Full Experience Colosseum Tour with Arena Floor and Exclusive SUPER Sites

An elevated experience of Ancient Rome
From US$935 privately
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Tour Details
Duration
4 hours
Product Type
Tour
Venues
  • Colosseum
  • Colosseum's Arena Floor
  • Roman Forum
  • SUPER Sites
  • Palatine Hill
Photos & Highlights
  • Visit one of the awe-inspiring SUPER Sites—a group of archaeologically significant sites rarely accessed by visitors—within the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, along with the exclusive Colosseum Arena Floor.
  • Go beyond the surface and dive deep into Rome’s history and archaeology
Select a date
Tour Description
For history enthusiasts eager to dive deep into Ancient Rome’s most iconic landmarks, this 4-hour tour offers exclusive access to the Colosseum’s Arena Floor plus an immersive exploration of its inner spaces. You’ll spend between one hour and 90 minutes inside, experiencing the Colosseum from every angle—standing where gladiators fought, seeing the views of spectators, senators, and even emperors.

Led by an expert archaeologist or historian, this tour goes beyond the Colosseum as a monument to reveal its architectural genius and the complex social, political, and cultural life it embodied. Instead of just facts, you’ll gain insight into how power, spectacle, and public life intertwined in Ancient Rome.

Your journey continues through Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum with special access to key sites usually off-limits on standard tours. Discover how Roman leadership, identity, and ideology were displayed and lived through temples, palaces, and public spaces.

This afternoon tour provides a quieter, cooler experience with fewer crowds, it’s a full and thoughtful experience, designed to bring Ancient Rome’s story vividly to life.

Need help choosing the right tour for your needs? View a comparison of our most popular Colosseum tours

Choose this tour if…

  • You want the most complete Colosseum experience, with exclusive Arena floor access and up to 90 minutes inside to explore the monument from all perspectives—gladiators, spectators, senators, and emperors.
  • You prefer an afternoon tour that avoids the crowds and heat, offering a more relaxed and comfortable pace.
  • You’re eager to go beyond the basics with expert archaeologists or historians guiding you through one of the special-access areas of the Palatine Hill and Roman Forum.
  • You want time to reflect, ask questions, and fully absorb the rich history and significance of these iconic sites.
  • You’re traveling with family or a group looking for a deeper, immersive experience that balances expert insight with plenty of breathing room.

