Colosseum & Roman Forum Tour in Rome, Rome

4.9 (22 reviews)
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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
Charlotte
Charlotte B.
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.
A
Ashley S.
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... Read more
Maria Natasha
Maria Natasha T.
Apr 23, 2024
Love how knowledgeable Dario was! He really gave life to the guided tour, through colloseo and the roman forum.
Marissa
Marissa P.
Apr 18, 2024
The tour was worth every single cent! We learned a lot and was blown away with how grand the Colosseum and Forums were. Lorenzo was amazing... 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

22 total ratings, 18 with reviews
4.9
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
5.0
Guides, Drivers and Staff
5.0
Transport
4.7
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!!
Marissa
Marissa P.
Canada | Reviewed on Apr 18, 2024
The tour was worth every single cent! We learned a lot and was blown away with how grand the Colosseum and Forums were. Lorenzo was amazing and he knew exactly where to guide us to keep us comfortable, in the shade and where to get the best photos. Love that the group was small so we could bypass the bigger lines and go through the areas efficiently. Read more

The tour was worth every single cent! We learned a lot and was blown away with how grand the Colosseum and Forums were.

Lorenzo was amazing and he knew exactly where to guide us to keep us comfortable, in the shade and where to get the best photos.

Love that the group was small so we could bypass the bigger lines and go through the areas efficiently.

Tips for future travelers

DO the trip early in the day, less crowds

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
S
Susan K.
Chico, CA | Reviewed on Oct 23, 2023
This tour was really good, although it was very crowded. The tour guides explained this was due to a lot of pent-up travel demand because of COVID. Read more

This tour was really good, although it was very crowded. The tour guides explained this was due to a lot of pent-up travel demand because of COVID.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Robert
Robert T.
Hopatcong Hills, NJ | Reviewed on Oct 05, 2023
Excellent tour with Antonella . She showed us so many interesting things and avoided all the crowds. Great time. Read more

Excellent tour with Antonella . She showed us so many interesting things and avoided all the crowds. Great time.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
T
Tina A.
Kansas City, MO | Reviewed on Jul 29, 2023
Great tour, great stories but it was just hot hot hot! Read more

Great tour, great stories but it was just hot hot hot!

Tips for future travelers

Book the coliseum in the summer for the first time slot to get away from the heat. We had to scrap climbing Palatine hill because it was just too hot and we were too tired.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
tour guide knew his stuff and made it very interesting.
Transport
Melinda
Melinda F.
Herriman, UT | Reviewed on Jul 12, 2023
Chiara was our guide for the Colosseum and Roman Forum and she did an amazing job! Our tour included the underground of the Colosseum, which was fascinating. Chiara was able to maneuver us through the crowds with ease. She helped us to understand the history and archaeology of the area while keeping us engaged and entertained. Read more

Chiara was our guide for the Colosseum and Roman Forum and she did an amazing job! Our tour included the underground of the Colosseum, which was fascinating. Chiara was able to maneuver us through the crowds with ease. She helped us to understand the history and archaeology of the area while keeping us engaged and entertained.

Tips for future travelers

Make sure to take a water bottle! Rome in June is hot. There are fountains in the Roman Forum where you can refill your water bottles with fresh water.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Chiara was fantastic!
Transport
N/A. Hotel was close enough we could walk to the tour.

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