Colosseum Small Group Experience Official Guided Tour
Description
Save precious time with a tour of the Colosseum and look inside one of the greatest monuments of the Roman Empire. Follow in the footsteps of emperors and gladiators. Save time waiting in ticket lines with this tour that includes Colosseum admission. An expert English-speaking guide will take you on a journey back in time, recreating the amazing history and mysteries of the largest amphitheater ever constructed in the centre of ancient Rome. On your tour, you will venture deep inside the walls of the Colosseum discovering its many secrets and gory past. You will visit the ground floor and the second level giving you a great view inside the Colosseum. Free time to explore the additional areas at the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill!
Tour Options
Itinerary
In 1990, the Colosseum, along with all the historical centre of Rome, the Vatican extraterritorial zones in Italy and the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, while in July 2007 was included among the New seven Wonders of the World.
Roman Forum, Latin Forum Romanum, the most important forum in ancient Rome, is situated on low ground between the Palatine and Capitoline hills. The Roman Forum was the scene of public meetings, law courts, and gladiatorial combats in republican times and was lined with shops and open-air markets. Under the empire, when it primarily became a centre for religious and secular spectacles and ceremonies, it was the site of many of the city’s most imposing temples and monuments. Among the structures surviving in whole or in part are the Temple of Castor and Pollux, the Temple of the Deified Caesar, the Mamertine Prison, the Curia (senate house), the Temple of Saturn, the Temple of Vesta, the Temple of Romulus, the Arch of Titus, the Arch of Septimius Severus, and the Cloaca Maxima.
The Arch of Constantine (Italian: Arco di Costantino) is a triumphal arch in Rome dedicated to the emperor Constantine the Great. The arch was commissioned by the Roman Senate to commemorate Constantine's victory over Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge in AD 312. Situated between the Colosseum and the Palatine Hill, the arch spans the Via Triumphalis, the route taken by victorious military leaders when they entered the city in a triumphal procession. [a] Dedicated in 315, it is the largest Roman triumphal arch, with overall dimensions of[1] 21 m (69 ft) high, 25.9 m (85 ft) wide and 7.4 m (24 ft) deep. It has three bays, the central one being 11.5 m (38 ft) high and 6.5 m (21 ft) wide and the laterals 7.4 m (24 ft) by 3.4 m (11 ft) each. The arch is constructed of brick-faced concrete reverted in marble.
The Temple of Venus and Roma (Latin: Templum Veneris et Romae) is thought to have been the largest temple in Ancient Rome. Located on the Velian Hill, between the eastern edge of the Forum Romanum and the Colosseum, in Rome, it was dedicated to the goddesses Venus Felix ("Venus the Bringer of Good Fortune") and Roma Aeterna ("Eternal Rome"). The building was the creation of the emperor Hadrian and construction began in 121. It was officially inaugurated by Hadrian in 135 and finished in 141 under Antoninus Pius. Damaged by fire in 307,[1] it was restored with alterations by the emperor Maxentius.
The Palatine Hill, (/ˈpælətaɪn/; Latin: Collis Palatium or Mons Palatinus; Italian: Palatino [palaˈtiːno]) which is the centremost of the Seven Hills of Rome, is one of the most ancient parts of the city and has been called "the first nucleus of the Roman Empire." The site is now mainly a large open-air museum while the Palatine Museum houses many finds from the excavations here and from other ancient Italian sites. Imperial palaces were built here, starting with Augustus. Before imperial times the hill was mostly occupied by the houses of the rich. The hill originally had two summits separated by depression; the highest part was called Palatium and the other Germalus (or Cermalus). Using the Forma Urbis its perimeter enclosed 63 acres (25 ha); while the Regional Catalogues of the 4th century enclose 131 acres (53 ha).
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The tour reservations have strict timing. To join the tour you are required to be at the meeting point for check-in at least 30 minutes prior to your tour departure time.
- 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.
- Please be advised capacity regulations and security may delay the tour departure This could also influence the smooth running of the tour especially on national holidays and events.
- Cancellations, changes or issues due to weather, security and events held by the monument are beyond our control and are directly decided by their administration team. These issues will be reviewed by us and dealt with on an individual basis but are the responsibility of the monument.
- All visitors must pass through the monument/attraction security check please allow at least 20 minutes to clear security.
- The exact timings and reservations can vary, dependant on the monument/attractions administration offices availabilities and decisions on the booking day and can be subject to last minute changes. Departure time can differ up to 20 minutes from your selected time.
- Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair.
- Please be aware that large bags/backpacks/suitcases are not permitted in the monument/ attraction. Only very small bags are allowed. Please do not bring these items with you on the day of your tour as there are no cloakrooms at the monument.
- 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.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Pets are not allowed inside the venue
- All the refund requests must be done within and not later than 48 hours from the day of the tour
- If you arrive late for the meeting time, it will not be possible to join the group or reschedule, unless you pay for the activity again. As per "No Show" rules you will not be entitled to a refund.
- The itinerary may vary depending on weather conditions (ice, rain, or high temperatures) or other events beyond the travel agency's control.
- Tour Guide not included if the Auodioguided tour option is chosen
Reviews(38)
Our tour guide was excellent and personable & our group was small so we were able to move through what is a very busy place with ease.
