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Are you looking for the best Colosseum tours in Rome? Below I have the 5 best ones you can book today!
We’ve traveled through Italy extensively and easily one of the coolest things we saw was the Colosseum in Rome. However, when we first started looking for Colosseum tours, we found hundreds and not all of them were great! What should be the highlight of your trip can easily become a drag if you book a subpar tour.
But don’t worry, we can personally vouch for each of the ones below so you can book with confidence. So keep reading to find the perfect tour for you!
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour

Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our FAVORITE tour is this special access tour of the Colosseum. It lets you enter the Colosseum from the arena floor – just like the gladiators! Plus it has bonus tours of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
Check out the 3,500+ reviews and book it here!
Tip: This tour is VERY popular and sells out, so reserve your spot now and you’ll also get free cancellation up to 7 days beforehand.
- Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour
- Best Colosseum Tours in Rome
- 1. Special Access Tour to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill
- 2. Guided Tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill
- 3. Full-Day Tour of Rome with Entry to the Vatican and Colosseum
- 4. Colosseum Arena, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill Tour with Guide
- 5. Full-Day Rome Tour with Vatican, Colosseum, and Sistine Chapel
- Where to Stay in Rome
- Thanks for reading!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Don't Forget Travel Insurance!
Best Colosseum Tours in Rome
1. Special Access Tour to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill


- Price: €89-€119
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Time: Morning and afternoon tours available
- Highlights: An extended visit to multiple areas of the Roman Colosseum with special access, visit both the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill with an expert guide
- Inclusions: English-speaking guide, small group tour, headset to better hear guide, all entrance tickets, skip-the-line access
- Rating: 4.5 (check the 3,500+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
For the true VIP experience, this special access Colosseum tour includes the rare experience of entering through the Gladiator’s Gate to see the arena floor! This isn’t something many tours include as this isn’t an area open to the public, so this one is easily our favorite of the tours we’ve done.
We loved walking in the footsteps of gladiators and standing right where they would have. What a way to start this tour in Rome!
After that epic entrance, we continued to explore both the first and second levels of the Colosseum with our guide, Nic. He told us all about the amazing history of this place along with some funny stories too!
It was nice that we had a guide along since there are multiple security checkpoints to navigate. We felt like we were in good hands and since it was a small group tour (only 8 of us), it still felt like a really personal experience.
Then we toured around both Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum. Palatine Hill is the birthplace of Rome and some of the stories of the Roman Empire we heard from Nic while walking here made this place come to life. If you choose a special afternoon tour (available seasonally), there’s also the chance to tour secret sites here normally off-limits to visitors including the house of Caesar Augustus.
This tour regularly sells out, so make sure to book your VIP access tour here!
2. Guided Tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill


- Price: €34 – €124
- Duration: 3 hours
- Time: Morning and afternoon options
- Highlights: Explore the Roman Colosseum, Colosseum Arena (if selected), see the heart of the empire at the Roman Forum, and where the city was founded on Palatine Hill
- Inclusions: English-speaking guide (if selected), headset to hear guide more clearly, headphones and device for audio tour (if selected), all entry tickets, skip-the-line access to all sites
- Rating: 4.5 stars (check the 21,400+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
I love this Colosseum tour because it has tons of options depending on how you want to experience several bucket list locations. Take it as a guided small group for a more personal experience, a guided large group if you want to save money, or as an audio tour if you prefer going your own pace.
We took the small group tour and couldn’t have been happier. We met our guide at noon and began by going to the Colosseum which is just as impressive as I thought it would be. Our guide wowed us with facts I never knew such as the Romans had the ability to reenact naval battles! History buffs will love the extensive knowledge guides have about the ancient Romans and really get a lot out of this tour.
After the Colosseum, it was off to Palatine Hill to see the spot where Romulus declared to build Rome all the way back in 753 BC. I was blown away by the rich history and incredible views from this location and if I’m being honest it might have been the highlight of the day for me.
Finally, we continued to the Roman Forum which used to be the heart of the once great empire. With a skilled guide and a little imagination, it was like stepping back in time and being there ourselves.
I seriously can’t recommend this tour enough. It’s the perfect way to experience the wonder of Rome.
This popular tour books up quickly, so reserve here and you also get FREE cancellation!
Related Read: Need more tips on seeing Rome? Our ultimate 3-day Rome itinerary has it all!
3. Full-Day Tour of Rome with Entry to the Vatican and Colosseum


- Price: €169-€211
- Duration: 7 hours
- Time: Morning departures typically around 9 am
- Highlights: See the galleries at the Vatican Museums, Sphere Within a Sphere sculpture, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, Colosseum, and Roman Forum
- Inclusions: English-speaking guide, all entrance tickets, skip-the-line access at select sites
- Rating: 4.5 (check the 1,900+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
Rome is full of historical wonders and no tour better explores them all than this “Rome in a Day” tour. I love each of the stops and by the end of the day, you will have had the ultimate experience in Rome.
This tour is perfect for people who might be short on time or just prefer to have someone else do the planning. Either way, you won’t be disappointed!
The theme of the first part of the day is art and Rome has no shortage of it. The galleries at the Vatican Museums, Sphere Within a Sphere sculpture, and Sistine Chapel are all incredible, and seeing them with a guide makes them all the better. I was awe-struck at each of these locations.
But it just keeps getting better with visits to St. Peter’s Basilica, Piazza Navona, and the Trevi Fountain which all boast incredible architecture. This tour really hits all the marks with art, architecture, and history.
Speaking of history, no tour of Rome would be complete without visiting the Colosseum and Roman Forum. Skipping the lines at the Colosseum means you get right into the action as you explore this incredible ancient monument in depth. Then of course it’s time for the Roman Forum, the once beating heart of ancient Rome that comes to life with the help of your guide.
Easily see Rome’s highlights on this highly-rated tour!
Related Read: Fill up your itinerary with more can’t-miss experiences with our list of the best things to do in Rome!
4. Colosseum Arena, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill Tour with Guide


