Gladiator’s Gate: Special Access Colosseum Tour with Arena Floor
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
Get a gladiator’s view of the Colosseum, then explore the Roman Forum on a walking tour through the heart of ancient Rome. With special access ticket, you'll enter the arena via the Gladiator’s Gate, stand where gladiators once fought, hear tales of ruthless crowds and emperors, then explore the Colosseum’s first and second levels with your guide. Finish with a tour of Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum with even more stories that bring the ruins to life.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
The full names of all participants must be provided at the time of booking and match the names on their ID. The Colosseum requires all guests (including children) to present government ID at the time of entry. Therefore any guest that does not submit their name in advance of the tour, or who does not bring their ID to the meeting point, will be refused participation without refund. Name corrections are possible up to 7 days before the visit. After this, changes may not be possible.
The Colosseum, Forum, and Palatine Hill may close occasionally. We'll notify you of any changes in advance if possible. For last-minute closures, updates will be given at the start of the tour.
Walks is an Official Parco Archeologico del Colosseo Operator approved to lead guided tours of the Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill.
Please note: This tour offers multiple options. Take a moment to choose the one that best suits your interests.
What To Expect
Colosseum
Meet your guide near the formidable hulk of the Colosseum, the gigantic arena that drew Romans of all walks of life to watch violent fights between gladiators and beasts. Bypass the crowds and head straight inside, entering the Colosseum through a special gate once used by gladiators themselves. Walk right onto the arena floor—an area not usually accessible to the public—and learn about the harrowing events that took place here for entertainment's sake centuries ago. If you want to enter through the legendary Gladiator's Gate and walk directly onto the arena floor, select the Gladiator's Gate Group Tour option at time of booking. Short on time? The Arena Express option offers a streamlined experience with a guided tour of the Colosseum arena floor and the Roman Forum. While the Colosseum Express option includes a guided tour of the Colosseum's first and second tiers (no arena floor) and the flexibility to explore the Forum on your own afterward.
If option with the guided Roman Forum selected: The adventure continues at the Roman Forum. You’ll appreciate having a historian as a guide here. As you wander the streets, they can make sense of the ruins for you, pointing out the subtle differences that reveal whether the structure is a moneylender’s shop, public bath, or any number of common ancient structures. Learn what life was like in the days of Caesar, Nero, and Hadrian, and how Roman society functioned.
Options
Colosseum & SUPER Sites Tour
Colosseum, Forum & SUPER sites: Experience Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill SUPER Sites guided tour. This tour DOES NOT include Arena Floor. Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
Private Tour- Gladiator's Gate
Private Colosseum & Arena tour: Enjoy a Colosseum private guided tour, including Gladiator's Gate & Arena Floor, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Duration: 3 hours
Arena Express Tour
Arena,Forum & Palatine Terrace: Guided tour of Arena Floor, Roman Forum, and Palatine Terrace. DOES NOT include upper levels of Colosseum & Palatine Hill. Duration: 2 hours
Group Tour - Gladiator's Gate
Colosseum, Arena Floor & Forum: Enjoy a fully guided tour of the Colosseum, Arena Floor, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill in a small group. Duration: 3 hours
Colosseum Express Tour
Colosseum & Forum Tickets: Enjoy a guided Colosseum tour with Forum ticket (self-guided). The tour DOES NOT include Arena Floor. Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
What‘s Included
Local English-speaking guide
Small group of 16 guests maximum
Gladiator’s Gate tour option : Special access to Colosseum Arena Floor
Colosseum & SUPER Sites option: Access to Roman Forum SUPER Sites
Colosseum entrance ticket (Full Experience Ticket €24)
Headset (groups over 6 people)
Ticket for Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
Note: Colosseum fees are as above. The remaining cost of the experience covers other services
Gratuities
Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
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
4,121 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Excellent Tour
Rebecca W,Jul 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour was extremely organized and thorough. The meeting point is well established, the guide was extremely knowledgeable and was able to get us through the lines quickly.
Disappointed
Patrick O,Jun 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00Very disappointed by this tour. We did not go down to the Gladiator’s entrance- it was a standard tour that we’ve done before. It was misrepresented and over priced.
So informative and our...
Sarah G,Jun 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00So informative and our tour guide Francesco was amazing! Wear good shows and a bring a water bottle!
Gladiator’s Gate, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill with amazing guide Marco!
Cheryl K,Jun 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had an amazing guide named Marco who was not only an expert on the sites but also had a great sense of humor! Extremely enjoyable experience listening to the stories of the beautiful historic & iconic Rome. Loved it even though the temps were in the 90’s!
Great tour. No waiting...
Clare T,Jun 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great tour. No waiting in long lines to get in. Knowledgeable tour guide so you can truly know how the colosseum worked back in the day
Viator failed to explain...
Ryan C,Jun 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00Viator failed to explain meetup instructions properly. Specifically this was my first tour using Viator, not knowing they outsource to other tour providers. They marked the meeting location, where we were in time looking for Viator tour group. We asked around, other people and tour guides in the area. We missed the tour and not provided a refund when showing how Viator did not provide clear instructions. Skip booking with Viator, use Walks and the Tour guy.
Colosseum Gladiator’s Gate with Arena Floor
Thomas B,Jun 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
2.00Very disappointed with this tour. The tour was to include special access to the arena floor and 1st and 2nd floors, Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum. We toured the 1st and 2nd floors but did not get on the arena floor. The tour of Augusta’s house on Palatine Hill was nice, but way too long. We didn’t tour any of the Roman Forum because the guide said the tour was over and it was almost closing time. We didn’t feel like we got the tour described in the Viator booking.
Amazing In Depth Tour!
JoeI175,Jun 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was a great experience for our entire family. The guide was incredibly knowledgeable and answered what felt like a million questions from our group including being patient with questions from the kids and teens in the group. She really gave us an idea of what the Colosseum would have felt like 2,000 years ago. The weather was unbearably hot but our guide made sure to help everyone stay in the shade as much as possible and take multiple water breaks. I know many people are concerned right now about which tour companies are allowed to actually visit the colosseum and it's hard to find a list. We tool this tour June 9th and Walks of Italy was definitely an approved professional vendor. Thanks for a great tour!
Good Tour thanks to guide
Carl V,Jun 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The meet up is chaotic and confusing… they are not really helpful. But the guide Eddy was awesome and really made the tour fun. Where comfortable shoes and be ready to walk.
Great tour
Evan B,Jun 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Lucia was great and the tour was quick without being rushed. Perfect length with kids before they start to lose attention.
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