Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum Guided Tour
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill Official Guided Tour
Colosseum Group Tours with our local expert guides for an unforgettable experience.
Immerse Yourself in the History in this 2.5-hour tour of the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum in Rome goes back in time. Bypass the queue at the Colosseum to avoid long waits. Explore the first and second tiers for great views.
Then walk through the ruins of Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum with your guide, an art and archaeology expert history come to life!!
For travelers who chose the Colosseum Arena Option:
Colosseum Arena and Roman Forum Tour
Meet your guide and enjoy special priority access that leads you directly to the Arena of the Colosseum. Visit the Roman Forum, the heart of the Roman Empire, for a truly unforgettable experience.
Or visit at your own pace by booking the option Audio-Guided tour of the Colosseum/Palatine Hill/Roman Forum with Multilingual storytelling in English/Chinese/German/French/Italian/Spanish.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Customers have a mandatory meeting time stated 20 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time due to managing and organizational reasons.
Please provide the full names of all travelers when booking. 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. We are not responsable if you provide us with wrong information.
PLEASE NOTE: as for the Colosseum new management, it might take few minutes to grab tickets for kids (if any of them are in the group) so the activity can suffer 20/30 min variation due to organizational reasons
The order in which the sites are visited during the tour can vary
Discounts for children under 18 years is applied only with a valid ID card!
Please note that for safety reasons the Colosseum can accommodate up to 3.000 people at once.This could lead to delays in access to the site, even for pre-booked visitors.
For security reasons all visitors and their luggage shall be screened.
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Forbidden objects inside the Colosseum: bottles and glasses containers, alcholic beverages and aerosols, backpacks, camping, bulky bags and luggage / trolley
Please notice that the Colosseum Administration, which depends on the Ministry of Cultural Assets and Activities has the faculty to close the Colosseum, or parts of it, with or without notice, for events, strikes, heavy rain, or any other reason. In which case, we will offer an alternative itinerary as it seems fit and offer a partial refund
Activity not recommended for people with motor lag
No change on a booking can be accepted less than one week before the time of the tour. In that instance, no refund will be issued.
For the safety of all guests, the tour operator reserves the right to refuse service to passengers who are intoxicated or show signs of intoxication. If, as a result, your tour is canceled, you will not be entitled to a refund.
PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED
The meeting point for the group guided tour is at Piazza San Clemente. Our Staff will wait for you at the entrance to the Basilica, holding a "Tour in the city" sign. MANDATORY meeting time 20 minutes prior to tour departure time
In case of late arrival or cancellation beyond the limits indicated in the cancellation policy by the customer, a refund is not foreseen.
The duration of the tour may vary according to the time taken to access the monument. The tour duration is always at least 2 hours and will always be at most 3 hours.
The itinerary may vary depending on weather conditions (ice, rain, or high temperatures) or other events beyond the travel agency's control.
To download the Audioguide application you need a latest-generation smartphone not produced before 2020. We recommend bringing headphones.
Last Minute TICKET & SELF AUDIOGUIDED: if you choose this option, It is mandatory for every customer to have a mobile phone. You must download the application, and once installed, you will need to download the QR codes provided. These QR codes must be presented at the entrance for access. Without the QR codes, entry will not be allowed.
Not recommended for travelers with walking problems
Not accessible for walker users
We kindly inform you that any kind of disability (visual impairment, hearing impairment,... ) or anything that might prevent you to regularly join the tour, MUST BE communicated in advance to our staff at the following email address: tourinthecityrome@gmail.com
What To Expect
Colosseum
Start your journey with a visit to Rome's symbolic monument with a tour that makes it easy and fun for all ages. Learn about the amphitheater’s history from an official tour guide with an art and archaeology background. Learn about the spectacular games and bloody battles that were held inside. Hear about the techniques of construction invented by the Romans, the incredible ability of the gladiators, the violent fighting between exotic animals, and the high level of technology achieved by Roman engineers to build the Colosseum. Walk around the first tiers and see the arena to learn about the trapdoors and all the mechanisms used to animate the games. Your guide will keep you entertained with stories of sea-battles, the cages where lions were kept before the games started, the rooms in which gladiators were waiting before they reached the arena, the executions, and the excitement of the spectators attending the most spectacular, fantastic, and expensive games in human history.
