Colosseum & Ancient Rome Semi-Private Tour
Recommended by 98% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Rome, Italy
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Why travelers loved this
·
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
Rome can be overwhelming for travelers, but a small-group tour makes it manageable and engaging. This family-friendly experience focuses on one era—the fascinating history of ancient Rome—bringing the past to life with stories and insights that even children enjoy. With a local guide leading the way, uncover hidden details and little-known facts that most visitors miss, making history both fun and memorable.
- Check off multiple historic sites without hours of planning
- Enjoy the intimate atmosphere of a small-group tour
- Chat with your guide to get extra insight
- Learn more than you otherwise would
Why Travelers Choose This Tour
This small-group tour gives everyone plenty of time to ask questions and engage with the guide.
What's Included
- 3-hr semi-private tour (group of max 8 people)
- English speaking licensed guide
- Entrance to the Colosseum, Foro Romano and Palatine Hill
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Colosseum entrance ticket (valued at €18 per person)
- Colosseum reservation fee (valued at €2 per person)
- Please note: Colosseum fees as above. The remaining cost of the experience covers other services.
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- P.za del Colosseo, 21, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
The tour departs from outside the Colosseo Metro Station (downstairs entrance). Your guide will be waiting in front of the arches, next to the green souvenir kiosk. Look for the sign that reads "You Local - Rome".
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
Colosseum
1 hour 15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
2
Arch of Constantine
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Roman Forum
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
4
Palatine Hill
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Exact full names of all travelers must be provided at the booking as the entry tickets are named and checked at the entrance to the sites
- Each traveler must present a valid passport or ID document that exactly matches the name provided at the time of booking to ensure entry to the sites
- Travelers must be on time at the meeting point. In case of any delay they won't be able to access the sites and join the guided tour
- All visitors are required to pass through ID verification and airport-style security; during peak season or on particularly busy days, waiting times may be longer
- The order of the sites may vary depending on the entry time of the tickets to the Colosseum
- Strollers are allowed, but they can be challenging to use due to uneven and occasionally slippery surfaces. When possible, we recommend using a baby carrier
- This tour operates rain or shine
- Not recommended for travelers with significant mobility issues, as the itinerary includes stairs and uphill sections
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.9
based on 209 reviews
Kristin_L, Mar 2026
Great information and well paced tour. Our guide was very knowledgeable and everything was seamless. Definitely recommend a private or semi private tour
Dina_A, Nov 2025
Truly a skip the line tour! Attilio was our guide for a small group of only 4 adults. The Forum and Colosseum were unusually busy - even our guide was shocked since it was the end of October. We went to the Forum first, and there was no crowd, but when we left the line was easily 100 yards long! Heading into the Colosseum, Attilio took us to head head of the multiple lines and we got right through! He shared interesting facts and showed us unique sites at both the Forum and the Colusseum. He also has a Tuk Tuk service, so you should give him a try at that also: 339-6720669
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Dear Dina,
Thank you so much for your kind review!
We’re delighted to know you enjoyed the experience and that everything went smoothly, even on such a busy day. Your satisfaction is the best reward for our team!
Warm regards
Susan_P, Oct 2025
The meeting point was easy to find with the directions we received the day before. Our guide Vincenzo, was amazing and really made this tour interactive and memorable. He was very knowledgeable and engaged with everyone in the group. We spent three hours on this walking tour of only 7 people which was so nice. In the group was my family of five plus a nice couple. I was really glad to have a small group instead of the very large groups that I saw around. The tickets were included and already purchased for us, which was nice as well. We started with Palantine hill, the forum then the Colosseum. Vincenzo was also helpful to take great family pics for us. Great tour overall. Thank you!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Hi Susan,
We’re so grateful for your lovely feedback!
It’s wonderful to know you had such a memorable experience with Vincenzo - we’ll be sure to share your kind words with him. We’re also delighted that the small-group format and smooth organization helped make your visit truly enjoyable. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you again on another tour soon!
Warm regards
Benjamin_S, Oct 2025
Vincenzo is an excellent tour guide - fun, engaging, and knowledgeable!
Wear your good sneakers, bring a water and snack if you can, too!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Benjamin,
We’re so glad to hear you had a great experience with Vincenzo! He has a real talent for making each tour both informative and enjoyable.
Thanks also for the practical advice — always smart to come prepared when exploring the city on foot.
We’ll make sure to share your lovely feedback with him!
Warm regards
Lisa_T, Oct 2025
Small group is the best! More intimate and very private great time to go early in the morning the best
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Lisa,
Thank you so much for your kind feedback! We're glad you enjoyed the experience and we truly hope to welcome you back to Rome soon.
