Rome: Colosseum, Forum, and Palatine Hill 3 hr Tour
Rome, Italy
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Spend a few hours exploring Rome’s Colosseum with this live- or audio-guided experience. Meet your host to collect your tickets and head inside with your audio guide on your smartphone, or meet your guide and group. Explore the nearly 2,000-year-old amphitheater and learn about the spectacles and gladiatorial contests once held there. Stroll through its arches and corridors before heading to the nearby Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
- Experience the history of the Roman Colosseum on this guided tour
- Get an up close view of the amphitheater where gladiators once fought
- Upgrade to include access to the arena floor or join a small-group tour
- Explore with a guide: Get insight into ancient Roman history
Why Travelers Choose This Tour
Reserved entry at the Colosseum lets you breeze past ticket lines—that means less time waiting to get in.
What's Included
- Professional guide (not included if you select the AUDIOGUIDE option).
- Audioset (NOT included for the ticket option with audio guide)
- Entrance fees to Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
- Colosseum entrance ticket (valued at €18 per person, or €24 per person if arena access is included)
- Colosseum reservation fee (valued at €2 per person)
- Please note: Colosseum fees as above. The remaining cost of the experience covers other services.
- Transfers
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Via delle Terme di Tito, 93, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
Please meet us in our offcie at Via delle Terme di Tito 93.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
Colosseum
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
2
Roman Forum
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Arco di Tito (Pass By)
3
Palatine Hill
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- Please bring a Valid ID Document of all participants in order to enter to the Colosseum.
- 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.
- Aerosols, sharp objects and large backpacks will not be allowed
- Kindly insert full name for all participants at you party. Please note that the names not included in the list will not gain access to the Colosseum. Please bring a valid identification card or passport.
- Please wear comfortable walking shoes
- Each traveler must present a valid passport or ID document that matches the name provided at the time of booking for successful entry to the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
- Changes to the tour may occur if the minimum number of participants cannot be reached; under these circumstances, you will receive a phone call or message from the activity provider
- Individuals with Disabilities MUST NOTE it on their booking.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 25 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 3 days in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.6
based on 669 reviews
Jonathan_A, Apr 2026
This is a fantastic tour with a trained archaeologist. The knowledge you get is far superior than when you do it alone. The queues are quicker too.
Definitely need good shoes, water and energy. Lots of stairs but easy for those with basic fitness.
Easy meeting spot and the guides are super helpful.
Seemed expensive but actually very good value when you factor in their expertise, entry to Collesium, Palatine Hill and Forum.
Would 100% recommend.
Megan_F, Apr 2026
The colosseum was interesting, but the Roman Forum was super interesting and had a lot to explore. Wear good shoes
Antonio_M, Apr 2026
Our tour guide Max was amazing he was very knowledgeable and gave a great pace for all participants.
Sunshine_S, Mar 2026
We left before 1/3 into the tour and did not go to 2 of the stops. It was slow paced and rather dull. My family was begging to stop and would have preferred to just walk around.
Shari_M, Mar 2026
Great tour! Our guide, Sabrina was very knowledgeable and made the tour interesting. She also found good photo stops. Thanks!
Nerissa_P, Mar 2026
Just know that you won’t get a tour guide even if you show up earlier with the disorganization of the tour. We got there ahead of time as stated and waited in the queue for tickets for 15 mins then when we were close to the front, got moved across the road to another queue. When we got to the front, we were told the tour group and guide had left. We tried to get info of the guides live location, description of how they look, timing….NOTHING! We had to use the tickets and do our own tour which is disappointing as we paid for a guide and could just have bought tickets ourselves. Staff were extremely rude and unhelpful. They refused to refund me partially for the tour guide part. Absolute chaos! Get there an hour ahead! Would recommend so many of the other tour operators.
Alesa_L, Mar 2026
Fabio was very knowledgeable and friendly. He did a good job getting us through security when there was a problem there. Only thing is his accent in English is a little hard to understand, especially when he talks fast.
Karen_J, Mar 2026
Really well planned no issues with finding the ticket office the guide was really good with lots of additional information x
DrMark_S, Mar 2026
Rosella is an excellent guide. She is a wonderful story teller who brings the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum to life. We highly recommend Rosella as a tour guide. Blessings, Dr Mark
Marilee_P, Mar 2026
Going with a group tour is the best way to see the coliseum. The info you get from the guide is valuable as there is no signage inside. Also groups are permitted through their own entry. Be prepared to have an ID to show 2 times upon entry. You are not allowed in without a driver’s license or passport with your ticket. This tour also includes the Forum ( a political seat and many places of worship to many gods) and Palestine Hiill where the emperor, priest, and rich lived.
Alexia_F, Feb 2026
Had to cancel because of a medical emergency (with a note from hospital) and still waiting to hear back about the refund..
Marc_S, Feb 2026
The tour was informative and interesting. We are 100% satisfied. Our tour guide, Alex was knowledgeable and entertaining.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review!
