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Is a Colosseum Tour Worth It?

Sean Finelli Last Updated: November 3, 2022

When planning a trip to Rome, there are many things to look forward to: You’ll eat pasta, drink wine, see the Sistine Chapel, and above all else, check out the Colosseum. Many people say, “you don’t even need to go inside, the outside is the best part.” Are they right? Is it worth it to go inside the Colosseum let alone take a tour?

Pro Tip:  Planning your visit to the Colosseum? Bookmark this post in your browser so you can easily find it when you need it. See our Colosseum guide for more planning resources, our  top-rated Colosseum tours  for a memorable trip, and  what to see at the Colosseum .

What Does It Mean To “See The Colosseum”?

Before deciding if it’s worth it to go inside the Colosseum or take a tour, it is important to understand what you’re going to see. Our Colosseum tours can include exclusive access areas within the Colosseum itself as well as tours of other nearby areas of interest like the Palatine Hill and Roman Forum. Here’s what you can expect when you see the Colosseum.

Areas of Interest

The colosseum.

The Colosseum is a massive amphitheater that once seated up to 80,000 spectators of brutal and murderous events of all sorts. It’s an oval structure surrounded by 240 exterior arches that served as both entranceways and structural support. Since its conception, the building has been the model for professional sports stadiums around the world.

When you purchase a general admission ticket to enter the Colosseum, it includes access to the first and second floors, but not to the arena floor where the gladiators fought.

There are all types of upgraded admissions that visit other areas, which is what we recommend doing. More on that further down. The admission ticket for the Colosseum automatically includes the Palatine Hill and Roman Forum.

The Palatine Hill

Palatine Hill is a massive archaeological site that was once the home of many Roman Emperors. The word “palace” derives from the word “palatine” since this was where the emperor’s palaces were. Why did they build their palaces here?

A few reasons, but above all, it was where the modest “hut” of Romulus once was. Romulus founded Rome atop the Palatine Hill and archaeologists are believed to have found the structural remains of his home, which you can see on top of the hill. There is a lot of speculation here, but it makes sense that Romulus would have lived in this area.

The ruins that are visible on the Palatine Hill are vast and expansive. There’s plenty to explore, check out our article on the top things to see on the Palatine Hill.

The Roman Forum

The Roman Forum is normally visited last in sequence but is definitely one of the most sought-after archaeological sites on Earth. It’s home to grand edifices of deep historical importance. There are two triumphant arches including the Arch of Titus, which gives us an early, but advanced view of specialism in art that was unparalleled until the proto-Renaissance and Renaissance.

There are a number of incredible things to see in the Roman Forum , and these archeological sites definitely make purchasing a ticket to the Colosseum worthwhile. You’ve come all this way, why not go inside? Now, is a tour of the Colosseum worth it?

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our  best Colosseum tours to take and why.

Is a Tour of the Colosseum Worth It?

Short Answer: Yes, if you have a great guide and small group.

We’re a tour company, so we’re obviously going to say yes. But we became a tour company because we know tours can enhance your experience in many ways beyond learning. Not all tours are created equally, however. Here’s what we do to make Colosseum tours worth taking:

Privileged Access Areas

General admission to the Colosseum is pretty basic, and there’s so much more you can experience with an upgraded tour. We’ve secured all types of upgraded admissions with our guided tours that will give you the experience that best suits your interests and plans.

For more in-depth information, see our maps of the privileged access in our best tours. Here is an overview of the special areas you can see in tours:

Colosseum Underground

Easily the most sought-after reservation, the Colosseum Underground ticket allows visitors to visit the Hypogeum below the stage where the wild animals and, at times, gladiators emerged from trap doors! You’ll even see replicas of ancient elevators and trap doors. We have a few tours that include this area at various price points:

• Colosseum Underground Tour with Roman Forum and Palatine Hill (most exclusive)
• VIP Colosseum at Night Tour with Underground and Arena Floor (least expensive)

Colosseum Arena Floor

The word “arena” derives from the Latin word meaning sand. The Colosseum floor was covered with sand, to soak up the blood, and was referred to as the arena.

While the arena today is a reconstruction, it’s still very cool. We have very popular and affordable tours that will get you out on the arena floor. Here are the tours that include the Arena of the Colosseum:

• Special Access Colosseum Arena Floor Tour Through the Gladiator’s Gate (most popular)

Colosseum Top Levels Tours

There are also additional levels you can visit that offer stunning views and have far fewer visitors. General admission gets you access to the first two floors. The top levels tour goes to the third, fourth, and sometimes fifth levels. This tour includes the top levels:

• Colosseum Underground + Belevedere Top Level Tour (most premium)

Top Colosseum Tours

Best Seller

Colosseum Underground Tour with Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

This is our most popular Colosseum tour due to the incredible access to non-public areas like the underground chambers. All admissions are included and it is lead by an English speaking licensed guided and Colosseum expert.

Customer Favorite

Special Access Colosseum Arena Floor Tour Through the Gladiator’s Gate

You’ll enter the Colosseum through the back door entrance avoiding lines and crowds, which is ideal! You’ll step through the gladiator’s gate and your English-speaking Colosseum guide will bring the stories to life. Next, on to the Roman Forum. All admissions are included.

Not ready to book a tour? Find out why a Colosseum tour is worth it .

Skip-the-Line Access

This is what really sets our tours apart from the rest. We have a special collaboration, so all of our tours skip the lines for tickets. We also have expedited security lines to enter, which means less time waiting to get into this popular attraction that fills up fast.

Great Tour Guides

The key to a great tour is a knowledgeable tour guide. The best guides can illuminate the seemingly uninteresting to show you the interesting side. When you couple a great guide with an incredible monument like the Colosseum, you can have one of the most memorable experiences of your life.

We’re talking about an archeological site in the center of one of the most important cities on Earth over the last two thousand years. The Colosseum was in use for hundreds of years and many have passed through it over time. People used to fight, at times to the death, inside this building—making it unreal, to say the least.

Have you heard all the stories of Christians dying inside the Colosseum? Well, it’s likely not true. Did you know the Colosseum is only a nickname? While there is a ton of history packed into the Colosseum tour, there are also many stories, anecdotes, and myth-busting you’ll miss out on otherwise.

Guides understand that in order for you to stay engaged on a tour they have to weave in scandals and anecdotes to keep things exciting—and they’ve got all the details! So, is a Colosseum tour worth it? More than you can imagine!

Most Popular Colosseum Tours

The right Colosseum tour for you will depend on your interests, budget, and your schedule. We offer tours with a range of different options from special access areas to combined tours with other top Rome attractions. Explore our catalog of Colosseum tours or check out our article on the best colosseum tours to take with maps below.

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“ Fantastic experience on two separate tours: Private tour of the Colosseum and Palatine Hill with Giovanni on day one. ” in 20 reviews

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“ With this tour you also get special access to St Peter's Basilica without having to get into another line. ” in 9 reviews

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This review is for Rome in a Day Small Group Tour with Vatican and Colosseum. Prepare to do a lot of walking, over 10 miles, which we knew was going to happen. One complaint we had was that there is way too much to take in on this all-day tour. You are constantly RUSHING with little time to stop at most of the sites. You need to spend at least 2 days seeing the many different locations on this excursion to enjoy it. The Vatican Museum part was a disappointing fast-paced walk through it. We had no time to stop and look at anything. The tour guide was knowledgeable with interesting facts about the different sites we saw.

