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Home > Rome > Colosseum > The Best Colosseum Tours To Take in 2023 and Why + Map
crowded colosseum with day light

The Best Colosseum Tours To Take in 2023 and Why + Map

The Roman Guy Last Updated: March 10, 2023

At almost 164 feet tall, the Colosseum is even more impressive in person. Beginning in A.D. 72, it took 10 years and 60,000 slaves to construct the largest amphitheater in the world. It’s no wonder every traveler to Rome wants to visit it! But with so many types of tickets, tours, and experiences, how do you choose which Colosseum tour is right for you? Read on to find out.


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.

Our 7 Best Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill Tours

We offer many different Colosseum tours with unique experiences and exclusive access. Whether you’re looking to experience the Colosseum as a gladiator on the arena floor or an elite Roman spectator looking down on the brutal games, there’s something for every visitor of this monumental wonder.

Here are the current tours we offer at the Colosseum, followed by detailed descriptions:

  1. Special Access Colosseum Arena Floor Tour Through the Gladiator’s Gate
  2. Rome in a Day Tour Including the Colosseum and Vatican Museums
  3. Privileged Entrance Colosseum Tour with Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
  4. Colosseum Underground Tour with Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
  5. VIP Colosseum at Night Tour with Underground and Arena Floor
  6. Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Vatican Highlights Combo Tour
  7. Ancient Rome Tour with Colosseum Arena Floor & Catacombs
The Best Colosseum Tours to Take and Why
See Top-rated Colosseum Tours

Not ready to book a tour? See if a Colosseum tour is worth it.

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

map of colosseum tour

Standing on the Arena Floor, let your eyes wander upwards and imagine 60,000 cheering spectators waiting in anticipation for you—their favorite gladiator—to best the challenger in battle. If this sounds like it belongs on your bucket list, you’re in luck.

In the 1990s, a portion of the Arena Floor was reconstructed, making it easier for modern-day visitors to see what the Colosseum looked like in its heyday. This is where Roman gladiators and animals fought—sometimes to the death!

Only a limited number of people with a special Arena Floor reservation are allowed to access this area, so it’s worth planning in advance. Otherwise, you’ll look down on this area wondering how you could have gained access to this unique perspective of the Colosseum. This Arena Floor tour is ideal for anyone looking to get the most out of their visit to the Colosseum.

Highlights:

  • 3 hours
  • Escape the crowds
  • Walk out onto the reconstructed Arena Floor in the heart of the Colosseum
  • Includes a skip-the-line guided visit to the Palatine Hill and Roman Forum including:
    • Julius Caesar’s Temple
    • Senate House
    • Arch of Titus
    • Arch of Constantine
    • Basilica of Antoninus and Faustina
book your arena tour now

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

2. Rome in a Day Tour with Colosseum and Vatican Museums

map of rome in a day tour with the tour guy

Though we recommend travelers spend several days in Rome to explore the many site in the Eternal City, we understand that sometimes your visit to Rome will only last a day or two. That’s why we designed a tour to help you see the best of Rome quickly.

We recommend this top-selling Rome in a Day Tour for anyone who is in Rome for a short time, as it includes skip-the-line Vatican and Colosseum experiences. You’ll also see top monuments in Rome such as Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and the Roman Forum. You’ll be amazed at just how much of Rome you can see in a day!

Highlights:

  • 8 hours
  • 90 minutes at the Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica
  • 1 hour inside the Colosseum
  • Walking tour of downtown Rome
  • Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, Pantheon, and more
See the Best of Rome in a day

Not ready to book a tour? Find out if Rome tours are worth it.

3. Privileged Entrance Colosseum Tour With Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

map of colosseum tour

Looking for a Colosseum tour that just explores the outer rings and the second floor in addition to the Roman Forum? And at a great price? This Colosseum tour gets you into the Colosseum quickly and takes you to some awesome viewpoints inside the Colosseum. In addition, you’ll explore the Roman Forum where the wealthy Romans lived in ancient days hearing stories from your storytelling guide.

Highlights:

  • 3 hours
  • Visit the Colosseum’s first and second tiers
  • Visit Palatine Hill and the ancient Roman Forum
Reserve your Colosseum Tour today

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our Colosseum Guide for more info.

