Rome: Colosseum with Arena Floor, Forum and Palatine Guided Tour
Rome, Italy
- 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Knowing where to start when visiting Rome's archaeological sites can be daunting, especially for first-time visitors. This group tour handles the planning for you, with an itinerary that includes the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Enjoy stepping onto the amphitheater's restricted arena floor, something the majority travelers aren't able to access. Gain deeper insights through your guide's commentary, which goes beyond what you'll find on the information panels.
- Choose from a variety of start times to suit your schedule
- Don't miss a word with an included audio headset
- Learn more than you could if touring these sites on your own
- Upgrade to a small-group tour for a more personalized experience
Why Travellers Choose This Tour
This tour gets you exclusive access to the arena floor, restricted to most visitors.
What's Included
- Official Professional Guide
- Audio Equipment to Hear the Guide
- Entrance to Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
- Colosseum entrance ticket with arena access (valued at €24 per person)
- Colosseum reservation fee (valued at €2 per person)
- Note: Colosseum fees are as above. The remaining cost of the experience covers other services
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Transportation to/from attractions
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Basilica of Saints Cosmas and DamianVia dei Fori Imperiali, 1, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
The meeting point is in the square in front of the Santi Cosma and Damiano Basilica, in Via dei Fori Imperiali 1 (halfway, near the Roman Forum entrance). Our staff will be wearing a light blue vest with our logos on. Please arrive 15 minutes early—late arrivals cannot join the tour.
End point
- ColosseumP.za del Colosseo, 1, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
Itinerary
Your tour begins by meeting your guide at the local tour office near the Colosseum; then walk to the special entrance reserved for members of this tour.
Maximize your time at the Colosseum as you enter the amphitheater directly onto the arena floor, where gladiators and wild animals engaged in bloody fights. Visit the ring overlooking the underground sections of the Colosseum, and learn about its history from your guide, who has a degree in either art history or archaeology. Listen to anecdotes about the glory days of the arena and the lives of the emperors and senators of the time.
Next, leave the Colosseum and walk to Palatine Hill, one of the Seven Hills of Rome, where emperors and other wealthy residents lived. Take in the view of the Roman Forum and Circus Maximus, and then walk down the hill to explore the ruins of the forum, where your guide shares more stories and uses books and 3D pictures to show you how the site looked during the days of Ancient Rome. Your tour ends with return to your starting point.
Maximize your time at the Colosseum as you enter the amphitheater directly onto the arena floor, where gladiators and wild animals engaged in bloody fights. Visit the ring overlooking the underground sections of the Colosseum, and learn about its history from your guide, who has a degree in either art history or archaeology. Listen to anecdotes about the glory days of the arena and the lives of the emperors and senators of the time.
Next, leave the Colosseum and walk to Palatine Hill, one of the Seven Hills of Rome, where emperors and other wealthy residents lived. Take in the view of the Roman Forum and Circus Maximus, and then walk down the hill to explore the ruins of the forum, where your guide shares more stories and uses books and 3D pictures to show you how the site looked during the days of Ancient Rome. Your tour ends with return to your starting point.
1
Roman Forum
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
2
Palatine Hill
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
3
Colosseum
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travellers can participate
- Please note that names provided must exactly match IDs/passports for all participants (including children), or the Colosseum will deny entry. Bring valid ID for everyone—no nicknames, missing, or incorrect names/last names allowed.
- For minors, the age must be 17 or younger on the day of the activity
- The entrance tickets to the Colosseum cannot be changed or refunded
- Each traveler must show a valid ID matching the booking name for entry. Without ID, entry is not guaranteed
- Please show up at least 15 minutes before to do the check in
- Meeting time is subject to change; if this occurs, you will receive a call or message from the activity provider. Please provide your correct phone number and country code
- Late arrivals or no shows will not be refunded
- In July and August due to the heat the duration of the visit is 2 hours
- All visitors must pass through a metal detector to enter the Colosseum. No exceptions
- Not Allowed: Big backpacks, pets, weapons, sharp items, large bags, alcohol, drugs, sprays, glass.