VATICAN NIGHT TOUR-NOT WORTH IT! Guide was a young female with a heavy Italian accent,which is fine for general conversation, but terrible for amplified discussion about antiquities. First 30min of 2 1/2 hr tour wasted just to gain entry to facility. There were no lines to avoid by going on the tour as the only line was for group tours! Individuals could walk-in with no line. Another 15min were wasted with showing the group black & white pictures in a laminated notebook (instead of viewing the actual antiquity that was displayed nearby). Entry to the Sistine Chapel, keynote of the tour, was delayed until only 10min remained of the scheduled visit. Recommendation: pay regular admission with an audio guide and save $100 per couple. Mike Brown

August 16, 2023 - LOOK BEFORE YOU BOOK - SOMETHING ROTTEN IN ROMA! The reason for this email is to alert both you and your readers about using extreme caution doing business with The Tour Guy AKA The Roman Guy. There are many good companies out there such as Viators for example that are up front and follow good business practices. We booked a tour of the Coliseum, Palatine Hill and the Forum in Rome, Italy online through The Tour Guy website on May 29th, 2023 at 3:00 pm for a tour on September 12th, 2023. This tour required payment up front, which we paid $699.00 at that time. Saturday, August 5th, 2023 we received a text from "The Tour Guy" advising the tour we had paid for months before was cancelled and a new time slot was available for that morning at 11:00am. We were asked, do you accept or reject the new time. We advised we reject, as we had another tour booked already for the Vatican at that time. We were then told we are sorry; but there are no refunds for this tour!! We went back and forth, but they said our policy is no refunds or changes. THEY MADE THE CHANGE, NOT US! We then rushed to book another tour of the Coliseum with Viator; which was not available for the time we wanted months earlier and that was the reason we went with the Tour Guy. Since we are leaving in less than three weeks and have read others reviews that if you did not book well in advance, you would not be able to get the tour. The next day Sunday, August 6th, the Tour Guy sent us a text saying a one time offer for the same time that our original tour which was booked and then cancelled, was available and asked if we wanted to book it? NOOOOOO! We rushed, booked and paid for another tour elsewhere. There are plenty of tour companies out there that practice transparent and safe business practices and are truly there to provide the customer with the best experience possible, in addition to the tour itself. The Tour Guy communicated primarily with us via text. I called and called and each time the automated service tells you to email them. We did and same response via text. Finally they answered their phone, but was the same person sending the text. So needless to say, same answer. They said no refunds because we book and pay for tickets with the Coliseum in advance. If that was really true, then our tickets for 5 people would have been solidified; but instead they were cancelled by this company! The tour would not be cancellable if tickets were in hand by this company, especially since we booked the tour months before! LOOK BEFORE YOU BOOK Thanks and good luck!

August 16, 2023 - LOOK BEFORE YOU BOOK The reason for this email is to alert both you and fellow travelers about using extreme caution doing business with The Tour Guy AKA The Roman Guy. There are many good companies out there such as Viator for example, that are up front and follow good business practices. We booked a tour of the Coliseum, Palatine Hill and the Forum in Rome, Italy online through The Tour Guy website on May 29th, 2023 at 3:00 pm for a tour on September 12th, 2023. This tour required payment up front, which we paid $699.00 at that time. Saturday, August 5th, 2023 we received a text from "The Tour Guy" advising the tour we had paid for months before was cancelled and a new time slot was available for that morning at 11:00am. We were asked, do you accept or reject the new time. We advised we reject, as we had another tour booked already for the Vatican at that time. We were then told we are sorry, but there are no refunds for this tour!! We went back and forth, but they said our policy is no refunds or changes. THEY MADE THE CHANGE, NOT US! We then rushed to book another tour of the Coliseum with Viator; which was not available for the time we wanted months earlier and that was the reason we went with the Tour Guy. Since we are leaving in less than three weeks and have read others reviews that if you did not book well in advance, you would not be able to get the tour. The next day Sunday, August 6th, the Tour Guy sent us a text saying a one time offer for the same time that our original tour which was booked and then cancelled, was available and asked if we wanted to book it? NOOOOOO! We rushed, booked and paid for another tour elsewhere. There are plenty of tour companies out there that practice transparent and safe business practices and are truly there to provide the customer with the best experience possible, in addition to the tour itself. The Tour Guy communicated primarily with us via text. I called and called and each time the automated service tells you to email them. We did and same response via text. Finally they answered their phone, but was the same person sending the text. So needless to say, same answer. Look before you book!!

My husband and I arrived in Rome mid February 2020, at the beginning of Covid. Despite our hesitance to make our trip, we took our chances. We booked a private tour with an Angel, Faby. Her stories of history transcended us into time. Her joyful spirit and patience with our questions was outstanding. My family of seven will be arriving in June and would LOVE to reunite with her for another memorable tour. Can you please have her message me. Thank you

My friends and I spent a couple of days in Rome before boarding our cruise ship to go through the Greek islands so we booked a full day tour titled "Rome in a day Tour with Colosseum and Vatican Museums" with the Tour Guy. If you have a full day to explore this amazing city I highly, highly recommend you take this tour as you'll get a great taste of all the beauty this city has to offer. First and foremost I have to give a huge shout out to our amazing tour guide RAF. Thanks so much for an amazing day. It was one of the highlights of our vacation. I hope your manager sees this and realizes what a gem he has in you! This tour guide was AMAZING and so professional, personable and passionate in sharing her knowledge about all the sites we saw .... And you will see a lot of sites - the Sistine chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, the Roman forum, the Trevi fountain, Palazzo Novara, the Colosseum and more! We loved having a very comfortable external earbud that looped around one ear which gave us the ability to easily hear everything Raf had to say. Reserve this trip and get your walking shoes on for an unforgettable experience.

See all photos from Shelley B. for The Roman Guy

Fantastic experience on two separate tours: Private tour of the Colosseum and Palatine Hill with Giovanni on day one. He was very engaging and full of interesting historical facts. Day two we had an early start of the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel and back door entrance to St. Peter's Basilica with Eleanora. She was so passionate about her Roman history and fun/funny facts. Both were very memorable. The "fast pass" experience saved us so much time waiting in long lines. So worth the money!

