Tour Details
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- Product Type
- Tour
- Venues
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- Colosseum's Arena Floor
- Colosseum
- Palatine Hill
- Roman Forum
Photos & Highlights
- Stand on the arena floor where gladiators and beasts once did battle and see the Colosseum from their perspective
- Walk through the Birthplace and Beating Heart of Ancient Rome–the Palatine Hill and the Forum–with a Historian or Archaeologist
Select a date
Tour Description
What did it feel like to enter the Colosseum not as a spectator, but as a gladiator?
This 2.5-hour Express Tour begins with special access through the Gladiator’s Gate, placing you directly onto the reconstructed Arena Floor. It’s a powerful, visceral perspective—standing where fighters once awaited their fate under the roar of tens of thousands of spectators. Your expert guide will unfold the stories behind this iconic point of view of the Colosseum. For many, it’s the most unforgettable spot in the entire monument.
But the story doesn’t end there.
After 30 impactful minutes on the Arena floor, surrounded by the magnificence of the Colosseum, your guide—an archaeologist or historian—will lead you deeper into Ancient Rome. You’ll climb the Palatine Hill, the legendary birthplace of the city, and explore the Roman Forum, where the empire’s politics, religion, and daily life took shape.
Designed for travelers trying to maximize their time, this tour balances adrenaline and depth. Your guide adapts to your group’s curiosity, making ancient history feel vivid and personal, without overwhelming anyone.
Need help choosing the right tour for your needs? View a comparison of our most popular Colosseum tours.
Choose this tour if…
- You want to step onto the Arena floor and see the Colosseum from its most dramatic perspective—standing where the games once began, guided by an expert archaeologist or historian.
- You’re looking for an experience that fits smoothly into your day—rich in insight, paced to keep things engaging without feeling rushed.
- You want to understand the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill’s place in Rome’s story, with expert guidance that brings these ruins to life without focusing on every detail.
- You appreciate a tour tailored to your curiosity, where your questions shape the journey, and your guide keeps the experience dynamic and relevant.
- You’re part of a diverse group—different ages, interests, and backgrounds—and want a welcoming experience that resonates with everyone.
Experts
Your tour begins with exclusive priority access through the Colosseum’s Gladiator’s Gate—reserved for ancient fighters and wild animals. For approximately 30 minutes, you’ll stand on the reconstructed Arena Floor, the Colosseum’s most dramatic space. Here, your archaeologist or historian guide will bring the gladiators’ world to life, telling the stories of the pitched battles, intense rivalries, and engineering marvels which once took place here.
Afterwards, you’ll leave the amphitheater behind and head to Palatine Hill, the mythical birthplace of Rome. Amid imperial ruins and breathtaking views, your guide will weave together myth, power, and history to illuminate how Rome grew from legend to empire.
Your journey concludes in the Roman Forum, the bustling heart of ancient civic life. Walk along the Via Sacra, “Sacred Street”, past temples, triumphal arches, and the Senate House, as your expert guide unravels the stories of politics, religion, and everyday life that shaped the empire and echo to this day.
By the end, you’ll have experienced Ancient Rome through the eyes of gladiators, emperors, and citizens— and been immersed in history with an expert who adapts the experience to your group’s interests
Afterwards, you’ll leave the amphitheater behind and head to Palatine Hill, the mythical birthplace of Rome. Amid imperial ruins and breathtaking views, your guide will weave together myth, power, and history to illuminate how Rome grew from legend to empire.
Your journey concludes in the Roman Forum, the bustling heart of ancient civic life. Walk along the Via Sacra, “Sacred Street”, past temples, triumphal arches, and the Senate House, as your expert guide unravels the stories of politics, religion, and everyday life that shaped the empire and echo to this day.
By the end, you’ll have experienced Ancient Rome through the eyes of gladiators, emperors, and citizens— and been immersed in history with an expert who adapts the experience to your group’s interests
- Colosseum Arena Floor – 30 minutes. A modern reconstructed stage in the heart of the Colosseum where the original once stood. 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.
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Roman Forum – A central marketplace for ordinary citizens and noblemen to conduct their daily business.
Tickets
- Includes tickets to the Arena Floor in the Colosseum, the 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.
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
We understand that some of our valued guests may have mobility concerns, and we want to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout your tour. If there are any accessibility concerns that your tour guide will need to be aware of, please let our team know at the time of booking.
Wheelchair accessibility
- The Arena Floor and the Roman Forum are completely accessible, but guests with wheelchair accessibility needs will find difficulty in the Palatine Hill due to the uneven and hilly grounds.
- The Palatine Hill can be skipped and the itinerary can be adjusted to make it more accessible, however, this tour covers around 2.5 miles and includes cobblestones, uneven and natural terrain, stairs, and hilly areas that are tricky to maneuver.
Service Dogs
- Service dogs are allowed if you have a medical certificate proving the need.
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.
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.
Can we just spend more time inside the Colosseum than in the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill?
No, this tour is specifically designed to spend 20 minutes inside the Colosseum and around 1.5 hours in the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. The tickets we use are specific Arena tickets that are valid exclusively for 20 minutes and allow only access to the Arena floor from a reserved entrance. The tour will then continue to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, where you will enjoy elevated views over the Colosseum which is a great occasion to ask all your questions regarding the Colosseum and where the guide will take some time to go over an explanation of the whole building.
Are we going underground in this tour?
No, this tour includes exclusively the Arena Floor which is a modern reconstruction in place where the original floor used to be. This tour will not take you below ground and you are not going in the Underground section, but you will gain an exclusive point of view very close to the underground area and your guide will be able to explain that from above.
Is this tour recommended for Families with Kids? What is the difference from your Colosseum for Kids tour since the duration is the same?
This tour is not specifically designed for families with children. We spend less time inside the Colosseum even tho we go on the Arena Floor. And we spend more time in the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, which is usually the least appealing for young learners.
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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40 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.
Emily was a fantastic tour guide. She tailored the tour for our interests and really made the history come alive. She answered every question - the breadth of her knowledge was so impressive. Would highly recommend.
Christine
Jun 13, 2025
Fantastic tour! Giulia brought the ruins to life for us. She was able to distill thousands of years of history into a fascinating and meaningful experience. Her depth of knowledge and enthusiasm made visiting the Colosseum a true highlight of our trip. Being with a small group was a lot of fun and allowed for great conversation along the tour.
Shari
Jun 13, 2025
Dimos is one of the best guides we ever had- personable. Knowledgeable and professional
Carolyn
Jun 11, 2025
