Colosseum, Palatine Hill & Roman Forum Guided Tour
About 3 hours
Near the Colosseum, Rome
Guided group
Mobile ticket
Overview
This guided tour covers the three great sites of ancient Rome in one visit. You start inside the Colosseum, the largest amphitheatre the Romans ever built, then cross to the Palatine Hill, where Rome’s emperors lived, and finish by walking down the Via Sacra through the Roman Forum.
Along the way your guide brings the ruins back to life: how the games were staged, how the emperors lived above the city, and how the Forum was the place where Roman politics, religion and trade all met.
Highlights
Walk through the Colosseum’s first and second tiers with a licensed guide
See the remains of imperial palaces on the Palatine Hill
Look out over the Circus Maximus, Rome’s great chariot-racing track
Walk the Via Sacra past the Temple of Caesar and the Arch of Titus
Timed entry, so you skip the ticket office queue
Itinerary
1Start
Meet your guide
Meet your guide near the Colosseum about ten minutes before the start time.
2About 1 hour
The Colosseum
Pass security and walk through the arena’s tiers while your guide explains how it worked, from animal hunts to gladiator fights.
3Short walk
Arch of Constantine
Pass the triumphal arch built in AD 315 to celebrate the emperor Constantine’s victory.
4About 45 minutes
Palatine Hill
Climb the hill where, according to legend, Rome was founded, and explore the ruins of the emperors’ palaces.
5About 45 minutes
Roman Forum
Walk down into the Forum to see the Senate House, the Temple of Caesar and the Arch of Titus. The tour ends here.
What’s included
Included
Licensed tour guide
Entry to the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
Mobile ticket
Not included
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Food and drinks
Tips
Meeting point
Near the Colosseum, Rome. The exact meeting point and your guide’s contact details are in your confirmation email.
Bring photo ID: Colosseum tickets are issued in each visitor’s name and may be checked.
Large bags, suitcases and big backpacks are not allowed inside the Colosseum.
Wear comfortable shoes. Paths in the Forum and on the Palatine are uneven, with slopes and steps.
The tour runs in all weather. Bring water in summer and a layer in winter.
Cancellation policy
Cancellation terms for this tour are shown before you pay and in your confirmation. Many tours offer a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the tour?
About three hours, split roughly between the Colosseum, the Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum.
Is there a lot of walking?
Yes. Expect plenty of walking on uneven ancient paving, including slopes and steps on the Palatine Hill.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes, children usually love the Colosseum. In summer the heat and walking can be tiring for young children, so bring water and hats.
Can I stay after the tour ends?
Usually yes. The tour ends inside the Roman Forum, and you can carry on exploring until the site closes.
Descend through three layers of history: a 12th-century basilica, the 4th-century church beneath it, and 1st-century Roman buildings at the bottom, including a temple to the god Mithras.
A small-group visit to the excavations below San Clemente, with time in the Mithraeum and beside the underground stream you can still hear running beneath the basilica.