This is a review averaging two tours - one would be no stars or negative stars if we could give them. The other 4 or 5 stars. The thing about these tour companies is they are hit or miss based on the guide. So you're taking a real chance. On your vacation,. Often on a one time thing. Our Colosseum and forum guide was lousy and incompetent. There was nothing she told us that you wouldn't have gotten with 30 minutes of homework ahead of time. At the Colosseum, she bungled the tour and so, although it was an arena floor tour, we were unable to visit the floor. For those of us looking to have that view of the Colosseum, it was a bummer. For families who had kids who are really excited about the whole gladiator thing it was devastating. And if you are a parent who enticed your kid on a multi hour tour because of the arena floor - Well, you can imagine how that went. Contrary to some reviews, the company was responsive about the problem and offered a prorated refund. But not everyone has either the time or the desire to visit the Colosseum twice. We did the private Vatican tour by contrast, and the guide was exceptional. She (ask for Alessia) is an art historian and really brought the rooms in the Vatican museum to life. She also prepared us for what we would see in the Sistine Chapel. And I think we got things from that experience that we would not have gotten from either research or an app. She made the experience what it was. Everyone says that you should get a guide in Rome. I don't think this is great advice. It totally depends. There are apps you can get for a few bucks online they will help you navigate the Forum or figure out Palentine hill. And the Colosseum is an easy one to learn about ahead of time. The tickets are not a huge mystery. Just go to the OFFICIAL website and you can get squared away, and there are plenty of discounts for kids under 18 and so forth. If all the tickets are sold out, then the guide may be the way to go simply just for access when you need it. If you have the means a private tour can be great, but do some diligence ahead of time . Ideally figure out particular guides or smaller companies that people can refer you to. With these large companies it's not that they don't want you to have a good experience, but they know there won't be a lot of repeat business, and that affects the business model. And know why you want to do the tour. If it's just tickets, you're paying a huge mark up. If you really want to learn the history, make sure you're gonna have a guide who can do that. Otherwise, it is an expensive dice roll. We did hear some great guides at the Colosseum and the forum bringing it to life. If that really matters to you, don't leave it to chance.

I don't have an account on Trip Advisor but would like to leave a review because we really enjoyed our tours. I was traveling with my Mom and it was a last minute decision. I booked the tours easily online and thank goodness I did as post covid, many things book up fast! Our first tour was for the guided tour with skip the line tickets of the Vatican and Sistine Chapel. We booked a 9:45am tour and we arrived early to our meeting point which was not difficult to find and quick to reach with Metro. We stayed near the Barberini stop so it was quick. Many other tours were meeting there and the staff were easily visible and professional. Our guide was Enza Broccoli. She was fantastic. She was professional, energetic, humble and unassuming. Also conducted herself very diplomatically around other guides who were taking a little too long at certain stops. We covered all the must see things within the 2 hour window and it went by fast!! Skip the line was a must as I remember being in that long hot line years ago when I came as a college student. She was even able to get us into a "hidden" room that was by permission only. Thank goodness for Enza cuz I'd be lost in this endless treasure trove. Affordable and time-saving esp if you are planning a short trip. If I would do anything differently in the future, I'd probably book an early morning tour (one of those breakfast ones before opening) with the company so there is less of the crowds around me. Thank you Roman Guy! I'll cover the other tour in a separate review.

See all photos from Kuishingal F. for The Roman Guy

ALBA!!! She was an amazing tour guide. We did the full day Rome tour and it was unbelievable, much more than we expected. I can't imagine a more interesting tour. We used this company for our intro to Rome, very good choice. Alba is an archeologist and knew the answers to every question. She made history come to life and made everything interesting. We did more that day than the rest of our week in Rome. The tour was well planned and very professional. My feet did hurt that night but it was worth it. For the rest of the week we made plans and restaurant choices based on the information she gave us from our day, the best tiramisu, the best fried artichoke, great restaurants, we visited sites she suggested like the Jewish ghetto, a bohemian area... we will remember that day when we think of Rome. Thank you Alba for being so amazing!

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What are the Very Best Colosseum Tours

Wanna hear something crazy? I have taken multiple Colosseum tours!

I know, it’s a little strange to go on tours of the Colosseum and Forum again and again, but I’ve been to Rome several times with people who have never been before and they have each wanted to take a tour of the Colosseum.

Obviously they did NOT trust my expertise to guide them through the Colosseum and we hired a tour.

The good news is that all of this experience taking tours has given me a unique perspective. So I am going to give you the pros and cons of some of the most popular tours of the Colosseum and Forum.

Should you take a guided tour of the Colosseum and Forum or Not?

Obviously, the very first question you are going to want to answer if you are going on a visit to Rome is should you take a tour of the Colosseum or not.

Just to be clear most of the best Colosseum tours actually combine the Colosseum AND the Forum. You will experience both during the same tour.

Since I’ve gone on guided tours of the Colosseum and Forum multiple times it is safe to assume that I have enjoyed having a tour guide. However, you can do it yourself!

You can just wander and soak in the wonder of it all. Or you can look for a good audio or written guide to follow.

I have a post here where I give you the pros and cons of whether or not you should take a tour of the Colosseum and Forum or go alone.

Hopefully it will help you to make this decision.

That said, if you DO decide to take a tour here are my thoughts about what I consider to be the best Colosseum tours. We honestly enjoyed all of these tours.

All were excellent and all are highly recommended and highly rated, but there are some differences that you might want to know.

Some More Colosseum Tours that Might Be of Interest

• Skip the Line: Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill Tour
• Colosseum VIP Access with Arena and Ancient Rome Tour
• Expert Guided Tour of Colosseum Underground, Arena and Forum

Comparison of the best Colosseum Tours that I have taken

Context travel.

On our first trip to Rome my husband and I selected Context Travel for our tours of the Colosseum. They label themselves as private or small group tours for travelers who love to learn.

We enjoyed this Colosseum and Forum tour tremendously, but it was definitely scholarly. The guides are all academics and/or specialists in their fields and they impart a LOT of knowledge. Let me tell you, these people know their stuff. These tours are deep.

Are they too deep? I’m not going to lie – there were moments on the ancient Roman Forum part of the tour when I was drifting – lost in all the Caesar’s.

Focus is not my strong point!

Just know that if you take one of these Colosseum tours you are going to learn a lot! If you loved college you will love these tours.

Context travel is a more expensive than some of the others…all that knowledge doesn’t come cheap! The good news is that when they say small group they mean it. You can even choose a private tour, but even their group tours have 6 people or less which is, in my opinion, the perfect size.

These tours tend to attract interesting and intellectual participants. We really enjoyed the people we were with on our tour of the Colosseum – even electing to continue to hang out afterward for lunch with our group and our guide.

Choose Context Travel if you are a scholarly person or if you have a strong interest in ancient Roman history.

I would definitely not take children on one of their regular tours. But they offer highly rated tours of the Colosseum about ancient Rome especially geared toward children! I hope to try one of these if I ever have the opportunity to take my grandchildren to Rome.

If you go with Context you will also be able to choose a tour that includes the arena floor of the Colosseum.

My husband is a history and architecture buff so Context Travels was the perfect choice for us for our first trip to Rome.

Walks of Italy

My daughters and I did our Colosseum tour with Walks of Italy.

The groups are bigger than Context Travel. There were between 10 and 15 participants on our tour, but there can even be more. You are given headsets to wear.

We found that we didn’t really need them as our guide was great about speaking up and being heard, but if our group had been much larger they might have been necessary.

I must confess that I hate wearing headsets so this was a drawback to me!

The guides was wonderful, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. I like the fact that they were animated and worked to keep you interested and gave just the right amount of information.

I was impressed at how well they kept a larger group engaged and entertained. The guides with Walks of Italy seem to tell more stories and are a bit less professorial than the Context guides.

Walks of Italy offers tours of the Colosseum that include the top tier and the underground. We loved the underground tour of the Colosseum and I highly recommend it.