4. Colosseum Underground Tour with Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

map of colosseum underground tour

The Underground of the Colosseum is in high demand with limited ticket availability, which means this tour often sells out during the busy season. So, make sure you book well in advance.

Not only do you gain exclusive access to the Underground, but you’ll also get the opportunity to walk out on the re-created Arena Floor where the gladiatorial matches took place. You’ll gaze upwards and imagine the roar of the spectators who came to watch the most exciting games of their era.

This tour also includes a visit to the amazing Roman Forum which helps visitors imagine what life was really like in ancient Rome. The Colosseum Underground Tour is a behind-the-scenes, full-package kind of tour for people who want to feel like VIPs on vacation.

Highlights:

  • 3.5 hours
  • Go underground to the dungeons with an expert guide
  • Walk onto the reconstructed Arena Floor where the brutal games took place
  • Visit the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
Check Underground Availability

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

5. VIP Colosseum at Night Tour with Underground and Arena Floor

map of colosseum underground tour


Want an experience even more exclusive than our daytime Underground tour? Well, you’re in luck! Our Colosseum Night Tour is one of the most exclusive experiences you can get in Rome. Again, since the Underground is so exclusive, tickets sell out extremely fast, so plan ahead!

Experience the Colosseum Arena Floor and Underground under the moonlight with almost no crowds since most people visit the Colosseum during the day. You’ll avoid the crowds and the heat as you explore popular areas of the Colosseum.

And of course, you’ll have a chance to see one of Rome’s most beautiful photo spots over the scene of ancient Rome as you admire the Roman Forum from above, all lit up at night.

Highlights:

  • 2.5 hours
  • Walk along the Roman Forum
  • Exclusive vibes with almost no one else in the Colosseum
  • Explore the Colosseum’s Underground with an expert, English-speaking guide
  • Walk onto the Arena Floor
Exclusive Colosseum at Night Tour

Not ready to book a tour? Find out if Rome tours are worth it.

6. Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Vatican Highlights Combo Tour

colosseum and vatican tour map with the tour guy

Just want a tour of the Vatican and the Colosseum? This combo tour gets you more bang for your buck by combining them! You’ll enjoy skip-the-line entry at both the Colosseum and the Vatican.

First, dive into ancient Roman history at the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill where you’ll walk in the steps of gladiators and emperors. After lunch, rejoin the tour at the Vatican to hear stories of papal intrigue and see some of the world’s most celebrated artworks by masters like Raphael and Michelangelo, and of course, the Sistine Chapel.

Highlights:

  • 8.5 hours (with lunch break)
  • Skip-the-line entry to the Colosseum
  • Colosseum tour with first and second tier access
  • Guided tour of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
  • Skip-the-line entry to the Vatican
  • Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica
Combo Value: Colosseum and Vatican

Not ready to book a tour? Find out how to visit the Colosseum.

7. Ancient Rome Tour with Colosseum and Arena Floor & Catacombs

colosseum and catacombs tour map with the tour guy

For a deeper dive into Rome’s most ancient sites, book this tour. With transportation include, this tour makes it easy for you to go beyond the city to explore the Rome Catacombs and Capuchin Crypts. You’ll head underground and hear stories of the thousands of friars buried there that will make for great stories to tell your friends back home.

What else do you get? A tour of the mighty Colosseum including the Arena Floor where gladiators once fought. You’ll feel like a celebrity as your guide leads you into the amphitheater in a way most tourists don’t get to do. After a day exploring ancient Rome, you’ll be impressed at the legacy the Roman Empire left behind.

Highlights:

  • 8 hours (with lunch break)
  • Skip-the-line entry to the Colosseum
  • Colosseum tour with first and second tier access
  • Guided tour of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
  • Transportation to the Rome Catacombs
  • Guided tour of the catacombs and crypts
Catacombs and COlosseum Tour

Not ready to book a tour? Find out if a Rome Catacombs tour is worth it.

How to Visit the Colosseum
See Colosseum Tours you’ll love

Not ready to book a tour? See if a Colosseum tour is worth it.

