Wonders of The Colosseum Tour - Exterior Experience in Rome
Rome, Italy
- 1 to 2 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
The Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill are Rome’s premier archaeological treasures, but interpreting the complex remains of these vast sites is a challenge. Get a better understanding of the history and architecture of these fascinating ancient ruins on this guided tour that offers overview explanations and insights about the highlights of all three sites as you explore their exteriors.
- Explore Rome’s top ancient sites with a guide to better understand the ruins
- Enjoy a personal atmosphere with a small touring group
- Discover these sites from the outside for a budget-friendly experience
- Choose from several departure times to suit your schedule
Why Travelers Choose This Tour
Optimize your time in Rome with this tour that covers the outside of the Colosseum in around an hour.
What's Included
- Professional guide
- Admission Fee - Admission ticket 18e per adult NOT INCLUDED
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- P.za del Colosseo, 21, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
Our Friendly Staff will meet you in front of Colosseum (Colosseo) Metro B Station, next to the green kiosk. Please be at the meeting point 15 minutes before your tour time.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
Colosseum
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
2
Roman Forum
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
3
Palatine Hill
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- Each traveler must present a valid ID card or document that matches the name provided at the time of booking for successful entry to the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
- Tickets are not included in the price, please note that there is additional cost of 18e per adult person. Our staff will accompany you to the ticket office where you can purchase tickets.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers
Supplied by
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
3.7
based on 1,664 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Aoife_M, Jul 2026
This tour was amazing!! We had the lovely Milo as our tour guide and he was truly so knowledgeable and had a real passion for history! Me and my friend came out of the tour feeling inspired to learn my of the Roman history and would highly recommend booking this tour! The exterior tour I believe was better as you were able to take your time and milo was able to explain more about the colosseum! Thank you Milo!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank You!
James_B, Jul 2026
Malo was great! The tour was fun and exciting! The guide had a vast array of knowledge about Italy. The views and photo we took were stunning.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank You!
Michael_A, Jul 2026
Tour was bought & scheduled for 10:30AM. Upon arrival, after trying to find tour guide, one of the members walked us to group, where shortly after the tour guide relayed the tour started at 10AM! Poor Viator scheduling, no notice, indistinct identification for the specific tour as there are many. The tour guide himself was phenomenal!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
The tour start time was updated, and a notification with the new meeting time was sent to you the day before the tour through the Viator messaging system. We understand that this may have been missed, but we always notify our guests in advance whenever there is a schedule change. We're pleased to hear that you enjoyed the guide and appreciate your kind words about their work.
Joanna_N, Jul 2026
We didn't join to the group because we couldn't find them! Meeting was on the metro station but there was nobody! 54 euros for nothing! Give us money back!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
We are sorry to hear that you were unable to join the tour, but the meeting point is clearly indicated on your voucher: outside the Colosseum Metro Station, next to the green kiosk. Our representatives are always there at least 15 minutes before the tour starts, holding a clearly visible Arena Tours sign.
If you were having difficulty locating the meeting point, you could have called or sent us a message using the contact details provided on your booking. We always respond and do our best to help guests find us. Unfortunately, we cannot issue a refund when guests do not arrive at the designated meeting point.
Anne_H, Jul 2026
All outside of the colosseum, lots of history. Valeria was excellent, and made every effort to keep us in the shade when she could.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank You!
Bayehrose_L, Jul 2026
Although it was only the exterior we still learnt so much about the colosseum and forum!! Our guide Valeria was lovely and intelligent and we had a great time!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank You!
Tyler_F, Jun 2026
Tour guide had great knowledge of the venue and its history. Although only an exterior tour, still recommend.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you!
Sarkis_C, Jun 2026
Unprofessional. Not recommended. We arrived on time, no clear instructions and when I managed to contact them they already left.
No refund was provided and no explanation. When I called finally and they replied they said they couldnt do anything.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
The meeting instructions, exact meeting point, and required arrival time were clearly provided in advance. For this experience, participants were asked to arrive at 1:45 PM for the 2:00 PM departure.
Our team remained at the meeting point until 2:05 PM to allow additional time for late arrivals. However, contact from your side was received around 2:30 PM, after the tour had already departed and could no longer be delayed.
As the experience operated as scheduled and the service was available at the designated time and location, this does not qualify for a refund under the booking conditions.
