Colosseum & Roman Forum Tour in Rome, Rome

4.9 (27 reviews)
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B
Benjamin S.
May 21, 2025
We loved our tour guide. Was friendly and knew a lot about the Forum and Art.
T
Toby F.
Oct 21, 2024
Again huge crowds at this time of year but our guide helped steer us away from them. He was excellent.
Melissa
Melissa U.
Oct 20, 2024
So much fun to be some of the first people in the colosseum for the day. Beautiful to be there around sunrise.
Sam
Sam H.
Sep 22, 2024
Our small group of 6 was the perfect way to tour the Colosseum. We were able to access multiple areas that were not accessible to the... Read more
Gail
Gail C.
Aug 02, 2024
Marco was really great at what he does! He kept things interesting for the kids, pivoted to switch things around to beat the heat, gave us... Read more
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Overview

Discover the icon of Ancient Rome, the famous Colosseum that still ranks as the largest amphitheater globally. We recommend taking a VIP tour or buying a special ticket to bypass the long lines and access lesser-known areas of the historic site, gaining entrance to places that few tourists visit. Besides the typical areas of the Colosseum, you’ll also walk on the arena floor and explore the underground dungeons.

If you opt for a tour, you'll meet your guide outside the Colosseum, completed in the year 80 CE. Once inside, a custodian will open locked gates and lead you onto the arena floor. Follow the steps of brave gladiators who engaged in combat almost two thousand years ago, and imagine what it's like to have 80,000 spectators screaming your name!

Next, you'll descend beneath the Colosseum and explore the labyrinth of dungeons and preparation rooms. These areas provided space where gladiators dressed for battle and caged beasts waited for release onto the arena floor. There are even mechanical elevators that raised participants through trap doors into the arena!

After an unforgettable experience into the depths of the Colosseum, you'll follow your guide to Palatine Hill, the centermost of Rome's seven hills. The area was once an exclusive neighborhood for political leaders and emperors. Walk around and observe the ruins of imperial palaces and savor the views of Circus Maximus and the Roman Forum below.

The Roman Forum, the center of Roman political life in its heyday, marks your final stop. This area was an ancient public marketplace and general agora (gathering place). Today, it’s filled with the ruins of government buildings, temples, basilicas, and more. Follow your guide through the ancient grounds along Via Sacra, where you'll pass the Arch of Titus and the temples of Vesta, Antonino, and Faustina. You’ll also view the Basilica Julia, a public meeting house commissioned by Julius Caesar.

Read more about unique activities in Rome and interesting historical experiences in Italy.

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Travelers often mention

Summarized by AI based on kimkim traveler reviews

Knowledgeable guides

Many reviews praised the tour guides for their extensive knowledge, engaging storytelling, and ability to bring the history of the Colosseum and Roman Forum to life. Specific guides like Dario, Lorenzo, Antonella, Chiara, Sabrina, and Josie were mentioned for their exceptional performance. (5 mentions)

A
“Our guide had so much interesting information and detail”  — Ashley S.
Melinda
“Chiara was our guide for the Colosseum and Roman Forum and she did an amazing job!”  — Melinda F.
Judy
“Alessandro was an amazing tour guide! He was extremely knowledgeable and personable.”  — Judy B.
Underground access

Access to the underground areas of the Colosseum was a highlight for many reviewers, who found it fascinating and a unique aspect of the tour. (5 mentions)

Melinda
“Our tour included the underground of the Colosseum, which was fascinating.”  — Melinda F.
L
“we went to the underground part where the gladiators and anime were kept”  — Linda C.
J
“It was amazing to go into the bottom level of the Colosseum.”  — Judy W.
Historical insights

The detailed historical information and insights provided by the guides were highly appreciated, helping travelers understand the significance of the sites. (4 mentions)

Melinda
“She helped us to understand the history and archaeology of the area while keeping us engaged and entertained.”  — Melinda F.
L
“The history behind the Colosseum was absolutely fascinating and the tour guide’s explanation was exceptional”  — Linda C.
L
“Our second tour guide was amazing as well, explaining so much of Roman history during the walking tour around the Forum”  — Linda C.
Avoiding long lines

Several reviews appreciated the ability to bypass long lines thanks to the tour guides, making the experience more efficient and enjoyable. (4 mentions)

Charlotte
“Our guide was able to get us through long lines which would have eaten up some of the tour.”  — Charlotte B.
Marissa
“Love that the group was small so we could bypass the bigger lines and go through the areas efficiently.”  — Marissa P.
L
“we didn’t have to line up for hours to get in”  — Linda C.

