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Rome: Private Colosseum, Arena and Underground Tour with Pick-Up

Recommended by 98% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Rome, Italy
Great choice
10+ bookings last month.
  • 3 hours (approx.)
  • Pickup offered
  • Group discounts
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.9
·
· nowshaba_a ·
Mar 2026
Elisa was amazing tour guide. Very knowledgeable and was amazing showing us all the places. I recommend this private tour! The private pick up was very helpful as well! Highly recommended! Great service!!
· Brooke_S ·
Dec 2025
You HAVE to do this tour. Our guide, Emanuele was incredibly knowledgeable. What could have been a sight-seeing tour became an immersive learning experience. History, context, and visuals made for a never-dull 3 hours. Rome has many great things to offer, but you NEED to do this tour if you want to truly understand the history of this beautiful structure.

Overview

Enjoy guaranteed access to Rome's most famous monument with this private Colosseum tour, which includes pickup from your centrally located hotel. Explore special areas of the ancient wonder that many other visitors miss, including its underground level and the arena floor where gladiators faced their fate. Then, continue to the Roman Forum to see the ruins of temples and palaces. Upgrade your tour to include hotel drop-off and a tour of Palatine Hill.
  • This two-in-one Rome tour helps maximize your sightseeing time
  • Upgrade to include hotel drop-off and a Palatine Hill tour
  • A private tour means a more personalized experience
  • See the best of the Colosseum and Roman Forum in just half a day

Why Travelers Choose This Tour

Explore the Colosseum ‘s restricted underground and arena floor.

What's Included

  • Professional Licensed Blue Badge Tour Guide
  • Entrance to the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
  • Hotel pick up (centrally located hotels. Within Aurelian Walls)
  • Visit of the Palatine Hill and drop off service (if Luxury Version selected)
  • Colosseum and Roman Forum entrance with underground and arena access (valued at €24 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.
  • Food and drinks

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

Pick up from Hotel (if centrally located - within the Aurelian Walls)

Itinerary

Choose a morning or afternoon tour, and get picked up by your private guide at your hotel in central Rome (hotel must be located within the Aurelian walls).

Begin your tour at the Colosseum, where you can admire the massive amphitheater from the inside. Hear about the lives of the gladiators who fought there.

Then, head into the underground level of the Colosseum to learn about the maze of rooms where men and beasts waited to be lifted into the amphitheater. Follow in their footsteps when you step onto the arena floor.

Continue your tour with a walk to the nearby Roman Forum to hear about this one-time epicenter of the ancient Roman Empire. Walk along the important Via Sacra to see major landmarks.

If you've chosen the basic tour option, your journey ends here. Alternatively, if you've upgraded to the luxury tour option, enjoy a tour of the Palatine Hill before being dropped off at your hotel.
1

Colosseum

1 hour 30 minutesAdmission Ticket Included

2

Foro Romano

1 hour 30 minutesAdmission Ticket Included

Piazza del Colosseo (Pass By)

Arch of Constantine (Pass By)

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with mobility issues or those using a wheelchair
  • 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.
  • Please be aware that to enter the Colosseum it is necessary to pass a metal detector security check
  • Large bags and backpacks are not allowed
  • Each traveler must present a valid passport or photo ID document that matches the name provided at the time of booking for successful entry to the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
  • Be prepared to climb uneven steps and explore an archaeological site - wear good shoes. Anticipate Rome's intense heat in the summer - you may want to bring a small umbrella to block the sun as well as unexpected, sudden rainfall
  • Closed-toe, non-slip shoes are required for safety. Access to the Colosseum may be denied without proper footwear.
  • To ensure the safety and well-being of all our guests, every reservation that includes minors (under 18) must be accompanied by at least one adult. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept bookings made exclusively by unaccompanied minors.
  • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours 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

4.9
based on 108 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Amazing tour guide Elisa!!!

nowshaba_a, Mar 2026
Elisa was amazing tour guide. Very knowledgeable and was amazing showing us all the places. I recommend this private tour! The private pick up was very helpful as well! Highly recommended! Great service!!

Great experience

Kristi_W, Dec 2025
Marco was an expert guide! The pick-up and drop off were very appreciated. We enjoyed the anthropological experience.

Worth Every Penny!

