Colosseum Express Group Tour with Optional Arena Access
Rome, Italy
- 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.)
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Step into ancient Rome on an immersive tour of the world-famous Colosseum. Choose to explore the highlights of the Colosseum or include the arena floor, where you can enter through the very gate once used by gladiators—something many travelers miss out on. Gaze up at the towering stands, get close to the senators’ seats (once reserved for Rome’s elite), and learn more from your guide's in-depth commentary as you explore the UNESCO–listed marvel.
- Choose from a convenient range of start times throughout the day
- Stand on the same arena stage as gladiators once did (if option selected)
- Visit a part of the Colosseum many visitors miss
- Explore Palatine Hill and Roman Forum independently
What's Included
- Colosseum entrance ticket (18 or 24 EUR depending on the option)
- Entrance to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill (if option selected)
- Colosseum reservation fee (valued at €2 per person)
- Entrance to the Arena floor (if option selected)
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Santi Cosma e DamianoVia dei Fori Imperiali, 1, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
The meeting point is in the square in front of the Santi Cosma and Damiano Basilica in Via dei Fori Imperiali 1. You will find our staff wearing a light blue vest with our logos.
End point
- ColosseumP.za del Colosseo, 1, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
Itinerary
1
Colosseum
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- Please make sure that the names provided EXACTLY MATCH THE NAMES on the passports or ID cards of all participants (children included), otherwise entry to the Colosseum will be denied. A valid ID is required for everyone to enter. Nicknames, missing names, or incorrect first or last names are not accepted by Colosseum guards. Feel free to contact us if you need any assistance with this.
- For minors, the age must be 17 or younger on the day of the activity
- The entrance tickets to the Colosseum cannot be changed or refunded
- Each traveler must show a valid ID matching the booking name for entry. Without ID, entry is not guaranteed
- Please show up at least 15 minutes before the tour to do the check in
- Meeting time is subject to change; if this occurs, you will receive a call or message from the activity provider. Please provide your correct phone number and country code
- Late arrivals will not be refunded
- All visitors must pass through a metal detector to enter the Colosseum. No exceptions
- Not Allowed: Big backpacks, pets, weapons, sharp items, large bags, alcohol, drugs, sprays, glass.
- By purchasing this tour, you agree to our Terms and Conditions
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 24 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 3 days in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.4
based on 133 reviews
Anisha_T, Dec 2025
This was an absolutely unacceptable experience. This operator is a scam. Do not book.
I showed up on time at the meeting point, only to find that no one was available. There was complete confusion on site, with no clear communication or ownership. We were made to wait for around 20 to 40 minutes with no explanation of what was happening.
While I was physically standing with the tour operator, I received a cancellation email and refund notification. The operator then claimed that Viator had cancelled the booking, while Viator pointed to the operator. Regardless of where the blame sits, the handling was completely unprofessional and unacceptable.
At the very last minute, we were told that there were no tickets available and that the booking had been cancelled at the back end. Because of this, we missed seeing the Colosseum entirely. We had extended our stay by an extra day specifically for this visit, incurring additional accommodation costs, all of which was wasted due to this failure.
This was poorly managed, stressful, and deeply disappointing. I would strongly advise against booking with this operator.
Marissa_M, Oct 2025
We had toured the Colusseum about 13 years ago but were back in Rome and wanted a little refresher. This tour was just the right length and amount of detail. Our tour guide Laura was absolutely wonderful - very knowledgeable, organized and had great energy!
Melanie_P, Oct 2025
My sons, ages 12 and 9 said this was the best tour of our Roman vacation. It’s just a one hour tour, but we felt it encompassed enough for kids that age. At the end, we were welcome to walk to the top if we wanted. A great time!
KrysAnn_S, Sep 2025
Great tour. Was quick and knowledgeable. Our tour guide was well learned in the history of the building. I had no idea how grand the colosseum was in its heyday. It’s a beautiful structure to go into and really see its architecture.
Heather_M, Sep 2025
I wouldn’t book this. They moved the time we were supposed to be there and wouldn’t refund our money. It also says that they can do that in the fine print.
