Ultimate Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Small Group Tour
Recommended by 95% of travelers
Rome, Italy
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
Explore three of the most important ancient Roman sites on this tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. See where Rome was founded, where legendary gladiatorial games took place, and the streets where Caesar walked.
- Tour of Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill
- Hear about gladiatorial battles as you tour the Colosseum
- Walk the ancient streets of the Roman Forum
- Visit the ruins of former noble palaces on the Palatine Hill
What's Included
- In-depth Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Tour with fluent English-speaking Guide
- Headsets (for groups for six or more)
- Small group size
- All Fees and Taxes
- Colosseum entrance ticket (valued at €18 per person) & reservation fee (valued at €2 per person)
- Please note: Colosseum fees as above. The remaining cost of the experience covers other services.
- Transportation to and from the meeting and end points
- Food and Beverages
- Gratuities (optional)
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Largo Corrado Ricci, 43, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
In front of the Cafe/Restaurant Angelino ai Fori, Largo Corrado Ricci, 43A. Your guide will have a Through Eternity sign/flag.
End point
- ColosseumP.za del Colosseo, 1, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
Itinerary
Meet your guide near the Forum to begin your walk through ancient Rome. Enjoy personalized attention from your guide throughout the tour with a group of no more than 16 people, and avoid waiting in long lines with entry tickets for the Colosseum purchased in advance.
Visit the Colosseum, learning about the deadly games that took place here, thrilling spectators. Hear about what life was like for the gladiators and slaves who performed and died in this arena, and what went on behind the scenes to put on such massive spectacles.
Walk on the ancient cobblestone streets of the Roman Forum, once the epicenter of the Roman Empire. Get insights into the daily lives of the ordinary ancient Romans who lived and worked and worshiped here. See the ruins of the House of the Vestal Virgins, the Temple of Saturn, the Basilicas of Julia and Maxentius, and the Senate.
Hear about the funeral of Julius Caesar and the beheading of Cicero, both of which took place in the Forum. Learning about history in the place where it happened helps make ancient events come alive.
Climb up to the Palatine Hill overlooking the Forum and Colosseum. This is where the ancient Roman nobility had their palaces. Walk among the ruins of villas and gardens, including the Flavian Palace, Stadium of Domitian, and Baths of Septimius Severus. Admire the views and get some understanding of why this was such a desirable neighborhood in which to live.
While touring the Palatine Hill, hear the story of Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome who were believed to have been raised by a wolf on this very hill. Learn how this story helped make the Palatine Hill particularly attractive to Roman emperors—including Augustus and Domitian.
Visit the Colosseum, learning about the deadly games that took place here, thrilling spectators. Hear about what life was like for the gladiators and slaves who performed and died in this arena, and what went on behind the scenes to put on such massive spectacles.
Walk on the ancient cobblestone streets of the Roman Forum, once the epicenter of the Roman Empire. Get insights into the daily lives of the ordinary ancient Romans who lived and worked and worshiped here. See the ruins of the House of the Vestal Virgins, the Temple of Saturn, the Basilicas of Julia and Maxentius, and the Senate.
Hear about the funeral of Julius Caesar and the beheading of Cicero, both of which took place in the Forum. Learning about history in the place where it happened helps make ancient events come alive.
Climb up to the Palatine Hill overlooking the Forum and Colosseum. This is where the ancient Roman nobility had their palaces. Walk among the ruins of villas and gardens, including the Flavian Palace, Stadium of Domitian, and Baths of Septimius Severus. Admire the views and get some understanding of why this was such a desirable neighborhood in which to live.
While touring the Palatine Hill, hear the story of Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome who were believed to have been raised by a wolf on this very hill. Learn how this story helped make the Palatine Hill particularly attractive to Roman emperors—including Augustus and Domitian.
1
Roman Forum
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Tempio di Romolo (Pass By)
2
Casa delle Vestali
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Tempio di Saturno (Pass By)
3
Basilica of Maxentius
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Basilica Julia
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
Palatine Hill
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
6
Piazza del Colosseo
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Arch of Constantine (Pass By)
7
Colosseum
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- As this is a walking tour with steps, staircases and uneven surfaces, comfortable walking shoes and a bottle of water are strongly recommended
- 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 ensure you arrive 10 minutes in advance and at the right meeting point as we cannot wait for late arrivals
- Please advise during the booking process if any travelers have mobility concerns so that we can best accommodate you.
