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.
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 different options to help you customize your visit to the Colosseum. 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 Express Tour
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes with Forum tickets: Enjoy a guided Colosseum tour and receive Forum tickets to discover it at your leisure. The tour DOES NOT include Arena Floor
VIP Caesar Palace & Colosseum
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes with Colosseum & Roman Forum : Experience Ancient Rome like a VIP with the Colosseum SUPER Sites access. Pls note: this option DOES NOT include Arena Floor.
Private - Gladiator's Gate
Duration: 3 hours: Join a private Colosseum tour, exploring the Gladiator's Gate, amphitheater, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.
Arena Express Tour
Duration: 2 hours with Forum & Palatine Terrace: Guided tour of Arena Floor, Roman Forum, and Palatine Terrace. Does NOT include upper levels of Colosseum or Palatine Hill.
Gladiator's Gate Group Tour
Duration: 3 hours with Forum & Palatine Hill: Enjoy a fully guided tour of the Colosseum, Arena Floor, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill in a small group.
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 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
VIP Caesar & Colosseum tour option: Access to Roman Forum SUPER Sites
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
4,109 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
When in Rome...
YVETTE G,Jun 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This is a must if in Rome! Whether you choose to visit and do a more in-depth tour of the underground, or choose this tour of the inside, the history and stories that our guide shared were excellent. Don't just view the Colosseum from the outside, being inside is crucial to understanding the history of this amazing place. I can't imagine touring the Colosseum without the vast knowledge our tour guide had.
Memorable Experience
Maryann B,May 31, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide Amber was fantastic. As an archeologist Amber knew so much about the Colosseum and Palatine Hill - we were truly amazed throughout the whole tour. This was our second time visiting the Colosseum using this tour company. Our first experience was equally as good. Thanks Amber for a memorable day.
Viator was disappointing. Not correct communication.
lsid,May 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
2.00The tour was great! Viator was awful. Got 2 confirmations that our time was 8:30am so missed our free breakfast at the hotel and had to kill 2 hours until our real time. Book directly with Walks. Got 2 different start times, one from the tour company but Viator kept sending emails it was 8am and we were afraid to miss our tour. Of course it was really at 10:45am like Walks said.
Colosseum
Stefan L,May 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Sara was a great guide. Very informative and easy pace. Definitely get more with a helpful guide. You have time when it’s over to wander the forum if you choose too. Ear communication sound was good but they were falling off everyone.
Amazing tour of Roman Colosseum with Niccolò Arcangeli
Paul P,May 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was an amazing experience with an expert in Roman, Gladiator and Colosseum History. I took a tour with my family and this event was the highlight of our visit to Rome, Italy. Niccolò Arcangeli clearly loves his work and it shows. I would recommend this tour to any one interested visiting the Colosseum with a subject expert.
Excellent
Brittany R,May 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Absolutely worth it. Laura was an amazing, friendly, and highly knowledgeable guide. I’d love to do other tours with her!
Claudia was amazing guide
Dream563904,May 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Tour was excellent. Our guide was Claudia. I cannot say enough about her. She was knowledgeable, made everything interesting and had a great sense of humor. We finished the tour wanted to read more about the Colosseum
We enjoyed the tour. Our...
Mary J,May 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00We enjoyed the tour. Our guide was very informative. He provided a great deal of information. It was very long and more difficult than we expected given the stairs to and from the areas. We also struggled with who the tour was with and where to find them as there were several companies in a small area.
This was a great tour...
Benjamin C,May 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a great tour that I highly recommend you do on your first day in Roma. You see it all, and it goes at a great pace and shows you some in depth spots that many miss. High recommend.
Amazing experience & our...
Carol O,May 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing experience & our guide was so very helpful & knowledgeable. You really cant experience something on this scale without a guide. Learnt so much from her, got to experience so much more than if you just went by yourself. A truly amazing experience
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