Instead just book directly through the Colosseum.
michelle_P, Jun 2025
We had a great and very patient tour guide! We will definitely being booking all future tours with you!
Susan_F, Jun 2025
We booked this tour but ended up on the wrong tour which had a lot more walking than we wanted. We lost our guide in the Forum. I became ill and we had to ask other tour guides for assistance. Not sure why we ended up in the longer tour but even if we had been able to take that tour we would not have been able to keep up. My advice is to double check with the operators that you are on the tour you wanted.
Ian_P, May 2025
We were 8 minutes late and the tour guide didn’t wait. Meeting point was approx. 800 meters from colesseum and there was pedestrian restrictions outside the meeting point which delayed us. Tour company never called or emailed me to ask where we were. Now they refuse to refund us. Typically, they are supposed to wait 10 minutes. I doubt they were even there to begin with. These are scammers!! Avoid at all cost.
melinaolypara, May 2025
The agent is a scam. I never got what I booked and paid. The small group where 20 people, they combined tours and although I chose a quick one (1 hour to 1:15 max) they put me on a 3 hour tour and to do my part i had to sit and wait for 1.5 hours for the tour to get to where I wanted to join. Absolutely not recommended!!!!!
Belinda_A, May 2025
Guide spent too much time talking about irrelevant information that we missed seeing all we paid to see
Taylor_M, May 2025
Francesca was great!! No complaints about her!!
However, we booked this tour and followed the directions given to the meeting location. My husband and I arrived 30 minutes earlier than the time provided. When the meeting time came, still no one from our group was there. I began calling the tour company and no answers. We started walking around the area to find someone, but no luck. By our tour time, I just happened to pull up location of Italy Wonders and we walked there. By that time our group was already gone. The staff was not helpful. Basically told us, here are your tickets, and good luck finding your group.
By chance we found two other couples who also has the same issue!! No update to the changed meeting location. As the other couples and us checked into the colosseum, BY CHANCE!! We found our tour group. By that time we were 45 minutes late and missed a good portion of the beginning of the tour which she explained a lot of the background. Because we were late we didn’t get headsets so it was difficult to hear at times but Francesca did a wonderful job ensuring the 3 couples who did not have headsets could hear.
She took her time with us explaining things we missed as fast and best as she could.
I’m sure this tour would be amazing and given more stars, but the stress of being late ruined a lot of the experience for us. If we were notified in any way by phone or email we wouldn’t have missed anything.
Annette_G, Jun 2024
Was not small group!!! Guide was bossy & over half the group left within 15 minutes of starting. Missed out on an amazing opportunity to see a Rome classic.
Peter_M, Apr 2024
We already did this tour 3 times, but in the past always everything went well. We booked the 17:00 tour, but we were asked to join the next our from 17:30, that we accepted. We were at the meeting point on time, but the tour guide with another group arrived only at about 18:00PM. Without telling us anything He just gave us the tickets and we went to the Colosseum, where we had approx. 30 minutes. It was very disappointing.
Cheryl_E, Mar 2024
The tour guides and their colleagues were excellent- friendly and knowledgeable. Great communication throughout the booking process. Alice who hosted the tour in English was brilliant and entertaining too
Pam_H, Jul 2023
Our tour guide seemed exhausted and I felt so bad for him. He was very smart. It started 20 minutes late. We could not hear very well, but the place itself is great. I do not think a tour is needed when you visit. It is what it is and there are signs everywhere.
Lee_E, Jul 2023
Cancelled our tour a few hours before, reason seemingly that they didn’t have the tickets to sell! Was the last day of our visit so we didn’t get to see one of the main reasons we came! Disgusting service and avoid at all costs - plenty of reliable alternatives!
Paris_T, Jul 2023
Our tour guide was funny and very Informative. She was amazing and made for a really great tour that me and friend loved. she even took us to Palestine hill and the tour lasted for about 2/3 hours. I definitely would recommend this tour or any tour with the guide we had.