We understand your frustration, but there were clear instructions provided and additional waiting time was given before departure.
Michael_L, Jun 2026
extremely, disappointing, i was sent to the wrong meeting point with no one to contact, once i got hold of someone they put the phone down on me and didn't contact me back. please avoid this tour. 100% missing the tour i paid for. with no refund
Response from Host, Jun 2026
We would like to clarify a few important points regarding this review. The meeting point details were clearly provided on the voucher before the tour, including the exact location and arrival instructions. According to our records, contact was made approximately 15 minutes after the scheduled tour start time, and at that moment you were not at the designated meeting point.
To assist, the contact number of the staff member waiting at the meeting point was provided and communication was established. Unfortunately, the group had already departed and it was not possible to delay the tour or arrange rejoining once it had started.
The tour operated as scheduled and the meeting instructions were available in advance, which is why we are unable to agree with the statement that incorrect information was provided.
Kaitlyn_C, Jun 2026
If you are a history person and like hearing all the facts this is for you!! But you basically just walk in a circle around the colosseum
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank You!
Paul_Q, Jun 2026
They should know it is exterior only which you did stress.
This tour provides background info re the structure and its history.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank You!
Kevan_y, Jun 2026
Tour guide Milo was great, but it was rushed. We finished in 50 minutes and did not head towards Roman Forum and Palantine Hill.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
We appreciate your kind words about Milo. The tour includes explanations about the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill from the exterior viewpoints, and these were provided during your experience.
While the duration of a tour may vary slightly depending on group interaction and operational conditions, the itinerary was completed as advertised. We are therefore surprised by the rating, especially considering your positive comments about the guide.
Aimee_M, May 2026
This does not include access to the colosseum or the forum. These tickets are purchased separately and are allotted a time slot which may not be close to the time you are on the tour. However the guuide was great and the tour was very interesting
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for your review and for sharing your feedback.
We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour and that you found the guide great and the experience interesting.
We would like to kindly clarify that this is an exterior tour and does not include entry to the Colosseum or Roman Forum. As stated in the tour description, entrance tickets must be purchased separately and are subject to timed entry slots managed by the official ticketing system, which may not always align with the tour time.
We appreciate your understanding and hope to welcome you again on another tour in Rome.
Todd_E, May 2026
Very educational and interesting. I thought i knew what happened at the colloseum but I learned so much more.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank You!
Madan_P, May 2026
It is a walking tour. Admission to Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine hill are NOT included. The tour did not start at 9:30am as mentioned in the ticket. As we decided to leave, we got a call from operator, and joined. The tour company name is not clear in the reservation, and that caused confusion.
Response from Host, May 2026
We are glad that we managed to meet at the end! Thank You!
Caitlyn_W, May 2026
Malo was Extremely knowledgeable and the tour was so well structured to where you learned the history in a way to help you better understand what you see in front of you.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank You!
Rose_C, May 2026
Tour was a scam: no site entry, poor guide, wasted 2 hours, overcharged €50. Could have bought tix solo! Avoid.
Response from Host, May 2026
The tour you booked was an exterior guided experience, exactly as described at the time of booking. Entry tickets to the Colosseum were not included, and this is clearly stated in the tour description before purchase.
Calling the tour a “scam” is simply inaccurate, as you received the service that was advertised. We encourage guests to carefully read the details of the experience before booking to ensure it matches their expectations.
Kimberly_M, May 2026
It was very frustrating. They said the tour was to begin at 9;30, ended up the morning tour was csncelled and we had to wait till 11! Very poor communication.
Response from Host, May 2026
The morning tour was not cancelled. You contacted us around 10:00, after the tour had already started, and we still did our best to accommodate you by offering spots on the next tour at 11:00, even though we were not obligated to do so.
We always recommend arriving at the meeting point in advance and carefully checking the meeting instructions provided before the tour. Despite the situation, we still tried to help and make sure you could join the experience.
Mariya_H, May 2026
Haha they weren’t there, no tour, no people from Arena Tour, nothing. I was running around 20 mins trying to find them.
Response from Host, May 2026
We were present at the meeting point at the scheduled time, as always. Unfortunately, we did not receive any message or phone call from the guest in case they were having difficulty locating us. We always encourage guests to contact us directly so we can assist immediately and avoid any misunderstanding.
