Colosseum Tours

Choose the best Colosseum guided tour

Colosseum and Roman Forum guided tour

4.5

500+ reviews

Travel back in time to the era of Roman Emperors and gladiator games with a guided tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum. Uncover the mysteries behind the world’s largest amphitheater and stroll through the political and commercial heart of Ancient Rome with the help of an expert guide.

Includes

  • Priority access to the Colosseum and Roman Forum
  • Live guide in English, French, Italian and Spanish
  • Optional headsets

Best price:

€62

Book now

Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill guided tour

4.7

20,000+ reviews

Discover the Colosseum, Rome’s most emblematic symbol, along with the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill on a guided group tour. With the help of an expert guide by your side, you will explore all major monuments, palaces and other historical highlights in the archeological park.

Includes

  • Priority tickets to the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
  • Live guide in English

Best price:

€44

Book now

Colosseum with Arena and Underground guided tour

4.8

800+ reviews

Delve deep in the history of ancient Rome with a guided visit to the Colosseum, its world-famous arena where gladiators fought to the death and the hypogeum, the underground ‘backstage’ network of tunnels and chambers. Continue your journey through time with a tour of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

Includes

  • Priority tickets to the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
  • Access to Colosseum Arena and Underground areas
  • Live guide in English

Best price:

€99

Book now

Colosseum with Arena guided tour by night

4.5

300+ reviews

Experience the Eternal City like never before with an evening guided tour of the Colosseum. Under the atmospheric moonlight, you can take in a breathtaking view of Rome from the ancient amphitheater’s stands and explore its legendary arena. Your guided visit also includes a stroll through the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

Includes

  • Evening access to the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
  • Access to the Colosseum Arena (optional access to Underground areas)
  • Live guide in English

Best price:

€79

Book now

Rome Combo: Vatican City & Colosseum guided tour

4.5

11,000+ reviews

Visit two of Rome's most iconic landmarks on an unforgettable walking tour: the Colosseum and the Vatican. Walk in the footsteps of the legendary gladiators who entertained emperors and the people of Rome in the world’s greatest arena. Immerse yourself in the rich history and stunning art of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, in the heart of the Catholic Church.

Includes

  • Priority access to the Colosseum, Forum and Palatine Hill
  • Skip the line entrance to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel
  • English-speaking guide

Best price:

€93

Book now

Colosseum tours explained

Guided Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum tours

Take a step back in time and visit three of the most important and impressive ruins from ancient Rome with an expert guide by your side. Guided tours typically cover the Colosseum, as well as the major archeological sites and attractions at Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum. On your 3-hour tour, you will learn about life, death, entertainment in antiquity, as well as the politics and founding myths of the Eternal City.

Colosseum Arena and Underground tours

Skip the long lines to the Colosseum and explore its arena and underground areas, with a professional guide revealing everything there is to know about Rome’s iconic amphitheater. See where gladiators fought and entertained, navigate through the labyrinthine underground tiers and then visit the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. These 3-hour tours offer an unrivaled and comprehensive experience at the world’s greatest arena.

Colosseum by Night tours

For an even more intimate and uniquely atmospheric experience at the Colosseum, you can plan an evening visit. With these tickets in hand and the help of an experienced guide, you will get to explore the Colosseum, including the maze-like underground areas and the arena. Colosseum by Night tours are packaged with a live guide (in English or Italian) and last about 1.5 hours.

Belvedere tours

Experience the Belvedere, the Colosseum's upper tiers, where ancient Roman spectators once marveled at intense gladiator battles unfold in the area, on an exclusive guided tour. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking views and accompanied by expert guides, delve into the lives of gladiators, the amphitheater’s architectural and engineering feats, as well as the enthralling tales behind this iconic symbol of ancient Rome.

Private Colosseum tours

Avoid the crowds and enjoy an intimate experience at the Eternal City’s iconic landmark with a guided private tour. Dive into the rich history and legendary stories of the Colosseum, from the underground passages to the top tier and get a personalized view of the epic world of gladiators and emperors. These small-group tours offer a unique experience of this ancient wonder, catering to your interests and desires.