Warm regards
marianne_A, Oct 2025
simone was very informative, the grounds are amazing and her recall of history and architecture were impressive!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for your kind words! We're glad you enjoyed exploring such an incredible site, and it's wonderful to hear that Simona’s knowledge and passion for history and architecture made a lasting impression.
We'd be delighted to welcome you back to Rome for more discoveries!
Perry_B, Sep 2025
Sara did great on the whole tour. She explained things in an interesting and informal way. I would recommend this tour to anyone who is interested in the Colosseum and the Forum ruins.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you very much for your kind words! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your tour with Sara and found her explanations engaging. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we truly hope to welcome you back soon for another experience together.
Susan_L, Sep 2025
Awesome tour! Awesome guide! This small group tour was great for our family! Vincenzo was very knowledgeable!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
So glad to hear you and your family had a great time! Vincenzo will be thrilled to know his passion and knowledge made a difference—thank you for sharing!
Warren_B, Sep 2025
Fabulous experience with our tour guide VINCENT. He was very knowledgeable and entertaining. His enthusiasm made the tour very enjoyable! Highly recommend him as a tour guide!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Dear Warren,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We're really glad to hear that Vincenzo made the experience both informative and fun — that balance is exactly what we aim for.
We'll make sure he hears your feedback; it means a lot to him and to us.
Hope to have you with us again next time you're in town!
Warm regards
Marcos_S, Jul 2025
Communication with the tour company was great. Our tour guide, Alessio, was very friendly, professional and knowledgeable about all the areas we visited. He answered all our questions, took some of our pictures and did not rush. It was an amazing experience.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Dear Marcos,
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re thrilled to hear that Alessio made your tour both enjoyable and insightful. Providing a relaxed and engaging experience is very important to us, and it’s great to know that you felt well supported throughout. We truly appreciate your kind words and look forward to welcoming you back on another exceptional adventure!
Michelle_C, Jul 2025
This tour was amazing! Sara was my favorite tour guide by far! She was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the history of Rome and the Coliseum. Her enthusiasm made this tour so much more enjoyable. There was plenty of walking, and we dealt with extreme heat, but she made sure to try to stop in shaded areas as she explained everything in such great detail. I would recommend this tour, We got lucky and ended up with a private tour. She made sure we had the best views of Rome and great photo shots! Ask for Sara if it’s possible you will not be disappointed!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Dear Michelle,
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're so glad to hear you had such a memorable experience with Sara — her passion and energy truly shine through, even on the hottest days!
It’s great that you got to enjoy the tour in such a personal way, and we’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to her. She’ll be thrilled!
Looking forward to welcoming you back to Rome one day!
Warm regards
Leah_E, Jun 2025
I would highly recommend this tour! It made navigating everything so much less stressful and our guide was incredibly knowledgeable (also personable and polite).
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Dear Leah,
Thank you so much for your kind words!
We're absolutely delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and found it stress-free and enriching. It's wonderful to know that your guide made a positive impression — both with their knowledge and their personality.
Your recommendation means a lot to us and to the entire team here at You Local Rome. We truly hope to welcome you again on another adventure through the Eternal City!
Warmest regards
Pamela_S, Jun 2025
This is a very extensive tour that covers the Forum area as well as the Colosseum. There is a bit of climbing to get to the top of Palatine Hill. The views are spectacular and standing in the Colosseum is very moving.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Dear Pamela,
Thank you for sharing your experience! We're so glad you enjoyed the tour and took in the full scope of the Forum and Colosseum. Palatine Hill does involve a bit of a climb, but we agree -the views are absolutely worth it. And standing inside the Colosseum is always a powerful moment!
We appreciate you joining us and hope to welcome you again on another tour.
Warm regards
Hope_T, Jun 2025
Our guide was wonderful! Lots of explanations and history. The small group is the way to go as we could take our time for pictures.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you for your lovely feedback! We're so happy to hear you enjoyed the tour and appreciated the detailed explanations and historical insights. Small group tours really do make a difference -it’s great that you felt free to take your time and fully enjoy the experience.
We hope to see you again soon in Rome!
Best wishes
Terri_S, May 2025
Sara was an excellent guide who brought a lot of knowledge that we would not have know on our own. She was very thoughtful of everyone on the group and very thorough. We would book with her again.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Hi Terri,
Thank you so much for your kind words about Sara! We're thrilled to hear she made such a positive impression and added so much value to your visit. It’s great to know her attention to the group and thorough explanations stood out - she truly loves what she does.