Experts
Simonetta Simonetta
Art Historian
Vittorio Vittorio
Art Historian
Simona Simona
Archaeologist
Pier Paolo Pier Paolo
Art Historian
Alessia Alessia
Archeologist and Guide
Jose Jose
Artist
Roberta Roberta
Art Historian
Patrizia Patrizia
Art Historian
Tiziana Tiziana
Art Historian
Maria Emilia Maria Emilia
Art Historian
Giulia Giulia
Archaeologist
Laura Laura
Local Guide
Vannella Vannella
Art Historian
Alessandro Alessandro
Archaeologist
Emily Emily
Art Historian
Francesca Francesca
Archaeologist
Marina Marina
Local Guide
Theresa Theresa
Art Historian
Cecilia Cecilia
Art Historian
Fiorenza Fiorenza
Art Historian
Olivia Olivia
Art Historian
Sabrina Sabrina
Art Historian
Mara Mara
Local Guide
Valeria Valeria
Archaeologist
Fabio Fabio
Art Historian
Flavia Flavia
Local Guide
Barbara Barbara
Architect
Jade Jade
Archaeologist
Francesca Francesca
Archaeologist
Elisa Valeria Elisa Valeria
Archaeologist
Federico Federico
Local Guide
Dony Dony
Art Historian
Guido Guido
Tourist guide
Priscilla Priscilla
Archaeologist
Maria Stella Maria Stella
Art Historian
Arianna Arianna
Art Historian
Francesca Francesca
Art Historian
Massimo Massimo
Local Guide
Cecilia Cecilia
Art Historian
Sara Sara
Art Historian
Simona Simona
Local Guide & Teacher
Dimosthenis Dimosthenis
Archaeologist
Kasia Kasia
Local Guide
Andrea Andrea
Historian
Antonella Antonella
Archaeologist
Siriana Siriana
Local Guide
Simona Simona
Archaeologist
Valentina Valentina
Local Guide
Carlo Carlo
Local Guide
Luisa Luisa
Local Guide
Doriana Doriana
Local Guide
Alessandra Alessandra
Art Historian
Richard Richard
Medievalist
Liz Liz
Architect
Giuseppe Giuseppe
Local Guide
Sandro Sandro
Local Guide Art Historian
Paolo Paolo
Archaeologist
Gianluca Gianluca
Art Historian
Michele Michele
Local Guide
Maddalena Maddalena
Art Historian
Luciana Luciana
Local Guide
Emanuela Emanuela
Tour Guide, Archaeologist
Cristina Cristina
Art Historian
Fabrizio Fabrizio
Tour guide-Archaeologist
  • Colosseum & Arena Floor – Walk onto the Arena Floor where gladiators once battled and explore the first and second tiers of this legendary amphitheater.
  • Palatine Hill – The mythical birthplace of Rome and home to opulent imperial palaces overlooking the city.
  • Roman Forum – The political, religious, and social center of ancient Rome, filled with temples, basilicas, and monuments.
  • SUPER Sites – A selection of exclusive ancient villas, palaces, and temples, chosen based on availability and your personal preference.
    • Palatine Museum – A collection of sculptures, frescoes, and artifacts retrieved on Palatine Hill, housed in a 19th-century monastery built over Domitian’s palace.
    • House of Augustus – The private residence of Rome’s first emperor, with lavishly preserved frescoes rivaling those of Pompeii.
    • House of Livia – The refined imperial home of Augustus’s wife, adorned with intricate frescoes.
    • Aula Isiaca & Loggia Mattei – An Egyptian-inspired chamber from the Augustan era, paired with remnants of a Renaissance villa designed by Baldassarre Peruzzi.
    • Domus Tiberiana – One of Rome’s earliest imperial palaces, featuring mosaics, sculptures, and frescoes.
    • Santa Maria Antiqua – A remarkably preserved 5th-century church, buried for centuries and home to some of Rome’s oldest Christian frescoes.
    • Curia Iulia – The official meeting hall of the Roman Senate, where the empire’s most powerful figures debated and passed laws.
    • Temple of Romulus – A 4th-century circular temple with original bronze doors, later transformed into a church, showcasing centuries of layered Roman architecture.
Begin your journey at the Colosseum with exclusive, skip-the-line access that takes you straight onto the reconstructed Arena Floor—a rare opportunity to stand where gladiators once battled for glory. From this powerful vantage point, your expert archaeologist or historian will bring the arena to life, immersing you in the sights, sounds, and stories of ancient Rome’s most dramatic stage.

Next, ascend to the Colosseum’s first floor to explore the varied perspectives of ancient spectators—from common citizens to senators and emperors—spending between an hour and 90 minutes inside to fully appreciate the monument’s scale, social complexity, and political significance.

Your exploration continues on Palatine Hill, the legendary birthplace of Rome and home to the city’s most powerful emperors. Thanks to special access to exclusive “Super Sites,” you’ll enter areas typically closed to the public, including extraordinary ancient villas, temples, and palaces. Depending on availability and your interests, you might visit the House of Augustus with its remarkable frescoes or Santa Maria Antiqua, one of Rome’s oldest Christian sites. These rare stops offer intimate insights into the lives of Rome’s elite and the empire’s cultural heart.

Finally, stroll through the Roman Forum, the political and social hub of Ancient Rome. Walking among grand temples, basilicas, and government buildings, your guide will decode the complex ruins, connecting architecture and history to the lasting legacy of Rome.

