Colosseum Underground Small Group Guided Tour
Rome, Italy
Colosseum Underground Small Group Guided Tour
Rome, Italy
- 1 hour 40 minutes (approx.)
- Offered in: English
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
Meeting and Pickup
Itinerary
Additional Info
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
4.3
based on 92 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
We were in Italy for two weeks vacationing everywhere from Rome to the Amalfi Coast, and this was by far our favorite tour! Our guide, Julio, was excellent - so passionate about the Colosseum and so very knowledgeable! He, himself, had worked as an archeologist, so he had a depth of knowledge that far exceeded the average guide. In addition, the meeting point was easy to find, and we had no trouble getting through the crowds and going through security. Plus, our earbuds and small group size made it easy to hear and navigate the narrow underground corridors. It was a seamless experience from start to finish! Highly recommend!
This was a complete disaster! We booked this tour for a small private group of 8. When we got to the meeting place, there were 13 of us. We told the employees who ignored us. We then lined up with our guide, told him there was supposed to be 8, he went back and talked again to the reps there, but came back and said lets go. We went as a group, the guide checked us in as we entered, 13 of us. We started moving, it was packed, he then picked up another group of +10, at that point he took off with 20+ followers without a flag, it was very crowded. My husband and I lost him in the crowd. The guide did not count the number of persons that entered the underground so he did not even realize we were missing. We eventually, through help from the Colosseum staff, located the group 1/2 way through the underground tour... about 20 minutes.
We feel the Ultimate Italy tour company didn't have enough guides so they stuck the small group of us with the large group. This is not what we paid for, we were offered 1/2 of our cost, considering what we got we feel that is unfair. We've contacted Viator for a better refund but without success as of now.
Guide was wonderful. Very informative! I would not experience this coliseum experience without a guide. Also highly recommend going below.
Do not bother booking advertise as small group of 8 there’s was 25 in group ridiculously expensive for what it turned out to be two lost on tour to be found later will seeking full refund misrepresented and mid-sold / appalling lied to by reps about size of group
Our guide Evisa? Spelling.?
She was SPECTACULAR! Knowledgeable, friendly and was so full of detail! Love the tour and our guide...would highly recommend it!
This specific tour is operated by a group called “The Ultimate Italy”, who I believe had good intentions of being well prepared, actually ended up not being prepared. Our guide was very nice and the coordinators were organized and on time. Our tour ultimately was cancelled because the operating company’s credentials were pulled at the time of the tour, so our guide’s badge was void, which made our tickets void. Unfortunately we did not get the guided tour or underground experience because we had to buy actual self touring tickets from the museum, which did not allow for underground viewing. I’m leaving two stars because the company should have been more prepared, but again I don’t know the full extent of their situation with the museum. We did receive a full refund. I’d probably skip Ultimate Italy tours if I were to book something again.
Teddy was a great guide. He was knowledgeable and enthusiastic. The colosseum underground was the most important place for us as we may never visit Rome again. Teddy did a great job explaining everything and answering all the questions. After the tour we had time on our own to explore and ticket included Palatine Hill and Roman Forum which were great. Easy meeting point and appreciate the communications ahead of time that moved our time slot early. Highly recommended!! A little pricey but worth it.
Wonderful experience, very knowledgeable guide, however the tour price is very expensive for a 90 min tour
I would not recommend this tour. It was supposed to be a small group, but there was over 10 people on the tour. You spend very little time underground and the whole thing felt rushed. At the end we were given tickets for the Roman Colosseum, but not told how to use them or where to go. I feel like we got ripped off.
Skip the line and underground were what made the tour so complete. Added bonus was that Sarah explained that the ticket could also be used for the Roman forum and Palatine Hill. Because of her recommendation, I was able to also see Augustus’ house and beautiful original frescoes! Thank you Sarah
Do not book this tour. We had a 1:00 booking. We showed up 30 minutes prior as the ticket states and were told the tour was delayed 45 minutes. They said we should have received a message but never did. One person booked all six of our tickets so that we would be together and one person was not allowed entry due to misspelling of first name. She had her passport and other forms of identification but still not allowed in because ticket did not match passport. We were ultimately not able to finish tour as we had another visit scheduled for 4:00 at another location. Our tour guide was a great guy but his English was a struggle to understand. The member of our party that was denied entry was able to buy a ticket on the spot for 18 euros and enter.
It was expensive, but exclusive. We wanted to see the underground areas of the Colesseum and this was the only way to do it as it is not open to the general public. It was so interesting, Even if you just want to visit, I would recomend the small group tour so that you understand what you are looking at and for the large part escape the massive crowds
This tour is excellent and Julia our guide was amazing. The tour company is well organised with lots of communication. Although they did change the time of our tour before the day, so lucky we didn’t have plans beforehand. 8 people in the group and skip the entrance line is great. There were minimal people allowed underground so it was not crowded at all. That was excellent. Lots of information given by the guide to help you understand what under the arena floor was like. Then on top of the arena floor she explained things further. The guide left us there and we were free to go up to the next level of the colosseum and explore ourselves. So this ticket gave you access to underground, the actual arena floor and then up to walk around where the Roman’s would have climb to sit.
Our ticket also allowed access to everything in the Roman Forum / Palatine Hill. This was excellent because as you were walking around you would find these SUPER sites, aka small unique buildings from the past that were on display. Only certain tickets allowed access to these sites. And this tours extra ticket they gave us was an all access ticket. So we could go into all those sites to look too; a lot of people tried to go in but their tickets wouldn’t allow.
If you take this tour then there is no need to buy any other tickets. Full colosseum is included and all the Roman Forum/Palatine Hill. It is a very big distance and there is no food stalls or shops on the hill area. So take snacks if you need to. The walking is easy enough, there is just lots of it.
Top Tip - enter via the gate that is 270m from the colosseum, don’t use the gate right next to the colosseum unless the queue is super short.
Our tour guide was very knowledgeable, informative and entertaining. The underground tour of the colosseum is a must!
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.
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!
Amazing guide! The meeting place is not well organized but the tour guide was excellent and the sights amazing.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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
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.
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!!
This tour was fantastic! Our guide, Simone, was super knowledgeable, friendly and energetic. Would highly recommend!
It was raining the whole time, but still worth it! The underground part was incredible and our guide was super knowledgable.
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.
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.
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