We’d be happy to have you join us again anytime!
All the best
Deborah_P, May 2025
We booked a semi private tour and ended up having our own private tour! The instructions messaged to us the day before were very helpful for finding our guide. Our guide Sara was amazing. Can’t say enough good things about her; very knowledgeable and gave us the best views of the Colosseum and Forum. At the end she gave a wonderful lunch recommendation in the area as well. Overall it was very well organized and we recommend it to anyone.
Response from Host, May 2025
Dear Deborah,
We're thrilled to hear Sara made your experience so memorable, from epic views to insider tips (and a great lunch spot!). Thanks for the kind words and for recommending us - glad we could be part of a great day in Rome!
RUTH_A, Apr 2025
Guide was exceptional. In-depth knowledge of each site. Knew and shared history and answered questions well
Response from Host, May 2025
Hi Ruth,
Thank you for your kind words! We're so glad you enjoyed the tour and appreciated your guide’s deep knowledge and engaging explanations. It's great to hear your questions were thoroughly answered -exactly the experience we aim to deliver!
sumwai_w, Mar 2025
Sara was amazing!!!!! This trip and my impression to rome would be totally different without her and this tour. DO IT!
The friend whom went with me had been to rome and it was a first time for me, for me, it was a wonderful experience because Sara knew all the good timing and places, spots to bring us, together with the history, stories told, she revived rome in my understanding. For my friend, she said it was like getting bonus bonus bonus from
last visit because now you don’t only know a city by its look but also its soul! If you’re considering whether to book this trip or not, just do it!!!
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thank you so much for your amazing feedback! We're thrilled to hear that Sara made such an impact on your experience. It’s wonderful to know that her insights brought Rome to life for you and even added a new layer of meaning for your friend. We couldn’t agree more -this tour is all about discovering not just the sights, but the soul of the city. We hope to welcome you back soon!
Marc_B, Mar 2025
Our guide, Simone, was absolutely wonderful. Extremely knowledgeable, enthusiastic and led us on a wonderful tour of the Forum and Colosseum.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Hi Marc,
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that Simona made your experience so special. His passion and expertise really do bring the history to life.
We look forward to welcoming you back to Rome soon!
Phillip_A, Mar 2025
Our guide was very knowledgeable and we loved her enthusiasm. We enjoyed our time with her and learned so much. She was patient with our questions and took some very good pictures of us! A++
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Hi Phillip,
Thank you for the wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your time with Simona. Her enthusiasm and expertise really make the experience unique, and we're so happy she could capture some special memories for you. We look forward to welcoming you back to Rome soon!
Paul_D, Dec 2024
Perfect day! Guide was personable, informative and organized. Really enjoyed it and would do it again in a minute!
Response from Host, Dec 2024
Dear Paul,
Thank you for sharing your experience—it's wonderful that you enjoyed it so much! We'd love to have you back for another adventure anytime.
Betty_B, Nov 2024
Wonderful experience. This tour really brought to life Ancient Rome through the excellent commentary of our tour guide, Sara. We were pleasantly surprised to find only two in our small group.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Dear Betty,
We're thrilled to hear that Sara’s commentary brought Ancient Rome to life for you. It’s great that the small group size made the experience even more intimate and engaging.
Thank you for sharing your kind feedback!
We hope to welcome you back for more unforgettable tours
Kevin_R, Nov 2024
Sara, our guide was fantastic! She really knows what she is doing. Very knowledgable and kept us entertained. It is a small group tour which made the tour even better. So much information about this area of Rome was relayed to us and we were able to see so much!
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Hi Kevin,
Thank you! We're so glad to hear that Sara made your tour enjoyable and informative. We agree, small group tours really enhance the experience. Hope to see you again soon!
Nikolai_S, Oct 2024
Excellent tour. Marta brought the ancient history to life. She answered all the questions and navigated the overwhelming Roman forum and the Palatine expertly. Highly recommended!
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Hi Nikolai,
We do appreciate your fantastic review! It’s wonderful to know that you had such a great experience on the tour and that Marta made the ancient history come alive for you. Her expertise in navigating the Roman Forum and Palatine is truly commendable, and we’re glad she could answer all your questions. Thank you for recommending us, and we look forward to welcoming you on another tour soon!