Brooke_S, Dec 2025
You HAVE to do this tour. Our guide, Emanuele was incredibly knowledgeable. What could have been a sight-seeing tour became an immersive learning experience. History, context, and visuals made for a never-dull 3 hours. Rome has many great things to offer, but you NEED to do this tour if you want to truly understand the history of this beautiful structure.

Bloody brilliant trip. Don’t come all this way and miss this- you’ll kick yourself if you do!

Deborah_G, Dec 2025
Bloody brilliant from start to finish. Kate was so informative- depth and breadth of knowledge was very impressive.

Don’t visit Ancient Rome without a Tour!

Adam_F, Dec 2025
Our tour of Ancient Rome - The Forum, Palatine Hill & Colosseum (including underground) was one of our favorites. Our guide Marina was engaging, funny, knowledgeable and passionate. We learned so much about the meaning and purpose of the spaces, as well as the materials used in the construction of the basilicas & temples. We especially appreciated the rendered drawings she shared that helped bring the ruins to life. The Colosseum was incredible…if you’re on the fence about the underground, it’s worth it! We’re so glad we added it.

Guide was great, although...

Suzanne_M, Oct 2025
Guide was great, although yhe tour itself was just a bit too long for me, an 81 year old female. I should have scheduled the Forum and Palentine hill for another time.

Response from Host, Oct 2025

Thank you for your feedback. We're glad you enjoyed the guide, and we truly appreciate your note about the pacing—it's helpful as we continue refining our experiences for every guest. The Eyes of Rome Team

Amazing Tour

Elisabeth_P, Oct 2025
This was an amazing tour and having a private tour guide with pickup gave us a detailed and in depth visit. Our guide (an archeologist) was exceptional and his knowledge of the site astounding. Would highly recommend this tour.

Response from Host, Oct 2025

Thank you for your kind words. We're so glad the private format and your guide’s archaeological expertise made the experience feel truly in-depth and memorable. The Eyes of Rome Team

Magnificent experience, but car service sucked!

Scott_F, Oct 2025
First and foremost I only booked this tour because I wanted to book the underground so paid significantly more for a car service that absolutely was not needed. More importantly, the car service had issues on pick up and drop off so try to get an underground coliseum tour and you would be good to go. Our guide Rosie was incredible and knowledgeable of all things this tour had to offer. So for Rosie and the tour itself 10 stars for the private driving part…absolutely save your money and get an Uber back and forth.

Response from Host, Oct 2025

Thank you for your honest feedback. We're truly glad to hear Rosie made the tour itself so memorable, and we’ll take your comments about the car service seriously as we work to improve every part of the experience. Rosie & The Eyes of Rome Team

Underbelly of the Roman Colosseum Tour

David_T, Sep 2025
The underground tour was a highlight for the family! Going underground gave us a different and unique perspective that was worth the effort. Our guide Michaela was incredibly knowledgeable and helped bring both the Roman Forum and Colosseum to life. It was a wonderful experience that I highly recommend!

Response from Host, Sep 2025

Thank you for your kind review! We’re so glad to hear that the underground tour was such a highlight for your family. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for more memorable experiences in Rome! Kind regards, The Eyes of Rome Team

Wonderful tour to emerge back in history

Catharine_G, Aug 2025
We had a wonderful tour and fully emerged back in history. The underground experience really shows the ingenuity of the ancient Romans. Our guide Emanuele was very kind, very knowledgeable and gave excellent explanations abortus everything. He also brought illustrations with him making it easier for us to visualise what the Colosseum and temples would have looked like in ancient times. We thoroughly enjoyed.

Response from Host, Sep 2025

Thank you for this thoughtful note. Emanuele’s passion for bringing the past to life—especially with the help of visual aids—adds something truly special to the experience. Emanuele & The Eyes of Rome Team

Wonderful experience -...

Paul_M, Aug 2025
Wonderful experience - informative. Just the right amount of information. We went with a six year old and between staying in the shade and keeping it moving we all enjoyed ourselves.

Response from Host, Sep 2025

We're really happy to hear the balance felt right for your family—especially with a little one in tow. Grazie for spending your time in Rome with us. The Eyes of Rome Team

Our GUIDE Azora was...