Colosseum Opening Hours

  • January 2nd to February 15th: 8:30 am – 4.30 pm, Last entrance 3:30 pm
  • February 16th to March 15th: 8:30 am – 5 pm, Last entrance 4 pm
  • March 16th to March 31st: 8:30 – 5:30 pm, Last entrance 4:30 pm
  • April 1st to August 31st: 8:30 am – 7:15 pm, Last entrance 6:15 pm
  • September 1st to September 30th: 8:30 am – 7 pm, Last entrance 6 pm
  • October 1st to October 27th: 8:30 am – 6.30 pm, Last entrance 5:30 pm
  • October 28th to December 31st: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Last entrance 3:30 pm
  • Colosseum CLOSED: January 1st and December 25th

Ticket office: Closes one hour before closing time

Tips for Visiting the Colosseum

  • Wear comfortable shoes! Not only will you walk during the tour but the ground outside the Colosseum is made of large and small cobblestones which can be slippery or uneven.
  • Always keep an eye on your belongings. It’s a crowded area with people who may want to take advantage of distracted tourists.
  • Water is important. Bring a reusable bottle and fill it up with the helpful free fountains around the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the rest of the city.
  • Address: Piazza del Colosseo
  • How to get to the Colosseum by public transport:
    • Metro B – Colosseo stop
    • Bus: Line 75; 81; 673; 175; 204
    • Tram: Line 3
Explore Rome with Exclusive Access

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

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Reader Interactions

Comments (12)

  1. Glenda

    March 23, 2019

    Where do you meet?

    Reply
    • Kayla Schorr

      March 25, 2019

      Ciao Glenda! Thanks for reading our blog. For all of our Colosseum tours, they meet right outside of the Colosseo metro stop. More detailed information can be found upon booking. Hope this helps!

      Reply
  2. Wally Bitaut

    August 8, 2019

    My wife is claustrophobic – what areas of the tour would you recommend to stay away from – e.g. underground?

    Reply
    • Kayla Schorr

      August 8, 2019

      Ciao Wally! The Colosseum Underground might not be the best option for you guys. I recommend the Colosseum Arena Floor tour, this way you’re only in wide-open spaces.

      Reply
  3. Wally Bitaut

    August 12, 2019

    Thanks Kayla. If we were to book 3 underground tours, is the Underground portion first, last or in between? We thought we could let my wife skip the Underground portion, but meet us for the rest of the tour. Is this even possible to coordinate?

    Reply
    • Kayla Schorr

      August 12, 2019

      Ciao Wally! Depends which tour you’d like to do. Our Colosseum Underground, Underground + Top Levels, and Night Tour all visit the Colosseum Underground. I recommend calling our travel experts to coordinate the best experience for you and your group! You can reach them at 888-290-5595.

      Reply
  4. Dave Krueger

    August 29, 2019

    I am planning an analog photography trip to Rome/Italy in October. My daughter, who currently lives in Rome, says that they pass bags through an x-ray scanner when you visit museums. Since I will be carrying film and a film camera, I would like to know whether they will hand check my film and camera instead of sending it through the scanner if I request it.

    X-rays will damage film, especially if it is is done repeatedly. I am buying all my film in Italy and developing it there specifically to avoid having to have it x-rayed at airports.

    Reply
    • Kayla Schorr

      August 30, 2019

      Hi Dave! Thanks for reading our blog. I can’t say that we have a definite answer on this one. You can definitely ask them to hand check your bags, but we guarantee that they will. We recommend using a digital camera to take pictures inside of the Colosseum to avoid this issue. Hope this helps!

      Reply
  5. Dave Krueger

    August 31, 2019

    Thanks for your reply. I will be carrying a film camera, not digital. I have decided to carry limited film with me on each day’s excursion and log how many times each film is x-rayed so I can keep the x-ray passes to a minimum which will hopefully not be enough to damage the film. I will be buying and developing the film in Italy, so it will not be exposed to x-rays by the airlines.

    Reply
    • Kayla Schorr

      September 4, 2019

      Ciao Dave! Sounds like a good plan. Always good to be prepared before your trip to Rome!

      Reply
  6. Paul Chuang

    September 11, 2019

    We are going to be in Rome on November 7th and thinking of taking the VIP night tour. What time does this tour start and end?

    Reply
    • Kayla Schorr

      September 12, 2019

      Ciao Paul! We would be more than happy to get you all set up. You can contact our travel experts who will help you book your tour at 888-290-5595.

      Reply

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