- Upon booking, please email the ages of all children traveling with you (email in ticket voucher)
- Each traveler must present a valid passport or government issued photo ID that matches the name provided at the time of booking for successful entry to the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
- Due to the Jubilee, some monuments may be under restoration. Please pay attention to any messages we may send regarding potential changes.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.8
based on 242 reviews
LINDA_A, Apr 2026
It was an excellent tour and our guide, Siriki, was the best! He was extremely knowledgeable in Rome history and he kept us entertained with all of his stories. We had a group of eight people, and we never had to wait in any lines. Wear good walking shoes! Would highly recommend this tour.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! It’s fantastic to hear that you enjoyed the tour with Siriki and that his knowledge made the experience so engaging for your group. It’s also great to know the skip-the-line access helped everything run smoothly and that you were able to make the most of your time in Rome. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again on another tour in the future!
JosephSandra_B, Apr 2026
Our guide was amazing— so kind and engaging throughout. He clearly knew so much about the coloseum and area surrounding. We learned so much and had a great time.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re really happy to hear you enjoyed your Colosseum tour with our guide. It’s great to hear you learned so much about the Colosseum and the surrounding area and had such a wonderful time during the tour.
We hope to welcome you again on another experience soon!
Angela_D, Mar 2026
We had a fantastic morning with our guide Eugenia, who was full of knowledge and very engaging. Great to be in a smaller group, and Eugenia tailored the information she gave us after checking what we might already know, so we got lots of new information.
Jonathan_W, Oct 2025
we were lucky to have a tour guide to ourselves, which made for an excellent trip. she was knowledgeable and personable.
Nicole_M, Sep 2025
A wonderful tour this morning, our guide Donatella was so knowledgable and was happy to answer questions, take pictures and and explain all the history of the sites. Highly recommend and would request Donatella Mauceri as your guide
Grisel_G, Jun 2025
Excellent tour! We’ve been to Italy many times but had never booked a tour and after having experienced several tours in Rome, we can say with absolute certainty that this one was our BEST! Alessandro was the perfect guide! He never rushed us and was so knowledgeable. He was patient with our elderly mother in law and teens that wanted to stop and take pics or shop. Perfect and highly recommend!
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Dear Grisel,
Thank you for your kind words. We’re so happy Alessandro made the tour enjoyable for your whole family and allowed everyone to explore at their own pace. We’d love to welcome you back for another adventure!
Best regards,
The Through Eternity Team
Lisa_G, Dec 2024
Excellent history of the forum, Colleseum and Rome! Francesco was knowledgeable and entertaining. Highly recommend
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Dear Lisa,
We’re so happy to hear that your tour with Francesco was both informative and fun. Thank you for your recommendation, and we hope to see you again soon for another incredible tour!
Best regards,
The Through Eternity Team
Damon_R, Nov 2024
Good tour, however, does not go into the lower parts of the coliseum. The guide was very knowledgeable on the history of the forums and Italy
Raymond_B, Jul 2024
Great tour guide who toured us through Palatine Hill and eventually into the coliseum. It was a great experience and our guide provided some interesting tidbits of information. Recommend this tour!
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Our guide always loves sharing those little-known facts that make history come alive! We’re glad you enjoyed the experience and appreciate your recommendation. We can’t wait to have you join us on another tour soon!
Anonymous, Jul 2024
The Coloseum is a fascinating site to see and a must do in Rome. Be prepared for massive crowds and a fast moving tour (there is sort of a competition between tour groups to get through the crowds). This is not the fault of the tour guide, just part of the experience to be prepared for. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and fun and was committed to get us to shady areas in our tour of Palatine Hill when sharing important information.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Thank you for your review! We're happy you enjoyed the Colosseum and Palatine Hill despite the crowds. It’s great that your guide made the tour fun and informative while keeping you cool in the shade. We appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you on another tour soon!
Lorena_G, Jul 2024
The guide was really great, but it was disappointing to find out that part of the forum was closed. I wish this had been shared ahead of time for us to make an informed decision. It was also insanely crowded which made it difficult to navigate much less enjoy.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Thank you for your feedback. We’re happy you enjoyed the guide and apologize for any issues during the your. We’ll continue to improve for future guests. We hope to welcome you back soon!
Kathy_W, Jul 2024
There was so much to learn, and our guide presented the information in an interesting manner. She moved at an appropriate pace for the group and was sensitive to the physical needs of all members of the group. When we were done she provided excellent suggestions for nearby restaurants for lunch.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
We're glad you enjoyed your history lesson—it’s always better when it’s fun, right? Kudos to your guide for keeping things moving and for those spot-on lunch recommendations. History and great food? That’s a tour done right! We hope to see you again soon!
