The Colosseum is one of the most iconic landmarks in Rome, attracting millions of visitors each year. If you want to make the most of your visit, a guided tour is the best way to explore its history, architecture, and hidden details.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about Colosseum guided tours, including the different types, what they cover, prices, and tips for choosing the right one for you.
Best Colosseum Guided Tour
Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill Guided Tour
€105 onwards
- 2.5-hour guided tour
- Available in 8 languages
- Skip the line access
Colosseum Arena Guided Tour with Palatine Hill & Forum Forum
€82 onwards
- 3-hour guided tour with arena access
- Free cancellation up to 7 days
- Fast-track entrance
Guided Tour of Colosseum Underground and Arena
€161 onwards
- Underground area guided tour
- Access to the second-tier
- Headsets to hear your guide clearly
1. Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Guided Tour
This 1.5 to 2.5-hour guided tour offers skip-the-line access to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill, letting you dive straight into ancient Roman history without the wait. Your live tour guide, available in German, Italian, French, Spanish, English, Portuguese, Russian, or Japanese, will lead you through these iconic sites with fascinating stories and insights.
You will start your tour at the Colosseum, where your guide will share thrilling tales of gladiators and wild animal hunts, revealing the amphitheater’s role in showcasing Roman power and engineering. Next, you will visit Palatine Hill, traditionally the birthplace of Rome, and enjoy stunning views of the Emperor’s Palace. A short walk leads you into the Roman Forum, the heart of Roman life, where you’ll explore ruins of temples, basilicas, and assembly halls.
This tour is available for both private and small groups, with flexible starting times and a cancellation policy that offers a 75% refund if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance. Enjoy an unforgettable experience filled with history, breathtaking views, and expert guidance.
What’s Included
- Entry to the Colosseum
- Access to the Colosseum Arena (if option selected)
- Entry to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
- Headsets to hear the tour guide clearly
- Colosseum Entry Ticket
- Colosseum Entry Ticket with Arena (if option selected)
Tour Price
This guided tour comes with several ticket options, each providing skip-the-line access to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill, with various durations and special access features.
English Group Tour – Colosseum, Forum, and Palatine Hill
The English Group Tour costs €105 for adults aged 18 to 99 years. For children aged 6 to 17 years, this ticket is available at a reduced price of €80, while infants aged 5 or below can join for just €6.
- Adults (18 to 99 years): €105
- Children (6 to 17 years): €80
- Infants (5 and under): €6
English Group Tour with Special Access to the Arena Floor
The English Group Tour with Special Access to the Arena Floor costs €110.59 for adults aged 18 to 99 years. For children aged 6 to 17 years, the price is €81.18, and infants aged 5 or below can join for just €5.88.
- Adults (18 to 99 years): €110
- Children (6 to 17 years): €81
- Infants (5 and under): €5
English Small Group Tour
The English Small Group Tour is available for €108.79 for adults aged 18 to 99 years. Children aged 6 to 17 years can join for €86.81, and infants aged 5 or below can join for just €5.49.
- Adults (18 to 99 years): €108
- Children (6 to 17 years): €86
- Infants (5 and under): €5
Cancellation Policy
The ticket can be canceled up to 24 hours in advance. You will be receiving a 75% refund.
2. Colosseum Arena Guided Tour with Palatine Hill & Forum Forum
The Colosseum Arena Guided Tour offers an unforgettable experience with skip-the-line access and the opportunity to enter the arena through the Gladiator’s Gate, just like the warriors of ancient Rome. This 2.5 to 3-hour tour includes an express security check to ensure a smooth entry. Your live tour guide will lead you through the Colosseum, sharing fascinating stories about the gladiators, the wild animal hunts, and the epic competitions that once captivated the masses.
From the arena, you’ll get a unique perspective of the underground chambers where animals were kept and gladiators prepared for their moment of glory. Your guide will also take you to the seats where Roman senators once sat, offering insights into how this engineering marvel became the heart of Roman entertainment.
After exploring the Colosseum, you’ll visit the Roman Forum, the political and social heart of ancient Rome. Walk through thousands of years of history, past temples, markets, and government buildings, and marvel at the Arch of Constantine, a triumphal arch celebrating Rome’s victory.
