The Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill together form the most extraordinary archaeological area in Rome — a vast open-air museum where ancient history comes vividly to life. But with so many tour options on offer, planning your visit can quickly feel overwhelming. Should you choose a small-group experience, a skip-the-line express visit, or a deep-dive archaeological tour? After twenty-five years of leading tours through the Colosseum, I’ve seen firsthand what makes a visit truly memorable. Through Eternity offers a multutude of different Colosseum tours, and in this guide I’ll walk you through the best Colosseum tours available today — what each one includes, who it’s best for, and how to choose the right option to match your time, interests, and travel style. So which tour suits which traveler? Read on to find out.
Colosseum Tours
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On this intimate group tour, you’ll walk through the original gladiators’ gate onto the sandy arena and into the blinding sunlight to stare up at the crowds in the stands above. It’s a genuinely spine-tingling adventure—one that most visitors don’t get to experience.
The arena is off-limits to all but a handful of savvy travelers who know to book these limited tickets well in advance. The crowds above will definitely be staring at you with more than a hint of jealousy, wondering how you got this unique access.
Afterward, you’ll join your guide on a whirlwind tour through the centuries as you stroll around the rest of the Colosseum. Then head to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, where you’ll be regaled with tales of political intrigue and palace treachery in the beating heart of ancient Rome.
- Who Is This Tour Perfect For? It is Perfect for those who have more than a passing interest in history and who love exclusive access.
- Tour Duration: 3 hours at an easy pace
- Group size: A maximum of just 10 (also available privately.)
You can’t go wrong with our classic, nuts and bolts ancient city group tour that hits all the highlights. With our expert guide you’ll get the skinny on the gladiators in the amazing space of the Colosseum, and feel the amphitheater come alive as you are immersed in antiquity’s most gripping and bloodiest theatre. To complete the picture we’ll also explore the nearby Palatine Hill, where the ancient emperors lived in opulent palaces, as well as the spectacular Roman Forum – the true beating heart of the ancient city.
- Who Is This Tour Perfect For? Anyone looking for the classic Colosseum and ancient city experience.
- Tour Duration: 3 hours
- Group Size: A maximum of just 10 (also available privately).
I’d always recommend spending more than one day in the Eternal City; however, I understand that many of us experience Rome on a much tighter schedule. If this is you, then I plead with you to plan ahead to maximize your short time in Rome. This is the ideal whistle-stop tour for visitors with a limited schedule.
Take in the highlights of the Vatican museums, including the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, and the most beautiful piazzas of Rome, with an expert who knows the city, all its quirks, and the ins and outs. With one day in Rome, you need a personal concierge who knows the city intimately so you can make the most of your brief visit.
As an added bonus, your guide knows the best spot for a local lunch to complete your perfect Roman holiday.
- Who Is This Tour Perfect For? If you only have one day in the city and want to make the most of your time, this excursion is for you.
- Tour Duration: 6 hours plus a lunch break
- Group Size: This is a private tour. We hope to be operating this as a group tour soon, too – check this link for updates.
For lovers of art and history, this is a fantastic and truly unique experience. No other tour combines the majesty of ancient Rome with the splendor of the Renaissance and Baroque artists who were inspired by the city’s infamous past.
On this unique excursion, you’ll visit not just the Colosseum but also have the opportunity to explore how Roman artists saw its ancient past and drew from it to create a city of beauty and greatness that still inspires us today.
- Who Is This Tour Perfect For? If you want the most holistic and artistic view of the city – this is the experience for you.
- Tour Duration: 5 hours
- Group Size: Private tour
Here, you’ll have reserved tickets to visit the Colosseum, the ancient Roman Forum, and the Palatine Hill. Honestly, this is the essential ancient Rome experience, especially for a first-time visit. To understand this complex city, you must first understand its complex and layered past. Navigating ancient Rome without a guide can be confusing and intimidating. Let us make it fun and illuminating. Learn about the Roman emperors’ curious predilections and the interesting behind-the-scenes politics that shaped the ancient world.
- Who Is This Tour Perfect For?: Great for time-strapped families who want to see as much of the ancient city in one day as possible
- Tour Duration: 3 hours
- Group Size: Private tour
This tour is not currently available. We hope to see it relaunched in 2026.
This is the ultimate access-all-areas experience at the Colosseum. On this private VIP tour, you will be among the few lucky people who will visit the Colosseum Underground or ‘Hypogeum.’ This hidden world beneath the arena floor was the ‘backstage’ of the gladiatorial games, where ferocious animals lay waiting in cages before being dramatically released into the arena above via elaborate trap doors and lifts. Tickets for this restricted area sell out fast, as only a limited number of guests are allowed beneath the arena to preserve the archaeology. If you have your heart set on this experience, I suggest you book your tour well in advance.
This tour will allow you to step through the hallowed gladiators’ gate onto the arena floor, another experience off-limits to most visitors. Then, your expert guide will reveal hidden secrets around the rest of the Colosseum before taking you on a whirlwind tour through the golden age of ancient Rome in the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
- Who Is This Tour Perfect For? This special experience is perfect for ancient history fans who want a full, in-depth glimpse into the glories of the Roman Empire.
- Tour Duration: 3.5 hours
- Group Size: Private tour
For total Rome geeks, this is a fantastic experience. Visit some of the most exclusive sites in the Roman Forum in the company of an expert. The Colosseum is amazing. However, if you’ve done an evening tour or have visited Rome before and want a deeper experience, this is the tour for you. Explore the home of Rome’s first emperor, Augustus, with intact frescoes dating to the first century AD. As beautiful as anything in Pompeii. You’ll also discover the secrets of the Vestal Virgins, the story of the funeral of Julius Caesar, and where the Romans used to gamble on the steps of the Basilica. If you want the inside story of Rome, then this is the tour you need to take!
- Who Is This Tour Perfect For? Those who want to Visit some of Rome’s best-kept secrets with a passionate local expert.
- Tour Duration: 3 hours
- Group Size: Private tour
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