You will meet your expert at a cafe near the Colosseum for a full briefing on what's ahead. Be sure to let your expert know of any particular interests you have, which will help inform the rest of the tour. You’ll of course begin at the Colosseum itself, where your expert will use the venue itself to talk through many aspects of ancient Rome: politics, architecture, culture, and of course, the spectacles that took place on the site millennia ago.

 

You’ll make your way to Palatine Hill to explore both the legends and facts surrounding Rome’s founding. From here, you will head to the Roman Forum, seeing the major sites of the ancient city, such as the Senate House, and the basilicas, temples, and triumphal arches around the square. Your incredible morning will be topped off with a delicious Italian lunch at a local restaurant where you’ll have the chance to ask your expert anything about what you’ve seen, or even local life in modern Rome.

 

After lunch, you’ll move to the “Centro Storico”—the historic heart of Rome. Here you’ll meander through classical Roman streets and squares before moving to one of the most renowned spots in Rome: the Pantheon. You’ll soak up the spectacular beauty of one of our favorite spots in all of the city, learning even more about ancient Roman traditions and architecture.

 

Your private tour will continue at the poetic Piazza del Campidoglio, and the legendary and beautiful Trevi Fountain, where your guide will discuss the importance of water to the city, the story behind its design, and the dramatic tale its sculptures portray. You will end your full day at the Spanish Steps, a beautiful panoramic point for views across the city. At the end of this awe-inspiring day, you will come away with a deeper knowledge of Rome, a comprehensive overview of its history, and a newfound appreciation of the remnants of the ancient city that live on today.

For more information about Context tours, please visit our FAQs.

Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.

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.   

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 accessible to those with mobility issues?

The Colosseum and the Roman Forum are wheelchair accessible, while the Palatine Hill is not. The Palatine Hill can be skipped, and the itinerary can be adjusted to make it more accessible, however, this tour covers a lot of ground and it is walking-intensive. The itinerary includes cobblestones, uneven and natural terrain, stairs, and hilly areas that are tricky to maneuver.  If you use a wheelchair or have any mobility concerns, please contact us to discuss alternate options.

 
Do we have to buy tickets on-site?

For this tour, your Colosseum tickets and your Pantheon tickets are pre-purchased, which allows you to go directly to the security line where you will have your pre-purchased ticket scanned.   

What is the dress code inside the Pantheon?

The Pantheon is considered a holy place. Men should wear long shorts or slacks, and women should wear long shorts, slacks, or skirts below the knee. Shoulders must also be covered; plan to bring a shawl to wear if your top has them exposed. Shorts above the knee are discouraged for adults and teens.

If you’d like to see the Vatican, please take a look at our selection of Vatican tours.

 

Yes, depending on the time of the tickets, we can try and arrange this. 

 

Kindly notify us if there will be children present at the tour. We also recommend looking into kid-specific tours, such as the Colosseum Tour for Kids.

 

You will be expected to cover the cost of your lunch and any additional refreshments.

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.