Ultimate Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Small Group Tour

Recommended by 93% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Rome, Italy

High interest

Booked 5+ times today.

3 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.7

· Lezelle_K ·

May 2026

Our guide was great. Her expertise as an archaeologist made quite the difference. The group size was also nice and small and the audio was good. The tour itself was great to learn the history and the visuals of yesteryear was nice. Thank you!

· Angel_S ·

May 2026

I went to Florence, Rome and Venice. This was by far the best tour!!! I could be bias because I love the history of Rome and the colosseum. But the tour was great with new information I never knew. The views are amazing!! Worth it if planning to do the colosseum. This tour does it right!!

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

Colosseum
P.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.

Roman Forum

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Tempio di Romolo (Pass By)

Casa delle Vestali

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Tempio di Saturno (Pass By)

Basilica of Maxentius

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Basilica Julia

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Palatine Hill

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Piazza del Colosseo

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Arch of Constantine (Pass By)

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

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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

4.7

based on 282 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

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Sort by: Most insightful

Loved having a guide.

Taja_F, Jul 2026

It was nice to get a tour with a guide so we could get more detailed history on the colosseum, palatine hill and the forum. Even though it was hot, it was tolerable. The guide kept us in the shade as much as possible. Lots of opportunities to get water or refill and take bathroom breaks.

Lorenzo rocks!

Blake_S, Jul 2026

Lorenzo was great! Very informative and friendly and told everything like a story. Really enjoyed this tour!

Excellent guide & tour!

Kimberly_B, Jul 2026

Our Guide, Dennis, was excellent! Tour was interesting and fun! It was hot but our Guide knew exactly where to stop for shade & water & to tell us more about what we were seeing! Highly recommend!

We enjoyed having a small...

Stephanie_N, Jul 2026

We enjoyed having a small group tour. Erika did a great job and was very knowledgeable about the sites and history.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you for sharing your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your small group tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. It’s great to know that Erika helped make your experience special with her knowledge and passion for the history of these incredible sites. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with her! Thank you for choosing to explore Rome with us, and we hope to welcome you again for another unforgettable experience in the future.

Beware- A Scam!!

Kim_A, Jul 2026

We booked this tour and late the night before the tour we received a message to say that the tour guide had a medical emergency and would not be able to run the tour. The next morning they sent entry tickets that would give us independent access into the colosseum. When we went though security after a long wait in the queue, they said that the tickets had been already used by someone else entering that morning. Apparently third party operators are doing this all the time. We were refused entry and totally missed out on the Colosseum. :( Fortunately Viator did refund our money.

Hot and Crowded in July

Marisa_B, Jul 2026

We had an incredibly knowledgeable tour guide that highlighted many areas of the tour. Our only disappointment was the crowds this time of year in July and the fact our 9:15 am time was changed last minute to 2 pm. In the heat of summer we booked early for a reason but no compensation was offered for the inconvenience.

Exceptional Tour (and Paolo!)

Windham_V, Jul 2026

We started our day with a small group tour of the Forum, Palatine Hill and the Colleseo. Our exceptional, knowledgeable and humorous guide Paolo (sp?) really made the experience for us. Do yourself a favor and take this tour and ask for Paolo!

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you for sharing such a wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your tour of the Forum, Palatine Hill, and Colosseum. It’s fantastic to know that Paolo helped make your experience even more memorable with his knowledge, humor, and passion for the history of these incredible sites. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with Paolo , we know he’ll be thrilled to hear that he made your visit special. Thank you for choosing to explore Rome with us, and we hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable experience in the future!

Rocko❤️

Jessica_M, Jun 2026

Rocko was very knowledgeable and entertaining! Worth the money! Very informative and felt like we got so much information.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Jessica!

Great informative tour!...

Tiffany_T, Jun 2026

Great informative tour! Loved the small group setting. Meeting location was easy to find. Our family learned so much!

Response from Host, Jul 2026

We appreciate your kind words! It's great to know that the meeting location was convenient and that your family learned so much during the tour.

A walk through history

Erin_J, Jun 2026

This was a great experience. I wasn't told the meet up time so I showed up about 3 minutes before the tour started and got a bit of the stink eye from the guide but it was all good after that. The knowledge shared was amazing. The sites can't be beat, but the house has nothing to do with that. The guide did a good job explaining the history and pointing out significant details. The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill were surprising. I thought the colosseum would be the big draw, but learning about the administrative life of ancient rome was very interesting. I also like the small group size. Wear super comfy shoes and a hat.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

We're glad to know you had a great experience on your tour! The small group size really does enhance the personal connection with the guide, and we're happy you found it all so interesting.