Singye_Y, Jul 2024
Our tour guide was great! But it’s not worth the money, because it’s not Semi-private, it’s a group of 10 people (small group tour).
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Thank you for your feedback! We’re glad you enjoyed the tour guide. We appreciate your input on the group size and will work on improving clarity for future bookings.
SallyLynn_R, Jun 2024
Our tour guide was fantastic! She was extremely knowledgeable, enthusiastic and thorough. We saw the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. Our guide answered questions and was American so she spoke perfect English.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Thanks for the awesome review! We’re glad you had a fun, informative tour with our enthusiastic guide. Perfect English, Roman Forum, and the Colosseum—a win!
Ryan_C, May 2024
Did this tour with my wife on our Honeymoon! Incredible tour and tour guide! Helped make my first time in Rome a very memorable one!
Response from Host, May 2024
Dear Ryan_C,
Thank you for sharing your experience!
I’m thrilled to hear that our tour made your honeymoon in Rome so memorable. It’s wonderful to know that your first visit to Rome was enhanced by our guide.
Best wishes to you and your wife!
- Through Eternity tours
kristine_w, May 2024
Donatella Mauceri did a great tour. We got to see exactly what was advertised and she was very informative. Would definitely recommend her!
Response from Host, May 2024
Thank you for your wonderful feedback!
We’re delighted to hear that Donatella Mauceri provided a great tour and delivered exactly what was advertised. Her informative guidance clearly made a positive impression.
We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to welcoming you on another tour with Through Eternity!
Dorothy_H, May 2024
The trip was well-paced and full of information. Worth it alone to skip the many lines. Our guide knew a lot and welcomed questions - but sometimes went of on tangents not really related to what we were seeing.
Response from Host, May 2024
Thank you for your feedback.
We’re glad to hear that you found the trip well-paced and informative, and appreciated the benefit of skipping the lines. It’s great that your guide was knowledgeable and welcomed questions, though we understand that staying on topic is important.
We will address this with our guide to improve the focus of our tours. We appreciate your comments and hope to welcome you on another tour with Through Eternity in the future.
- The Team at Through Eternity
James_R, Apr 2024
An okay tour; the sites seen were great; I felt like I got my moneys worth and saw everything I was looking forward to. That said, the content the guide shared was lacking. It felt like I wasn’t getting a tremendous amount of the history for the first two hours (much of it was repeated several times), then when we got to the colosseum our guide spoke to us for nearly 30 minutes while we sat and listened in the sun. He was a nice man and did his best to answer questions, but it didn’t feel like the content was well planned out (too little history for the first half, too much of an academic lecture for the last half).
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Thank you for your detailed feedback.
We’re glad to hear that you felt you got your money’s worth and enjoyed the sites. We’re sorry that the content shared by your guide didn’t meet your expectations. We appreciate your comments and will use them to improve our tour planning.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
Jennifer_s, Feb 2024
Enjoyed our tour Francisco. Friendly, knowledgeable, thorough. Took the time to explain things to us, answered all our questions
Response from Host, Feb 2024
Thank you so much for taking the time to write a review. We are thrilled to hear that you had such a great experience on our tour. Francesco is a phenomenal guide and we're so pleased that you think that too! He will be happy to hear your feedback. Thank you again for your review and we look forward to welcoming you back with us in the future!
Patrick_L, Oct 2023
Most memorable part was our guide, Donatello Mauceri. She was very knowledgeable and explained everything in detail. She gave a clear explanation of the tour so elderly people were aware of how much walking and stairs were involved. She should be given a pay bonus because she was absolutely phenomenal in every aspect.
Response from Host, Dec 2023
Thank you so much for taking the time to write such an amazing review and for acknowledging what a remarkable guide Donatella is. She is one of our best guides and we are lucky to have her with us. She will be glad to hear that you had such a great experience. We thank you for choosing our company and we can't wait to welcome you back with us in the future!
Anthony_D, Oct 2023
Wonderful tour. Guide was knowledgeable and energetic and kept the tour moving while providing tons of interesting information. Three hours flew by. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Dec 2023
Thank you so much for your review. We are thrilled to read that you enjoyed our Ultimate Colosseum Tour. Ensuring our clients have the best experience possible is our top priority. Thank you as well for being a delightful client, it was a pleasure being part of your journey in the Eternal City of Rome!
