Special Access Colosseum Arena Floor Tour through the Gladiator's Gate
Walk in the footsteps of warriors on the amphitheater stage then see the Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
Reaching the Colosseum’s Arena Floor is no easy feat. Tickets sell out quickly, and most visitors get stuck in crowded corridors with limited views. On this tour, gain privileged access and enter through the Gladiator’s Gate. Stand on the Arena Floor for a front-row view of the magnitude of Rome’s nearly 2,000-year-old amphitheater. With your friendly guide, uncover the Colosseum’s brutal past, then continue to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill to explore the epicenter of ancient Roman life.
What You Get With This Tour
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Enter the Colosseum like a gladiator
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Expert English-speaking guide
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Pre-reserved Colosseum entry tickets
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Exclusive Arena Floor access and tour
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Guided tour of Colosseum 1st & 2nd tiers
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Guided tour of the Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
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Guide tips
Tour Itinerary
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1
Your tour begins at the Colosseum
Meet your guide and small group outside the Colosseum, the world’s most iconic amphitheater and one of the 7 wonders of the world. Get a quick introduction to the wild history of the Flavian Dynasty and the massive engineering project that built this stone giant nearly two thousand years ago. -
2
Walk through the Gladiator's Gate
Utilize your pre-reserved tickets to enter the Colosseum for a security check. Then pass through the side doors, once used by ancient warriors. This special access leads you straight onto the wooden Arena Floor, to stand where fighters once battled for their lives in front of 50,000 screaming fans. -
3
Climb the ancient stone tiers
Follow your guide up the original stairwells to reach the first and second levels of the monument. These seats were once reserved for Rome’s elite and offer a perfect view of the entire structure, including an overhead view of the maze of underground tunnels where animals were kept. -
4
See the Arch of Constantine
As you exit the Colosseum, stop at this massive marble arch built to celebrate a famous victory in 312 AD. Your guide will point out the recycled carvings that honor Emperor Constantine, whose support for the Christian faith fundamentally transformed the religious landscape of the empire. -
5
Explore the Roman Forum
Step into the valley that served as the bustling downtown of the ancient world. Walk along the Via Sacra or Sacred Way to see the ruins of the Senate House and the Temple of Saturn, where the city’s most powerful leaders once made world-changing decisions. -
6
Ascend the Palatine Hill
Climb to the legendary spot where Romulus is said to have founded Rome among the ruins of luxury imperial palaces. As you wander through the gardens and brick, catch the best views of the city skyline and the distant Circus Maximus racing track. -
7
Your tour finishes near the Colosseum
The guided part of your adventure wraps up on the breezy heights of Palatine Hill. Say goodbye to your guide then head off to your next adventure, having just checked off a major bucket list item. -
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Your tour finishes near the Colosseum
After exploring the birthplace of Rome, your guided tour concludes near the Colosseum. You can say goodbye to your guide and continue exploring the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill on your own, diving even deeper into the city’s ancient history.
Additional Information
Discover what to expect, what's included, and everything you need to know before booking.
Good to know:
Dress Code: Comfortable attire and shoes are recommended for walking on uneven terrain.
Accessibility: This tour involves ancient ground and uneven terrain. It is unfortunately not wheelchair or stroller accessible. A soft baby carrier is recommended. The Colosseum has very steep stairs, if you expect to need to use the elevator on this tour, please contact us in advance, so the guide can prepare accordingly.
ID Requirement: Please bring a valid government-issued ID for entrance into the Colosseum. The name on your tickets (entered at check-out) must match the name listed on your government-issued ID or you will be refused entry.
Tour Changes: Depending on the assigned entry time for the Colosseum, your tour might enter the Roman Forum first and end in the Colosseum. All Colosseum tours are subject to time change. Please keep the date of your tour flexible.
Children: All children, no matter the age, are required to have a ticket to enter the Colosseum. The name on the child's ticket must match the name listed on their government issued-ID or they will be refused entry. Passports are recommended as a form of ID.
Disability certification: As per Colosseum ticketing rules, guests who possess a disability certification may enter the Colosseum with a ticket cost of €2. This price also applies to one companion. A disability card must be presented to Colosseum staff on the day of the visit. If this applies to you or your party, please contact us after booking the tour to make the proper pricing adjustments and claim access to the disability entrance. Please note, this price applies to the cost of tickets, not the cost of the tour.
Security Check: Every person entering the Colosseum, including those with pre-reserved tickets, is required to go through an airport style security check.
Closures: Sometimes the Colosseum closes access to the more restricted areas with little notice. This usually happens in cases of heavy rainfall or an emergency repair. If this happens, we will visit other areas of the Colosseum, and the tour will continue with the same duration. As the Arena Floor is only a portion of this tour, there are no refunds if Colosseum Management closes it at short notice.
Bag Policy: The Colosseum allows small to medium-sized bags, but large backpacks, suitcases, and wheeled bags are prohibited and must be left behind. All bags are subject to security screening, similar to an airport.
Check-in: Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in at the meeting point so the group can enter sites on time.
Your 3-hour tour includes:
Expert English-speaking guide
Pre-reserved Colosseum entry tickets
Enter through the Gladiator's Gate
Exclusive access and tour of Colosseum Arena Floor
Guided tour of the Colosseum 1st & 2nd tiers
Guided tour of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
What to bring:
Government-issued ID
Sunscreen (in summer)
Water bottle
Comfortable walking shoes
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Customer Reviews
The tour was eye opening. What the Roman's accomplished 2000 years ago is inspiring. Our guide got us in, around and informed in splendid fashion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to bring?
Please bring a government-issued ID for entrance to the Colosseum. Archaeological sites have uneven terrain so wear comfortable sneakers. Bring sunscreen and a water bottle during the hot summer months.
Does the Arena Floor ever close to the public?
Sometimes the Colosseum closes access to the more restricted areas with little notice. This usually happens in cases of heavy rainfall or an emergency repair. If this happens, we will visit other areas of the Colosseum, and the tour will continue with the same duration. As the Arena Floor is only a portion of this tour, there are no refunds if Colosseum Management closes it at short notice.
What if I have concerns about my mobility?
If you have any doubts about your mobility, we suggest taking Private Colosseum Tour so we can better accommodate your needs.
Does my tour still run if it rains?
The Tour Guy runs guided tours rain or shine. In cases of heavy rainfall, the Colosseum management may close the Arena Floor at the last minute for safety. We do our best to make alternate Arena Floor arrangements, but we cannot guarantee a substitute date. If your group is subject to closures by the Colosseum and does not get access to the Arena Floor, we still continue on the tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum. There is no refund given if the Arena Floor portion of the tour is closed.
What to bring?
Please bring a government-issued ID for entrance to the Colosseum. Archaeological sites have uneven terrain so wear comfortable sneakers. Bring sunscreen and a water bottle during the hot summer months.
What does pre-reserved ticket mean?
This tour includes a privileged entrance that let's you bypass the general admission entrance line. However, please keep in mind that every person entering the Colosseum, including those with pre-reserved tickets, is required to go through an airport style security check.
Will my tour time change?
The start time of your tour has the potential to change due to ticketing. Please keep your day open and flexible.
Can I cancel if my schedule changes?
Our Special Access Colosseum Arena Floor Tour through the Gladiator's Gate has a 72 hour cancellation policy.