Amy_D, May 2026
Very bad experience with this site
The “tour guide” tried to turn us off getting tickets into the attractions so were it says helps get tickets is lies
Also booked a skip the Que dome and tomb experience for the basilica then after going through it was an audiobook. Stay away from this site !!!
Response from Host, May 2026
Dear Amy
We’re sorry to hear about your experience, but we must clarify several incorrect claims in your review.
Our guide never discourages guests from purchasing tickets—quite the opposite. Every participant is clearly shown where and how to obtain tickets, and assistance is always provided when needed. There is absolutely no reason for our staff to act otherwise.
Regarding your second concern about the “skip the queue dome and tomb experience,” this is not a service we offer, nor is it part of our product. It appears you may be referring to a different booking made through another provider.
We kindly ask that reviews accurately reflect the service provided, as misleading information can create confusion for future travelers.
Lara_M, May 2026
You didn’t tell us that we have to wait in line as others. I expect if I reserve at agency that they have some faster lines. I paid 100€ for absolutely nothing. We didn’t have time to wait in IDK 1-2 hour line with two kids!!
Response from Host, May 2026
We believe your feedback is not an accurate reflection of the service provided.
First, you booked an exterior tour, which clearly does not include skip-the-line access or entry tickets to the Colosseum. Any waiting line you encountered was related to your personal decision to purchase tickets on-site, which is entirely separate from the service you booked.
Additionally, our team explicitly offered assistance in helping you obtain tickets after the tour, but this requires a bit of flexibility and timing, especially during high-demand periods when tickets are sold out in advance.
It is also important to note that you arrived 20 minutes late, which already disrupted the normal flow of the tour and limited the support we could provide.
We always strive to assist our guests as much as possible, but we cannot be held responsible for expectations that fall outside of what was clearly described at the time of booking.
Diane_C, Apr 2026
Not clear at the meeting point who to approach. You have to ask any random person to show you the way. Bit chaotic organisation but bonus was a free entry to the Colosseum as it was a holiday day in Rome.
The guide was knowledgeable and interesting but at the end just pointed you in the direction to finish the tour. All not cleatr when making the booking.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
We would like to point out that the meeting point is clearly described in the booking confirmation, and our staff is always present there holding a visible sign. There is no need to ask random people, as assistance is readily available on-site.
Regarding the “free entry,” this was due to a public holiday in Rome and is entirely independent of our service.
The tour is an exterior guided experience, as clearly stated in the title and description. At the end of the tour, guests are given directions to continue their visit independently, which is standard for this type of activity.
We appreciate your comment about the guide and take note of your feedback, but we cannot agree that the information provided at the time of booking was unclear.
Julie_T, Apr 2026
You can walk around the outside of the Colosseum without a guide, but it was good to have a guided tour and learn about the history of not only the Colosseum but also the other monuments along the same road.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
It’s true that the exterior of the Colosseum can be visited independently. This experience is designed for those who want more than just a walk, offering historical context and insights into the Colosseum and the surrounding monuments that are not available without a guide.
Denisa_Z, Apr 2026
Worst guide ever. Speaking horribly broken English, lost for his words most of the time, ridiculously biased. In the first 10 minutes managed to tell us that "Romans are horrible people", and that "Europeans hate foreigners" instead of actually sharing anything useful as facts or history for the attractions. Also, check carefully what you give your money for, everyone felt cheated that for this price you get entry to the Coliseum and Forum, but this is supposed to be only an outside walk. Almost the entire group abandoned this tour 15 minutes into it. Complete disaster of a guide and experience.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
We must strongly disagree with your version of events, as it does not reflect what actually happened during the tour. Our guides are experienced professionals who follow a structured route and provide historically accurate information. Claims that inappropriate or offensive statements were made are taken seriously, but we have no evidence to support these allegations.
It is also clearly stated in the tour description that this is an external walking tour and that entry tickets to the Colosseum and Roman Forum are not included in the price.
As for the group “abandoning” the tour, this is simply not accurate. The tour proceeded as planned with the majority of participants.
We stand by the quality of our guides and the experience we provide.
John_I, Apr 2026
Viator are a disgrace. Sold a guided tour with a 12:30 start time at at 12:25. When the email arrived, we were told to meet the tour guide at 12:15 near the venue. Unsurprisingly, they were not at the designated meeting spot. Viator have refused to refund, despite the fact that they allowed us to book an activity after the required start time. DO NOT BOOK ANYHTING THROUGH THIS COMPANY.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
We’re sorry, but the only “disgrace” here is the way this situation is being misrepresented.