Must see in person

Dustin_C, Jun 2026

Great experience. Knowledgeable guide. Bring water and comfortable walking shoes. There are a lot of stairs. Even a small umbrella for shade would help.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

We appreciate your feedback, Dustin! It's great to know that you found the experience valuable and learned a lot from our guide. Thank you for the helpful tips for others who join us.

Incredible day, Exceptional Guide

Eric_M, Jun 2026

Our Colosseum tour was nothing short of incredible and easily the highlight of all the guided tours our family experienced throughout Italy. Our guide was absolutely exceptional, bringing ancient Rome to life with an amazing blend of knowledge, storytelling, and enthusiasm. Every stop was engaging, every question was welcomed, and the history felt real rather than something from a textbook. The special access and thoughtful pacing made the experience even more memorable. Our entire family of six agreed this was our favorite tour of the trip. If you only book one guided experience in Rome, make it this one. It was truly unforgettable and worth every minute.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that your Colosseum tour was the highlight of your family's trip to Italy. It's especially rewarding to know that your guide brought the history of ancient Rome to life and made the experience engaging for everyone. We're delighted your family enjoyed the special access and pacing of the tour. Thank you for recommending us, and we hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable adventure in the future!

Ricardo was amazing, its...

Tom_D, Jun 2026

Ricardo was amazing, its was so hot but he spent time in the right places to really explore and get to know interesting history.

Disappointed at the Colosseum

Rosalie_T, Jun 2026

The tour was interesting, but sadly we were not impressed with the listening device or the heavy German accent of our guide. She was extremely knowledgeable, but we had great difficulty hearing and understanding her.

If you want to walk...

Alexandra_P, Jun 2026

If you want to walk through historical Rome, and get an insightful view of the ruins, then I would highly recommend this tour.

Incredibly informative.

Debra_K, Jun 2026

Very good tour. Thorough. Informative. Such a great tour of the Forum and the Colosseum. The four of us ages 58 to 81 kept up!

Our Colosseum tour was...

Rhiannon_D, Jun 2026

Our Colosseum tour was absolutely amazing and one of the highlights of our trip to Rome! The history and architecture are incredible, but what really made the experience special was our tour guide. She was knowledgeable, engaging, and passionate about the history, bringing the stories of ancient Rome to life in a way that kept everyone interested. She was patient, kind, and we loved getting to know her. We learned so much and appreciated all the fascinating details and insights that we never would have gotten on our own. The tour was well organized, easy to follow, and gave us a much deeper appreciation for the Colosseum and Roman history. We highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Rome. It was an unforgettable experience!

History packed!

Holly_B, Jun 2026

This was a great tour full of historical information. We went at 11 in the morning on a very hot day. Do not suggest that. Our tour guide Ricardo was very knowledgeable. He really knows his stuff.

Not great

wonders122, Jun 2026

Our guide just pointed out buildings or sites with not very much historical context. She admitted to feeling “tired” at the beginning of the tour and basically just took us around, pointing out what we were looking at. There was no story telling, no enthusiasm for what we were seeing. Instructions said to plan for it to be a three hour tour- we were done by 2 hrs 15 min. Overall a disappointing experience.

Must see in Rome!

Neal_M, Jun 2026

You really learn about the history of the forum and colosseum. Hard to believe so much history is so close together! Well work the time to see these landmarks!

Please consider using microphone and ear pieces

Matthew_C, Jun 2026

Our guide was nice but had a heavy accent and we could barely hear her. I’d suggest giving out ear pieces to future tours.

The ticket to the...

Janet_R, Jun 2026

The ticket to the coliseum has your babe and they check against passport. Guide gave us the wrong tickets. The other family got in with our tickets but we had two with their family member babes and they had two of ours. We eventually got in but it was a big hassle. The tour guide should have verified that she gave the right tickets.

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Thank you for your feedback. We're glad the situation was resolved and that you were able to enjoy the tour. Ticket matching at the Colosseum can occasionally create complications, and we appreciate your patience in working through it. We hope the experience itself left you with wonderful memories of Rome and that we'll have the pleasure of welcoming you back.

Great multi-generation family tour

Lance_N, Jun 2026

The tour was conducted at a perfect pace for my 83 yo MIL as well as my 7 & 9 yo. The guide was extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and engaging. We knew we'd love the colosseum, but did not expect to enjoy the forum and gardens as much as we did too!

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re delighted to hear that the tour worked so well for everyone in your family, from your 83-year-old mother-in-law to your 7 and 9-year-olds. Creating an experience that feels comfortable and engaging across generations is exactly what we hope for on our tours. It’s wonderful to know your guide’s knowledge, friendliness, and energy helped bring the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and gardens to life in a way that exceeded expectations. The Forum especially can be such a hidden gem, so we’re glad it ended up being a highlight for you. Thank you for choosing to explore Rome with us, we’d love to welcome you and your family back for another adventure someday!