- By purchasing this tour, you agree to our Terms and Conditions
- If you select the semi-private option, our tours generally include up to 12 guests per guide for a more personal experience. From time to time, we may adjust the group size to accommodate families or friends traveling together, and some tours may also run with fewer participants. This flexible approach allows us to offer the best experience possible.
- The Ancient Rome tour involves Steps and a lot of walking on un-even path especially in the Roman Forum . We highly suggest flat confortable shoes. This tour is not suitable for any person with recent surgeries, with disabilities and for people in wheelchairs due to the street level , up street level and steps.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 24 travellers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 3 days in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveller Photos
Reviews
4.3
based on 6,456 reviews
Sort by: Most recent
Pamela_M, Aug 2026
Group too large for 1 guide. Waited 30+ minutes (standing) before tour started. Guide late getting going. Group around 25 persons of different walking levels. Guide needed to accommodate 2 persons on elevator which left rest of group waiting 15 minutes. For return-several members left as tired of waiting. Suggestion would be to indicate different walking levels, less people per group, decent waiting area.
Marilyn_C, Aug 2026
We really appreciated Georgia, our guide, who was knowledgeable and entertaining. She made sure to keep everyone hydrated and shaded whenever possible in a very hot day. It was amazing to walk onto the Coliseum arena and in the forum ruins.
Steve_C, Aug 2026
Very informative. Great experience. Covered so much history about Ancient Rome and the colosseum. Was well worth it.
Diane_O, Aug 2026
Tour was great. We were presented with everything we were promised. The guide was very lacklustre which was disappointing. Historical tours are always better when the guide is enthusiastic with what they are touring. This felt a bit like being on a class trip with a history teacher that had gone over the content a million times. Maybe it was the heat or the technical issues that the group had. Either way, it was fine but could have been so much better.
Shirley_Y, Aug 2026
This is an awful company for families. 1) the agency said we must have an infant ticket to enter the Colosseum. They told us we needed to pay another $160 because they cannot include our 6-month old on the tour. I got a last-minute ticket for our infant for $86. The tour then said they do not need the infant ticket. 2) At the Colosseum, the tour guide left us behind because we had to carry a stroller. The tour guide did not bother to wait for us. 3) i called the tour operator and asked her to connect us with the tour guide. She said she could not give my nuumber to the guide, cannot give the guide’a number to me, ans cannot inform the guide that we were waiting. We were left at the Coloseum!
Again If you have a family with elderly or amall children, you are in with this company for a nightmare. Be Ware!!!
Cheryle_J, Aug 2026
Very good experience. After a bit of confusion in relation to start time, the tour ran very well and was interesting
veeludes, Aug 2026
It was a great experience saw so much. I’m really sorry I can’t remember the tour guide tonight but he was amazing Antonio perhaps.??
We recovered the Colosseum and the Palestine and forum which was very informative
Mark_K, Aug 2026
It was ok. Lots of vague history. We had no issues with the walking but If you are looking for a short tour this is not for you. A lot of walking. Forum was better than the Coloseum had little info and little history. It was an ok tour
Gulraj_R, Aug 2026
Guide, Elida, was fantastic was fantastic. Made the tour very enjoyable. Was a great place to visit, so much to see. Would highly recommend the tour and the guide.
Dominic_D, Aug 2026
i gave it 5 stars but i was not able to make my appointment. my flight was delayed and so i couldnt make it.
Kim_T, Aug 2026
Amazing experience. Our tour guide Flavvia was simply the best. It was hot, but the tour was very informative and interesting. About the right amount of time too!
Evelyn_E, Aug 2026
Wow , what can I say . It was the most Amazing tour I and my family have ever been on . To really learn about the history about the Colosseum, and the friendliness and professionalism that our tour guy Mircea Marciu displaces is a true gift. He is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about Rome , colosseum history and all it has to offer . I personally did NOT want the tour to end . Thank you Mr Mircea , It was our first trip to Rome for my family and I . One that I will cherish and hold dear to my heart . Mr Mircea did an incredible job in engaging with all individuals during the tour. Thank you Viator , for having such great talent. Best tour ever!!!
