Ancient Rome Tours and Tickets

Central Rome’s most famous archaeological ruins are the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, the Temple of Julius Caesar, and the Arch of Constantine. Each site offers a glimpse into the ancient splendor of the Roman Empire.

Yes, you can explore both the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill with the same entry ticket. Though each site has separate entrances, visitors can walk freely between the two. Tickets typically grant access for a set period of time to the Forum, Palatine Hill, and the Colosseum.

The Temple of Julius Caesar, situated in the Roman Forum, is where Julius Caesar's body was cremated after his assassination in 44 BC. Also called the Temple of Divus Iulius, or the Temple of the Deified Julius Caesar, it honors one of Ancient Rome's most influential figures, and that means a lot given the fact that there are so many legendary Roman emperors.

Yes, the Arch of Constantine is open to the public and doesn’t require admission to visit. The historic arch, the largest of Rome’s three triumphal arches, is located next to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. The nearest metro stop is Colosseo, which you reach via Line B.

Plan to spend three hours minimum visiting the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Be aware that exploring all three will require a fair amount of walking. Fortunately, they’re all located on the east side of the Tiber River, so you don’t need to plan separate day trips to see them all. If you want to visit the awe-inspiring St. Peter’s Basilica, you’ll probably need to do it on another day.

Most travelers to the Eternal City will want to see the Colosseum and its famous arena floor, as one of the city’s most famous and significant sites. The Roman Forum features more structures to see—including temples, arches, and ancient public spaces—but can require more historical context to fully appreciate.

If time allows, visit both, and remember to wear comfortable shoes as you’ll end up doing a lot of walking, and if you visit the Colosseum, you may need to walk up and down stairs if the elevators are too crowded.