Louis_D, Aug 2025
Our GUIDE Azora was fantastic Knowledgeable friendly accommodating Her history of the area and the stories of the site was extremely insightful

Response from Host, Sep 2025

Thank you for the kind words. We're so pleased to hear you enjoyed the experience with Azzurra—she’ll be glad to know her storytelling left a mark. Azzurra & The Eyes of Rome Team

Wonder Morning

Jan_S, Aug 2025
We were so lucky to have Marco an archaeologists do out tour. The hotel pick-up was on time next time if would upgrade to the drop-off option due to the summer heat it would have been great. We learnt so much from Marco so many truly fascinating facts & stories about the many different activities that took place in the Colosseum & its development over time. The Forum was beautiful & the architecture for the time was amazing. Marco was very attentive to details & is passionate about the ruins & their history. Marco was very considered of my mobility issues arranging for me yo use lifts and doing the tour at a slower pace. Thank you Marco for a wonderful morning we thoroughly enjoyed the knowledge you shared with us. We highly recommend this tour to anyone to go to the underground.

Response from Host, Sep 2025

Thank you for sharing such thoughtful words. We're delighted Marco’s care and expertise made your visit so rewarding—and that the pace felt just right. The underground is a special place, and we're glad you experienced it in the best way. Marco & The Eyes of Rome Team

The only way to go!

Robert_A, Jul 2025
Very qualified guide, prompt, efficient, thorough. There is so much to take in, this service is essential as a traveler with limited time. Very polite and professional service!

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Grazie for your kind note. We're really glad the experience felt smooth and helpful, especially with limited time. The Eyes of Rome Team

Great, Informative Tour

Eric_T, Jun 2025
I forgot our guide’s name, but she was amazing and had tons of information. Seeing the Colosseum and Forum is spectacular on its own. However, you learn so much more when you have a great guide who can provide in depth information. Our private tour was fantastic for our family which includes our girls (17, 14, and 11). Despite being extremely tired from an early morning flight, our guide was extremely kind, and she was able to keep everyone entertained and eager to hear more information. The only issue we ran into, was that the tour did not provide a ride back to our hotel. We didn’t see this in the original posting, but later saw it in an email the day before the tour. Our guide was helpful with providing the best info to get back to our hotel. We would highly recommend this tour for anyone who wants more than just surface level information.

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Grazie for taking the time to share this. We’re really glad your guide managed to keep the whole family engaged, even after a long travel day. And grazie also for pointing out the note about the return ride — feedback like this helps us do better. The Eyes of Rome Team

Great way to see a...

Amanda_S, Jun 2025
Great way to see a different part of the iconic Colosseum. Not crowded and much cooler than up top. Also learned and saw a lot on the Palentine Hill. Enjoyed it and would recommend.

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Thank you for your great review! Happy you enjoyed exploring the underground areas—it's definitely a unique perspective, especially away from the crowds and heat. Glad Palatine Hill was a highlight too. Your recommendation means a lot to us! Grazie mille! The Eyes of Rome Team

Very good.

Marcia_H, May 2025
The underground Colosseum experience was a once in a lifetime epic experience that should not be missed.

Marina was outstanding!...

Krista_O, Apr 2025
Marina was outstanding! The communication before, during was amazing! She was so knowledgeable and kind to our needs. She was our last tour in Rome and wouldn’t have imagined anyone else! 10/10!

See it all, and skip the line! Amazing!

Leslie_R, Apr 2025
What a way to see the Colosseum!!! We learned so much and went to every nook and cranny of the amphitheater. Our guide, Azurra, was so so so knowledgeable. She also gets you around the big groups without delay. Then, she took us all through the Pallantine Hill and Forum. This was the best tour we took in Rome. Also, the driver was right on time, and drove very safe in a beautiful car.

Perfect Tour Guide

Kenneth_k, Dec 2024
Azzula was a total rock star guide! So knowledgeable and her enthusiasm and energy made for the perfect experience! Our driver Mossimo was an absolute pleasure as well!

We really enjoyed the...

Todd_G, Dec 2024
We really enjoyed the tour! Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly. We were so lucky to get to also tour the underground.

Viator was excellent...

John_A, Dec 2024
Viator was excellent ensuring our experience was as expected. From early communication regarding pickup and dropoff as well as timing changes. Our guide Azzurra was fantastic, answered as many questions as we asked, we learned so much from her. I would recommend this experience to a friend or a stranger, it was that good.