Palatine Hill
After the Colosseum, you will walk through Palatine Hill, where you will be able to explore the site of an older settlement from the 9th century BC. Admire the first settlements of the city of Rome and the Hippodrome, an elliptical sunken garden from the Palace of Domitian. Here, enjoy an impressive view of the Circus Maximus and the valley of the Roman Forum. Learn about the legend of Romulus and Remus, the abandoned brothers raised by a she-wolf who once they grew older, fought each other for power and control.
Options
LAST MINUTE TICKET & SELF TOUR
LAST MINUTE TICKETS: These tickets are MORE EXPENSIVE because they are linked to a special card and are among the only options still available. TICKET & AUDIOGUIDED TOUR: With this OPTION, you can visit the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum with a SELF audio-guided tour and TICKETS. TICKET & AUDIOGUIDED TOUR: IN THIS OPTION IT'S INCLUDED A SPECIAL/INSURED TICKET REFUNDABLE UP TO HOURS THE STARTING TIME Duration: 3 hours: The duration of this tour may vary depending on how long you will spend in each site and on time spent passing the security. TICKET & AUDIOGUIDED TOUR: See the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum with a SELF audio-guided tour. INCLUSIONS: LAST-MINUTE insured Tickets and audio-guided Apps in English, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, and Spanish.
Colosseum Private Tour
Colosseum&Roman Forum Private
3PM ENGLISH GROUP TOUR
3PM COLOSSEUM & ANCIENT ROME: Travel back to the days of the Roman Empire on a 3-hour skip-the-line tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.
11AM ENGLISH COLOSSEUM & FORUM
11AM COLOSSEUM & ANCIENT ROME: Travel back to the days of the Roman Empire on a 3-hour tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.
1PM ENGLISH COLOSSEUM & FORUM
1PM COLOSSEUM & ANCIENT ROME: Travel back to the days of the Roman Empire on a 3-hour tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.
TICKET & AUDIOGUIDED TOUR
WITH THIS OPTION, THE TOUR GUIDE IS NOT INCLUDED TICKET & AUDIOGUIDED TOUR: See the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum with an audio-guided tour. Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes: The duration of this tour may vary depending on how long you will spend in each sight and on time spent passing the security. TICKET & AUDIOGUIDED TOUR: See the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum with an audio-guided tour.
9:30AM ENGL. COLOSSEUM & FORUM
9:30 COLOSSEUM & ANCIENT ROME : Travel back to the days of the Roman Empire on a 2.5 hour tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.
What‘s Included
Colosseum entrance ticket (valued at €18 per person) Last Minute Ticket euro 38
LAST MINUTE OPTION: Audio Guided Tour + tickets Colosseum/Palatine Hill & Roman Forum
Options Audio-Guided Tour in English, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish
Option Group Guided tour in English Duration 2,5 Hour + Headsets and radio system
Colosseum reservation fee (valued at €2 per person)
Entrance to the Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum for all options
Note: Colosseum fees are as above. The remaining cost of the experience covers other services
Entry Tickets Palatine and Roman Forum entry tickets valid for 24 hours for all options
Option Private Guided tour in the Language selected Duration 2,5 Hour + Headsets and radio system
Gratuites, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Food and drinks
Underground and other part of the Colosseum not indicated
Tour Guide not included with the option: VIP audio-guided and audio-guided tour
Mobile Device and Headphones (not provided) with the option: audio-guided tour
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel at least 7 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel within 7 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
Reviews
3,434 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Eva was fabulous. It was...
Sandy T,Jun 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Eva was fabulous. It was so crazy hot the day of our tour, but she did everything possible to keep us as cool as possible. So much history. I’d love to go again but definitely in the spring or fall. 😃
Well we had an issue at...
