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Colosseum Tours
2035 Tours & Activities

Historical Tours
3567 Tours & Activities

Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises
5825 Tours & Activities
3 hours (Approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English and 5 more
Keeping you safe during COVID-19
Overview
Skip the entrance line at the Colosseum so you won’t waste any time getting inside to marvel at this Roman icon. On this walking tour of Ancient Rome, you’ll explore the amphitheater’s first and second levels with a guide, who entertains you with tales of gruesome gladiator battles. Then visit the Roman Forum to see its ancient ruins like the Temple of Julius Caesar. This tour is limited to 25 people. If you want to enhance your experience, upgrade to a tour of the Colosseum’s restricted underground chambers, arena and upper tier.
- Skip the line outside the Colosseum with your priority-entrance ticket
- Walk around the first and second tiers of the Colosseum, hearing its history from your guide
- Explore the Roman Forum, seeing the House of the Vestal Virgins and walking along Via Sacre
- Upgrade and gain access the Colosseum’s arena floor, underground chambers and third tier
Why Travelers Choose This Tour
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Your Ancient Rome tour starts near Oppian Hill, one of the Seven Hills of Rome, for a view of the Colosseum. Then walk down to the arena with your guide, and skip the main entrance line with your fast-track ticket. Inside, explore the Colosseum’s first and second tiers while listening to stories from your guide about the brutal events that were once held here, like executions and gory gladiator battles. As you stroll around the perimeter of the amphitheater, try to image the ancient crowd of up to 50,000 spectators who cheered as gladiators’ fates were decided by power-hungry emperors.
Next, exit the Colosseum and walk over to the Roman Forum, once the political heart of the city. Get an up-close view of ancient remains like the House of the Vestal Virgins and the Temple of Julius Caesar, and then walk up Palatine Hill for another perspective of the ruins, including Circus Maximus, where chariot races once took place. Your tour ends here, from where you can continue exploring on your own.
Optional upgrade to the Ancient Rome and Colosseum Tour: Underground Chambers, Arena and Upper Tier (3.5 hours)
For a more thorough exploration of the Colosseum, select the upgrade option when booking for a tour that includes access to the third tier, the arena floor and the underground chambers—sections of the Colosseum that are either newly opened or typically closed to the general public. You’ll see more than most visitors do.
Walk around the reconstructed floor of the arena, where the gladiators once dueled in bloody battles, and look down through the gaps into the underground chambers. Then make your way below ground to explore the chambers themselves, checking out pits where wild animals like tigers and lions were held, before heading up to the third tier for a panoramic view into the Colosseum and out to Palatine Hill. Your tour ends with a visit to the Roman Forum, as described in the standard tour.
Next, exit the Colosseum and walk over to the Roman Forum, once the political heart of the city. Get an up-close view of ancient remains like the House of the Vestal Virgins and the Temple of Julius Caesar, and then walk up Palatine Hill for another perspective of the ruins, including Circus Maximus, where chariot races once took place. Your tour ends here, from where you can continue exploring on your own.
Optional upgrade to the Ancient Rome and Colosseum Tour: Underground Chambers, Arena and Upper Tier (3.5 hours)
For a more thorough exploration of the Colosseum, select the upgrade option when booking for a tour that includes access to the third tier, the arena floor and the underground chambers—sections of the Colosseum that are either newly opened or typically closed to the general public. You’ll see more than most visitors do.
Walk around the reconstructed floor of the arena, where the gladiators once dueled in bloody battles, and look down through the gaps into the underground chambers. Then make your way below ground to explore the chambers themselves, checking out pits where wild animals like tigers and lions were held, before heading up to the third tier for a panoramic view into the Colosseum and out to Palatine Hill. Your tour ends with a visit to the Roman Forum, as described in the standard tour.
Itinerary
Your journey into antiquity begins with the Colosseum, one of the world’s most iconic sights. Your guide will call on their historical and archaeological expertise to tell you all about the battles, both physical and political, that played out in this incredible amphitheater. You might be surprised to learn that ‘Gladiator’ didn’t get everything right and that feats of ancient engineering even allowed the Romans to re-enact naval battles here.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Admission Ticket Included
The next stop takes you back to the very beginning. The Palatine Hill is the spot Romulus chose to found the city that would become Rome in 753 BC – a decision that ended in tragedy for his brother Remus. Here, steeped in history, you’ll enjoy spectacular views overlooking your next destination: the Roman Forum.
Duration: 1 hour
Admission Ticket Included
The Forum and the Via Sacra, the Sacred Way, were the heart of Ancient Rome. All of Roman life could be found in this bustling marketplace: commerce and trade, political rallies, military parades, and the sacred ceremonies of the Vestal Virgins.
In just three hours, you’ll experience all that allowed Rome to endure so long – staying immersed in history the entire time, without wasting a moment waiting in line.
Duration: 30 minutes
Admission Ticket Included
Traveler Photos
Traveler Tips
- "Book early in the day if travelling in summer as the temperatures rise, and often little shade." See review
- "It is mainly outside, so make sure you have appropriate weather gear." See review
- "This tour requires quite a bit of walking so take comfortable shoes." See review
Reviews
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Product code: 3731COLOSSEUM
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