Rome: Private Colosseum Arena Tour With Roman forum Access
Rome, Italy
Rome: Private Colosseum Arena Tour With Roman forum Access
Rome, Italy
- 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.)
- Group discounts
- Offered in: English
Overview
Access one of the Colosseum’s most exclusive areas on this private tour that includes time on the Arena Floor—usually off-limits to travelers. Enter through the historic Gladiators’ Gate and follow your guide as they explain the monument’s design, engineering, and role in Roman society. After your visit, continue to the Roman Forum to explore the political and social heart of ancient Rome.
- See the Colosseum from a unique angle as you step out onto the Arena Floor
- Learn more than you would on your own with a guide leading the way
- Enjoy a combination of a guided tour and free time to explore
- A private tour ensures a personalized experience
What's Included
Meeting and Pickup
Itinerary
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.4
based on 94 reviews
Pedro_L, Jul 2023
Still had to wait in line, tour guide was horrible, no access to palantine hills after. Ali the tour operator is a scam artist. Complained to Viator and they did not care.
Kristyn_S, Jun 2023
Do not book this tour! I spent months planning our trip knowing that summer is a busy time in Rome and experiences are likely to sell out. I booked this tour in March and my cc was charged a few days prior as I was expecting. The morning of the tour my family and I made sure to be at the meeting point with virtual ticket on time which was 10:00am. No one was there. We asked around and sent communication to the tour guide only to hear that at 1:00 am that morning they sent a Whatsapp message saying they were unable to fit us into a group for our time and maybe they could fit us in at 2:00pm. Well my family and I had another tour planned at that time that was already paid for. When I explained I had never seen the 1:00 am message, they said they would be late by about 90 minutes. Being that we were without a car and unfamiliar with the area, we waited in the rain for the guide. Eventually someone arrived and walked us away from the meeting point and they added us to a group tour that did not allow us to walk out the Gladiators entrance as I had paid for. My family and I missed our other tour and had to forfeit payment as WE did not show up due to this terrible customer service. After contacting Viator, they assured me I would be refunded but then didn't process said refund since we had some sort of tour. Incredibly disappointed by both companies.
Rebecca_T, Jun 2023
This was an absolute disaster. The guide never showed, this is after he messaged me after midnight to confirm the night before. I messaged him and called several times to no avail. Viator tried calling him but never got through. Viator won't refund my money until the operator gets back to them or after 3 days of no contact. Never got the tour but if I did it's extremely overpriced. Save your $ and time and find a company in Rome.
Dawn_C, Jun 2023
The small group tour was misrepresented because we ended up with 23 people. This was my only complaint but it definitely ruined the experience.
Madeline_A, Jun 2023
We were contacted 10 minutes prior to our meeting time and told that the guide was unable to get tickets to the arena floor. We were then offered a 30 euro refund and a regular tour at a completely different time. Unfortunately we already had reservations and could not take the other time offered as we were on a strict schedule. We missed the colosseum completely due to this. It was very disappointing and the whole thing was very disorganized. Just know if you book this your tickets are not confirmed.
Alma_A, Jun 2023
The tour company cancelled our 10am tour and told us it will be in the afternoon or was offering to downgrade to no arena access/bigger group. I wouldn’t trust this company again. It looks like they were just trying to resell in Viator and have you Tour with another Company, just like what they did to us. They make you also feel you are compalining too much for insisting to get the tour you actually paid for. Such a hassle. Go with a reputable company. Not this!
Response from Host, Jun 2023
Sorry to hear that, May you please send us your invoice so we can fully refund you. if you booked with us as I think you may talking about other company as we never do that with any traveler
Mason_M, Jun 2023
The tour never happened, it was canceled that morning. The group stated that their was miscommunication between Viatour and themselves, because they had no idea there was a scheduled tour for that time. So nothing happened.
carolinelowder, May 2023
DO NOT BOOK THIS. Was not able to go on tour after paying. No forewarning. Not worth the money. Definitely not the time either
Natalie_T, May 2023
Unfortuntely this tour was absolutely horrible. After showing up on time and waiting around for 30 minutes in a crowded area packed with other tourists, we were introduced to our “guide”. She also showed up late, unprepared, and spoke quietly and muffled so that we couldn’t even hear her. It was clear that she was not comfortable talking in front of groups which is fine, but not if you’re a tour guide. She scurried to get us inside and then, once there, droned for 20 minutes in a low monotone before we got to walk inside and see what we came to see. The tour was costly, unprofessional, and not informative. Save your money and download a podcast on the history of the colosseum and explore on your own.
