hub of markets, law courts, temples, and public life. Here, Julius Caesar was cremated, two emperors were killed in 69 AD, and Cicero delivered speeches that influenced Roman society and governance.
Meeting point
Start Location
Via di S. Gregorio, 00184 Roma, RM, Italy
Cancellation policy
Up to 24 hours before the beginning of the activity: full refund Less than 24 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: no refund
Good to know
- Please provide the full names of all travellers when booking. Failure to present a voucher with matching names at the ticket office may result in denied entry to the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
- Each traveller must present a valid passport or ID matching the name provided at booking for entry to the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
- Tour order may vary: we will start with either the Colosseum or the Roman Forum/Palatine Hill depending on ticket times.
- Colosseum admission is free on the first Sunday of each month. Tours are discounted on these days.
Traveler reviews
Pretty nice tour of Coliseum/Palatine Hill & Roman Forum
With this or any tour you want to be sure they have guaranteed access times with no wait except for the security screening. Go early because lines will be big anyway and venues will be crowded during peak times of year. Bring frozen water in summer because it will melt quickly. Selfie stick may help you with better photos over people. Our tour got changed and we did get another hour but lost the Arena floor access for some reason but didn’t want to lose out on going at all since it was last minute.
Excellent Tour
Excellent tour guide. It's very hot and uneven surfaces so wear good shoes. Guide was very knowledgeable and learned so much about the history of Rome.
Terrible experience
We booked the tour, and while we did get the Colosseum and Arena portion, we did not receive entry to the Forum and Palatine Hill. We were told to go back to where we started the tour, and when we did, no one was there. We waited over an hour with several other people who had the same issue and had been told the same thing. We all had to call the agency, only to be told that the Forum and Palatine Hill were not included—even though our reservation and tickets clearly stated that they were. We were then told to reach out to Viator, as the agency could not help. We ended up having to buy another set of tickets on the spot. About three hours later, someone from the agency finally reached out via text through the app, apologized, and sent the tickets. But at that point it was useless, since we had already purchased new ones. They issued a partial refund, but in my opinion it did not correspond to what we missed or the inconvenience caused.
It was a great experience
Very knowledgeable and friendly guide, Maryann was great!
Good all round experience
Andy was knowledgeable, friendly and funny Express few hours but its enough for first timers. Get there early. Very crowded in may