You cannot go to the underground Colosseum on your own. You are required to be with a guide. They also have a night time tour of the Colosseum which I think would be very fun.

As with the Context tour you will need to be able to stand, walk and listen for long periods of time. This is an in-depth tour but not as studious as Context.

I would not take children on this tour particularly because it is a larger group and it would be hard for the guide to cater to them as well everyone else.

The Tour Guy (Previously the Roman Guy)

On our third trip to Rome my husband and I were traveling with our good friends Derrick and Patsy. We choose a Colosseum tour with the Roman Guy now known as the Tour Guy.

We did a private tour with just the four of us.

Our guide, a native of Rome, had visual aids to help us see what the forum would have looked like “back in the day.” She was willing to answer a myriad of questions and she hit many of the cultural notes as well as the historical.

She was also good about giving us fun facts about what the movies get wrong.

The Tour Guy does a mix of mid-size tours as well. The size depends on the tour you select, but they seem to average between 13 to 15 people.

We found our guide to be great at presenting studious material in a very interesting way. They touch on the less esoteric, more interesting to the general public topics.

I would definitely recommend them for groups with a mixed interest in history and art, groups with shorter attention spans, and groups with mixed ages.

Their tours tended to be a tad shorter than the Walks of Italy and Context travel tours which isn’t always a bad thing as there is so much standing involved on these tours.

The price is similar to Walks of Italy. If you are traveling with a group of several people you might find that it would be worthwhile to do one of their private tours so that you can have a more personalized experience.

They also offer the Colosseum underground tour. In addition they have a family friendly tours of the Colosseum which I think would be great to try if you are traveling with children.

As a general rule, I would say that they are already more family friendly than the other two tour guides.

There ya go!

Those are my thoughts on the various tours that I have tried. Hope this helps you determine the best Colosseum tours for YOU!

I would suggest to always contact these groups directly and make sure that you are getting exactly what you want and that they understand your expectations.

Some of these fill up quickly so book early. Another thing that I always do is verify the tour date and location before we leave and print out a map of the location. Give yourself plenty of time to get to your meeting place.

Most of all – ENJOY your trip to Rome. It is one of my favorite cities in the world and I hope you love it too!

Thanks so much for stopping by and we love it when you pin!

Hey y'all, I'm Emily! I'm a wife to Daniel, mother of a little girl, a flight attendant and am involved in blogging and social media. I love to travel, to read, to research children's products.

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Why Take a City Tour?

As a long-term traveler , most people assume I’d never take tours and would prefer to explore on my own. While I don’t frequently go on tours, for me it all depends on the location and tour company.

Some countries or cities are better to explore on your own, but certain activities are best enjoyed as part of a tour group. Italy is one of those places, particularly in Rome and Venice, during high season.

The lines were so long everywhere we went!

Unless you’re planning to spend a week in each city, it’s advisable to book a group tour or buy a “skip the line” ticket in advance (but keep in mind these advance tickets can still result in a long wait!).

We saw long lines of travelers with “skip the line” tickets discouraged at the long lines that awaited them. I was so happy we were on a tour – especially when standing in the blistering summer sun,

A group tour is definitely worth it, otherwise you’ll spend a good portion of your trip standing in line and this is not a good way to spend your day if vacation time is limited.

Additionally, we were traveling during the high season, so I knew there would be a lot of foot traffic, and a tour would allow us to move more quickly through the must-see sites.

Finding the Best Tour Company

It’s so important that you do your research beforehand and find a reputable company with good reviews. Make sure to read the reviews carefully as the things that someone might complain about are the things that you enjoy.

In 2014, I spent my birthday in Rome and took two The Roman Guy tours . It was such a good experience that in 2018 I enjoyed two of their newest Italy tours.

In the past four years they’ve expanded to more cities than Rome and offer a broader range of tours, too.

They were several highlights of our Italian trip, so I knew I had to share my experience:

Touring the Colosseum

First on our list was The Roman Guy Top Levels Colosseum Tour . This is my third time visiting Rome and I made many mistakes on my first couple of visits. One of them was to take a cheap tour from one of the guides just outside the Colosseum. We were with at least fifty other people and rushed through as fast as possible so they could start another tour.

With The Roman Guy’s tour I was amazed that there was no waiting in line. I repeat: no lines! This is unheard of in Rome. After an introduction outside the Colosseum we were escorted right into the entrance. Considering we were there in high season, the quick entry made the tour worthwhile from the start.

As you can expect, I was a little wary about this tour and worried it would be the same as the previous one. However, I was pleasantly surprised. This is not just your average tour.

The guide actually had keys for the exclusive access to explore the higher areas in the Colosseum. It was VIP access!

I felt like a celebrity to have such private access to one of the most famous historical monuments in the world. It felt like we had the entire Colosseum all to ourselves, which is rare, considering how popular of a site this is to visit. I’m spoiled now, and I want this kind of experience everywhere I go.

IT WAS PHENOMENAL and my mom, and I were all blown away by the experience.

And we weren’t the only ones. This is what one TFG reader said about the tour, “The Roman Guy colosseum and Roman forum tour was a stand out in the tours we did! We saw the underground and upper tiers.. even fifth level!!! The Roman Guy.. brilliant!”

After about an hour and a half in the Colosseum, we had a bathroom break before continuing on to the Roman Forum. I was happy the tour included two of the main sites giving us a chance to maximize our time in Rome. The Roman Forum was SO GOOD, and we all left in awe.

Overall, the tour was so in-depth and engaging. Flaminia, our tour guide, was so wonderful. While other tours whizzed right past us while we covered the grounds thoroughly. By the end of our tour, we were hot, exhausted, and thoroughly satisfied with our experience. I don’t want to travel without The Roman Guy ever again!

What’s Included in the Tour

This Roman Colosseum tour is three hours long with a maximum group size of 15 people for a more intimate experience. This tour includes:

• Skip-the-line Colosseum entrance tickets
• Access to the top levels of the Colosseum (third, fourth, and fifth tiers)
• An expert, English-speaking Colosseum guide
• Access to the ancient Roman Forum

The tour costs $100.29 for adults, $94.32 for children age 7-17, and $46.56 for children 6 and under.

What to Know Before Touring the Colosseum

There are a few things to know before heading to the Colosseum, whether or not you take a tour. First, there are bathrooms inside the Colosseum and right outside the back entrance. I recommend using one of these so you can focus on the tour once you get in.

There are also a few things to bring and leave behind before you visit. First, the rules say that backpacks aren’t allowed. However, many people had small backpacks and seemed to get through fine.

You’ll also want to bring comfortable shoes with a sturdy sole. The steps and floor are uneven and hard to walk on. The majority of travelers either wear sneakers or comfortable, sturdy sandals.

One of the most important things to note is that groups always have preferential treatment over individual reservations. There are security checks that delay the lines, so if you’re not with a group and you don’t have an reservation, ticket, or some type of pass, you can expect to wait in line for quite awhile – especially during the high season.

On my previous trip I visited the Vatican with the Roman Guy as well. One of the readers says, “We did the Vatican and it was outstanding. We had the best time with our Roman Guy Tours in Rome.”

Can’t recommend them enough!

