Book Guided Tours on Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
Your Colosseum Tour Options
Why Take A Colosseum Tour?
- Explore the monument with special access - Colosseum guided tours give you special access to restricted sections like the Arena, Underground, and 3rd, 4th and 5th floors
- Skip waiting in lines with guided tours - Opting for a Colosseum tour includes skip-the-line access, allowing you to bypass long queues and save time
- Get a chance to explore Colosseum in your preferred language - Your tour guide will most likely be fluent in multiple languages to cater to tourists from different nations.
- Have an engaging tour by learning things you didn't know before - Get interesting trivia and facts about the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill information from your tour guide
Highlights Covered On Your Colosseum Tour
Gladiator Arena
The Gladiator Arena is where the exicitement of thousands of Roman spectators was held in the Colosseum. It is the area where events and sports were held. As you walk into the arena on the first leg of your Colosseum tour, you will get toexperience the sheer magnificence of the plcae. It is said to be able to hold atleast 80,00 spectators - comparable to watching the present day Superbowlor World Cup in stadiums.
Underground
Going underground is the second leg of your Colosseum tour. You will get to see a system of tunnels where animals and gladiators were held before the contests began. Here you can explore the 80 vertical shafts that gave direct access to the arena and also a number of machines like elevators, hydraulic press etc. of the Roman era. The underground is a proper pre-show experience at the Colosseum, something like behind-the-scenes.
Belvedere
The Beveldere is the final part of you Colosseum tour. The 3rd 4th and 5th rings of the Colosseum is what you can cover which otherwise is usually restricted to visitors. From here, you geta bird's eye view fo the Colosseum and can know each and everything happening in the ancient amphitheatre. Exploring the Belvedere gives you an idea of how massive and majestic the Colosseum is. You can also learn about interesting gladiator fights as you go on your Colosseum guided tour.
Roman Forum
Depending on the tour you choose, you can also explore the Roman Forum as part of your Colosseum tour. It is an ancient plaza that housed gvernment building right in the center of Rome. To this day, you can see the ruins and with a guided tour, you can guess how glorious the place would have been. The highlights of the Roman Forum are the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, the Arch of Septimius Severus. the House of Vestal Virgins, Temples of Saturn and Vesta and more.
Know More About The Roman Forum
Palatine Hill
The Palatine Hill is considered the heart of Rome as it is the centermost of the seven Roman hills. On one side it overlooks the ancient ruins of the city and the Circus Maximus on the other. The Palatine Hill is unfortunately overlooked because of its more attractive neighbour, the Colosseum. But visiting the Palatine ills gives you a vantage point for striking views of Rome and hence, make sure to include this in your Colosseum tour. In Palatine Hill, you can explore the Stadium of Domitian, the House of Augustus, the House of Livia and the Palatine Museum.
Know More About Palatine HillGuided vs Non-Guided Tours
Guided Tours
- Get special access to restricted areas of the Colosseum like the 4th and 5th rings. Experience the majestic Colosseum like a true Roman spectator.
- Get interesting insights into some fascinating gladiator fights of ancient Rome on your Colosseum guided tour.
- The skip-the-line feature on your Colosseum guided tour saves you time in this highly popular and crowded attraction and helps cover all important points without missing anything.
- Your Colosseum tour will include a closed group of people and hence, exploring the massive monument will be more pleasant and to your liking.
- You will be accompanied by a professional guide who will most likely also be multilingual and might just know the language you prefer.
Non-Guided Tours
- With general admission tickets, you can experience the Colosseum and its different areas at your own pace.
- You also have the option to select Colosseum skip-the-line tickets to save time.
- A non-guided tour can be a more flexible option for you if you want to visit at your own convenient time or if your visit to the Colosseum cannot be guaranteed earlier on.
- Non-guided tours might also be beneficial if you have chosen combo tours and have other attractions to cover in the time you have.
- The non-guided tour also gives you the freedom to visit the Roman Forum and the Palatine whenever you want to and decide your Rome sightseeing schedule as per your comfort.
What To Expect From Your Colosseum Guided Tour?
- Skip Past the Long Lines: The first step of your Colosseum tour would be to meet your guide who will accompany you past the long waiting lines.
- Walk across the Arena floor: Make your way into the Colosseum, where you can envision 80,000 spectators waiting for the show to begin! Soak in the sheer magnitude of this historic amphitheater as you walk over the Colosseum Arena.
- Explore the Underground: Here’s where animals, gladiators, prisoners, and slaves were locked and made to wait before they made their way to the center of the arena to fight for their lives. Special zones like the Colosseum Arena and Underground can only be accessed with a tour guide.
- Enjoy Bird's Eye View of the Arena: The Belvedere — the 3rd, 4th and 5th floors — would be the next on your tour. From here, you can view almost the entire amphitheater from the top, allowing you to experience the massive size and height of the Colosseum.
- Learn about Colosseum's history: Throughout your tour, your guide will tell you fascinating facts and trivia about the Colosseum’s history, construction, gladiator fights, and more.
- Explore beyond the Colosseum: Your Colosseum tour also includes a visit to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Explore the length and breadth of these historic landmarks to witness ancient Roman culture and life.
Visitors Tips
- The Colosseum is Rome's most popular attractions and is flocked with tourists almost all the time. Hence, it is recommended that you take a guided tour in order to have a complete experience of the amphitheatre that will not only save your time but also give immense insight to the monument which you wouldn't know otherwise.
- Visit the Colosseum in the early hours or just before closing, The sunset time makes it extremely beautiful to explore and you can also avoid huge crowds.
- Exploring the Colosseum includes a lot of walking and your tour options might also cover the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill. Hence, be dressed comfortably and wear footwear that will allow you to walk without any inconvenience.
- Book your Colosseum tours online and much in advance to grab your preferred time slot.
Frequently Asked Questions About Colosseum Tours
A. A Colosseum tour allows entry into the Arena, the Underground, and the Belvedere; these areas are otherwise off-limits to individual tourists. It is also important to remember that not all Colosseum tour tickets provide access to these special zones; you will have to purchase tickets that specify access to the Arena and Underground.
A. Your Colosseum tour includes a visit not just to the Colosseum, but to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill as well. If you opt for tickets that include tours of the Vatican City as well, your guide will accompany you through the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica.
A. Yes. Guided Colosseum tours also include skip-the-line access to the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
A. Most tickets allow you to cancel 48 hours in advance for a full refund. Ensure to check before you make a purchase.
A. Your tour guide will most likely be fluent in multiple languages such as English, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin, German and more. Audioguides are available in 10+ languages, allowing you to choose one that suits you best.
A. You can book your Colosseum Tour online. It is a better option as you can select your preferred time slot much in advance before they fill up.
A. You can also choose Underground Tours, Arena Tours and Colosseum Night Tours.
