Special Access Colosseum Arena Floor Tour through the Gladiator's Gate

Walk in the footsteps of gladiators on the Colosseum floor and see the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

Travel Flexibly 5 / 5 See All 1229 Reviews · 3.00h · Rome, Italy

Want to see the Colosseum from a new angle? This tour lets you through the gladiator’s gate to stand on the reconstructed Arena Floor where warriors once fought and explore the Colosseum’s first and second tiers. Enjoy perks that regular ticket holders don't get with skip-the-line access and three areas of the Colosseum. After exploring the Arena in depth with your expert guide, you'll head over to the Roman Forum and climb Palatine Hill where you can imagine what downtown ancient Rome was like.

  • Gladiator's Gate Access
  • Colosseum Arena Floor
  • Beat the crowds with skip the line
  • A unique perspective of the Colosseum
  • 1st and 2nd tiers of the arena
  • Roman Forum
  • Arch of Constantine
  • Arch of Titus
  • Temple of Julius Caesar
  • Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine
  • Temple of Antoninus & Faustina
  • Vestal Virgins
  • Senate House
  • Arch of Septimius Severus
  • Palatine Hill
  • Best views of the Colosseum and Circus Maximus

You'll meet your local guide and small group of 18 or fewer people at the green souvenir kiosk near the Colosseum metro stop. There, you'll get a taste of what you'll see and experience before heading off to your skip-the-line entry at the Colosseum. Here you'll walk through the infamous Gladiator's Gate to the Arena Floor that most tourists can't access.

Your passionate Colosseum guide will share fascinating stories about this ancient Roman attraction as they lead you to the first and second tiers for epic views of the arena. Finally, enjoy a guided walk to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, where your guide will tell you of their history and the part they played in daily Roman life.

Colosseum Arena Floor Tour Description

Your 3-hour tour includes:

  • Skip-the-line Colosseum tickets

  • Exclusive access to the Arena Floor of the Colosseum

  • First and second tier access at the Colosseum

  • Guided tour of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

  • An expert English-speaking guide

  • A maximum group size of 18

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. This product includes an entry ticket to the Colosseum + Arena, Forum and Palatine, for which our cost is 24 Euro per person.

Colosseum Arena Floor Tickets

Avoid the crowds with special access to an area of the Colosseum that's not available to regular Colosseum ticket holders: the Arena Floor. You'll step back in time as you trace the footsteps of warriors who once entered through the imposing Gate of Death (or the gladiator's gate.) Visit the opening to the reconstructed trap door and hear your guide describe the wild animals and warriors who 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.

Roman Colosseum History

After the Arena Floor, go on a journey to the Colosseum's first and second levels. See where emperors sat and learn the rules of the gladiatorial games for both competitors and spectators. Learn why the ancient amphitheater was named the Colosseum, plus many more interesting facts. You'll spend an amazing 1.5 hours exploring the top attraction in Rome with your super-knowledgeable guide.

Guided Roman Forum Tour

Not far from the Colosseum sits the Roman Forum, and your guide will lead you through these ancient ruins on a guided walking tour. This Roman archaeological site was once the location of downtown ancient Rome. You'll visit some of the most famous Roman Forum buildings including the Temple of Julius Caesar, Arch of Titus, the Roman Senate House, and more. Re-live ancient history as you walk down the same roads taken by famous Roman emperors and philosophers.

Climb Palatine Hill 

From the ancient downtown, your guide will lead you to a place we like to think of as the Beverly Hills of Ancient Rome. Climb the Palatine Hill and take in the views over Circus Maximus. You'll explore the 2,000 year old palaces and learn stories of Rome's rich and famous.

By the end of the tour, you'll leave the Colosseum and Forum with a camera full of incredible pictures and a mind full of knowledge about life in ancient Rome.

What you get with this tour
Skip-the-line Colosseum tickets
Exclusive access to the Arena Floor of the Colosseum
First and second tier access at the Colosseum
Guided tour of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
An expert English-speaking guide
A maximum group size of 18
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1229 total reviews

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5.0/5 (based on 1229 reviews)
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Overall Knowledgeable Tour
23 September 2023
N
Reviewed by
Nicole Whitman

Overall good tour, a clear 4/5 stars - I’ll list out some reasons of why it didn’t get the fifth star for me in case it helps others! Our guide was clearly very knowledgeable on the Colosseum and Palatine hill. That said, we were not expecting Palatine Hill to be such a big part of the tour that had the title/description focused on the colosseum - just something to be aware of. While our guide was full of information, it was almost too much in my opinion. I would have preferred to hear about half the info and had him speak a little slower or interact a little more to see if we had questions than the very long script of info he provided (again, love the knowledge, it was just a lot at once and hard to follow so quickly.). Also, I thought the “floor” included the ground level but it does not so that was a little disappointing we didn’t get to go all the way down. That said, once in the colosseum we stopped walking as much and faced our tour guide and it was more enjoyable when he was asked a few questions and answered those and deviated from his script because it sounded less rehearsed.

23 September 2023
C
Reviewed by
CHELLE KENNEDY

22 September 2023
L
Reviewed by
Laura Pozzuto

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Frequently Asked Questions

What to bring?

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?

Archaeological sites have uneven terrain so wear comfortable sneakers. Bring sunscreen and a water bottle during the hot summer months.

Does this tour let me skip the line?

Yes! You'll avoid the main admission line to access the Colosseum via a seperate entrance with your guide.

Start From: $82.09

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$82.09 / per person
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