We’re so happy you enjoyed your experience at the Colosseo and that Alex made the tour both knowledgeable and entertaining.
Hope to welcome you again soon!
Kelly_S, Feb 2026
This tour was fantastic. So much information and history. Our guide (can't remember his name) was fantastic. We would have never learned the things he told us if we had not done this tour. Highly recommend.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your fantastic review! We’re happy to hear you enjoyed the tour and learning so much about the Colosseum. Our guide will truly appreciate your kind words. Thank you for the recommendation!
Sharon_G, Feb 2026
We have a lovely experienced,from the start of the tour inside the colessuem until we finish it was a great tour.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your kind review! We’re very happy to hear you had a great experience and enjoyed the tour inside the Colosseum from start to finish. We hope to see you again on another tour!
Yoshith_P, Feb 2026
Quite the tour, full of tons of info about the colossuem and other Roman spots across the major landmark. Skip the line was worth it in my opinion, especially when you have little time in the city. Tons of memorable moments and information to walk away with. Thanks to our tour guide Maria.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your great review! We’re happy to hear you enjoyed the tour and all the information about the Colosseum, Forum, and Palatine Hill. Skip-the-line access really does make a difference when time is limited. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to Maria. Hope to see you again in Rome!
Basil_P, Feb 2026
So much history with wonderful colorful descriptions are what makes this great. Read and do your homework first.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you! We’re glad you enjoyed the rich history and colorful storytelling of the Colosseum. Hope to see you again!
LuccaNehuen_Y, Jan 2026
The guide was really great, he knew a lot, but the audio system is crap, you can't hear anyting. Futhermore, the experience only lasted two hours when the booking said three hours.
David_W, Jan 2026
I was glad to see the Colosseum, and the guide was certainly knowledgeable. But he was, frankly, quite poor at engaging a mixed audience. His method seemed to be to herd the group into a dark corner where there was nothing much to look at, and to rattle off a torrent of disconnected facts, seemingly at random. It wasn’t just me—I could tell that many in the group were bored (looking at their phones, chatting among themselves while the guide was talking). It was such a relief when we finally got to see the interior of the building—but still the torrent of facts continued, without the opportunity to ask questions or otherwise interact. This three-hour tour was supposed to cover the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Palatine Hill, but at the end of two hours we were still being lectured to in the Colosseum. I couldn’t take it any more, so I left at that point. I don’t know if they ever made it to the Forum. I’ve taken three or four other Viator tours, and the guides have all been excellent. This one was not.
Wendi_W, Jan 2026
Lots of walking over uneven surfaces, but there is an elevator at the Colosseum. Our guide Elizabeth was knowledgeable and accommodating. It’s a mistake to go to the Colosseum and Palatine Hill without a guide—too much to see without an expert. Being able to skip lines makes the tour worth the cost.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your detailed feedback! We’re happy to hear you enjoyed the Rome: Colosseum, Forum, and Palatine Hill 3 hr Tour and that Elizabeth’s knowledge and assistance made the experience even more enjoyable. We hope to see you again soon!
Ofelia_N, Jan 2026
The tour we had was exhausting. The tourist guide walked too fast and not considering that there were old people in the group.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re sorry to hear that the tour felt exhausting. We understand the importance of maintaining a comfortable pace for all guests, especially when there are older participants in the group. Your comments have been shared with our team to help us improve future experiences.
Stephen_Y, Jan 2026
Decent tour. It was new years eve. The guide was a bit rushed as the forum was closing early and he didn't want us to miss it. Was a lot of walking, but worth it as the coliseum was incredible!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your feedback! We’re glad you enjoyed the Rome: Colosseum, Forum, and Palatine Hill 3 hr Tour and found the Colosseum incredible. We appreciate your understanding about the pace on New Year’s Eve, as our guide wanted to make sure you didn’t miss the Forum. We hope to welcome you again for another memorable experience!
Wendy_W, Dec 2025
Loved the ability to be able to walk on the gladiator floor and upper sections. We got a good amount of time to explore and take pictures. The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill were interesting with a good amount of time spent there - though tbh I would've preferred more time at the Colosseum. The headset was VERY helpful to hear the guide despite all the crowds and he did a great job of keeping us together and moving, making sure nobody got lost or left behind.
A few small things for improvement from our tour guide:
- accent was a bit strong and I couldn't understand all of it, I realize I'm in a different country but the tour is in English and I love a good history lesson
- it was factual but I would've loved a little more story telling to really bring the tour alive
- It would've been nice if the tour guide suggested the best spots to take pictures from
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you so much for your detailed feedback! We’re thrilled that you enjoyed walking on the Colosseum gladiator floor and upper sections, as well as exploring the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. We appreciate your kind words about our guide and the headset system.
cisenor11, Dec 2025
Great experience! Excellent location to meet before the tour—very close to the Colesseum metro line. Nunzia was a fantastic tour guide—extremely knowledgeable about all the historical significance of the Colesseum., Palantine hills and Roman Forum; she ensured we stopped at points where the popular facts from history occurred. She also took us to a lesser known locations for incredible views and photo opportunities. Thank you!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled that you enjoyed the Rome: Colosseum, Forum, and Palatine Hill 3 hr Tour and found the meeting point convenient. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you again soon!