Not awful

Paul_S, Jun 2026

We were so excited about this tour, above every other one. Unfortunately, our tour guide called in sick and we were left to fend for ourselves, and were unable to piggyback on another guide's group. One of the other guides helped point us in the right direction, but we were on our own. We missed half of the experience not having a guide to help explain what we were looking at, and the stories to go with them. We made due, but it didn't keep us from the part of the experience we could control, our attitude. Anyway, all was made right, and we have no regrets.

Disappointed

Stephen_B, Jun 2026

I booked a semi-private tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum as the highlight of our trip to Rome. We were excited to immerse ourselves in the rich history and gain a deeper understanding of the stories behind the Roman Empire. The booking process was straightforward, and we received all the necessary information without any issues. Unfortunately, the problems began when we arrived for the tour. On the morning of the tour, I received a text message reminding us that our tour would begin in one hour, which led us to believe everything was proceeding as planned. However, when we arrived at the meeting point, we couldn't find anyone holding the flag described in the instructions and had to ask several people before locating the correct representative. We were then informed by a representative from Through Eternity, the outsourced tour operator, that our guide had canceled the night before due to a family emergency. While I completely understand that unexpected situations happen and sincerely hope everything is okay, my concern is with how the situation was handled. The company was aware of the cancellation the night before, yet no communication was sent to us. Instead, we received a confirmation reminder that same morning indicating the tour was still scheduled as planned. We were given no advance notice, no opportunity to adjust our plans, and no alternative options. Offering a place on another tour—even a larger group tour—would have been appreciated. At the very least, notifying us the night before would have allowed us to manage our expectations and prepare accordingly. Instead, we were told we could complete the tour using an app on our phones, provided we had headphones. Since we didn't have headphones with us, we had to spend an additional 30 minutes finding and purchasing ($45) them, which reduced the amount of time we were able to spend exploring the Colosseum and surrounding grounds. To make matters worse, the app itself was disappointing, offering limited information and not always functioning properly. To be fair, we did receive a refund, which was the appropriate outcome under the circumstances. However, given the premium price of the tour and the size and reputation of the company, I expected much better communication and customer service. The experience was ultimately disappointing and could have been handled far more professionally. Disappointing!

The tour was fine and our...

Philippa_J, Jun 2026

The tour was fine and our guide was very nice but I don’t know that it was worth the money. We spent a long time in the Forum/Palantine Hill but felt like we were being rushed through it and didn’t see much. The Colosseum part was disappointing as we were essentially led inside and taken to one location and then shown lots of photos in illustrated books about how it used to look and provided with some information. We were not guided around at all, on the upper or lower level, however once the tour was over we were free to explore on our own. Since this was the main attraction it felt strange that this part of the tour was so brief and uninformative. It wasn’t a horrible experience but I’m not raving about it to anyone.

Could have been better...

Karen_G, Jun 2026

I was impressed with the amount of communication I received prior to the tour. We arrived at the meeting point as instructed. It was pure chaos. There was a huge crowd of people waiting for many different tour groups. We were looking for a Through Eternity sign and asking around and finally found the tour guide, who gave us our tickets. After waiting a few more minutes, we were informed we were in the wrong group and had to chase after the correct group. Our guide Olga was very knowledgeable about Rome's history and the various sights we visited. She struggled at times with the English translations and lacked the enthusiasm we've had with other tour guides. She was also a bit disorganized with her materials, and at one point lost 2 of our group. The visit to the ancient sights was totally worth it, but the tour experience could have been better.

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Thank you for your feedback, Karen! We're glad to hear you appreciated the communication and found value in visiting the ancient sights. We will address your concerns about organization and guide performance to ensure a better experience in the future.

Small group tour of the Colosseum

Frank_T, Jun 2026

The small group expierence is the way to go. The colosseum is massive as are the crowds. Even finding the exits can be daunting. We had a great time

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the small-group experience. The Colosseum is certainly an incredible site, but its size and the large crowds can sometimes make it challenging to navigate. We're glad that the tour helped make your visit more enjoyable and stress-free, allowing you to focus on the experience rather than the logistics. Thank you for choosing to tour with us. We're thrilled to hear you had a great time, and we hope to welcome you on another adventure in the future!

Guide was very...

Richard_S, Jun 2026

Guide was very knowledgeable showed us all we wanted to see. Alot of steps but we'll worth it what a magnificent place

Response from Host, Jun 2026

We truly appreciate your kind words, it's wonderful to know that you had a memorable experience exploring such magnificent places with us.

Our guide was great. Her...

Lezelle_K, May 2026

Response from Host, Jun 2026

We truly appreciate your kind words! It's fantastic to know that our guide's expertise and the overall tour met your expectations. Thank you for joining us!