Sandra_D, May 2023
This tour was very disorganized from the administrative office.. We got there and a person told us our tour was cancelled, then another person said something else and we has to wait one hour after the initially tour hour to finally enter the meet our tour lady... Finally, we were able to enter the tour and she was amazing! the tour girl was amazing well informative and nice! what a great experience because of her!
I think the office should organize the times and groups better and the people that work in the office should be aware of what is really happening on the tours outside to inform clients better and accurate information...
suzanne_s, Nov 2022
Besides waiting for the tour guide to arrive a little longer than we had expected since he was finishing up another tour, this experience was well worth the cost and excellent. The guide was informative, entertaining, and witty. Would highly recommend this to anyone.
Donna_B, Nov 2022
Brilliant guide, office is easy to find, if you use google maps or apple maps. Office staff are brilliant too. We loved the tour it was amazing and the guide brought the whole experience alive. Most go with these guys. We found the office before our tour, there was a restaurant right opposite the office so we have a bite to eat and then had a walk around plenty to see before your tour.
Michael_M, Oct 2022
Disappointed that this was not a small group tour as advertised. The guide was great and very knowledgeable.
Rob_C, Oct 2022
Michela was amazing and very knowledgeable! The language barrier can sometimes be an issue but she had clear pronunciation. We had a group of about 12 and it was the perfect size! The skip the line and guided tour is a MUST! We learned so much and loved the pre tour history so we knew what we were about to see. The breakfast was also very good! Highly recommend!
Casey_J, Sep 2022
Dennis is the man! First off, let me say that my partner and I are not fans of tours. But, when in Rome.. Anyhow, we looked for the shortest tour avail, which was an hour. Perfect amount of time. Now, onto Dennis: what a great guide! He went above and beyond, and was super friendly with tons of interesting tidbits beyond what we’ve all seen in *Liz Taylor voice* “Gladiator!!” Can’t recommend this tour enough!
Michael_K, Aug 2022
We had about 20 people in our group so I wouldn't call it small. Our guide was engaged and we had a good time. Worth it to never wait for anything. Wish we could have gone to the lower level.
Louise_M, Jul 2022
Booked tour for 5 o'clock on the 9th july got a message changeing the time not very convienent,couldnt find there office showed address to the police that were on duty didn't have a clue were the office was ?asked to restaurant owners they didn't know were it was when i finally got hold of them on the phone they said tour had already started so unlucky [.CON] L MELLOR
Sofia_B, Jun 2022
We had an amazing tour with Yuri. He was very incredibly knowledgable and gave us a fantastic tour around the Colosseum. Thank you.
Response from Host, Jun 2022
Thank you Sofia for your valuable recommendation!
Sharing your beautiful experience means a lot to us
Y_Y, Mar 2022
good pricing. the tour meeting spot was close to the colosseum.. guide was knowledgeable and handled things efficiently
Kellie_B, Sep 2021
Marzia, our guide, was terrific. We were traveling with my elderly mother and Marzia put her arm thru my mom’s and set a bit slower pace to accommodate her speed. Marzia was informative and a joyful person to spend time with.
Zoe_J, Aug 2019
Our guide was amazing! So much knowledge on this attraction as well as Rome. Would highly recommend to anyone.
Response from Host, Aug 2019
Thank you for highly recommending our Express Small Group Tour of Colosseum with Arena Entrance!
Angela_B, Apr 2019
The hardest part of trhis tour was finding the meeting point which is the tour operators office in a small side street outside the Colisseum. It didn't help that we visited on the day of the Rome Marathon which added to the normal crowds. Organisation at the meeting point was a bit chaotic with several groups being organised at the same time, but once we set off the tour moved fairly briskly into the Coliseum with only a small amount of queuing to get inside. There are quite a lot of steps to negotiate and uneven surfaces, so this would not be suitable for anyone with mobility issues (there is a lift which was not highlighted by the guide). The guide was very clear and gave detailed and interesting information on the history, the audio guides provided meant it was easy to hear what was being said. Good tour overall
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Colosseum Express Group Tour with Optional Arena Access
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