Touring St. Mark’s Basilica and St. Mark’s Square

The second The Roman Guy tour we did was in Venice. It was the Hidden Venice Express Tour with Gondola Ride , which included entry to St. Mark’s Basilica, a visit to St. Mark’s Square, and a 30-minute gondola ride. It was such an amazing way to see Venice!

Because we were a part of a tour, we walked right in (no lines!) and the guide explained the history of St. Mark’s as our eyes tried to take in the beauty of the gold mosaic lined interior. This church is truly breathtaking and a must-see on any trip to Venice.

The paintings, the detail, the history – it’s absolutely remarkable!

You’re not allowed to take pictures inside so take in the moment and take some mental pictures.

Another thing you’re not allowed to do here is wear sleeveless tops and shorts, dresses, or skirts above the knees. This was the only place I actually saw this enforced. I kept my Anatomie Kenya Jacket in my purse and placed it over my sleeveless maxi dress so I could cover my shoulders to enter the cathedral. When I exited, I put it back into my purse.

After St. Mark’s, we walked through the back streets of Venice and were shocked at how quiet it was just a few minutes walk away from St. Mark’s Square. Our guide, Elenora, explained that most people only come to Venice for a day and only view the area directly in St. Mark’s Basilica and the walk to the Rialto Bridge.

Along with the basilica and St. Mark’s Square, we explored amazing side streets. While the church and square was incredibly impressive, Venice in its entirety was so stunning my eyes were overwhelmed with all the beauty.

I highly recommend you walk around the different islands south and east of St Marks. I guarantee you’ll fall in love with Venice in an entirely new way.

The walking tour was two hours, and it finished with a dreamy 30 minute gondola ride, which I shared with you on Facebook Live in the above video. This is an amazing value because the gondola tours alone are more than the entire cost of the Venice Express Tour . It’s an awesome deal!

This Venice tour is two and a half hours long with a maximum group size of 18 people for a more intimate experience. This tour includes:

• Skip-the-line access to St. Mark’s Basilica
• A tour of St Mark’s Square
• A tour of The Roman Guy’s favorite hidden gems spread throughout Venice
• A tour of the Rialto Bridge and Grand Canal
• A 30-minute gondola ride

The tour costs $70.44 for adults, $64.47 for seniors, $58.50 for students with I.D., $52.53 for children age 7-17, and $40.59 for children 6 and under.

What to Know Before Touring Venice

I picked up a few tips while visiting Venice, and I think they’re essential to know before your trip. First, St. Mark’s is a place of worship, so pictures are not allowed inside the basilica. Additionally, it’s important to dress respectfully when visiting this place of worship.

Unlike the Pantheon in Rome, the dress code was strictly enforced for St. Mark’s Basilica. I wore my Toad maxi dress, which covered my knees yet was light and comfortable enough to wear on a hot and humid day. To walk into the Basilica, I threw on my Anatomie Kenya Jacket to cover my shoulders and stored it in my Rebecca Minkoff Julian backpack when I exited the church.

There were many tourists who wore shorts or sleeveless tops and they were able to cover themselves with a wrap to walk inside the church. This is an option if you prefer to wear shorter clothing for the heat.

The guide was also helpful in sharing tips. First, she mentioned that there are many fake Italian leather products sold that are actually made in China, not Italy. She said that you can’t get an Italian leather handbag for under 50 euro, so if you find one under that amount, it’s probably a fake.

Additionally, the guide explained that the square can flood in November and December during high tides. While raised wooden walkways are placed, it may be advisable to wear rubber rain boots during this time, just in case.

Touring Versailles

One of the things I didn’t realize is that The Roman Guy now also offers tours in Paris too: The Paris Guy.

After visiting Italy and Switzerland, we finished the trip in Paris. Here we took The Paris Guy’s Golden Versailles Palace and Garden Tour .

France isn’t only known for the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. It’s also known for its revolutions and strikes. Because of this, Versailles was closed the day we visited, but the gardens were still open to visitors.

This isn’t your standard garden. Rather than flowers, the garden is home to statues and countless fountains. It was absolutely beautiful to see, and learning about the history behind the fountains, statues, and kings made the trip even more valuable.

Our guide, Z, was one of the most knowledgeable people I’ve ever met. He provided extensive information from the beginning to the very end. He was an art major with a history minor, so it was interesting to hear the story of Versailles from someone who is passionate about the topic.

This Versaille tour is three hours long with a maximum group size of 12 people for a more intimate experience. This tour includes:

• Skip-the-line tickets to the Palace of Versailles
• Access to the Hall of Mirrors and Grand Apartments
• An introduction to the Gardens of Versailles
• Free time to explore the gardens
• Train tickets from Paris to Versailles and back

The tour costs $106.11 for adults, $100.15 for seniors, $94.19 for students with I.D., $88.53 for children age 7-17, and $40.54 for children 6 and under.

What to Know Before Touring Versailles

Keep in mind that the gardens are huge. They’re so expansive you may even need to use Google Maps to navigate your way around.

Additionally, as I experienced, the palace is occasionally closed due to strikes. If exploring the palace is a must for you, consider double checking its hours the day of.

Lastly, the fountains are turned off at noon on Tuesdays and on the weekends. They’re supposed to be turned back on at 3:00pm, but that doesn’t always happen. Plan around this if you’re determined to see the fountains in action.

Thank you to The Roman Guy for treating us to these tours! I’d previously taken two of their other Rome tours in 2014 and I’m so glad that I was able to partner with them again. They have such a wide selection of tours all over Italy and have even expanded into Paris. I highly recommend them!

They’re definitely TFG Approved!

Have you ever taken a Roman Guy tour? Share your feedback below!

For more Europe packing tips, please read:

• 10-Step Packing Guide for Europe
• How to Choose the Best Shoes for Europe
• First Time Travel Tips for Europe
• Packing List for 2 Weeks in Europe

Suggested travel resources:

• Travel Shoes for Europe
• The Best Carry-on Suitcases for Europe

I hope you liked this post on my review of The Roman Guy tours. Please share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Thanks for reading!

Please note: I was a guest of the Roman Guy tours but all opinions expressed are my own.

I chatted with Paulo @ Roman Guy as I wanted the VIP tour – top levels, arena floor and underground and Roman Forum for 4 people. However it apparently is sold out. 3 of us have visited before in 1999 and 2002, however my daughter’s husband of 1 year is an architect and this is his first visit. This being said, which tour do you recommend? Arena floor and 1st 2 levels OR 3rd, 4th 5th tiers tour? OR is there another tour company who might be able to customize for us?

Hi Theese, I am sorry to hear that they are not available to do a tour for you. I am afraid that this is the only tour company I have used so can’t offer any suggestions for an alternative. For the best tour suggestions, I would highly recommend that you join our TFG facebook group and post your question there: https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelfashiongirls/ Its a fabulous community of helpful female travelers that love to share their advice and travel tips and Italy is a popular destination so they will be able to help you. Sorry I could not have been of more help. Have an amazing trip to Italy!