The best way to see ancient Rome

Michael_S, Nov 2024
Finalize was a fantastic guide throughout the day. His wit, humor and knowledge made for a very memorable experience. Walking through the underground of the colosseum is something we will always remember. A great day and a great guide!

Response from Host, Nov 2024

Thank you so much for your fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear that your guide made your experience so memorable. The underground tour is truly special, and we're glad it left such a lasting impression.We hope to welcome you again on another unforgettable adventure in the future! Arrivederci! Eyes of Rome Team

Colisseum underground

fuen222, Nov 2024
The visit to the Colisseum underground is essential to understanding it's greatness. You can only access it with a tour like this.

Response from Host, Nov 2024

Thank you for sharing your thoughts! We’re thrilled that you found the Colosseum underground tour essential for appreciating its true grandeur. Experiencing it with a guided tour does indeed offer a unique and deeper understanding. We hope to welcome you back for more insightful experiences! Arrivederci! Eyes of Rome Team

Wish guide had planned time better

Terri_K, Oct 2024
The collosseum is a fantastic place no doubt but our guide often left us wanting more information. We also never made it to Palatine Hill nor all the way through the Forrest. I wish our guide would have picked up the pace at the first part of the tour so we could have seen all of what we expected and paid for.

Response from Host, Oct 2024

Dear Terri, Thank you for your feedback. We are truly sorry that your experience didn’t meet your expectations. After receiving your review, we contacted your guide to understand what happened during the tour. She informed us that one of the participants, Raymond, unfortunately didn’t feel well, and as per the group's request, she had to shorten the tour to accommodate everyone’s comfort. The Palatine Hill, as you may know, involves a walk uphill, which can be quite challenging if someone isn’t feeling their best. While we regret that you weren't able to complete the full itinerary, the guide acted in the best interest of your party considering the circumstances. We hope to have the opportunity to provide you with a complete experience in the future! Best regards, Francesca Eyes of Rome Team

Incredible

Mark_E, Sep 2024
The wealth of knowledge that our guide had was impressive. The. Massive structure and the history of the Colosseum is much to appreciate.

Response from Host, Sep 2024

Ciao Mark, It sounds like you had an incredible experience! The Colosseum truly is a marvel, and having a knowledgeable guide can make all the difference, bringing its history to life. We look forward to welcoming you back for more memorable tours in the future, whether in Rome or other destinations in Italy! Arrivederci, Francesca Eyes of Rome Team

Great tour

Gregg_B, Sep 2024
It’s great to have a guide to explain all the details of what you are experiencing, and avoiding the lines during the hot days was an added bonus.

Response from Host, Sep 2024

Ciao Gregg, Absolutely! Having a knowledgeable guide really enhances the experience, and skipping the lines makes it so much more enjoyable, especially in the heat. We're thrilled you had a great time! Thank you for sharing your thoughts! Arrivederci, Francesca Eyes of Rome Team

Awesome

randy_f, Sep 2024
Our experience was excellent. Driver was on time . Tour guide Katie was knowledgeable. Everything went smoothly.

Response from Host, Sep 2024

Hi Randy, Thank you for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear that everything went smoothly and that Katie’s knowledge made your tour enjoyable. We’re also glad the driver was punctual, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish. Arrivederci, Francesca Eyes of Rome Team

Colosseum

Ann_G, Sep 2024
We had a fabulous time with Rosie.. extremely knowledgeable, took her time making sure we all understood everything.. took us aside for extra details.. we would highly recommend her to anyone!!!

Response from Host, Sep 2024

Ciao Ann, Thank you so much for sharing also this experience! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a fabulous time with Rosie. Her passion for sharing knowledge and attention to detail truly make the difference. We’re so glad she made your tour special, and we appreciate your high recommendation! Arrivederci, Francesca Eyes of Rome Team

Gracelyn was so great! We...

Irene_B, Aug 2024
Gracelyn was so great! We learned and saw so much! It was an amazing tout to start off our trip! I highly recommend it.

Response from Host, Sep 2024

Ciao Irene, Thank you for your kind words! We’re delighted to hear that Gracelyn made the start of your trip so memorable. It’s wonderful to know that you learned and saw so much on your tour. We look forward to welcoming you back for another amazing experience in Rome or any other place in Italy! Grazie mille, Francesca Eyes of Rome Team
Likely to Sell Out

From $566.64

per person

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

Book ahead!
On average, this is booked 95 days in advance.

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