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.
Need help choosing the right tour for your needs? View a comparison of our most popular Colosseum tours.
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.
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’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
- 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.
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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.
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.
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.
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 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?
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.
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Where You'll Start
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327 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.
Context is always great, but we really enjoy Alessandra’s herbology experience.
Philip
Reviewed on:
Jul 3, 2023
Based on the conversation I had when making the tour reservation we were under the impression that we would be going into the lower level of the coloseum. It was only half way through the tour that we learned we would not be doing this. As a result the itinerary of the tour was disappointing. In addition we got the impression that Liz (our guide) was most interested in showing us a set itinerary and one that focused on finding the most shade. We also did. It feel she listened very well as several times she didn’t answer our question. Overall we were disappointed with the tour, which is surprising as this is the third vacation where we have leveraged your services and every other tour met or exceeded our expectations.
Tim
Reviewed on:
Jun 30, 2023
The private tour of the Colosseum, Forum and Palatine Hill was fantastic. Our guide, Dimo, worked as an archeologist at the Forum and was very knowledgeable, sharing lots of big and small details during the tour - thoroughly recommended.
David
Reviewed on:
Jun 30, 2023