Traveler reviews

27 total ratings, 23 with reviews
4.9
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
5.0
Guides, Drivers and Staff
5.0
Transport
4.8
B
Benjamin S.
Canada | Reviewed on May 21, 2025
We loved our tour guide. Was friendly and knew a lot about the Forum and Art. Read more

We loved our tour guide. Was friendly and knew a lot about the Forum and Art.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Dana
Dana W.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Oct 23, 2024
As with any of the large tourist attractions in Italy, the guide is the key to full enjoyment. All of our guides were exceptional, and Matteo was no different. He was knowledgeable, friendly, and obviously knew all the ins and outs of the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and the Roman Forum. Rome is a large, modern city, so it's a bit shocking to have the Colosseum and other Roman ruins pop up in the middle of all the accoutrements of modern life. The ruins are very crowded, so we had to adjust our... Read more

As with any of the large tourist attractions in Italy, the guide is the key to full enjoyment. All of our guides were exceptional, and Matteo was no different. He was knowledgeable, friendly, and obviously knew all the ins and outs of the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and the Roman Forum. Rome is a large, modern city, so it's a bit shocking to have the Colosseum and other Roman ruins pop up in the middle of all the accoutrements of modern life. The ruins are very crowded, so we had to adjust our expectations a bit, but although we were shoulder to shoulder with several thousand other tourists, it was fascinating to learn the history of ancient Rome.

Tips for future travelers

Comfortable shoes will make ALL the difference!

T
Toby F.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Oct 21, 2024
Again huge crowds at this time of year but our guide helped steer us away from them. He was excellent. Read more

Again huge crowds at this time of year but our guide helped steer us away from them. He was excellent.

Tips for future travelers

Very crowded this time of year.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Melissa
Melissa U.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Oct 20, 2024
So much fun to be some of the first people in the colosseum for the day. Beautiful to be there around sunrise. Read more

So much fun to be some of the first people in the colosseum for the day. Beautiful to be there around sunrise.

Tips for future travelers

Lots of stairs, very challenging for any mobility challenged people

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Sam
Sam H.
Richmond, VA | Reviewed on Sep 22, 2024
Our small group of 6 was the perfect way to tour the Colosseum. We were able to access multiple areas that were not accessible to the huge crowds. Tour guide was knowledgeable and easy to understand. Read more

Our small group of 6 was the perfect way to tour the Colosseum. We were able to access multiple areas that were not accessible to the huge crowds. Tour guide was knowledgeable and easy to understand.

Tips for future travelers

Having access to areas of the colosseum that had minimal crowds was a bonus!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Gail
Gail C.
Daly City, CA | Reviewed on Aug 02, 2024

Marco was really great at what he does! He kept things interesting for the kids, pivoted to switch things around to beat the heat, gave us advice on other stuff in Rome, and more.

Karisa
Karisa W.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Jul 11, 2024
Very helpful having a tour guide to give facts/history about the Colosseum. I did specifically as for a tour that went below but apparently this was not it so that was a little disappointing. Read more

Very helpful having a tour guide to give facts/history about the Colosseum. I did specifically as for a tour that went below but apparently this was not it so that was a little disappointing.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Charlotte
Charlotte B.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on May 21, 2024
Educational and fun tour! Our guide was able to get us through long lines which would have eaten up some of the tour. Read more

Educational and fun tour! Our guide was able to get us through long lines which would have eaten up some of the tour.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
We walked from the hotel but it was an easy walk.
A
Ashley S.
Chandler, AZ | Reviewed on May 18, 2024
We ended up having this as a private tour as well, because the other registered people never showed so it was a bonus! Because it was just the three of us, we were able to navigate through the crowds pretty easy and we had special access to areas where we would not have had if we went alone without a guide. Our guide had so much interesting information and detail and these special glasses that helpful you see what it was like back in its full glory, which was VERY COOL. Read more

We ended up having this as a private tour as well, because the other registered people never showed so it was a bonus! Because it was just the three of us, we were able to navigate through the crowds pretty easy and we had special access to areas where we would not have had if we went alone without a guide. Our guide had so much interesting information and detail and these special glasses that helpful you see what it was like back in its full glory, which was VERY COOL.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Maria Natasha
Maria Natasha T.
Singapore | Reviewed on Apr 23, 2024
Love how knowledgeable Dario was! He really gave life to the guided tour, through colloseo and the roman forum. Read more

Love how knowledgeable Dario was! He really gave life to the guided tour, through colloseo and the roman forum.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Kudos to Dario!!

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