Colosseum Underground Small Group Guided Tour
Rome, Italy
- 1 hour 40 minutes (approx.)
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Skip crowded excursions for a small-group tour of one of Rome's most famous landmarks, the Colosseum. Led by your English-speaking guide, explore the ancient dungeons where gladiators awaited their fate and see what remains of Roman trapdoors, elevators, and cages—used to hold wild animals. Listen as your guide tells fascinating tales of times gone by, and snap photos of the historic construction.
- Small-group tour: Get plenty of personal attention
- Learn about ancient Rome with commentary from your guide
- Walk out onto the Colosseum’s arena floor and hear tales of gladiator battles
- Marvel at panoramic views of Rome from the Colosseum's upper level
What's Included
- Professional, English speaking guide for the Colosseum
- Headsets to hear your guide clearly
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Colosseum entrance ticket (valued at €18 per person, or €24 per person if arena access is included)
- Colosseum reservation fee (valued at €2 per person)
- Note: Colosseum fees are as above. The remaining cost of the experience covers other services
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Palatine Hill and Ancient Rome guided tour
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Via dei Fori Imperiali, 25, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
Meeting Point: Via dei Fori Imperiali, 25, 00186 Rome (RM) Please meet in front of the Tourist Information Point at Fori Imperiali. Our coordinators will be identifiable by their “The Ultimate Italy” t-shirts.
End point
- ColosseumP.za del Colosseo, 1, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
Itinerary
1
Via dei Fori Imperiali, 25
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Colosseum
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
3
Colosseum
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
4
Colosseum
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Most travelers can participate
- Meeting Point: Via dei Fori Imperiali, 25, 00186 Rome (RM) Please meet in front of the Tourist Information Point at Fori Imperiali. Our coordinators will be identifiable by their “The Ultimate Italy” t-shirts.
- 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.
- Important: Please note that large bags, backpacks, and/or suitcases are not permitted in the Colosseum. Only very small bags are allowed. Please do not bring these items with you on the day of your tour as there are no cloakrooms at the Colosseum
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- The Colosseum tour will last approximately 1.5 hour
- Please be advised that the Colosseum's capacity regulations and security may delay the tour departure
- This could also influence the smooth running of the tour especially on national holidays and events.
- If you arrive late for the meeting time, it will not be possible to join the group or reschedule, unless you pay for the activity again. As per "No Show" rules you will not be entitled to a refund.
- Pets are not allowed inside the venue
- Entrance is strictly limited so you must arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your departure time. Anyone who arrives after their time slot cannot be accommodated or refunded
- Each traveler must present a valid passport or ID document that matches the name provided at the time of booking for successful entry to the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
- The tour time can differ by 30 minutes. Please confirm with your provider your tour time 1 week prior to your tour date.
- Purchasing the guided tour, you are acknowledging and consenting that the Colosseum Underground admission fee is 24 € for adults, along with a 2 € booking fee, and free entry for children under 18. The remaining amount covers professional licensed tour guide along with other services, headsets, booking fees, and tour amenities. The tour operator provides transparency and is looking to ensure your understanding of the cost breakdown, enabling you to fully appreciate the value of the guided tour.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 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
4.5
based on 78 reviews
Christine_B, Apr 2026
Visiting the Colosseum was a bucket-list item for a couple of the family members on this trip. And it did not disappoint! I wish I could remember our guide's name as he was incredible, very personable and knowledgeable. The tour group consisted of only 8 people, so we were able to move around together in a group easily and observe easily. The underground (hypogeum) of the Colosseum is a MUST SEE. It was a very regimented, time-limited tour until the last part (where you could spend as much time as you wished visiting the gift shop and the rest of the Colosseum), but I never felt rushed. We went in the morning, shortly after opening, which was a really good time (smaller crowds and cooler temps). I was originally a bit put-off by the directions provided for meeting up prior to the tour, but we followed the directions to a "T" and it worked perfectly.
Alison_A, Apr 2026
This was an incredible tour. The guide was so knowledgeable and the experience was unforgettable. Booking the underground tour was the best decision. Fabulous communication and easy joining instructions. The time had to be changed but that was absolutely no problem to us.
Absolutely fantastic trip!
tklump, Apr 2026
Amazing guide! The meeting place is not well organized but the tour guide was excellent and the sights amazing.
Lisa_L, Apr 2026
I wish I could remember the tour guides name because he was spectacular. The guide service was Ultimate Italy. The process was smooth. He was super knowledgeable and went out of his way to make sure we got where we needed to be ahead of the crowd. He made sure we had front row views of everything. He stopped a couple of times to give us time to take pictures and take in the environment and ask questions. I can’t repeat enough how smooth the process was from start to finish. Viator provided excellent communication before and after. We were never confused about where we should meet or what we should be looking for. My reduction of a star was simply for the speed at which the guide spoke. Sometimes he was so anxious to tell us everything that his Italian accent obscured the English words he was using. We Loved this tour.
Danielle_B, Apr 2026
Ivano was an amazing tour guide we didn’t have to wait in any lines and had so much knowledge. Even with the on and off rain it was an amazing experience.
Karen_T, Apr 2026
Our tour guide Paola was lovely-informative, entertaining and kind to another family that requires a little extra help.
We enjoyed the tour itself--was glad we had done the tour of the underground area. Overall well done.