Tyler_M, Aug 2026
Giorgia was an amazing guide. She had a terrific and pleasant attitude, especially considering the August heat. She did a great job engaging everyone at the level they were at. She answered all of our questions and was sure to get us pictures.
faby_m, Aug 2026
Lots of climbing up and down. Large steps. Worth it. I enjoyed seen the architecture from the arena floor. No need to go under, as you can see if from the floor. Very organized.
Michael_A, Jul 2026
Very thorough experience. Our host Georgia was very knowledgeable and great presentation. She was very considerate of guests with limitations and did her best to find shady areas to do her presentations since it was very hot on our tour day. Would definitely recommend.
Jennifer_T, Jul 2026
We loved this tour-our guide was knowledgeable, interesting, funny and didn’t walk too fast! You can tell he loved art
Michael_c, Jul 2026
Our tour guide was phenomenal. . Exceptionally knowledgeable and thoughtful for the group. Great care in relaying the history to us.
Irina_R, Jul 2026
We had Diego as our guide and he was very knowledgeable about the history of Rome and the areas we were seeing. It was a very hot day with a lot of walking so water and hats was a must. Overall very good experience- I don’t think we would have enjoyed it as much without a guide.
George_V, Jul 2026
Incredible day with an incredible guide! He as so informative and really brought the history to life! Great restaurant suggestion to boot! 5 stars!
Hal_L, Jul 2026
Great tour. Andri was so knowledgeable and helpful. He made the tour super interesting keeping us hydrated and in the shade as much as possible.
Lady_N, Jul 2026
The best tour you can find. Our tour guide (sorry, I forgot his name but we included his photo) was incredibly knowledgeable. He tells the history in such a way that it truly transports you back in time. He was also kind, friendly, and very patient. This was one of the few experiences in my life that genuinely made me say “WOW.” I will definitely be back.
Charlene_B, Jul 2026
It’s a great educational experience for kids and grownups alike that you can’t get in history books. It can be super hot in the summertime so bring water and an umbrella for shade. Best to book a morning tour
Yahaira_M, Jul 2026
Our tour guide was very informative and charismatic. We enjoyed the tour very much. Lots of walking, but our guide was aware and frequently stopped us in shade, for water, and for the bathroom.
Sandra_C, Jul 2026
They are very good, good explanation about all the history! She still has everything about history and very good explanation
Jennifer_D, Jul 2026
Fabulous tour. I can't remember name, began with a P. She was fabulous. Even through the heatwave being experienced at that time, she was great. So knowledgeable. Highly recommend this tour!
Cindy_H, Jul 2026
This tour included standing outside waiting for 25 other people to join us and then walking inside and standing in one spit for 45 minutes listening to a tour guide. Absolutely Ridiculous!!!
Jennifer_R, Jul 2026
FANTASTIC tour and tour guide! Our guide, was informative, energetic and took the time to answer all of our questions. We would highly recommend this experience!
Christine_G, Jun 2026
We had a great tour guide Diego who was very knowledgeable & our group was only 5 people. Diego led us around expertly to our sites and explained everything on the way.
Hank_P, Jun 2026
First I booked a 3pm tour with a 245 requested check in. The day of the message 330 with 315 check in. At 315 they announce it will be 345. An hour wasted waiting. Then they had multiple tour groups and times assembling at the same location. More wasted time.
Sara_W, Jun 2026
This was a fantastic tour with our guide Catalina. Unfortunately we had some last minute changes with the company. We had originally booked the tour that included the arena floor for an 8.30 entry. Two weeks beforehand they messaged to say that we could no longer do the arena floor and moved our time to 9.30. The communication regarding this was excellent and they were prompt in reimbursing us for the arena floor part. The tour itself was informative and Catalina was friendly and a wealth of information.
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Rome: Colosseum with Arena Floor, Forum and Palatine Guided Tour
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