Evan_R, Oct 2023
My wife and I, both American, both 36, took this tour on 10-2-23. We had an excellent time with our guide, Marco. He spoke perfect English, and he was extremely knowledgeable about the entirety of Roman history, including the Colosseum. Everyone got headsets so you did not have to be right near him to hear him, and he gave just the right amount of information about each important aspect of the tour. We would highly recommend.
Response from Host, Dec 2023
Thank you so much for the terrific review and for acknowledging what a remarkable guide Marco is. He will be glad to o hear that you had such a great experience. We thank you for choosing our company and we can't wait to welcome you back with us in the future.
Kimberly_L, Sep 2023
Tom was great!!!!! Very informative and funny. He took us to some amazing sites on palatine hill to see the city in full view.
Response from Host, Dec 2023
Thank you very much for the wonderful review. We are delighted to hear that you had a great time with your guide and that you enjoyed the views from the Palatine Hill. Thank you again for your positive review and don't hesitate to contact us if you are looking for more destinations to explore!
LEANNE_R, Sep 2023
We enjoyed being in a small group - easy to keep together in the crowds and Ings could answer answer all our questions.
Response from Host, Dec 2023
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts about the tour with us. All of our tours are carefully designed so that our customers have the best possible experience. Thank you again for your positive review and don't hesitate to contact us if you are looking for more destinations to explore!
Renee_N, Aug 2023
Frank was a fabulous guide. His knowledge, experience and psssion was shared with the group. He was careful of us as it was very hot and was mindful to keep us in the shade as much as possible. Great tour!
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Ciao Renee! And grazie mille for taking time to let us know about your experience on our Colosseum tour. We're delighted you had such a great time and we'll be sure to pass on your kind words to Frank! I know it will absolutely make his day. Thanks again and look forward to welcome you back to the Eternal City! A presto!
Michael_B, Aug 2023
This was a great tour. Ricardo was extremely knowledgeable and provided a lot of insight. The small group made for an excellent experience.
Christine_B, Jul 2023
Amanda was an amazing tour guide! She had so much knowledge and passion about the history of the Colosseum…but was able to keep it light and really funny at times. I highly recommend this tour and Amanda as the guide.
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Ciao Christin! Thank you so much for your review! It's wonderful to hear how much you enjoyed your time exploring the Ancient City with Amanda. She really is an amazing guide and we're lucky to have her to be able to provide our guests with unforgettable experiences. Grazie mille and see you again soon! Amanda
Deanne_H, Jul 2023
After waiting 40 minutes in the rain for the guide to turn up we called the tour operator to find out they had cancelled the tour without advising us.
Response from Host, Jul 2023
Dear Deanne, Thank you for taking the time to leave feedback. We are deeply sorry for our mistake and completely understand your disappointment and frustration. This is certainly not our usual level of service and any notification of changes should have been communicated to you in a much more timely manner. We confirmed that Viator has issued you a refund in full. Should you find yourself back in Europe, we would hope to have another opportunity to welcome you on an experience. If you would like to discuss further, I would be happy to do so. Please reach out to customercare@througheternity.com. Thank you again and best regards, Amanda
Lorenzo_P, Jun 2023
We had an amazing experience with our tour guide (I think his name was Luca but I'm the worst at names). We started bright and early and the forum was pretty much empty as we toured, our guide was exceedingly knowledgeable about all aspects of the tour areas, and wasn't afraid to admit if there was something he didn't know. The group size was great, it was two families of four and two couples. We got to see everything listed in the description and a bit more! Our guide was able to make sure we didn't waste a single minute throughout the experience, and I highly recommend this tour for anyone visiting Rome.
Response from Host, Jul 2023
Dear Lorenzo,
Thank you very much for taking the time to leave us a review. We pride ourselves on our small group sizes as they allow you to engage with the guide much more. Thank you for choosing through Eternity tours!
David_R, May 2023
Wonderful guide. Extremely knowledgeable. So much information it was a little hard to digest at times would be the only complaint. Pick pockets all around the Coliseum and the metro. Not tour related but folks should be aware.
Response from Host, Jun 2023
Hello David, thank you for your review. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your tour and that you found your guide wonderful. While we aim to offer comprehensive insights into the Colosseum’s history we do understand that individual preferences vary when it comes to the amount of information shared. It’s important to note that the presence of pickpockets, does not reflect the quality or relevance of our tour. Thank you again for your feedback and hope to see you soon on one of our tours!
Athina
From $93.23
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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