Colosseum Express Guided Tour and Ancient Rome Admission Included

Rome, Italy

Great choice

10+ bookings last month.

2 to 3 hours (approx.)
Group discounts
Offered in: English

Explore our promoted experiences

Rome, Italy

Private Italy Route: Best of Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan

from $4,937

Price varies by group size

Roman House of the Celio Hill Guided Tour

Rome, Italy

1.0

(1)

Roman House of the Celio Hill Guided Tour

from $116

Colosseum and Ancient Rome Small Group Tour in Rome

Rome, Italy

4.5

(33)

Colosseum and Ancient Rome Small Group Tour in Rome

from $169

Viator earns higher commissions on experiences featured here

Overview

Visiting the Colosseum on your own can mean you miss out on fascinating insights. On this guided tour, learn about gladiator contests, powerful emperors, and the engineering behind the ancient structure as your guide adds clear context to what you see. Afterward, continue exploring the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill at your own pace, with the freedom to spend more time where you’re most interested.

Gain insight you'd otherwise miss with a guide leading the way
Choose a morning or afternoon tour time to suit your schedule
An express tour is the perfect fit for busy vacation itineraries
Combine a guided tour with free time to explore at your own pace

Why Travelers Choose This Tour

Not all tours offer multiple start times, but this one does—perfect for fitting into busy vacation itineraries.

What's Included

For audio guide option: App in English, Chinese, German, French, Italian, and Spanish
For the guided tour option: Guide for groups of up to 24 people
Palatine and Roman Forum entry tickets valid for 24 hours for both options
Colosseum entrance ticket (valued at €18 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

Tour Guide included ONLY for guided tour option
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Smartphones to download the app must be latest generation (No older than 2020)
Food and drinks

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting points

Select a meeting point

End point

Colosseo
00184 Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy
TOURS ALWAYS END IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF THE COLOSSEUM AND ROMAN FORUM

Itinerary

Colosseum

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Roman Forum

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Palatine Hill

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 4 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Near public transportation
Most travelers can participate
The Colosseum security checks the names and ID cards of each visitor, so the wait can be longer than expected. You can enter only with a valid ID card!
Please provide the full names of all travelers when booking. Failure to present a voucher with all travelers' full names at the ticket office prior to entry may result in denied entry to the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
The activity can suffer 20/30 min variation due to organizational reasons
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Discount for children under 18 years is applied only with a valid ID card! Without valid ID ticket control operators will deny entry at the Colosseum.
For the Sel Guided Tour Option Smartphones to download the app for the audioguide must be of the latest generation (No older than the year 2020)
Please note that for safety reasons the Colosseum can accommodate up to 3.000 people at once.This could lead to delays in access to the site, even for pre-booked visitors.

For security reasons all visitors and their luggage shall be screened.
Forbidden objects inside the Colosseum: bottles and glasses containers, alcholic beverages and aerosols, backpacks, camping, bulky bags and luggage / trolley
Can be introduced medium and small size backpacks to shoulder, which must be checked, as any other bag, with metal detectors, opened and visually inspected by the Urbe Security Institute, responsible for the entrance inspection
Please notice that the Colosseum Administration, which depends on the Ministry of Cultural Assets and Activities has the faculty to close the Colosseum, or parts of it, with or without notice, for events, strikes, heavy rain, or any other reason. In which case, we will offer an alternative itinerary as it seems fit and offer a partial refund
Activity not recommended for people with motor lag
No change on a booking can be accepted after 24hrs to the starting time of the tour. In that instance, no refund will be issued.
For the safety of all guests, the tour operator reserves the right to refuse service to passengers who are intoxicated or show signs of intoxication. If, as a result, your tour is canceled, you will not be entitled to a refund.
The itinerary may vary depending on weather conditions (ice, rain, or high temperatures) or other events beyond the travel agency's control.
Not recommended for travelers in wheel chair
We kindly inform you that any kind of disability (visual impairment, hearing impairment,... ) or anything that might prevent you to regularly join the tour, MUST BE communicate in advance to our staff.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 24 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 7 days in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.1

based on 1,009 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Rubbish audio tour- offered as an alternative to unwel tour guide - waste of time

Anjali_B, Mar 2026

Was offered 3 days before the trip to swap for a later time due to a poorly tour guide. This time didn’t work due to our evening flight home. Therefore was offered the audio tour, a self tour led by an app off your phone. Was totally rubbish and I should have been given money off what I paid for a proper guided tour. 4 short and useless clips briefly explaining in the colloseum. Building was so poorly sign posted so was impossible to find way to the Roman sites and palatine hill - the people at the venue were useless too. Providing an overall RUBBISH tour!

