Semi-Private Colosseum Tour with Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
Immerse in Roman history as you visit Arch of Titus, Temple of Caesar and more with an expert guide
Discover Rome’s ancient heart in a small group of just 10 with a dedicated guide giving you a personal, in-depth experience of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Skip the lines with direct access to the Colosseum, where your guide brings the stories of gladiators and emperors to life. Continue to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, exploring the ruins and breathtaking views that shaped Roman history—all with plenty of time for questions and close-up insights.
- Meet your guide
- Colosseum
- First level
- Second level
- Arch of Constantine
- Roman Forum
- Palatine Hill
- Arch of Titus
- Antoninus and Faustina Temple
- End at the Roman Forum
Your immersive journey through ancient Rome begins right outside of the Colosseum, where your passionate guide and fellow group members will be waiting to greet you. For a more personal experience, this tour allows for a maximum of 10 participants.
Once everyone has their tickets in hand, follow your friendly guide straight into the historic Colosseum. Learn about the lives of gladiators and emperors as you tour Rome’s most iconic amphitheater.
Continue diving into ancient Rome as you admire an unparalleled view of the Roman Forum, while your guide highlights some of the most prominent landmarks and ruins, like the Temple of Saturn and the Via Sacra. Finally, cap off your tour with a visit to the Palatine Hill, the birthplace of Rome and one of the most historic districts of the city.
As your tour comes to an end, feel free to ask your knowledgeable guide any last questions before parting ways.
Semi Private Tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
Your 3-hour tour includes:
Expert, English-speaking guide
Entrance tickets to the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
Entry to the Colosseum
First and second level
Explore Rome’s top historic sites
10 people max in your group
Headset for groups of 6 and more, so that you don’t miss any fun facts during your tour
Explore the First and Second Level of the Historic Colosseum
Your imperial tour of Rome’s most iconic landmarks begins right outside of the world-famous Colosseum, where your passionate guide and fellow group members will be waiting to greet you.
After enjoying a swift entry thanks to your timed tickets, your expert guide will begin leading you through the ancient site. As the largest ancient amphitheater in history, you’re sure to be left speechless as you wander through the very structure where so many gladiators and emperors once roamed!
While taking in the sights, listen intently as your guide explains the fascinating history of this legendary site. Learn about the innovative construction methods that were used, the amphitheater’s purpose, and its extreme importance to ancient Rome.
Admire the Arch of Constantine
After your immersive visit to the Colosseum, follow your passionate guide to the towering Arch of Constantine. This triumphal arch celebrates Emperor Constantine’s historic victory at the Battle of Milvian Bridge. As you marvel at the intricate details of the impressive structure, your guide will share more details about the history behind this striking landmark.
Marvel at the Roman Forum
Follow your enthusiastic guide as they lead you to one of the best viewpoints from outside of the Colosseum. From here, you’ll have a perfect vantage point of the spectacular Roman Forum. As you gaze out at the ruins of what were once prominent government buildings in ancient Rome, your guide will point out some of the most significant landmarks while sharing details about their fascinating history.
Listen closely as your guide calls attention to the majestic Temple of Venus and Rome. The stunning structure honors the goddesses Roma Aeterna and Venus Felix, and is thought to have once been the biggest temple in all of Ancient Rome.
Next, feast your eyes on the intricate details of the Arch of Titus, located along the historic Via Sacra, the main street of Ancient Rome. The towering arch was constructed in 81 AD by Emperor Domitian, as a way to honor his late brother, Emperor Titus.
As your guide continues to detail the Forum’s impressive landmarks, be sure to have your camera handy to capture all of the spectacular sites!
Wander Through the Palatine Hill
Finally, enjoy a short walk over to the Palatine Hill, considered the birthplace of Rome. Romulus is in fact believed to have founded the city of Rome here, in 753 B.C.