This tour is available in multiple languages, including Portuguese, English, German, French, and Spanish. You also have the flexibility of free cancellation, with a full refund if you cancel up to 7 days in advance.
What’s Included
- Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill entry tickets
- Fast-track entrance
- Official guide
- Guided tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill
- Entrance into restricted areas, like the Arena Floor
Ticket Price
The Colosseum Arena Guided Tour offers two main ticket options, allowing visitors to experience the Colosseum’s exclusive Arena access either in a standard group (24 people) or a smaller group (12 people), more intimate group setting. Both options include skip-the-line entry, a live English guide, and access to the Roman Forum and other key landmarks.
Standard Arena Tour Prices (24 People)
The Standard Arena Tour with a maximum of 24 participants costs €82 for adults aged 18 to 99 years. For children aged 2 to 17 years, the ticket is available at a discounted price of €68, while infants aged 1 or younger can join for free.
- Adults (18 to 99 years): €82
- Children (2 to 17 years): €68
- Infants (1 and under): Free Entry
Small Group Tour with Arena Access (12 People)
The Small Group Tour in English with Arena Access offers a more personal experience with a maximum of 12 guests. This 3-hour tour costs €100 for adults aged 18 to 99 years. Children aged 2 to 17 years can join for €85, while infants aged 1 or younger can join for free.
- Adults (18 to 99 years): €100
- Children (2 to 17 years): €85
- Infants (1 and under): Free Entry
Cancellation Policy
The ticket can be canceled up to 7 days in advance. You will receive a 100% refund.
3. Colosseum Underground and Arena Guided Tour
Step into the heart of ancient Rome with the Colosseum Underground and Arena Guided Tour, an unforgettable 3-hour experience that grants you exclusive access to the Colosseum’s underground chambers, arena floor, and more. Led by a live tour guide in English or Spanish, you’ll skip the long lines and dive straight into history.
Your adventure begins as you take in breathtaking panoramic views of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, while your guide brings the ancient world to life with fascinating stories. Then, bypass the queues and enter the Colosseum through priority access for a behind-the-scenes look at its inner workings.
Explore the underground chambers where gladiators prepared for battle and wild animals were kept before being released into the arena. Stand on the arena floor itself, imagining the roar of 50,000 spectators as you face the emperor’s seat above, where life-or-death decisions were made.
Your journey continues to the ground floor and first level, where you’ll admire the ingenious Roman architecture up close and uncover more about the Colosseum’s legacy as the epicenter of entertainment in the empire.
Please note: This tour is non-refundable and availability of starting times may vary, be sure to check in advance to secure your spot.
What’s Included
- Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
- Roman Forum guided tour.
- Colosseum skip-the-line entry ticket
- Access to the Underground
- Underground guided tour
- Access to the arena
- Access to the ground floor
- Access to the second-tier
- Access to the exhibition
- Headsets to hear your guide clearly
Ticket Price
The price for Colosseum Underground and Arena Guided Tour is €161 for adults aged 18 to 99 years. Children aged 2 to 17 years can join at a discounted price of €137, while infants aged 1 or younger can participate for €32.
- Adults (18 to 99 years): €161
- Children (2 to 17 years): €137
- Infants (1 and under): €32
Cancellation Policy
There is no refund for this ticket. Verify the time and date you have selected because any modifications made after the booking is complete will not be accepted.
Where to book Colosseum Guided Tour?
There are two main ways to book a Colosseum guided tour: through the official Colosseum website or via authorized third-party platforms.
The official website offers guided tours at a lower base price, but they often sell out well in advance, have limited language options, and the booking process can be complicated. Availability is also very limited, making it difficult for last-minute planners.
Authorized third-party websites like GetYourGuide or Tiqets offer more tour options, flexible schedules, better availability, and added features like skip-the-line access, mobile tickets, customer support, and multi-language guides. Though slightly more expensive, they provide a much more convenient and hassle-free experience – ideal for travelers looking for an easier way to book a guided tour of the Colosseum.
If you want to do a self guided tour but still want skip the access acces to save time and enegery, we suggest you read our article on Colosseum skip the line tickets.