This afternoon-only tour is designed to provide a comfortable, uncrowded, and deeply immersive experience. With a longer duration and personalized pace, you’ll uncover hidden details and meaningful stories that most visitors miss—making this the fullest, most exclusive way to experience Ancient Rome’s iconic landmarks.
Tickets
Includes Full Experience Arena tickets to the Colosseum, Arena Floor, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.
Upon receiving your order, our team will secure a guide. Once the venue tickets are released, we will purchase them. Our team will be in touch with alternative options if we cannot secure tickets for the date and time you requested. 

Please note that we require the full name (as it appears on the ID) and the age of each participant in order to purchase tickets. The venue conducts name and ID checks at the entrance, so it’s essential that the name on the ticket matches the identification document. This is especially important for families with participants who are 17 or 18 years old, as free tickets are only valid for those who are 17 or younger on the day of the tour. Once a participant turns 18, a full-price ticket is required. To avoid any issues at the entrance, please double-check the ages provided before booking.

Headsets
Depending on your group size, we may be required by the venue to order headsets, in which case you’ll see a “Headset Fee” added to your order.
For more information about Context tours, please visit our FAQs.

Can we start this tour earlier?
Unfortunately, it's not possible to start the tour earlier. Our accreditation allows us to access the Colosseum and related sites only at specific ticketed time slots, which are strictly assigned and non-changeable.

Can we choose which site we want to visit?
We’ll be happy to inform your guide of your preferences, and they’ll do their best to accommodate them. However, the Super Sites are very special areas with limited access and may be subject to time restrictions or last-minute changes. During your tour, you’ll have the opportunity to visit one Super Site, which will be selected based on availability, opening days, and your guide’s discretion.

Will I need to bring identification to enter the Colosseum?
Yes, original identification is required to be presented upon entry to the Colosseum for all visitors including children. These should be original documents, copies will not be accepted.   

Do we have to buy tickets on-site?
For this tour, your tickets are pre-purchased, which allows you to go directly to the security line where you will have your pre-purchased ticket scanned.   

I have purchased the Roma Pass, can I use it on my Context tours?
You cannot use the Roma Pass on your Context tours. Roma Pass holders have to wait in a long line for the non-reserved public entrance to the Colosseum. In order to save time and expedite the tour, we purchase regular tickets so you may enter as quickly as possible.  

Is this tour recommended for families with kids?  
Kids are welcome! But please keep in mind that this is our longest Colosseum tour, and it can be quite long and intense for younger learners. If your children are 13 or younger, our Colosseum for Kids tour may be a better fit.

Are your Colosseum tours legitimate and officially accredited?
Yes! We are proud to be an accredited tour operator with the Colosseum. All our tours are professionally conducted and fully comply with all official regulations and guidelines set by the Parco Archeologico del Colosseo.

Do you reserve headsets for this tour? 
Depending on your group size, we may be required by the venue to order headsets in which case you’ll see a “Headset Fee” added to your order. If you would like to guarantee headsets for your tour regardless of your group size, please email us and we’ll be happy to get them reserved for you.
Where You'll Start
(4.89) 325 Reviews

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.

We had a wonderful afternoon. Our guide, Giulia, sensed what we were most interested in seeing and hearing about from our questions and reactions, and curated a private tour for the three of us that left us feeling like we truly understood the significance of what we were experiencing. Most importantly, she did this in a way that made each of us feel like she cared about us as people, and appreciated our interest in Roman history and culture. She is one of the most appropriately and deeply educated/experienced guides for the Colosseum and Roman history and culture, but I would seek her out again for just about any tour regarding Roman or Italian culture. She is a gift, and our time with her was a highlight of our two weeks in Italy. Thank you Context for matching us with Giulia and doing it in an effortless way.
Our tour with Sandro was fantastic. He is a charismatic, deeply knowledgeable guide; he was able to customise our tour on the fly and could speak as adeptly about ancient Romans as Renaissance artists. Grazie Sandro!
Liz was very knowledgeable and helped us understand a lot of the history behind the Colosseum, Palatine Hill and the Forum.