Rodrigo_B, Dec 2025
Our guide Emanuelle did a remarkable job, he was well prepared and advanced at a good pace so you can take pictures.
The tour started on the street near the Colluseum, from there to the Palatin Hill, then to the Colluseum, bring comfortable shoes and be prepared to be on a standing position for 2-3 hrs.
I would recommend this experience because it doesn’t feel like a speedy tour, you actually learn from the guide
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you so much for your feedback! We’re delighted that you enjoyed the Rome: Colosseum, Forum, and Palatine Hill 3 hr Tour and that Emanuelle’s knowledge, pace, and preparation made the experience enjoyable. We hope to welcome you again for another memorable tour.
Anthony_C, Dec 2025
Lots of information, and plenty of walking (wear comfortable shoes!) While the tour doesn't cover everything in the Forum/Palatine Hill (there's too much), you can continue to explore once the tour ends.
Entrance with the tour is much quicker than the very long lines without.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your feedback! We’re glad you enjoyed the Rome: Colosseum, Forum, and Palatine Hill 3 hr Tour and appreciated the skip-the-line entrance. We hope you had a great time exploring!
Christian_P, Dec 2025
Listen… if you ever wanna feel like you just walked through 2,000 years of history AND a full-body workout, book this tour. I signed up thinking it would be cute, educational, maybe a little romantic—NO. This was bootcamp with ruins.
First of all, the tour guide was talking with the speed and confidence of somebody who has personally known Julius Caesar since preschool. This man said, “Follow me,” and took off like we were escaping ancient Roman taxes. I was back there wheezing like, “Sir… please… I’m a visitor… not a gladiator.”
The Colosseum itself? Absolutely stunning. I walked in like, “Wow… people really came here to watch drama unfold—so it was basically the first reality TV stadium.” You can almost hear ancient crowds screaming, “Finish him!” like it’s Mortal Kombat: Roman Edition.
Then we hit the Roman Forum, which is basically a giant outdoor group project presentation from 753 BC. Columns everywhere. Rocks everywhere. Steps EVERYWHERE. I don’t know what the ancient Romans had against flat ground, but baby… they loved a staircase.
By the time we got to Palatine Hill, I promise you my knees were filing HR complaints. The view was worth it though—you can see all of Rome, all of history, and all of your mistakes for not stretching before you came.
But don’t get it twisted, I had a BLAST. I learned so much, I got my steps in for the month, and I now fully understand why gladiators were built like Greek action figures. This tour was fun, chaotic, educational, and physically disrespectful in the best possible way.
Would I recommend it?
ABSOLUTELY.
Just bring water, snacks, and maybe a personal trainer.
10/10. Rome humbled me, entertained me, and made my legs stronger than my WiFi connection.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Wow, thank you for this amazing review! We’re thrilled to hear you had such a fun and memorable experience on the Rome: Colosseum, Forum, and Palatine Hill 3 hr Tour—and that your legs got their full workout too! We love that you enjoyed the history, views, and all the “chaotic” fun along the way. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with our guide. Thanks for recommending the tour, and we hope to see you back in Rome soon—stretching optional, of course!
iris_m, Dec 2025
Great tour. We visited the Colosseum including the arena floor. It was amazing. We went to Palatine Hill and Forum. Our guide was very informative and knowledgeable. Explained the period pointed out specific places. He was kind and helped people in the group. I definitely would recommend the tour.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled that you enjoyed the Rome: Colosseum Arena Floor, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Tour and found the guide informative, knowledgeable, and helpful. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again for another memorable experience!
Steve_R, Dec 2025
Missed our 1pm group
Could not find the meeting place on time
We had a 2:30 pm appointment & Viator cancelled it so no other options but 1pm
We had a morning tour. & had to rush to get there
The meeting was not what I expected
MrRonald_J, Dec 2025
Our guide, Francesco, was very knowledgeable, entertaining and considerate of those who were having difficulty walking. He told us not only the story behind the areas we visited, but much of the history behind each place. It was a long day but very worthwhile.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled that you enjoyed the Rome: Colosseum, Forum, and Palatine Hill 3 hr Tour with Francesco and that his knowledge, entertaining style, and consideration for all guests made the experience so enjoyable. We’re glad it was a long but worthwhile day, and we hope to welcome you again soon!
Tamsin_C, Nov 2025
It was an okay experience. There was a lot of historical information given, but it was not delivered in a very entertaining way, so it got lost a bit on me (personally). I would have loved to hear a few more stories to help me imagine living life in the past.
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