Tour Details
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Product Type
- Tour
- Venues
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- Colosseum
- Roman Forum
- Palatine Hill
Photos & Highlights
- Uncover the secrets held within ancient ruins and dive into the stories of life as an emperor, gladiator, and everyday Roman
- Explore three iconic Roman sites with a local history or archaeology expert who caters the experience to your interests
Select a date
Tour Description
Craving a classic Roman experience? Explore the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill with your personal Roman expert leading the way.
Begin with the awe-inspiring Colosseum, the largest amphitheater ever built. Discuss everything from the details of its construction to the bloody gladiatorial battles and roaring crowds that filled the arena, allowing your expert to bring this iconic venue to life before your eyes.Â
Next, walk in the footsteps of ancient Rome’s elite as you explore the Via Sacra. Picture temples, arches, and basilicas lining the Sacred Way. Your guide will point out hidden gems that most tourists miss, giving you a secret glimpse into the lives of emperors and everyday Romans.Â
Palatine Hill, the legendary birthplace of Rome, marks the final stop. Stand where Romulus founded the city in 753 BC and take in the views of the city. By the end of this four-hour adventure, you'll have a deeper understanding of this powerful empire, from its glorious rise to its dramatic fall.
Experts
- You love ancient Roman history and are eager to discuss it with an expert while learning more about the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.Â
- You’d like a more in-depth look at the lifestyles of ancient Romans, from the most elite to the average citizen.Â
- You want to ditch the stuffy scripts of group tours. This experience is structured, not scripted, allowing you to dive into the topics that interest you.
- Colosseum – Learn more about this iconic landmark on our Context Stories
- Palatine Hill – Offering a stunning panoramic view of the Roman Forum, this was once the location of the home of aristocrats and emperors.
- Roman Forum – A central marketplace for ordinary citizens and noblemen to conduct their daily business.
Tickets
- Includes skip-the-line access tickets to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.
- Our special skip-the-line tickets will get us to a fast lane, where our group will have to stand in line due to security measures and a strictly enforced maximum capacity at the Colosseum.
- 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.Â
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.Â
Additional Trip-Planning Resources
A few things that pair well with this tour:Â
- Comfortable walking shoes.Â
- All of your burning questions about ancient Roman civilization
- A little pre-trip preparation with The Roman Forum and Colosseum: What You Need to Know Before Your Visit
Wheelchair accessibility
- The Colosseum and the Roman Forum are wheelchair accessible while the Palatine Hill is not.Â
Service Dogs
- Service dogs are allowed if you have a medical certificate proving the need.Â
For more information about Context tours, please visit our FAQs.
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. Â
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If children under 18 qualify for free tickets, why am I required to purchase a ticket for my child?
While children may enter for free, they are required to stand in the general entrance line if they do so. In order to save time and expedite the tour, we purchase skip-the-line tickets so they may enter as quickly as possible.
What are skip-the-line tickets?
For this tour, your Colosseum tickets are pre-purchased which allows you to skip the ticket office line upon arrival at the venue. You may still have to wait in a security line or in a line to have your pre-purchased ticket scanned. Â
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 skip-the-line tickets so you may enter as quickly as possible. Â
Why does this tour only take place early in the morning and late in the afternoon?
In the summer, this tour has an early start or takes place late afternoon to beat the heat.
Is this tour suitable for children?
If you're traveling with children under the age of 12, we recommend our family-oriented Ancient Rome for Kids Tour
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Where You'll Start
2476 Reviews
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Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
AMAZING. Sabrina was so smart and an EXPERT that we were honored to spend the day with. Highly recommend. What a treat!
Tamara
Apr. 18, 2024
Dimo was a terrific guide. We very much enjoyed the day with him.
Anne
Apr. 17, 2024
Alessandra made our trip! We did a tour of the Colosseum and of the Vatican with her on our trip to Rome. Her understanding and way of explaining the history to make it palatable and digestible for everyone was exemplary. She made the rich history really come to life. She came equipped with a binder with lots of images to give us context of what we were looking at. Incredible!!!
Anna
Apr. 15, 2024
Explore ancient Rome with Context
Get to know one of the archaeologists leading this tour
Meet Dimo