Sherry_R, Apr 2026
I have used Viator before many times and my second time to the colosseum. This was the first time I haven’t had a great experience. Our tour guide rushed through the tour, spent more time talking about logistics and seemed more interested in taking pictures than teaching us about the colosseum underground. She was robotic in her delivery and had no passion about the subject. Did not meet expectations for the high cost of this tour.
Phillip_C, Mar 2026
The underground tour is worth the extra expense. Inga our tour guide provided great insight into what most likely occurred 2000 years ago at the Coliseum. After the tour, you have full access plus entrance into Palentine Hill and the Roman Forum. Highly recommend!
Louise_H, Mar 2026
Staff very supportive during lead up to event and to accommodate changes to our booking. Carmelo was a great guide giving just the right amount of information to make the tour interesting. Choosing the underground option was really worth it - expensive but felt exclusive.
Beatriz_G, Feb 2026
They overbooked and pushed our tour forward an hour. The tour guide was late and the radio earphones were too staticky to hear. We did not use and could not hear the guide. We were unable to enjoy the Palestine hill because everything was pushed up. No need to use this sight, there are tour guides ready to book a tour on sight. Would not recommend to orebook
Ola_S, Feb 2026
Nice small group and the underground tour absolutely worth it. Plus for the access on your own to Palatine Hill and Forum Romanum after the tour.
Ffion_T, Feb 2026
Wooow!! What an amazing tour! Simona was the wealth knowledge providing us with so much amazing facts during the tour, we had 2 teenagers in our party; Simona kept them engaged and interested. Well organised, also provided us with tips of areas to visit and eat during our stay in Rome! Highly recommend this tour it definitely is a must if your visiting the Colloseum!!
Chelsea_M, Feb 2026
This tour was fantastic! Our guide, Simone, was super knowledgeable, friendly and energetic. Would highly recommend!
Hilary_H, Feb 2026
It was raining the whole time, but still worth it! The underground part was incredible and our guide was super knowledgable.
Jay_S, Feb 2026
Our guide was Carmelo and he was very informative, a fantastic guide. The underground section is a must do. So much more to see below the floor level, and to stand on the floor level and to look up was amazing. Small group setting was also a bonus for Q&A.
Peter_B, Jan 2026
Loved the digital addition to the tour that was added recently while on the underground portion of the tour. We also saw the arena and first floor levels.
Jason_R, Jan 2026
Highly recommend this tour. From the initial check in point to the actual tour guide everything was professional, informative and easy to follow. Would definitely use this company again.
rdxv26wcm4, Jan 2026
Tour left without me and my daughter before the time on my entrance ticket and the time on Viator still listed. The employee who met us gave us our ticket to the special entrance and a Colosseum employee ushered us around with a couple of other tours.
Ryan_C, Dec 2025
Novella was a fantastic guide! She was very kind and knowledgeable! I would definitely recommend the Underground tour because you get to see the Colosseum from a different point of view not everyone gets to see. The only complication we had was finding the meeting point. It would have been better if there were more details/ directions.
Jane_R, Dec 2025
Novella is very knowledgeable and points out certain artifacts to us.
I love how detailed to us not just about the historical facts but what else to do and see in Rome
Jennifer_V, Dec 2025
Was great to get away from all the other people, a small group with an excellent guide. Recommended if you want to get off the beaten track
lauren_d, Nov 2025
I'm so glad we did the underground instead of the regular tour! So many mor cool things! Out guide was great and very knowledgeable and we were away from the big crowds nearly the entire time. Also being able to use the ticket for the forum and Palatine Hill the next day was really nice. Highly recommend!
Dominick_G, Oct 2025
Colosseum was pretty packed but the guide tour was great. Daniella was great, explained everything to us, got us in quick and was super sweet. The underground was awesome and seeing how the Gladiators caught was amazing. Lot of fun with the group and guide. Well worth it with a guide, only way to go.
Linda_A, Sep 2025
Best tour we’ve done. Small group is the only way to really enjoy everything. I highly recommend the underground tour.
Gemma_G, Sep 2025
Very knowledgeable guide, underground part seemed quite rushed but was glad we got to go and experience the rest of the colosseum afterwards. We found the tour with no problems and received an informed message with all the details of the meeting point. Our guide was super knowledgeable and took photos for us as we went round. Our ticket also included access to the Roman forum, but we unfortunately ran out of time for this. Loved every second of it!
Pattie_K, Aug 2025
A lot of walking but well worth it! We would define y do it again! Great knowledgeable tour guide. A great experience in all.
Jamie_M, Aug 2025
Amazing tour and perfect amount of time. Our tour guide was great and by far went above our expectations.
Robert_B, Aug 2025
Excellent tour. Guide was very knowledgeable. Required a lot of walking including several sets of stairs.
David_G, Jul 2025
IVANO IS THE BEST TOUR GUIDE IN ALL OF ROME! We have been on many tours and the above is true. He is calm, patient, articulate and has a love for his country and its rich history. He calmly assures all questions are covered and everyone understands the importance of each part of the Collisseum. Don’t miss out on the underground part of the coliseum, it was our second time and this added so much to the tour!
Lesley_P, Jul 2025
Our guide was amazing! She was super knowledgeable. She clearly had been doing this for a long time. She knew all the staff and managed to get us to the front of every line.
We really enjoyed our tour.
Likely to Sell Out
From $82.45
per person-You will not receive a refund if you cancel.
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