As one of the most ancient areas of the city, the Palatine Hill is brimming with Roman history and intriguing stories of the city’s past. Follow your guide past ancient ruins and jaw-dropping sites as you continue to delve deeper into Rome’s fascinating history.
As you follow your expert guide through the mesmerizing Palatine Hill, you’ll come across the ancient Elagabalium, a historic temple constructed by the Roman Emperor Elagabalus. Next, your guide will lead you to the ancient Domus Flavia, which dates back to 92 AD and was part of the expansive Palace of Domitian.
As you continue to circle the fascinating Palatine Hill, your guide will proceed to lead you to key sites and ancient landmarks before wrapping up your visit.
End your tour at the Roman Forum
After walking through the Palatine Hill, your unforgettable tour will come to an end. Your guide will be happy to answer any last questions you still have, as well as offer tips on additional sites to visit or restaurants to try out! Once you say goodbye to your friendly guide and fellow group members, you’re free to continue diving into Roman history on your own. After all, the Eternal City is brimming with ancient ruins and landmarks to explore!
What you get with this tour
See what people are saying
12 total reviews
Leave a reviewKathy
Kathryn Epley
Roberta was a wonderful tour guide! She is very knowledgeable and explains things in an understandable and interesting way. She kindly accommodated a lady in our small group who had some mobility issues without disrupting the tour at all. We enjoyed her enthusiasm for the ancient sites even after having told the stories hundreds of times. Thank you, Roberta! A+ rating!
Very In-Depth
Karen Wenstrup
Our tour of the Roman ruins was fantastic. Our tour guide, a lovely young local woman, spoke excellent English. High-quality microphones and earpieces were provided. The sound was superior to most tours that I had taken. Her advanced degree in archeology enabled her to explain everything in depth. We learned what life was like in ancient Rome, and understood the reality of life then, and the motivation for the continual conquests and the games. I am now motivated to study further.
Riccardo Covezzi
Frequently Asked Questions
Meeting & Drop-off Point
You will meet your guide and fellow group members outside of the Colosseum entrance. The tour will then end inside the Roman Forum after your guided visit.
What to bring?
Please bring a valid ID, and ensure that the name on your ID matches the name that you use at the time of booking your tour. Otherwise, the Colosseum staff many deny access to enter.
Can I change the date or time of my booking?
Unfortunately, Colosseum tour bookings cannot be edited or canceled after purchase.
Is this tour refundable?
Our Semi-Private Colosseum Arena Floor Tour has a 72 hour cancellation policy.
What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?
Unfortunately, the sites visited on this tour are not wheelchair accessible. If you have any other concerns about your mobility, please contact us before booking this tour so that we can help determine if this tour is the right fit for you.
What happens if it rains?
We run our Colosseum tours rain or shine, and we ask that all guests please dress accordingly.
Is there any chance my tour might be canceled?
In the event of any unforeseen circumstances you will be offered an alternative date and time, or full refund. We suggest keeping your day open to accommodate time changes.
Is it possible The Tour Guy will change this tour time?
The meeting time and order of the itinerary may change, depending on the availability of the sites. If your meeting time does change, you will receive a call or a message from us. For this reason, please provide a correct phone number to reach you, including your country code.
Is there a dress code to enter any of the sites on this tour?
While there is no dress code to visit the sites on this itinerary, we recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and weather appropriate attire.
Do I get to visit the Arena floor with this tour?
No, this tour does not include Arena floor access.
Does the Colosseum ever experience sudden closures?
On rare, unforeseen occasions, the Colosseum might be closed. If this happens you will either be offered an alternative tour or a refund.
Is lunch included in the price of the tour?
Lunch is not included on this tour. However, your guide will be happy to recommend one of our favorite spots for after the tour, and your guide will be sure to point you in the right direction too.
Does this tour include hotel pickup?
Hotel pickup is not included on this tour. You’ll meet your guide at the designated meeting point outside of the Colosseum entrance.