Our records clearly show that the meeting time was 12:15, as stated in the confirmation email you received before the tour. Our staff was present at the designated meeting point and waited until 12:35 for your arrival.
If you were unable to arrive by 12:30, it is unclear why you chose to book that time slot, as later departures were also available.
We always do our best to accommodate all guests, but in this case, the tour operated as scheduled and your absence cannot be attributed to any failure on our side.
Lynne_A, Apr 2026
It wasn’t clear that you didn’t buy a ticket when you booked with them, we only bought a tour outside of the Colessium. We then had to queue for nearly 2 hours to buy tickets to go in.
We thought we had booked a tour of the colossium but ended up having a tour of the area around it. Marko was very pleasant but the radios didn’t work so the tour ended up being pretty useless.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for your feedback.
We would like to point out that it is clearly stated in the tour description that this is an external guided tour and that Colosseum entry tickets are not included in the price.
We always encourage guests to carefully read the full description before booking to ensure the experience matches their expectations.
That said, we’re glad to hear that Marko made a positive impression. We also appreciate your note regarding the radios and will look into this to improve the experience for future guests.
Tammie_M, Apr 2026
Know that you will NOT be entering the collesum only seeing outside of it so why pay to see the outside when you can for free
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Dear Guest,
As clearly stated in the tour description, this is an external guided tour and does not include entry into the Colosseum. The experience is designed for guests who want to learn more about the Colosseum and the Roman Forum through professional guidance, without entering the sites.
The service provided was exactly as advertised at the time of booking.
Kind regards,
Arena Tours
Danielle_A, Apr 2026
The guide was wonderfull and the places idem.
The experience was good to my mother too who is 80’s and loved all
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank You!
Kristin_B, Apr 2026
Do not book this tour, even if you are desperate to find a tour of the Colosseum. I had a previous Colosseum tour cancelled (from another tour provider) because the Colosseum closed early for Good Friday services and that provider could not find a replacement entry (tickets sold out) into the Colosseum on alternative days. So, I chose this tour because it included a reference to ticket vouchers. This tour does NOT include entry tickets and the ticket voucher described in this tour does NOT give you any better ability to get tickets for the Colosseum. So, if the Colosseum sells out - which is what occurred in our case - the ticket voucher they send you in advance of the tour is worthless. We declined to take the tour for this reason as well as for the reason we did not feel comfortable with the tour providers here (they were unprofessional and pushy; we felt we had been scammed which is what I now see was common feeling from other commenters here). Despite the inability to provide the offered service - a tour inside the Colosseum and Forum - Viator refuses a refund. I will not trust Viator as a trusted travel partner for me and my family in the future; nor will I recommend Viator to anyone. Buyer beware here.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Dear Customer,
Your review is based on a misunderstanding of the product you selected. The tour you booked is clearly described as an external guided tour, and it is explicitly stated that entry tickets to the Colosseum and Roman Forum are not included.
The “ticket voucher” mentioned does not represent entry tickets, nor does it guarantee availability. It simply provides assistance for those who wish to attempt to purchase tickets on-site. Availability of official tickets is entirely managed by the Colosseum ticket office and is beyond our control.
Choosing not to participate in the tour does not mean the service was not provided. Our team was present and ready to deliver the experience exactly as advertised.
Claims of being “scammed” are unfounded and stem from not reviewing the product details prior to booking.
Kind regards,
Barbara_B, Apr 2026
It was disappointing and a waste of time and money.
I learned very little from the guide. His English was not great and required me to translate his pronunciations frequently. Finding the tour and navigating the multiple guides directions was confusing. Their impatience with the group was apparent and started the experience off on the wrong foot.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Dear Customer,
We are sorry to hear that the experience did not meet your expectations. However, we would like to clarify that the meeting point instructions are very clearly provided, and our staff is always present to assist guests upon arrival.
Regarding the guided tour, all our guides are licensed and experienced, and the tour is conducted in English as described. We regret if you found the explanation difficult to follow, but this can sometimes depend on personal expectations.
The service provided was delivered as advertised, including the organization and guidance at the meeting point.
Kind regards,
From $29.14
per person-You will not receive a refund if you cancel.
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