Colosseum Combo tours

Make the most of your time in Rome with a combination tour to the Colosseum and beyond. Explore the iconic amphitheater and its fascinating history, then discover the treasures of the Vatican Museums or the beauty of the Borghese Gallery. Expert guides will walk you through each attraction, providing insights into their historical and cultural significance. Combination tours offer an unforgettable journey through the Eternal City’s history and art.

Plan your visit

Opening hours

29th October to 28th February: 9 AM to 4:30 PM

1st to 25th March: 9 AM to 5:30 PM

26th March to 31st August: 9 to 7:15 PM

1st to 30th September: 9 AM to 7 PM

1st to 28th October: 9 AM to 6:30 PM

Last admissions are one hour before closing time.

Visit duration

It usually takes about an hour for individual visitors to visit the main Colosseum area, while guided tours can last 1.5 to 2 hours. Exploring Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum, which are in the same archeological area, can easily add another hour to a visit.

Location

The Colosseum is located in the city center of Rome, to the east of the Roman Forum and between the Palatine and Esquiline Hills. It is easily accessible by public transportation, including buses and the metro, and is within close distance from many other famous landmarks in the city, such the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and the Basilica of Saint Mary Major. Surrounding the grand amphitheater is the Monti neighborhood, with its quaint streets, cozy cafés and charming boutique shops.

Google maps directions

Entrance

There are three entrances to the Colosseum, two on the western side of the amphitheater and one on the opposite end. On the western side and facing the Arch of Constantine is the 'Sperone Valadier' main entrance for individual visitors, groups and people with disabilities, while the 'Stern' entrance on the eastern side is typically reserved for school groups.

Services

As with all monuments and tourist attractions in Rome, there are toilets inside the Colosseum, which are located to the left of the ticket booths, as soon as you enter from the main entrance.

Inside there are also toilets and lifts for people with disabilities, baby-changing facilities, fountains to fill your water bottles, vending machines, benches to rest and a gift shop.

Activities

Special events, such as art exhibitions, moon-lit guided tours, book presentations and workshops, are often hosted in the Colosseum archeological park, shedding light on the grand amphitheater’s rich history and the restoration work being carried out. Depending on the nature and timing of these events, access to them may be included with your Colosseum tickets, at no extra charge. For further details, consult the official website’s events page.

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there are no cafés or designated dining areas inside the Colosseum. You can, however, take your own food and snacks with you and there are fountains to fill your water bottles.

Should you prefer to grab a bite before or after your visit, there are many places to eat in the areas around the Colosseum.

In the restaurants you can savor many traditional Italian pasta dishes, such as cacio e pepe, alla Gricia, and alla Carbonara, as well as meat and fish classics, like Saltimbocca alla Romana, Coda alla Vaccinara and Filetti di Baccalà.

There are also many vegetarian and vegan options, such as Carciofi alla Giudìa and alla Romana, Cicoria ripassata and Fiori di Zucca.

If you are on the go, you can always try the time-tested classics of pizza al taglio and sandwiches, while traditional Roman desserts include crostata ricotta e visciole and maritozzi that can be found in most pasticceria and bakeries.

As it is centrally located in Rome, the Colosseum is a convenient starting point to visit many other of the city’s iconic monuments, landmarks and attractions. These can easily be accessed on foot or by using the city’s public transportation system (including buses and the metro).

The Arch of Constantine, just outside of the Colosseum, was built in the early 4th century to commemorate Constantine the Great's victory over his predecessor, Maxentius.

To the west of the Colosseum is Palatine Hill, one of Rome’s Seven Hills, with lush gardens, archeological areas and a panoramic view of the city. The Roman Forum, also nearby, is an impressive open-air museum with ruins of ancient temples, public buildings and markets. Colosseum tickets typically include access to both sites.

Further away, you can also visit Capitoline Hill, another one of Rome’s Seven Hills, along with its museum of ancient art and artifacts, including the famous statue of the twin brothers who founded Rome, Romulus and Remus. The emblematic Baroque-styled Trevi Fountain is also a very popular itinerary stop on tours across the city.

FAQs and tips

Are guided tours included in Colosseum tickets?
In what languages are guided tours offered?
Is it possible to book a guided tour online?
What places are usually visited on a guided tour?
What is the cancelation policy for Colosseum tours?
Are there any wheelchair-friendly tours?

Read more about the Colosseum