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for your feedback. We’re truly sorry to hear that your experience did not meet expectations. We would like to clarify that the Colosseum itself is not managed by our agency, and unfortunately we have no control over its internal organization, signage, or on-site staff. Despite our best efforts, the Colosseum management often changes entry procedures and rules, which can sometimes impact the overall visitor experience. Regarding the change offered prior to your tour, we did our best to provide an alternative solution when the original guide was unavailable. We understand that the audio tour did not meet your expectations, and we regret that this option was not satisfactory for you. Your feedback is very important to us, and we will take it into account to continue improving our services.

This tour did not allow...

Vikki_S, Jun 2025

This tour did not allow access to the lower level (coliseum floor) but view is actually better from above so I don’t think it’s necessary.

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Thank you for your feedback! We would like to clarify that access to the Colosseum lower level (underground) was not included in the tour you selected, as clearly stated in the tour description. We’re glad to hear that you still enjoyed the views from above, and we hope to welcome you again on another experience — perhaps including the underground next time!

Great

Naomi_K, Oct 2024

Great tour of the colosseum. Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly. We wish we could have stayed longer but we had another commitment .

Response from Host, Oct 2024

Dear Customer, thank you for your excellent review. We are happy you have appreciated our efforts to give the best possible service. Every review has an absolute value and is our lifeblood to work and provide the best of ourselves. We are certainly not perfect, but we always do our best to ensure a wonderful experience for all our customers. Thanks again from all our staff and we hope to have you as our customer soon. Best regards Stefano

I got there late and I...

Jason_L, Sep 2024

I got there late and I was not able to locate my your guide. So we had to do the whole tour ourselves and did not learn anything. It makes no sense that we cannot meet with our tour guide because we are late

Response from Host, Sep 2024

Dear Client, We are very sorry you had problems finding the meeting point. Our staff at the Meet&Greet always call, at the phone numbers left at the moment of the booking, all clients who only showed up before the tours start. We understand that it could be challenging for foreigners to find a meeting point in a new city where most people speak a different language. All other customers saw the meeting point, and the tour left regularly. Our phone number is at H24, seven days a week, and we chat on VIATOR. Unfortunately, the problem you had with reaching the meeting point in time is not under our control or responsibility, including concerning the method our guests chose to get to the meeting point. We are one of the very few agencies with a meeting point far from the crowd and very close to the Colosseum entrance, and as a result, we can hold no responsibility for your late arrival, as this is very clear from the moment of booking. We want to remind you that tickets are dated, timed, named, and not refundable; for this reason, we cannot wait for those who arrive late. The Voucher indicates that all clients must be at the meeting point at least 15/20 minutes before the starting time. In your case, you arrived 10 minutes later than the starting time when the group was already inside the Colosseum. While we do have to skip the line access, every patron still needs to go through the security checkpoint set by the venue. Again, we are very sorry that this tour did not meet your expectations. We always welcome feedback from our customers, as this will allow us to keep improving our services. Thank you again for taking the time to leave us a review. Stefano

Disappointed

Sherah_J, Sep 2024

We had the sweetest guide but he was very very boring. We left the tour early. We wished we would have just went on our own and got the English headset at the gate.

Response from Host, Sep 2024

Dear Client, we are sorry the tour did not meet your expectations. We have reviewed the feedback from your group's participants and found no similar complaints. Our tour guides are all experts, trained, and passionate. Although they give their best, they may only be appreciated by some, as their opinions are entirely personal. Don't hesitate to contact us to check through your booking code which tour you have participated in and make the right decisions. Nonetheless, we have also forwarded this to our Guide Management department so that it can be looked at and followed up with the guide in case it is needed. Our local guides, selected for experience and professionalism, try their best to share their passion for their country and local History; we apologize that the guided tour was disappointing for you, and we will do our best to avoid it again. If you contact us directly at info @ tourinthecity.com with your comments, please do not hesitate to provide your booking reference number so we can follow up with the relevant people for you. Once again, thank you for leaving us your review. We hope to hear from you soon. Kind Regards, Stefano Tour in the City

An archeologist as a guide! Excellent!

