Colosseum Underground Tour with Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
Get special access to the Underground dungeons and Arena Floor on this guided small group tour
Did you know that only a fraction of Colosseum visitors can get tickets to see the incredible underground tunnels? As an active archaeological site with extremely limited access, tickets must be booked a month in advance and demand is high. This Colosseum tour lets you see the Underground, Arena Floor, and first and second tiers of the Colosseum. We're the leading provider Colosseum Underground tours, but even our tickets sell out fast so don't hesitate to book for your upcoming trip to Rome!
- Beat the crowds with Restricted Access
- The exclusive Colosseum Underground
- Explore the Underground Tunnels
- Deadly trap door & elevator
- Gladiator's Gate
- Colosseum Arena Floor
- 1st and 2nd tiers of the arena
- Roman Forum
- Arch of Constantine
- Arch of Titus
- Vestal Virgins
- Temple of Julius Caesar
- Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine
- Palatine Hill
Our Underground tours have limited availability for the rest of the 2022 season. If it's sold out on the day of your trip to Rome, we recommend booking our popular Arena Floor tour that gives you access to the area where gladiators once fought!
Meet your expert local guide and small group near the Colosseo metro stop, and get ready for the ultimate journey into ancient Rome! The Roman Colosseum is a must-see attraction in Rome, but not many visitors are lucky enough to get hold of exclusive Colosseum Underground tickets. As one of the few companies who have access to these coveted tickets, our Colosseum Underground tour sells out fast. This tour gives you the Underground and so much more—you'll also gain behind-the-scenes access to the reconstructed Arena Floor, enjoy the views from the first and second tiers, take a guided stroll through the Roman Forum, and climb the Palatine Hill.
Colosseum Underground Tour Description
Your exclusive 3.5-hour tour includes:
Colosseum Underground tickets
Access to the Arena Floor and Gladiator's Gate
Guided tour of the Colosseum with 1st and 2nd tiers
A guided tour of the Roman Forum with skip-the-line tickets
Walking tour of Palatine Hill
An expert English-speaking guide
A maximum group size of 24
After booking this epic underground tour, you’ll hear from our friendly Travel Experts who’ll ask for your name and birthday. Each ticket is reserved specifically for you since you're a VIP. Don’t forget to bring your ID to the Colosseum to confirm your ticket!
Please note that depending on the assigned entry time for the Colosseum, your tour might enter the Roman Forum first and end in the Colosseum.
The Colosseum Underground and Dungeons
Used for storing slaves and animals, the Hypogeum (or Underground) featured two levels and an entire network of Colosseum tunnels underground. This is where gladiators, wild animals, and the condemned awaited their gruesome fate. Led by a professional English-speaking guide, explore this behind-the-scenes area of the Colosseum, where an active archaeological dig is still going on.
As you walk around this incredible part of the Colosseum, your guide will tell stories of the likely uses of the chambers and dungeons that once hid underneath the original Arena Floor.
Arena Floor and Gladiator's Gate
Ascending to floor level, you'll step back in time as you trace the footsteps of warriors through the imposing Gate of Death (or the gladiator's gate) and out onto the reconstructed Arena Floor. This is the heart of the Colosseum and where the savage games took place.
Visit the opening to the reconstructed trap door and hear your guide describe the wild animals and battles that once fought here to the delight of ancient Roman society. It's a unique chance to imagine the fear and adrenaline that competitors must have felt so many years ago with the deafening screams of 60,000 spectators.
First and Second Levels of the Colosseum
As part of your guided tour, you'll also visit the first and second levels of the Colosseum. The views from these parts of the arena provide an excellent opportunity for photos. Your guide will tell you more about the brutal games the Colosseum spectators once witnessed, as well as the rich and influential Romans who watched from high in the stands.
All our tour guides are experts in the archaeology and history behind the historic sites we visit, including the Colosseum. Learn why "Colosseum" is just a nickname, why women didn't sit with men, and perhaps even the modern device that kept everyone protected from the sun.
Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
After your in-depth Colosseum tour, you'll talk the short walk to the Roman Forum for a guided tour with skip-the-line tickets. This was once the beating heart of ancient Rome, and you can imagine daily Roman life unfolding as you walk through the ruins of the Temple of Julius Caesar, the Arch of Titus, the Roman Senate House, and much more. Your guide will bring it all back to life with tales of Mark Antony, Cleopatra, Caesar, and more.
Sandwiched between the Roman Forum and the Circus Maximus, your final stop the historic Palatine Hill—a place we like to think of as the Beverly Hills of ancient Rome. This awe-inspiring area of towering pine trees, majestic ruins, and unparalleled views were where Romulus was said to have founded the city in 753 BC. This is also where Rome's emperors lived in opulent luxury.
Don't miss out on this unique Colosseum Underground tour—tickets sell out fast!
What you get with this tour
See what people are saying
526 total reviews
Leave a reviewExcellent Tour with Exceptional Guide
Sheri Moran
The tour with Marta was the highlight of our vacation. The privilege of seeing the underground was more fantastic than we imagined. Marta was the most gracious and knowledgable guide we have had. Her sense of humour entertaining and made us feel like we were having a walk with a well studied friend. Also, the group size of 6 allowed us to ask questions and gain insights that wouldn't have happened in the huge groups we saw. We highly recommend Marta with The Tour Guy.
Special
Griffin Freeman
I have toured many places in this world, but this was special. Marta, our guide, was brilliant, a great story teller, and embraced questions. It can be a lot of information and she made it all easy to follow. Wish we could tour all of Rome with her! The tour group was small and was also easy to find. All around success.
Jeremy Haslam
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to meet?
Meet your guide at the green souvenir kiosk in front of the “Colosseo” metro stop, located just outside the lower level entry. A representative will be there holding a sign with our company name on it.
What to bring?
Please make sure to bring your passport or government ID! We also recommend comfortable shoes for walking on uneven terrain. Bring sunscreen and a water bottle for hot summer months.
What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?
This tour includes walking on uneven terrain for most of the tour. If you have any doubts about your mobility, we suggest booking a Colosseum private tour so your needs can be better accommodated.
What happens if it rains?
We run our Colosseum tours rain or shine. If rainfall is extremely heavy, the Colosseum management will sometimes close the restricted areas for safety reasons. If the restricted areas are closed, we will offer an €18 refund to compensate for missing these areas, but we'll still take you inside the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum.
Can my tour be canceled or moved to a different day?
Yes, it is possible. Colosseum Underground tours are very exclusive and are subject to changes, but we’re experts in this field and have staff dedicated to ensuring the best possible customer experience. If we are unable to acquire tickets on your behalf, we will let you know at least 14 days before your tour date, in which case we'll add you to a comparable tour or offer a full refund.
Is it possible The Tour Guy will change this tour time?
Yes, it is very likely to happen due to the exclusive nature of this tour. We recommend you keep your entire day open to accommodate your new tour time. Be sure to monitor your email as we will contact you at least 14 days before the tour with any new start time.
What to bring?
Please make sure to bring your passport or government ID! We also recommend comfortable shoes for walking on uneven terrain. Bring sunscreen and a water bottle for hot summer months.
Where to meet?
Meet your guide at the green souvenir kiosk in front of the “Colosseo” metro stop, located just outside the lower level entry. A representative will be there holding a sign with our company name on it.
Why do you need my full name and birthday?
The Colosseum management recently changed their rules, which means tickets will be reserved specifically for the actual ticket holder. We'll use your name and birthday to reserve a ticket just for you, so don't forget to bring your passport or ID to the Colosseum to confirm your ticket!
Does this tour let me skip the line?
Yes! You'll avoid the main admission line to access the Colosseum via a separate entrance with your guide. You'll also skip the line at the Roman Forum.
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