Jason_P, Oct 2024
Cecilia was a very good and knowledgeable guide. The itinerary was good because you could stay longer in the Colloseum if you wanted. Small group tours are definitely worth it.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Hi Jason,
Thank you for your feedback! We're glad to hear that Cecilia provided a great experience and that the itinerary allowed for extra time at the Colosseum. Small group tours really do enhance the experience. Hope to see you again on another adventure!
Lisa_S, Oct 2024
Great tour, spectacular site and extremely knowledgeable tour guide. Lot of "pre-communication" with this tour company leading up to the event, however due to an emergency we had a last minute change in tour guide which caused the tour to start late. We started with the Roman Forum and then Palatine hill, would have loved to see more of Palatine Hill but due to the late start and our reservation time at the Colosseum, we had to shorten the time allotted for this portion which was a little disappointing. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and learned a lot of the history of this area.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for your thoughtful review! We're happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour, and that our guide was able to engage with you. We do apologize for the last-minute change and the 10-minute delayed start, which unfortunately affected the time spent on Palatine Hill. We understand how disappointing that can be, especially when you'd like to explore more. Your feedback is invaluable, and we will certainly take it into account to improve future tours. We're glad, though, that you learned a lot and enjoyed the historical insights!
denisemtodd, Oct 2024
An excellent tour. Our guide, Sara, was very knowledgeable and pointed out so many interesting things and the history behind them. We enjoyed all parts of this tour and I’d highly recommend it.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Hello Denise, thank you for your kind review! We’re thrilled to hear that you had such a wonderful experience on your tour with Sara. Her knowledge and passion for history truly make a difference, and we’re glad you found the insights she shared so valuable.
It’s fantastic to know you enjoyed every part of the tour. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you on another tour in the future!
Tricia_K, Oct 2024
Marta was an amazing guide and we learned so much about ancient Roman history. Her descriptions were so good, you could visualize ancient Rome!
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re so pleased to hear that you enjoyed your tour with Marta.
We would love to welcome you back for another tour in the future. Please don’t hesitate to contact us when you plan your next visit to Rome!
Christine_A, Oct 2024
Sara was awesome. Very knowledgeable. We had a small group which allowed for more time and questions. Definitely going to the Roma Forum first was great because it was less crowded. Coliseum was crowded bur Sara did an awesome job of getting us great views.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Hi Christine, thank you so much for your kind words! We are thrilled to hear that you had such a great experience with Sara. It’s wonderful that the small group size gave you more time for questions, and starting at the Roman Forum definitely sounds like a smart choice to avoid the crowds. Sara really knows how to find the best views, even at the Colosseum! We hope to welcome you back on another tour soon!
Joyce_J, Oct 2024
This was a great tour with an excellent Guide. She went at a nice pace and was so knowledgeable. This tour hit on some of the main sites we wanted to see. Would highly recommend.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Hi Joyce,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! We're delighted that you had such an enjoyable experience and that the guide's expertise and the tour's pace were just right for you. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we look forward to the opportunity of welcoming you on another tour soon!
Likely to Sell Out
From $146.68
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Likely to Sell Out
Colosseum & Ancient Rome Semi-Private Tour
209
3 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$146.68
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Explore Similar Things to Do
- Art Tours
- Walking Tours
- Half-day Tours
- Cultural Tours
- On the Ground
- Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises
- Private Sightseeing Tours
- Rome
- Art Tours - Vatican City
- Walking Tours - Vatican City
- Half-day Tours - Vatican City
- Art Tours - Lake Bracciano
- Walking Tours - Lake Bracciano
- Half-day Tours - Lake Bracciano
- Walking Tours - Isola d'Ischia
- Half-day Tours - Isola d'Ischia
Attractions in Rome, Italy
- Via Veneto (Via Vittorio Veneto) Tours & Tickets
- Via Margutta Tours & Tickets
- Piazza della Repubblica Tours & Tickets
- Raphael's Rooms (Stanze di Raffaello) Tours & Tickets
- Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls (Basilica di San Paolo Fuori le Mura) Tours & Tickets
- Piazzale Giuseppe Garibaldi Tours & Tickets
- Testaccio Market (Mercato Di Testaccio) Tours & Tickets
- Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria (Chiesa di Santa Maria della Vittoria) Tours & Tickets
- Lake Bracciano (Lago di Bracciano) Tours & Tickets
- Vatican Obelisk (Obelisco Vaticano) Tours & Tickets
- Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere Tours & Tickets
- Castel Gandolfo Tours & Tickets
- Trevignano Romano Tours & Tickets
- Via dei Coronari Tours & Tickets
- Basilica of St. John Lateran (Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano) Tours & Tickets
- Campo de' Fiori Tours & Tickets