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Colosseum, Roman Forum & Vatican Highlights Combo Tour

• Explore the ancient Colosseum and its surroundings with a guide
• An obvious choice for time-pressed travelers and history buffs
• Get a detailed introduction to art inside the Vatican
• Skip the lines at the Colosseum, Vatican, and St. Peter's Basilica
• See itinerary
• Skip-the-line entry to the Colosseum
• Colosseum tour with first and second tier access
• Guided tour of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
• Free time for lunch in Rome (lunch at own expense)
• Skip-the-line entry to the Vatican
• Guided tour the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel
• Engaging English-speaking guides
• Maximum group size of 20 for the Vatican & 25 for the Colosseum
• Skip-the-line Entry & Visit to the St. Peter's Church
• Entry/Admission - Colosseum
• Entry/Admission - Roman Forum
• Entry/Admission - Palatine Hill
• Entry/Admission - Vatican Museums
• Entry/Admission - Sistine Chapel
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Food & Beverages
• Fontana del Colosseo, 00184 Roma RM, Italy Please arrive 10-15 minutes early. In the morning, our friendly guide will meet at the green souvenir kiosk in front of the Colosseo metro stop, located just outside the lower level holding a ''The Tour Guy'' sign.
• St. Peter's Basilica, Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City Except on Wednesdays, when the tour will end inside the Vatican Museums.
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Near public transportation
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
• A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
• Please provide the full names of all travelers when booking. Failure to present a voucher with all travelers' full names at the ticket office prior to entry may result in denied entry to the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
• Large bags, backpacks, luggage, tripods, cannot be brought into the Colosseum. There is no coat check or space on-site to leave your belongings, therefore, we encourage you to leave such items and anything similar at your accommodation.
• Guests arriving after departure cannot be accommodated, & missed tours or tickets cannot be refunded.
• We are unable to accommodate guests with wheelchairs or any walking impairments that require special assistance on our group tours. nor can we accommodate strollers or baby carriages.
• We will be subject to a security check at the entrance to all sites. Depending on the volume of visitors, we may have a short wait in the security line.
• Mandatory: Everyone is required to carry a copy of the identification page of their passports on all tours.
• Transportation from The Colosseum Area to the Vatican meeting point in the afternoon, is not included.
• Large bags, backpacks, luggage, and tripods cannot be brought into the Vatican Museums. There is a coat check at the museum entrance, however, the tour ends far away. If you choose to leave anything at the Vatican Museums coat check, you will be responsible to retrieve it on your own after the tour.
• Each traveler must present a valid passport or ID document that matches the name provided at the time of booking for successful entry to the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
• Please contact The Tour Guy to book a wheelchair accessible tour
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 25 travelers
• All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.
• You'll start at Fontana del Colosseo Fontana del Colosseo, 00184 Roma RM, Italy Please arrive 10-15 minutes early. In the morning, our friendly guide will meet at the green souvenir kiosk in front of the Colosseo metro stop, located just outside the lower level holding a ''The Tour Guy'' sign. See address & details
• 1 Colosseum Stop: 60 minutes - Admission included See details
• 2 Roman Forum Stop: 60 minutes - Admission included See details
• 3 Palatine Hill Stop: 30 minutes - Admission included See details
• 4 Vatican Museums Stop: 2 hours - Admission included See details
• 5 Sphere within a Sphere Stop: 5 minutes See details
• 6 Sistine Chapel Stop: 15 minutes - Admission included See details
• 7 St. Peter's Basilica Stop: 45 minutes See details
• You'll end at St. Peter's Basilica Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City Except on Wednesdays, when the tour will end inside the Vatican Museums. See address & details

• 587Aileen 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Rome in a day! We had an exceptional experience! The tour guide and the tour itself was simply amazing. The tour guide had such a wealth of information and such passion for making the history of Rome come alive. I highly recommend. Read more Written April 17, 2024
• Pjlewis63 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Don’t miss this tour. Lots of fun. Our guide Davide was exceptional. Very engaging and charming, very helpful with lots of tips and suggestions for restaurants to visit in Rome. The food was excellent. The company (10 tourists plus Davide) was fun. Davide was GREAT! One last thing: We had to change dates at very short notice, couldn’t participate on our original schedule. The Tour Guy was great to deal with, rescheduling us to a later date with a small (very reasonable fee). Very happy with The Tour Guy. Read more Written April 16, 2024
• Sean S 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A must do tour! We chose this tour thinking it would be amazing and we were not wrong! Serena was our guide and she is very knowledgeable and we learned so much. We took some amazing photographs of the Colusseum, The Roman Forum and the views from Palatine Hill. I highly recommend this tour. Thank you Serena and The Roman Guy for an enjoyable and memorable day. Read more Written April 16, 2024
• Getaway24564186769 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Discovering Roma. Roberta Carlucci was a fantastic tour guide! Roberta has an extensive knowledge of her city and was very engaging with our small group. Her insight of Roma is second to none. Highly recommended. Read more Written April 16, 2024
• davidaS7890CG 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Vatican private tour. Excellent guide, very very knowledgeable. Reliable tour for a great experience from finding guide to end of tour. A bit hard to find taxi afterwards. Go first thing in the morning. Read more Written April 14, 2024
• Impartialdadds 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Enjoyable and skipped the long queues to enter. Enjoyable and skipped the long queues. It is a long tour and possibly 1 jr longer than it needs to be. We had lunch before the afternoon tour so it was enjoyable. Read more Written April 14, 2024
• D797OHstuarts 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Worth the money Alex our guide was very good and knowledgeable. Access to the Vatican without a skip the line or pre-booking would have been a nightmare if not impossible. We did speed through the museums at quite a rate so if you are wanting to take your time this would not be the trip for you although we were given the option to go back without our guide if we wanted. Be ready for the crowds, we went on a Saturday and it was absolutely packed. Sistine is a must see for everyone and did not disappoint. The basilica is huge and very calm which was nice at the end of the tour. On the whole worth the cost for a once in a lifetime trip. Read more Written April 14, 2024
• I333UXmatthewh 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing piece of history We had a great time on this tour. Being on the Colosseum Floor was a once in a lifetime experience and we would definitely recommend. Read more Written April 13, 2024
• 69virginiaa 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Please consider your options carefully for your precious vacation hours. I had a unforgettably bad experience. What made is worse is that I emailed the company and responded to their email for review and NO one responded to me. This says alot about the company. Re; the individual who led my tour-2/3 of the group did not think that the tour was remotely worth it. We all agreed that the guide was not informed, and when i finally asked him if he could explain the symbolism of the dove and bow he said that he did not know! How could he not know two iconic symbols like that? The idea that you will have a semi private tour at night is also crap-the place over flowed with tours and unfortunately the security could not keep babies from screaming and locals laughing while in the chapel. Our guide also talked with us-I thought it was to be silence. I found more information listening to the other tour than from the guy leading our tour. Read more Written April 13, 2024
• Roam277540 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Rome cataclysm The trip itself was very nice, but the infrastructure of the transportation was poor. Long waits for the busses going both to and from the catacombs put a damper on our day’s activities… Read more Written April 12, 2024
• Jason H 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Whirlwind tour well-worth the price Very knowledgeable and professional guide, very patient with our group! Seeing the main attractions in Rome over 7 hours is a daunting task, but we felt that we saw enough of each place to decide where we wanted to spend the remaining days on our trip. There was no obvious time to tip our guide, so some missed the opportunity at the very end of the day- keep that in mind, because you’ll definitely want to tip! Skipping the lines at each place made the price well-worth the money. I will recommend this to anyone I know coming back to Rome. Really had a great time. Read more Written April 12, 2024
• MichelleC506 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Marco ROCKS! I cannot say enough great things about this trip. First and foremost, I suggest doing as we did and book the first available morning tour. This allows you to get in before huge throngs of people. Even with the skip the line, there are lines. However in the early morning, they are small and quite manageable. Easy to locate our guide, Marco and the headsets provided made his interesting and informative narrative easy to hear. There will always be TONS of people here but Marco really did help us to navigate the crowds wonderfully! This is a LONG tour but there is SO much to see and the time just flew by! The pace was fast but there is so much to see and cover! What made this so special really was Marco. He was passionate, accurate yet concise and engaging (with a lovely sense of humor) LOVED this tour!! Read more Written April 11, 2024
• Sensenigr 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Some minor hiccups, but a wonderful tour We took the evening tour at 6:30PM on April 1. We had a long day, with a lot of jet lag; however, had an overall lovely time. Our tour guide for this evening was Ben and she took us through Trastevere like an expert. We had a great group, just 1 or 2 people over the max number allowed; however, I guess that is reasonable? There was quite some confusion with the meeting location on this evening. They do give you specific information on where to meet; however, no one was at the location when we arrived 15 minutes early. 2 minutes before the meeting time, I get a text telling me I am in the wrong location. The meeting location given actually matches more than one place exactly. In fact, we even asked several local people including a sanitation worker and a restaurant employee and they both assured us we were in the correct place. Anyway, after those minor hiccups, we did have a wonderful evening. A word of advice: Plenty of food and plenty of wine, just as I wanted and just as expected. There are so many charming spots here in Trastevere and our sample of stops were a few of those. Our tour guide was great, and we would take this tour again. Read more Written April 10, 2024
• Jackie E 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Well worth a visit. The tour guide was amazing & was very knowledgeable answering any questions with confidence, she also made some light hearted comments which kept you interested. Read more Written April 9, 2024
• Emmamoss87 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles 1st night in Rome- a perfect start! Fabulous tour jam packed with loads of extra little nuggets of information. Davide was the perfect host who circulated the group so well, making time for everyone. This was our first night in Rome & he gave us tips of where to eat the next few days depending on area. All in all a great tour & I’d highly recommend! Read more Written April 9, 2024