Angelo_B, Jul 2024

The guide was an archeologist and she explained everything with passion and knowledge. Great experience!

Response from Host, Aug 2024

Dear Customer, thank you for your wonderful review. We are happy to know that our efforts to give the best possible service have been appreciated by you. For us every review has an absolute value and is our lifeblood to work and give the best of ourselves. We are certainly not perfect but we always do our best to ensure a wonderful experience for all our customers. Thanks again from all our staff and we hope to have you as our customer soon. Best regards Stefano

Amazing experience

Melanie_C, Jul 2024

Our guide was very knowledgeable and spoke great English. The meeting point was a little confusing to get to, so leave extra time. Beautiful amazing site to see.

Response from Host, Aug 2024

Great guide . Great...

Louise_H, Jul 2024

Great guide . Great venue. Can't remember guides name but she spoke good English, a bit fast at times, with her accent was a bit hard to understand but she did really well

Response from Host, Aug 2024

Ok, but chaotic

Monika_S, Jul 2024

Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly but the tour was disorganized and chaotic. We usually book private tours but decided to try this express tour and I wish we'd stuck w a smaller group or private. There was a family w a baby carriage in our group and our guide had a hard time remembering they were with us, lost them at one point and stopped the tour to look for them. Not the families fault but an inconvenience. Also, this tour included the colosseum, palatine hill and the forum and lasted approximately 2 hours. That was a good surprise but also not the amount of time we had budgeted for.

Response from Host, Jul 2024

Dear Client, We are sorry the tour did not meet your expectations. We reviewed the feedback from your group's participants and found no similar complaints. Our tour guides are all experts, trained, and passionate. Although they give their best, they may only be appreciated by some, as their opinions are entirely personal. Please contact us to check through your booking code which tour you have participated in and make the right decisions. Nonetheless, we have also forwarded this to our Guide Management department so that it can be looked at and followed up with the guide in case it is needed. Our local guides, selected for experience and professionalism, try their best to share their passion for their country and local History; we apologize that the guided tour was disappointing for you, and we will do our best to avoid it again. If you contact us directly at info @ tourinthecity.com with your comments, please do not hesitate to provide your booking reference number so we can follow up with the relevant people for you. Once again, thank you for leaving us your review. We hope to hear from you soon. Kind Regards, Stefano Tour in the City

HOT

Peder_S, Jun 2024

Slow, hot, and filled time with strange facts. Did I mention HOT. Nice sized group but crowds reduced the pace.

Response from Host, Jul 2024

Dear Client, We understand that the tour did not meet your expectations and we are truly sorry for this. We hope you can understand that about the temperature and the crowds we cannot be responsible and there is nothing we can do. Kind Regards, Stefano Tour in the

Long day

ILEANA_G, Jun 2024

At the the end we only booked the Colosseum, but they we taking us to the Forum, a bit unorganized. Very informative but a bit long.

Response from Host, Aug 2024

Great tour highlight

Beth_M, Jun 2024

Guide did a great job explaining the history while moving us through quickly! Would highly recommend if on a tight schedule. .

Response from Host, Aug 2024

Excellent tour guide and not too long

Freya_C, Jun 2024

Our guide Katerina was awesome and made lots of jokes. We went on a 39 degree day, so it was very hot but she made attempts to ensure we were resting and protected from the sun as much as possible. We aren’t massive history buffs, but this was just the right amount to keep us interested and see the major things we needed to. Thank you Katerina, highly recommended.

Response from Host, Aug 2024

The Forum was so much...

KAREN_B, May 2024

The Forum was so much more interesting than I expected. I’m sure that is due to the guide’s knowledge and pacing.

Response from Host, Aug 2024

Amazing tour of the Colosseum and Palantine Hill

Mike_T, May 2024

Fantastic tour. Well organized and Katerina was an amazing tour guide. She has a background in archeology which really added a ton of value to the tour!