Jennifer A,Jun 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00Well we had an issue at the airport because they were on strike. I tried to contact customer service.no one replied or picked up. So in case you have an emergency this company is not helping you
Average.
Andresfelipe B,Jun 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00For the cost, they should deliver the tickets at the coliseum; you have to walk to their store and then return to the coliseum. Minimum instructions and support. It is better to buy the tickets in advance.
Great tour
Ryan I,Jun 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great tour, lots of interesting details and the guide was informative and friendly. Really enjoyed the experience.
Tutorial guide
Patricia C,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tourwas amazing. So much to take in. The tour company was very professional and thorough. I enjoyed the self guided as it allows us to move at our own pace but the added bonus of the app with explanations was extremely helpful 😀
Terrible experience.
Samuela L,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00Unfortunately, I must leave a negative review regarding this agency. I purchased two tickets for the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Imperial Fora with an audio guide at a cost of 158 euros. Before the purchase, I contacted the agency explaining that one of the two tickets was for my daughter, who has a disability card. I was told to proceed with the purchase of both tickets and that I would be contacted later for a possible refund. After the payment, however, I did not receive any response, even after sending another message to clarify the situation again. Upon arriving in Rome, I went to the agency to explain again that my daughter had the disability card and that she was entitled to free entry. The owner replied that it was not possible to obtain any refund, claiming that if I had only purchased my ticket, they would probably have assigned my daughter a different time than mine at the Colosseum. Once I arrived at the Colosseum, I asked for information directly from the official staff, who explained to me that with the disability card, my daughter was entitled to free entry and that I, as her companion, was also entitled to free entry with her. I was then clearly told that the purchase of the two tickets through the agency was not only unnecessary but also incorrect, both regarding the disability issue and the excessively high price. I reported everything to the agency, and an operator assured me that I would receive a partial refund, but to date, I have received nothing. I also add that, given the price paid, the service received is absolutely not up to par: the provided audio guide does not justify in any way the extremely high cost of the tickets. Furthermore, we only had one audio guide to download on the phone because my daughter does not yet own a cell phone, and we had to listen to the audio guide sharing my personal headphones. For all these reasons, I cannot recommend this agency in any way. The experience was disappointing, lacking transparency, and definitely not worth the cost incurred.
A great tour to make the most of this historical site.
melissa g,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great tour!! Eva’s knowledge was excellent. She did a fantastic job retelling history and what a day at the colosseum would be like. Likewise as we moved onto Palatine hill and the Roman forum.
Could have been better
Amy H,Jun 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00We booked this tour based on other positive Viator experiences and because the Colosseum website would not allow us to book directly. When we arrived, the tour office was in total chaos which did not inspire confidence. Once someone took charge and got us our tickets and listening devices, things improved. However, we then waited 30 minutes past the start of our tour time for the last two memebers of our party to join, which felt rude to those of us who had been on time. The Colosseum itself was also very busy, so there was even more waiting. Once we finally got started, our guide was knowledgeable, but it was a little hard to hear. We also moved through the Colosseum very quickly, and I would have preferred more time to take it all in, to take pictures, and to learn. Our tour also included Palatine Hill and the Roman ruins and there was another incredibly long line to get in. Once inside, again, our guide was helpful in understanding what we were seeing, but we probably spent 80% of our time there and only 20% in the Colosseum. Overall, it was a little disappointing. A lot of it was outside our guides control (the waiting, the heat) and she did her best to make it a positive experience, but I was left wanting more.
Don't buy
Erica S,Jun 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00They didn't get our tickets. Possible it was just unfortunate for them or they sold too many. Just buy tickets off the offical website or line up the day of and get in for 18 euro. Audio guide not worth 100 dollars. Dont buy tickets or tours off the street.
Good service
Matt C,Jun 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Was very easy to purchase tickets on the website and app, tickets purchased are extra what we required. App very much up to date. Ticket sent to my email address via pdf the day before attractions visit. Nice friendly staff as well who I spoke too. Would recommend and use again.
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Operated by Tour In Rome by Tour in the City