Colosseum & Roman Forum Small Group Guided Tour
In the footsteps of gladiators at Rome’s most famous ruins
€49 per adult
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Local experts
Personal stories and insider travel tips -
Top-rated
Thousands of reviews averaging 4.9 stars -
Worry-free booking
Flexible scheduling and refunds
Highlights
- Make the most of your time touring Rome’s archaeological treasures with our express skip-the-line tour.
- Step back in time to ancient Rome as you view its legendary ruins.
- Hear thrilling stories of life as a gladiator, from the rigorous training to high-stakes gladiatorial contests.
- Learn about ancient entertainment, from mock sea battles to animal hunts to public executions.
- Tour the Roman Forum and see the city’s many layers of history.
- Get insider tips from your guide about how to enjoy the rest of your day with all the time you saved on this express tour.
What you'll do
See the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill on an expert-led tour that makes the most of your time here in Rome. This visit lets you discover Rome’s ancient ruins with a local guide in just two hours — better still, your local guide can share tips and insider advice on what to do next. We want you to h ... read more
See the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill on an expert-led tour that makes the most of your time here in Rome. This visit lets you discover Rome’s ancient ruins with a local guide in just two hours — better still, your local guide can share tips and insider advice on what to do next. We want you to have a perfect day here in the Eternal City.
Your guide will share a detailed description of the Colosseum as you admire it from the outside. Then pass by all those long lines to enter with your skip-the-line ticket. Once inside, you’ll learn about the gladiatorial contests and public spectacles this arena was made for. Mock sea battles, animal hunts, recreations of famous battles, and even public executions happened right where you’re standing!
You’ll also hear about the technological prowess of the engineers who built the Colosseum — no easy feat back in 70 AD. As you walk around the tiers to get the best view of the arena, find out about advanced mechanisms like trap doors used during the gladiator games.
Next, your guide will prepare you for your visit to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, conveniently located together in the same archaeological site. You’ll learn how for centuries the Forum was the center of day-to-day life for criminal trials, gladiator marches, elections, commerce, and more.
Armed with tips on what to look for and the history of the place, visit the Forum Magnum (as the Romans called it) at your own pace. It was once a marshy lake, but today, you’ll walk along the paved higher street level and see for yourself why Rome is called a city of layers.
As always, feel free to ask your guide for suggestions on what to do next. As a local, your guide can share tips on where to eat, family-friendly travel spots, where to take the best photos — whatever you’re looking for.
Itinerary
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Colosseum
An arena for dramatic public spectacles built in the 1st century
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Roman Forum
The 7th century BC hub of city life for gladiator marches, elections, and commerce
Plan your trip
Tour ending point
The guided portion of your tour ends at the Colosseum, but your guide will prepare you for your self-guided tour of Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum. Your ticket includes entry to these sites.
Refund policy
We offer a 100% refund up to 48 hours before the start time.
Meeting point
Where to find your tour guide
Meet your guide outside the Colosseo Metro Station across from the Colosseum. Look for the guide holding a sign that reads “ExperienceFirst” at the exit of the (blue line) metro in front of a green kiosk.
Colosseo Metro Station
FAQs
This public group tour is not wheelchair-accessible. We cover about 2 miles of walking at a moderate pace, including some uneven terrain and steps. If mobility is an issue please arrange for a private tour.
We cover about 2 miles of walking at a moderate pace, including some uneven terrain and steps. If mobility is an issue, please arrange for a private tour.
We understand plans change. You can always change your tour 24 hours or more before you tour. We offer a 100% refund up to 24 hours prior to your tour start time. Within 24 hours of your tour, we would have incurred hard costs and therefore cannot allow rescheduling or cancellation without costs.
Our tours run rain or shine, so please check the local forecast to plan. In rare cases when we have to cancel for extreme weather, we’ll offer you the chance to reschedule or give a full refund.
Tips are always appreciated but never expected. They’re a great way to tell your guide they did an awesome job and show your appreciation.
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