Uncover the gladiator’s backstage world at the Colosseum’s Underground
Which Colosseum Underground Tour Should You Book?
Pick the vibe, not just the ticket. These three cover the real differences.
🎟️ Full Experience Tour: Colosseum, Underground & Arena
Best overall – Top Pick!
For travelers who want the widest coverage inside the Colosseum. You get the Underground + Arena + Ground floor + Second tier + Exhibition, plus Roman Forum guided tour & Palatine Hill admission.
👥 Colosseum Underground Small Group Guided Tour (Express 1.5hr)
Best for tight schedules
If you’re short on time, this tour gives you a 90-minute guided visit inside the Colosseum. Afterwards, you can explore the Forum and Palatine Hill on your own.
✨ VIP Colosseum Underground & Arena Tour
Best for story-telling
Go for this if you want the VIP entries to the Arena floor & Underground, and a guided visit to the Roman Forum.
Looking for more options like Gladiator’s Gate entry or a night tour? Scroll down to see the full comparison.
Tickets & Prices
Visiting the Colosseum’s Underground is a special experience and only possible with certain ticket packages. The official website offers two ticket types that grant access to the underground levels, as part of guided tours:
- Full Experience Underground and Arena ticket
- A Night at the Colosseum
Both go on sale 30 days in advance and sell out very quickly. It’s hard to get tickets especially if you’re booking close to your trip.
If official tickets are sold out, you can book with authorized resellers like Tiqets or GetYourGuide. These tours often have last-minute availability and sometimes come with a refundable or flexible cancellation policy.
⭐ Our Top Recommendation
This option is almost similar to the “Full Experience” ticket from the official channel. Includes:
Ticket Types with Underground Access
Here’s a breakdown of the two official Colosseum tickets that grant access to the Underground levels.
Full Experience Underground and Arena ticket
This is a complete package, includes access to Underground chambers, Arena Floor, first and second levels, and all current exhibitions.
You’ll also get entry to the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and Imperial Fora, and your ticket is valid for two days from your first visit. Perfect if you want to see every part of Ancient Rome.
🎟️ Tickets from Authorized Resellers:
A Night at the Colosseum
This ticket is for an evening guided tour and includes a 60-minute tour through the Colosseum’s underground levels, the arena, and the first tier, along with a permanent exhibition and access to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
You must book this tour in advance through the official website, and cannot be bought on-site.
🎟️ Tickets from Authorized Resellers:
Tips to Help You Pick
Choose the Full Experience Underground and Arena ticket for the complete package. Enjoy a guided arena and underground tour, and access to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and Imperial Fora.
For the best of both worlds, A Night at the Colosseum includes daytime entry to the attractions above, plus a guided arena and underground nighttime tour.
Go for a VIP small-group tour if you prefer a more intimate experience with fewer people. You’ll get more personalized attention from your guide and better photo opportunities.
More Underground Tour Options
Check the table below to see all available tour formats: full access, VIP entries, express tours, night tours, and Gladiator’s Gate entry options. Compare their features to find the option that suits you best.
| Features | Full Access | Express Tour | VIP Tour | Night Tour | Gladiator’s Gate Entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Underground (Hypogeum) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ (VIP Entry) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Arena Floor | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ (VIP Entry) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Gladiator’s Gate Entry | ✓ | ||||
| First & Second Tiers | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Exhibition Rooms | ✓ | ||||
| Roman Forum & Palatine | ✓ (guided) | ✓ | ✓ (guided) | ✓ | ✓ (guided) |
| Duration | 3h | 1.5h | 2.5h | 1.5h | 3h |
| Group Size | Standard (≤24) | Small (≤8) | Small (≤8) | Small (≤6) | Standard (≤24) |
| Languages | EN, ES, FR | EN | EN, ES | EN | EN, ES, FR |
| Refundable cancellation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Availability of Gladiator’s Gate, 2nd tier, and exhibition can vary by supplier/date. Always confirm on the booking page before purchase.
What You’ll Experience
Underground (Hypogeum)
Descend into the hypogeum, a labyrinth of tunnels and cages where gladiators and wild animals waited for trapdoors and lifts to bring them to the surface in dramatic style. It’s the ultimate behind-the-scenes look at ancient Roman spectacles.
Arena Floor
Step onto the arena floor and imagine the roar of 50,000 spectators as gladiators fought, staged hunts took place, and history came alive. The energy of the games is easy to feel standing here.