Beth_K, Feb 2023
Radu was our tour guide--he is fluent in 6 languages (Romanian, Italian, Mandarin, English, Spanish, French. . .) and funny in all of them. He provided interesting commentaries and we were impressed with his historical knowledge (he does have a bunch of graduate degrees in history). Ask him how the movie "Gladiator" stacks up with the real experience ;-) Ciao!
Christopher_M, Feb 2023
We booked What’s in Italy tours through Viator and dealt with the lovely Ali who was in constant contact with us on the day of the tour, Ali then passed us on to his colleague who unfortunately I can’t remember his name, but was an absolute gentleman, he led us to our tour guide Andrada, who really gave us a special 3 hours of brilliant knowledge and humor thrown in, all three people were brilliant and I would highly recommend booking through Ali😊😊😊
Sean_B, Jan 2023
Abba is a wonderful guide. She is very knowledgeable and passionate about her work. She made the experience so good
Christian_S, Jan 2023
Awesome experience!!! Got to see both the Forum and the Colosseum up close an personal! Guide knew a lot on the subject and provided a lot of background!!
Mary_K, Sep 2022
We had a 10 a.m. tour for the Colosseum. I was contacted at 9:15 a.m. that the tour was overbooked by the guide Ali Abd El Wahed. He asked if we could be moved to 3 p.m. tour. I said no because we would have already left Rome. We arrived at the meeting place at 9:45 as directed and he never showed up. If the tour had really been overbooked for the 10 a.m. tour, he would have been there with the tour group. He arbitrarily moved us to the 3 p.m. tour. Beware Viator tours and the liars they use as guides.
Giovan_S, Sep 2022
Without question seeing and entering the Colosseum is an amazing experience and being inside this near 2000 year old structure is awe inspiring.
However - our guide was a strange character. He was into himself - not very into sharing basic facts but more into the theatrics of the Roman times. He told us he was a guide for 12 years - at least 10 times; and it’s a shame that for some of us who want a simple guided tour, we get a guy who is on a crutch, openly admitted to being on pain killers, and smells of booze. Might be time for a new gig. $90 for this was a joke. I had to listen to this clown act like he was in a Shakespeare play. After the tour I learned more in 10 minutes online. Radu was his name. I don’t recommend.
David_R, Jul 2022
I would like to complain about our tour. We were met by the representative of “Made in Italy” who walked us to another area to “pass us on” to another tour company. Subsequently the tour was much longer and more difficult than we had expected and the colloseum was only at the end and two of our party of six were too exhausted to make it. Instead of a 1.5 hr tour it was over 3 hours in the heat up and down palatine hill and the forum and only then to the colloseum.
Why did the “What’s in Italy” tour person pass us on without explanation? I don’t even know what tour he put us on. We were very confused and disappointed.
The actual tour guide was great but I cannot write a review of what I did since I don’t know who ran it.
Roland_B, Jul 2022
What went right? Nothing. Don’t use this company. I booked In advance to find out our tour never existed. Then they “were able to get us in the next tour” yeah 2.5 hours later. Totally ruined our day and itinerary that was scheduled. Had kids with us. The English guide was not very English and the kids couldn’t understand him with his accent. Didn’t have time for Roman forum which was part of ticket. So that money went out the door and we never got the experience. The original purchase also included the arena floor. Again. Didn’t exist so didn’t get that either. Asked to give me cash back which, in the moment is a pressure sale. Obviously we would take whatever to get into the colosseum because we were leaving the next day. We had no choice. This was very ghetto. Not to mention. The last minute they changed the meeting point. Had us running around like crazy people with kids in a foreign country. Do not use
Cheryl_M, Apr 2022
I am so thrilled that we booked this tour as it was absolutely spectacular. The underground tour was fantastic and you definitely got a better perspective of the whole colosseum. The tour guide Marzia was truly lovely and very informative and brought everything to life and made the experience extra special. Definitely worth having a tour guide as you learn so much more. Loved it!!!! Thank you.
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