More to explore in Rome

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Colosseum, Roman Forum & Vatican Highlights Combo Tour provided by The Roman Guy

Number 1 Best Tour in Rome | The Roman Guy Tours

by Progressive Traveller | Europe , Featured , Italy

Ancient Rome Guided Tour with The Roman Guy

Visiting Rome is on most people’s bucket list but deciding what to see in Rome in a short time frame can be somewhat overwhelming. No matter what you finally decide on, your Rome experience will be forever etched in your heart. I’ve been fortunate to visit Rome on a few occasions and I’m now starting to visit Rome like I’m a local.

New visitors to the Eternal City must see the Rome city wonders – Vatican, Sistine Chapel, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and the magnificent Rome Colosseum. Preparation is the key to enjoying the best that Rome has to offer. It is essential that you Skip the Line and book Rome tours well in advance to ensure you see and learn all about the ancient history of Rome.

Best Rome Tour Guides

There are a dime-a-dozen Rome tour operators however not all tour guides are created equal! With limited time on your hands, it is important that you connect with the best Rome tour operators. I can highly recommend ‘ The Roman Guy ’ Italian tours and experiences, as they offer the best small group and private guided tours throughout Italy. I believe, their passionate English-speaking guides are the best informative tour guides in Rome .

Although, I have been to the Colosseum before, I decided on my recent Rome visit that I would take the Colosseum Underground  and Arena Floor Tour with The Roman Guy. To skip the line, pre-purchase Colosseum tickets online. It’s super easy.

Dungeons and Passageways

The three-and-a-half-hour tour started in the Colosseum dungeons where the slaves and animals were kept and awaited their grisly fate. Hundreds of wild animals were stored below the Colosseum for 3 or 4 days without food before an event. Slave hunters fought the wild animals (not the gladiators) with most hunters being mauled to death. The highlight of the games was the last act of the day when the gladiators did battle on the Arena floor in front of the roaring crowd.  

In 2010, after a $1.4 million renovation project the Colosseum underground was opened to the public. The Hypogeum as it is known is an entire network of underground passages, tunnels, lifts and trapdoors. Here is where our guide explained the architectural history behind the roman construction of the Colosseum and how the gladiators and wild animals could appear onto the arena floor like magic. As I wandered through the underground network I could imagine the gladiators walking these same corridors and feel the slaves terror!

Who Built The Colosseum?

This magnificent stone and concrete monument was built by tens of thousands of Jewish slaves between 72AD and 80AD. It is the largest oval shaped amphitheatre in the world measuring 189m long x 156m wide and around the height of a 12-story building. The original Arena floor was made of timber and the building could seat almost 60,000 screaming spectators and VIPs. A large awning of sails called a ‘Velarium’ was used to protect the spectators from the burning sun and Rome summer heat. Today, only one-third of the Colosseum remains after being damaged by fires, earthquakes and vandals. Your best Instagram photo opportunities are from The Arena Floor of the Colosseum.

After taking dozens of photos, the tour continued to the Colosseum’s first and second levels. The Emperors once sat here and this is where our guide educated us on the rules of the gladiatorial games for both competitors and spectators. The women’s section was located on the top level with no seats or water fountains unlike the other levels.

Ancient City of Rome | The Forum Tour

Included in the Colosseum Arena Floor ticket is a guided ancient Rome tour of the Roman ruins inside The Forum. Referred to as the “Ancient City”, this Roman archaeological site was once the location of downtown Ancient Rome. During our tour, we visited the most famous Roman Forum buildings, including the Temple of Julius Caesar, Arch of Titus, the Roman Senate House and more.

Julius Caesar Temple

The Julius Caesar Temple was built in his honour and this is the location where his body was burned after he was stabbed to death at Largo di Torre Argentina. I found the guide’s tales of Mark Antony, Cleopatra and the Vestal Virgins totally fascinating. Rome’s Eternal Flame is now only ruins but the story lives on how the Vestal Virgins took vows of chastity and were charged with keeping a sacred fire that was never to be extinguished.

Senate House

Palatine Hill | Perfect for Picnics and Sunsets

Also included in The Roman Guy ticket is a guided tour of Palatine Hill situated on one of the seven founding hills of Rome. Palatine Hill in my opinion is one of the best ancient sites in Rome. According to legend, Lupercal Cave at Palatine Hill is where the she-wolf saved the young twins Romulus and Remus from certain death by suckling them from her teats. In adulthood, Romulus killed Remus in anger and later became the first King of Rome. The panoramic sights from the hill offer unparalleled views over the Roman Forum and Rome city.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Roman Guy tour of the Colosseum Underground and Arena Floor plus learning about the history surrounding The Forum and Palatine Hill. This tour is an ideal way of ticking off a number of key sights in Rome in a short time.