Thank you for your kind review! We’re so pleased to hear you had an excellent tour experience. A small group really does make it easier to enjoy and explore such a busy and fascinating site comfortably. We’re especially happy that your guide made the experience both enjoyable and personal. We hope to welcome you again soon!
We had Eva as our guide! Super good tour, a lot of great information, and also good answers to our questions! I would recommend! The experience lifts with the guide!
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed your Colosseum Small Group Experience with Eva. Her passion, knowledge, and ability to answer questions truly make the tour special. We really appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again for another unforgettable experience in Rome!
Very well curated, tour guide was very knowledgeable and friendly! Had a great time and learned a lot. Highly recommend
Dear Guest, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the tour and appreciated our knowledgeable and friendly guide. It’s always a pleasure to know our guests had a great time while discovering the history of the Colosseum — your recommendation means a lot to us! We hope to welcome you again soon for another unforgettable experience in Rome. Warm regards, The Colosseum Experiences Team
Map for the audio guide was not easy to follow and we wasted a lot of time trying to find particular points listed in the audio guide. Save your money and just buy a ticket without the audio guide and just read the information about the points of interest as you come to them.
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re sorry to hear that you found the map for the audio guide a bit difficult to follow. We always appreciate comments like yours, as they help us improve the experience for future visitors. Regarding the tickets — of course, they can also be purchased directly, if available. However, availability at the Colosseum is often limited, while our agency has guaranteed tickets every day, ensuring smooth access without the risk of sold-out dates. We hope you still enjoyed your visit to the Colosseum, and we’d be delighted to welcome you again for an even better experience next time.
Sound system was poor and tour guide walked too fast. You could do this on your own. Also, there were many artifacts and cases not pointed out.
Dear Customer, Thank you for sharing your feedback. We are sorry to hear that the pace and sound system did not fully meet your expectations. We always aim to offer a comfortable and engaging experience, and your comments will help us improve. At the same time, we’d like to point out that many other guests who joined the same tour appreciated both the content and the guidance received. Experiences can sometimes feel different depending on personal preferences, and we truly regret that yours was not as enjoyable as it could have been. We appreciate your review and will continue working to ensure that each visitor has the best possible experience at the Colosseum. Best regards, Stefano
Would absolutely do again! So soooo nice to be able to skip the line and do the audio guide. Daniele was also super responsive and helpful when my partner and I accidentally went to the wrong location.
Fantastic tour. The meeting point is located a couple of minutes away from the Colluseum, near to what was the Gladiator training school. Perfect place to meet, as there was no crowds there. We were met by tour guide called Eva, who lead us through the Colluseum, Palatine Hill and the Forum. Eva was outstanding as a guide. Thank you so much. We learned loads of interesting facts over the 2.5 hours. This tour was a highlight of our Rome visit.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! 🌟 We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and that the meeting point worked out perfectly for you, away from the crowds. Eva will be thrilled to know her knowledge and passion made such a difference to your experience. It’s fantastic that the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum tour became one of the highlights of your trip to Rome. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable experience in the Eternal City! 🇮🇹✨
Eva was our tour guide and found her very well researched and informative, she was also very considerate and patient with the group and their needs including but not limited to considerate of shade and the need for water and bathroom breaks, and i personally found her engaging, articulate and very friendly to everyone, the tour itself was well organised and well prepared ensuring everyone in the group was accounted for especially in the throng of other groups! Thanks so much Eva!
Thank you so much for your glowing review! 🌟 We’re thrilled to hear how much you enjoyed the tour and that Eva made such a positive impression with her knowledge, patience, and thoughtful care for the group’s needs. She will be so happy to know that her attention to detail and friendly approach made your experience memorable. It’s wonderful that you found the tour well organized and engaging even among the many groups at the Colosseum. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back on another tour in Rome soon! 🇮🇹✨
An excellent guide, so full of energy and historical information. Barbara looked after the group and made sure we saw everything!
It's great to read your comment! We're really glad you found the guide full of energy and historical information. Barbara is fantastic, and we really care that our guests see all the best. Thanks again!
This was the worst tour I have ever been on… our guide was truly terrible. I have experienced tours at the colosseum 4 times and this one sadly was so disappointing. I was joined by three people who were going to the colosseum for the first time and they were excited to be enlightened by the history of the colosseum. In the contrary they learned nothing, did not enjoy the experience and also were unimpressed with the entire landmark because of the lack of explanation received during the tour.
Dear Client, We are sorry the tour did not meet your expectations. We have reviewed the feedback from your group's participants and couldn't find any similar complaints. The itineraries of the tours we offer are planned to allow our customers to get the best out of the visits and to optimize the time available. In any case, our guides are all experts, trained, and passionate. Although they give their best, they may only be appreciated by some as opinion is an entirely personal factor. Please get in touch with us to check through your booking code and which tour you have participated in and make the right decisions. Nonetheless, we have also forwarded this to our Guide Management department so that it can be looked at and followed up with the guide in case it is needed. Our local guides, selected for experience and professionalism, try their best to share their passion for their country and local History; we apologize that the guided tour was disappointing for you, and we will do our best to avoid it again. If you contact us directly at info @ tourinthecity.com with your comments, please do not hesitate to provide your booking reference number so we can follow up with the relevant people for you. Thank you for leaving us your review once again. We hope to hear from you soon. Kind Regards, Stefano