- Price: €99
- Duration: 3 hours
- Time: Various times available between 9 am to 3 pm
- Highlights: Explore the Colosseum Gladiator Arena which is usually off-limits to general admission, walk by the Arch of Constantine, see the heart of the empire at the Roman Forum, and where the city was founded on Palatine Hill
- Inclusions: English-speaking guide, headset to hear guide clearly, all entrance tickets, skip-the-line access to all sites
- Rating: 4.5 (check 4,500+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
If you’re after an expertly guided tour that brings you to places most visitors don’t see this Colosseum experience is the one for you. I loved being able to explore the Colosseum Arena with a guide and it’s the only way I recommend people do it.
The tour starts with an epic visit to the Colosseum. With an expert guide and access to the usually restricted Colosseum Arena, we were able to get an understanding of this amazing monument that most people don’t. I learned so much about ancient Rome during our hour here and left in awe. If you’d rather skip the arena, you can instead choose to explore the underground area – I’ve heard it’s incredible!
We continued on by walking by the massive Arch of Constantine which was built around 312 AD and is still standing proudly to this day. The Roman Forum was next and once the heart of the Roman Empire it is still a sight to behold. Everything from trade to military parades and more happened here and our guide beautifully brought it all to life.
The day ends perfectly on the ancient and incredibly important Palatine Hill. This is where Romulus decided to originally build Rome close to 3,000 years ago and offers stunning views of the surrounding area. It’s breathtaking, to say the least, and I love that this tour ends on such a high note.
If you want an unparalleled look at ancient Rome this tour can not be missed.
Read recent reviews and easily book your spot here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
5. Full-Day Rome Tour with Vatican, Colosseum, and Sistine Chapel


- Price: €143-€179
- Duration: 7.5 hours
- Time: 10:15 am
- Highlights: See the artwork at the Vatican Museums, Sphere Within a Sphere sculpture, Sistine Chapel, Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain, Colosseum, and Roman Forum
- Inclusions: English-speaking guide, all entrance tickets, skip-the-line access to all sites
- Rating: 4.5 (check the 900+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
This full-day tour checks all of the boxes of history, art, and culture. With an expert guide who makes the most of each stop, this experience is the complete Rome package that any type of traveler can appreciate.
The first part of the day is spent walking through the gorgeous Piazza’s Navona and Venezia which are what I think of when I think about Rome. The perfectly sculpted and iconic Trevi Fountain is up next. Having a guide with you takes it to another level with a fascinating history and insider knowledge most people don’t learn when they visit.
Exploring the Colosseum comes in the middle of the day after lunch. I could visit this place a hundred times and never get bored. It’s one of the most famous monuments in the world and even more impressive than I could have imagined.
The day ends with trips to the Vatican Museums where you see incredible art and get a deep dive into each piece. Sculptures like the Belvedere Torso blew me away and that was only one of many. Oh wait, don’t forget about the Sistine Chapel with frescoes painted by Michelangelo!
There is so much more that you see throughout the day and I couldn’t name it all here. It’s the perfect tour for anyone who wants to see everything Rome has to offer.
Make the most of your trip and book your spot on this tour in advance!
Where to Stay in Rome

Now that you know which Colosseum tour to book, it’s time to find a great hotel! We won’t lie, Rome is an expensive city … but there are still some good deals on hotels. We’ll share our picks for a variety of budgets, including the hotel we stayed at!
FH55 Grand Hotel Palatino – $$$
If you can afford to go all out on a hotel in Rome, the FH55 Grand Hotel Palatino is luxurious with an unreal location! It’s literally around the corner from the Colosseum (5 min walk) and only 15-20 minutes to walk to the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps.
The hotel itself is top quality with rooms that look brand new and have super comfy beds and fluffy pillows. The staff treats all the guests like royalty too!
Rooms here typically start around €200-€250 but more expensive suites and family rooms are available. Book a luxury getaway to Rome by reserving your room here!
Domus Maggiore – $$ (Where we stayed!)
We stayed at Domus Maggiore in Rome and highly recommend it! It’s a bit more of a walk from the main tourist area of Rome, but we didn’t mind that. It was still in a beautiful and safe part of the city in Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore.
One of the main perks we loved here was the fantastic breakfast. There’s a little cafe downstairs and as hotel guests, we received a free (and yummy!) meal every morning. We also loved having an espresso on our balcony, so our tip is to request a room with a balcony!
Rooms here generally start around €120 and can book up, so reserve in advance here.
B&B la piazzetta delle regine – $
For budget accommodations in Rome, B&B la piazzetta delle regine is a lovely little spot. This B&B is cozy and clean in a safe area of Rome near Sapienza University. It’s really close to a Metro station and a supermarket and restaurants.
Because it’s a B&B, there’s a delicious breakfast offered every day. Rooms have garden and inner courtyard views and all the rooms have private bathrooms.
Guests rave about this place and with rooms starting at only €70, it’s a fantastic deal! Limited rooms are available, so reserve one here.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!

The Colosseum in Rome is one of those places you HAVE to see and you want to make sure you do it right. There’s no time for a sub-par tour here, so I hope our list helped you pick out a great one!
While you’re getting ready to explore Rome, have a look through all our other blogs. We have travel tips and advice for Europe, North America, Australia, and more!
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