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Italy Blog Series

Italy has captured the hearts of travellers for centuries. It is a country that you will want to visit again and again. You will adore the history, architecture, food and its people. Our Italy blog series will help you to discover the best of Italy, fall in love with all things Italian and enhance your stay in this magnificent country. Ciao!

• 1 Night in Verona
• 3 Luxurious Nights in Venice
• 2 Romantic Days in Florence
• 5 Days in Rome | Best Rooftop Bars
• 3 Days in Rome Itinerary
• Puglia Italy Road Trip – Part 1
• Puglia Italy Road Trip – Part 2
• 3 Nights | Lecce Best City in Puglia
• 3 Place You Must Visit in Rome – City Wonders
• Trastevere Food Tour Rome with The Tour Guy – Eat Like a King!
• 2 Venice Tours You Must Do – Venice City Tours
• 9 Best Things To Do In Brindisi Italy

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The 5 Best Rome Colosseum Tours With Skip-the-Line Access

A s the most enduring symbol of the Roman Empire and one of the most famous landmarks in the world, the Colosseum receives more than 6 million visitors per year, so it's not easy to escape the crowds. A visit is worth it, though, if you want to see the world's largest amphitheater – once known as the Flavian Amphitheater – and try to imagine what it would have been like 2,000 years ago.

A standard ticket to the Colosseum also includes access to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, so many (but not all) tours also include those ancient sites. Inside the ancient complex, there is very little signage explaining what you're looking at. A good guide will not only get you skip-the-line access but also bring these incredible places to life. Keep in mind that most Colosseum tours only give you access to the arena floor and upper level. If you want to visit the underground hypogeum, you need to make sure it's included in the tour.

Crown Tours: Skip the line Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum tour

Price: Adults from $84; kids from $67

Duration: 3 hours

Standout perk: Engaging guides speak several languages.

Selected by GetYourGuide as a Certified Experience, this group tour starts at the Colosseum, then takes you to the Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum. Groups consist of up to 30 people, and tourgoers are given headsets so they can better hear and follow the guide. The tour meets at Largo Gaetana Agnesi on the hill overlooking the Colosseum about 30 minutes before the official entry time to get everyone checked in and set up with headsets. The guide then leads participants into the Colosseum and up to the second level, where there's a chance to stop and take photos. On the way back down, there's another photo-op at the arena level before the guide leads the group over to the Palatine Hill and Roman Forum.

Crown Tours also offers guided tours of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter's Basilica, as well as the Borghese Gallery, Pantheon and other sites.

Local tip: This tour is offered over a variety of time slots every day. Pick one of the earlier time slots to make sure you'll finish up by lunchtime.

Check prices & availability on:

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Through Eternity Tours: Ultimate Colosseum Tour with Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

Price: Adults from $105; kids from $95

Standout perk: This tour includes the Palatine Hill, which some tours skip.

Recent visitors praise the knowledgeable guides for their passion about ancient history and keeping the tour moving while explaining everything in detail. This tour starts at 9:30 a.m. seven days a week and finishes up around lunchtime. In addition to the Colosseum, highlights include the Via Sacra and the House of the Vestal Virgins in the Roman Forum, as well as the Farnese Gardens on the Palatine Hill.

This tour starts at 9:15 a.m. daily. Groups are limited to 10 people; if six or more people are taking the tour, the guide gives out headsets so everyone can hear. Participants are asked to meet 10 minutes before the start time in front of Cafe/Restaurant Angelino ai Fori on Largo Corrado Ricci. The tour is stroller-accessible, but not wheelchair-accessible. Participants should wear comfortable shoes and bring a water bottle, especially on hot days.

Through Eternity Tours offers a variety of group and private tours of Rome and other destinations, including Florence , Naples and Pompeii.

Local tip: Book a table at the nearby Taverna dei Fori Imperiali to enjoy a leisurely lunch after the tour.

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LivTours: The Best of Colosseum & Ancient Rome With Exclusive Arena Access

Price: Adults from $163; kids from $145

Standout perk: Virtual reality headsets show what the ancient sites would have looked like.

Recent tourgoers praise the guides on this tour for bringing the facts and stories about ancient Rome to life. Along with the confirmation email, participants receive an invitation to download an app. During the tour, the guide gives everyone a cardboard virtual reality headset that works with the app and shows a reconstruction of the Colosseum and the surrounding valley. After visiting the Colosseum, the tour continues to the Palatine Hill and Roman Forum, where the virtual reality headsets show you a reconstruction of the Circus Maximus and the structures in the Roman Forum. At all the sites, you get skip-the-line access.

These semiprivate tours are guaranteed to have no more than six people, making them a more personalized experience than other group tours. However, because the tours are small, the guides don't use headsets, and some participants noted that it can be difficult to hear the guide over the noise in the Colosseum.

Local tip: You can get some great photos from the upper level, especially if you stand at the apex of the oval.

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Roma Experience: Private Colosseum Tour With Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

Price: From $531

Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes

Standout perk: See these ancient sites with an archaeologist who dug at the Roman Forum.

For a deeper understanding (no pun intended) of the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, a tour with Elisa Valeria Bove, CEO of Roma Experience, is one of the best you can buy. She studied archaeology and has been involved in excavations at the Roman Forum and other sites, so she's just the person to guide you if you want to get beyond the surface level. Her private tours range from just under three hours for a skip-the-line Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill tour to the full-day "See Rome in One Day" tour, which also includes a guided visit of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. Be sure to specify if you want to visit the hypogeum when you book.

Roma Experience organizes bespoke private tours throughout Italy, including multiday itineraries. Bove will work with you to customize your experience and bring you to places you wouldn't think to visit, like Quintili's Villa on the ancient Appian Way.

Local tip: If you want to see another incredible archaeological park, let Bove take you to Ostia Antica, less than an hour from Rome.

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Imago Artis Travel: Timeless Tales of Gods and Laymen of the Ancient Rome

Price: On request

Duration: 4 hours

Standout perk: This tour includes the Pantheon in addition to the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

Founded by three art historians with a passion for Roman art and history, Imago Artis Travel offers bespoke private tours of Rome and beyond. Imago Artis works closely with their clients to craft personalized itineraries that highlight the city's most incredible monuments and hidden gems. This tour lasts a half-day and includes the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill and Pantheon, with an optional stop for espresso, but you can customize the itinerary to do a full-day tour or multiday itinerary.

Other itineraries that include the Colosseum bring visitors to the Basilica of San Clemente, known as the "lasagna church" because it was built in layers: The deeper you descend, the further back in time you go. Imago Artis also grants visitors exclusive access to off-limits places, such as a church overlooking the Roman Forum. The company also organizes multiday itineraries throughout Italy.

Local tip: There's an element of surprise and delight with Imago Artis that's hard to find elsewhere, especially if your guide is Fulvio De Bonis, one of the company's founders.

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Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Laura Itzkowitz is a Rome-based freelance journalist who thinks about the Roman Empire all the time. She has visited the Colosseum in the morning, in the evening after the crowds have left, on group tours and private tours. To curate this list of the best Colosseum tours, she used her own experience as well as her research expertise, culling tips from locals and visitors.

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