Which Colosseum Guided Tour Is Right For You?
Selecting the ideal Colosseum tour depends on your interests, budget, and available time:
Best Value: Colosseum Arena Floor Tour
For visitors seeking the perfect balance of exclusive access and reasonable pricing, the Colosseum Arena guided tour offers exceptional value. Walking through the Gladiator’s Gate onto the arena floor provides a unique perspective that standard tickets don’t include, all at a mid-range price point.
History Enthusiasts: Underground & Arena Tour
For history buffs willing to invest in the most complete experience, the Underground and Arena tour is unmatched. The exclusive underground access reveals the “backstage” operations of ancient Rome’s greatest entertainment venue, providing insights unavailable on other tours.
Budget-Friendly Option: Standard Guided Tour
Travelers mindful of expenses will appreciate the comprehensive introduction to Rome’s ancient history provided by the standard Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill guided tour without arena access. This option still includes skip-the-line privileges and expert guidance at the most affordable price point.
Who Should Opt for the Colosseum Guided Tour?
These guided tours are perfect for first-time visitors, families, and history buffs who are interested in moving around the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. It is a perfect way for you to enjoy a full experience at an excellent price as these provide a smooth way to understand the history of ancient Rome.
These tours will make adventure-seeking and enthusiast photographers very happy too as they have access to the exclusive parts of the arena floor and underground chambers. This offers some great shots of the splendid architecture of the Colosseum and its surroundings.
Other options to tour the Colosseum
The Colosseum has a variety of tour options to suit different preferences.
You can enjoy visiting at your own pace with an audio guide or a simple entry ticket.
A private tour will give a more personal experience, while the early morning tour provides solitude in the building while you walk through it.
You can also opt for the Vatican and Colosseum guided tour and visit both of these landmarks in one go.
FAQs related to Colosseum Guided Tour
1. Does the Colosseum have guided tours?
Yes, the Colosseum offers several guided tour options starting from just €82 per person. These tours range from standard tours of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill, to special access tours like the Arena Floor and Underground tours.
2. Is it worth getting a guided tour of the Colosseum?
Yes, a guided tour is highly recommended if you want to skip the lines, access exclusive areas like the arena or underground, and gain deeper insights through expert storytelling and historical context that you wouldn’t get with a regular ticket.
3. How much does a Colosseum guided tour cost?
Colosseum guided tour prices vary depending on the type of tour:
- Standard Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Tour: from €105 per adult
- Arena Floor Guided Tour: from €82 to €100 per adult
- Underground & Arena Guided Tour: around €161 per adult
Children’s and infants’ tickets are available at discounted rates for most tours.
4. Is booking a guided tour to visit the Colosseum Arena and Guided tour necessary?
Booking a guided tour is necessary if you want access to restricted areas like the Arena Floor or Underground, as these are not included with a standard entry ticket. Guided tours also provide skip-the-line access and expert guidance.
5. What languages are the guided tours available in?
Guided tours are available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, and Japanese (depending on the tour option).
6. Is it better to take a guided tour or a self-guided tour?
A guided tour is better if you want to explore the Colosseum’s history in-depth, access exclusive areas, and avoid long lines. A self-guided tour may work if you prefer flexibility and a slower pace but offers less insight and no access to restricted areas.
7. How long does the Colosseum guided tour take?
Guided tours range from 1.5 hours to 3 hours, depending on the tour type:
- Underground & Arena tours: about 3 hours
- Standard tours: 1.5 to 2.5 hours
- Arena tours: 2.5 to 3 hours
8. Can I access the underground and arena floor with a guided tour?
Yes, but only specific guided tours include access to the underground and arena floor. You must book the “Colosseum Underground and Arena Guided Tour” or the “Arena Floor Guided Tour” to visit these areas.
9. Are skip-the-line tickets included in guided tours of the Colosseum?
Yes, skip-the-line entry is included with all guided tours, allowing you to avoid long ticket queues and enter directly with your guide.
10. Do Colosseum guided tours include access to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill?
Yes, most guided tours include access to both the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill along with the Colosseum, providing a comprehensive tour of Ancient Rome’s key historical sites.