The Roman Colosseum has many stories to tell. What better way to hear them than from an expert local guide? Book your guided tour right here and experience the Colosseum at its best.
saatonList of Colosseum Tours & Prices
Colosseum Tours
📅 Pick your travel date during checkout to see what tours are available and their prices.
(All tours below include entry to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill with a live guide.)
🔹 Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Tour
The standard guided tour — great for first-time visitors.
You’ll explore all three major sites with a live guide. Choose from standard, small-group, express, or family-friendly tours.
⏱ Duration: 1–3 hours
👥 Group size: 10–25 people
🎧 Languages: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, Chinese
Want to walk where the gladiators once fought?
This tour includes everything in the standard one — plus exclusive access to the arena floor through the Gladiator’s Gate.
⏱ Duration: 1–3 hours
👥 Group size: 6–25 people
🎧 Languages: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese
🔹 Arena Floor & Underground Access Tour
The most complete Colosseum experience.
Along with the arena floor, you’ll also go underground to see where animals and gladiators once prepared for battle. This area is only available with special access tours.
⏱ Lasts about 3 hours
👥 Group size: Up to 24 people
🎧 Languages: English, Spanish
✨ Want to visit the Vatican and Colosseum in one day?
This combo ticket gives you access to both the Vatican Museums and a second top attraction like the Colosseum — all in one booking.
🔹 Vatican + Colosseum Combo Tour
⏱ Duration: 4–10 hours
🏛 Choose your second site at checkout: Colosseum, Pantheon, hop-on hop-off tour, or Mamertine Prison
✅ Includes skip-the-line entry to Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Tour
Explore the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill with an expert guide and learn about gladiator battles, Roman palace intrigues, and the history of the capital of Europe’s greatest empire. Here’s a breakdown of the tour options:
- Semi-private Guided Tour: Not keen on big tour groups? This semi-private option lets you explore the Colosseum more comfortably and enjoy a more personal and interactive experience with your guide. Available with live guides in English, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish, these tours last between 1.5 to 3 hours.
- Standard Guided Tour: Choose from tickets for groups of up to 30 people. These tours are available in 9 languages and last from 1.5 to 3 hours. Tickets sell out fast, so check availability here.
- Small Group Guided Tour: Want a more personal experience? Join a smaller group of 6 to 25 people, with tours lasting from 1 to 3 hours. This option is available in English, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Patryk_Kosmider/DepositphotosColosseum, Arena, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill: Guided Tour
Looking for a deeper dive into ancient Roman history? This 3-hour tour covers it all. Begin at the Roman Forum, where bustling markets, temples, and political events once shaped the empire. From there, stroll up Palatine Hill, the legendary birthplace of Rome, and soak in stunning views of the Forum and Circus Maximus. The highlight is stepping onto the Colosseum’s arena floor, where gladiators once battled.
This tour is available in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. Buy your ticket here to skip the ticket lines with reserved entrance.
Patryk_Kosmider/DepositphotosColosseum, Underground & Arena Floor: Guided Tour
This tour is for smaller groups (up to 24 people) and takes you into areas of the Colosseum rarely explored by the public. You’ll get into the underground tunnels, where gladiators and lions once waited before heading out onto the arena floor. It’s a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how the games were staged. The tour is offered in English and lasts around 3 hours.
Colosseum underground tours sell out quickly during high season. Secure your ticket here.
sepavone/DepositphotosFrequently asked questions regarding guided tours of the Colosseum:
Is a Colosseum tour worth it?
Visiting the Colosseum on your own is a fine, enjoyable experience, but if you want to get the most out of it and learn more about the history of the Colosseum (and the Roman Forum, and the Palatine Hill!) a guided tour is the way to go. An expert guide can give you insights into the building and its surroundings you simply wouldn’t get on your own.
What languages are tours given in?
Most tours are in English, with some offered in additional languages such as German, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Are Colosseum tours child-friendly?
Some tours are especially designed for kids, while others are designed for the general public. Either way, the Colosseum is quite awe-inspiring so it’s not difficult to keep kids entertained while you explore it. Do keep in mind that most tours are non-stop affairs, so your kids may get tired on the longer ones.
Do I get to skip the lines on a guided tour?
Yes, you do. Like all visitors, tour groups must go through security, but you will avoid all other queues. For more information on visiting the Colosseum, check out our Visit page.
How long are guided tours of the Colosseum?
Most range from an hour and a half to three hours, depending on what sites you’ll be visiting on the tour, whether only the Colosseum or the nearby Palatine Hill and Roman Forum.
Do I need to book my tour in advance?
It’s not absolutely necessary that you book in advance, but if you plan to wing it when you arrive in Rome you may find that tour groups on your preferred dates and times are already full. Booking your tour in advance affords you more options when choosing the date and time so there’s no reason not to do so.
Is there anything I need to bring for my tour?
Proof of your reservation (on your phone will do) and comfortable clothes and footwear for walking. If you’re visiting Rome in the summer you should also bring water and sunscreen because the Mediterranean sun can be quite intense.