Balcony (Upper Levels)
The upper levels were Rome’s nosebleed seats for its poorest citizens. From here, you can see the entire Colosseum and the city beyond. It’s the perfect spot for photos and to take in the arena’s sheer scale.
Roman Forum
The Forum was ancient Rome’s heart. Today, wander past temples, arches, and basilicas and picture life two millennia ago.
Palatine Hill
Palatine Hill was home to emperors and the elite, with sprawling palaces and gardens. Legend says it’s also where Rome was founded. Today, you can stroll through ruins while enjoying sweeping views of the Forum and Colosseum.
Imperial Fora
The Imperial Fora were Rome’s showpiece public squares, built to flaunt imperial power. Walk among the ruins of grand columns, temples, and arches that once celebrated victories and gods.
A Virtual Visit Inside the Colosseum »
How to Book
Select participants
Select participants, date, and language
Select Your Experience
Check what’s included (some tickets offer optional upgrades)
Pick a Time Slot
Choose your preferred time slot
Payment
Enter your details and complete the booking
Get Your Tickets
Instant confirmation, digital tickets will arrive directly by email
Reschedule and cancellation policy
- Most Colosseum tickets are non-refundable and can’t be rescheduled once booked, due to extremely high demand and limited availability.
- Some reseller tours offer a partial refund if cancelled.
Meeting Point
Details vary by tour. Check your confirmation email for directions and staff identification.
Plan Your Visit
| Date | Opening Hours |
|---|---|
| 2 January – 29 March | 8:30 – 16:30 |
| 30 March – 30 September | 8:30 – 19:15 |
| 1 October – 25 October | 8:30 – 18:30 |
| 26 October 2025 – 28 February 2026 | 8:30 – 16:30 |
Tour groups use separate entrances with faster security processing and skip the massive queues.
For complete entrance details, meeting points, and entry rules, check our comprehensive Colosseum Entrances Guide.
Here are directions to the Colosseum, which is easily reached by public transport via Metro Line B (Colosseo stop), the 3 tram, or buses 51, 75, 81, 85, 87, and 118.
Check our comprehensive Colosseum Location Guide to find the easiest ways to get to the Colosseum (detailed directions and tips).
The Colosseum’s entrance, first and second levels are accessible for wheelchairs, strollers, and visitors with limited mobility. But the arena floor, underground, and upper levels (balcony) have no elevator access.
Did You Know That? Facts
- The Colosseum’s underground was a hidden world of tunnels, cages, ramps, and lifts that held gladiators, props and wild animals before they appeared in the arena.
- Over 80 elevators allowed dramatic, surprise entrances, turning the games into an ancient version of a live-action spectacle.
- Before the underground was built (ten years after the Colosseum’s inauguration), the arena was flooded for mock naval battles.
- A 200-meter tunnel once linked the underground to the Ludus Magnus, the main gladiator training school across the street.
FAQs
1. What is included in the Colosseum Underground Tour?
A Colosseum Underground Tour includes guided access (English-speaking guide and headsets included) to the restricted hypogeum and the arena floor. The ticket also lets you explore the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
2. Does the Underground Tour include skip-the-line access?
Yes, a pre-purchased underground ticket lets you skip the ticket-buying queue.
3. Can I visit the Underground without a guided tour?
You can only visit the Colosseum Underground on a guided tour.
4. How do I book a ticket with Underground access?
Book your ticket through the official Colosseum website or trusted partners like Tiqets and GetYourGuide.
5. What’s the difference between Arena and Underground access?
Underground tickets include arena access, while other tickets let you visit the arena without entering the underground.
6. Is a Colosseum Underground Tour worth it?
The Colosseum Underground Tour is worth it for a behind-the-scenes look at gladiators, animals, and ancient engineering.
7. How long does the tour last?
The Colosseum Underground Tour lasts for one hour.
8. Where is the meeting point?
Depending on the ticket and tour time, you enter from the Colosseum or the Roman Forum-Palatine area.
9. Is the Underground accessible for wheelchairs?
No, the underground is inaccessible as there’s no elevator access.
10. Can I cancel or reschedule my ticket?
Colosseum tickets purchased through the official channel are non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled. However, if you book through authorized resellers like Tiqets or GetYourGuide, you might find tickets that offer flexible or refundable options. For example, Tiqets sometimes provides refunds if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance, while GetYourGuide may have flexible cancellation policies depending on the specific tour. Always check the terms at the point of purchase for clarity on flexibility options.