Response from Host, Aug 2024

Amazing place from top to bottom.

Sherrie_W, May 2024

Our guide was excellent, she was knowledgeable, good pace, answered many questions. Lots to see and learn.

Response from Host, Aug 2024

Very knowledgeable

Tamara_S, May 2024

Easy to find your guides. Knew the history and made it fun. Guide kept us in the shade so we could stay cool. I would book with them again.

Response from Host, Aug 2024

Great tour!

Kimberly_B, May 2024

We were a group of 12 (6 couples). We really enjoyed our tour, but did find it hard to understand the guide sometimes as she was Russian and spoke a little fast. She was very lovely and knowledgeable though.

Good luck getting in!

Jill_F, May 2024

We arrived at the meeting point more than 30 minutes ahead of schedule and there was no one there from the tour company, he was late. We then went to check in with him after he arrived and he told us we had no tour, there wasn’t room for us. He said the next day was a possibility but we would be gone so after buying the tickets 30 days ahead and paying for a taxi to and from we were screwed! What a huge disappointment and loss! We got reimbursed for the tour a couple days after but of course paid for the taxis, wasted precious time and didn’t get to see the Colosseum!

Response from Host, May 2024

Dear Customer, We understand that your tour experience did not meet your expectations, and we are truly sorry for any disappointment this may have caused you. We have thoroughly reviewed your case and have taken the necessary steps to provide you with a full refund, as a gesture of our commitment to your satisfaction. Regrettably, a significant management transition at the Colosseum, effective from May 1st, has led to unforeseen challenges and inconveniences for all visitors, including yourself. We have tried to please all our customers and avoid as much inconvenience as possible. We renew our deepest apologies and send our cordial greetings. Stefano Tour around the city

Informational

Sterin_F, May 2024

very knowledgeable and didn’t prioritize one historical period - spoke about all an equal amount and kept it fun

Amazing to see this iconic site in person.

Ingrid_E, Apr 2024

We enjoyed our tour guide Katrina (?). She was informative and entertaining as she had a good sense of humour. It was much better to tour with a guide. Entry to the site was easy and quick and the length of the tour was as expected.

Colosseum Tour

Jennifer_P, Apr 2024

Quick check in, fast entrance, and a great tour. The guide was a pro at navigating the crowds and was extremely knowledgeable. Thank you.

Informative Tour

Shawn_J, Apr 2024

George did a very good job providing a detailed historical overview of the Colosseum, demonstrating his expertise. While his demeanor was professional, there were organizational issues, including confusion over the itinerary and unexpected additions to the tour. Additionally, although George kindly assisted an older adult with mobility issues to access the elevator on the way up, this accommodation was overlooked on the way down, causing the person to get separated from our group which caused a delay in the tour. George helped get the person back into our group but she was very embarrassed. Despite this issue, George's knowledge of the Colosseum's history was commendable.

Beautiful morning at the Colosseum

Emma_E, Apr 2024

Very interesting tour, we moved swiftly and smoothly through the crowds / security. Catalina was our guide and she brought to life the days of gladiators / emporers and the showmanship in the colosseum. The earpieces and her voice were very easy to listen to. Would 100% recommend this trip!

Good tour

Erin_M, Apr 2024

We enjoyed this tour. The tour guide was knowledgeable and made the tour fun. It was very busy but skipping the line made it easy.

Express Colosseum Tour

LeahMacMartin, Apr 2024

We had 2 teenagers with us so we chose the express tour and it was the perfect amount of information and perfect amount of time! Our tour guide was excellent!

Amazing tour guide.

Carmen_P, Mar 2024

Our tour guide was so amazing! She was knowledgeable and knew how to get the job done. “Stay strong, push through”. I believe she was Russian, not sure of her name but seriously you want her as a guide! Thank you

Excellent tour of Colosseum and Palatine Hill

Mark_W, Mar 2024

So interesting and informative. Sam was a fantastic guide - very knowledgeable, not just on the Colosseum and Palatine Hill, but on all Roman History and lots else as well.

Coliseum

HEATHER_P, Mar 2024

Easy to find the voucher redemption point. Tour guide was so knowledgeable and talked non stop! Weather was lovely. Wouldn’t like to do it on a wet day! Highly recommend this trip.