I know, picking the perfect Colosseum tour may seem quite a challenge among all the possibilities you have. There are more than 400 search results when looking at the best Colosseum tours on getyourguide, with many new appearing every month (be careful of the scams, especially on private tours). So without further delay, here are the best and why you should pick them.
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Table of Contents
- The best Colosseum tours
- Colosseum Entry Tickets + Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
- Colosseum Guided Tour (with Arena optional) + Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
- Colosseum Arena + Underground Guided Tour + Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
- Colosseum by Night with Underground & Arena
- Guided Vatican & Colosseum Tours
- Colosseum and Ancient Rome Guided Tour
- Useful things to know before visiting the Colosseum
- Frequently asked questions about Colosseum Tours
- Have you picked your favorite?
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The best Colosseum tours
I love comparison tables! I think they are so helpful when you are trying to pick the best choice. So here is the one for the best Colosseum tours. You can directly go to the ticket booking option by clicking on the name or if you want more information about each tour just scroll through the blog post.
| Tour | Duration | Guide | Arena | Underg. | Extras | Price/pers. |
| Colosseum Entry Tickets | / | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | 🏛️ | 39€ |
| Colosseum Guided Tour | 2.30 | 🗣️ | opt. | ❌ | 🏛️ | 64€ |
| Colosseum Arena + Underground Guided Tour | 3 | 🗣️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | 🏛️ | 149€ |
| Colosseum by Night with Underground & Arena | 2 | 🗣️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | 109€ | |
| Guided Vatican & Colosseum Tours | 6.30 | 🗣️ | ❌ | ❌ | ⛪ | 262€ |
| Colosseum and Ancient Rome Guided Tour | 3.30 | 🗣️ | ❌ | ❌ | 🏛️ ⛲ | 60€ |
🏛️ Palatine Hill and Roman Forum
⛪ St. Peter’s Basilica
⛲ Piazza Navona, Piazza Venezia, and Pantheon
Our pick? The Colosseum Guided Tour with the Arena option. Entering the arena is magical!
Colosseum Entry Tickets + Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
The best way to visit the Colosseum on your own is with a skip-the-line ticket that will let you add two more landmarks to your tour: the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Enjoy Roma Caput Mundi (translates Rome the head of the world) by visiting the most iconic locations of ancient Roman times.
The tour includes ONLY the tickets.
You can head over to the “Ticket Holder and Roma Pass” line for the mandatory security checks. It’s very important to be on time following the precise slot which is attributed to you. If you are late you may lose your spot! Also note that once you exit the monument you will not be able to re-enter, so remember to book the right time slot for you.
Book the Colosseum Entry Tickets here.
Colosseum Guided Tour (with Arena optional) + Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
This bundle covers the guided visit to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. It has skip the line options and in 2.30 hours will give you much complementary info about the three locations.
When booking the tour, you can pay for the option to access the arena and that’s indeed something I recommend! The view of the Colosseum from the public’s seats is absolutely unique. But if something can top it that’s the moment you pass by the gladiators’ gate to enter the arena. The Gladiator’s music starts playing right away in your head, it’s quite magical!
Note: the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are huuuge to explore! While you can easily see the Colosseum in 40-60 minutes, I’d recommend spending more time on the other two. As you won’t be able to get out without losing your ticket once you are inside, consider bringing snacks or sandwiches with you and picnicking so that when the guided tour is over you can stay inside.
Book the Colosseum Guided Tour here.
Colosseum Arena + Underground Guided Tour + Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
Exploring the underground technically known as hypogeum is really interesting. Situated under the arena where the shows and battles were staged, the underground was a labyrinth of machines and servants working to give the best show ever.
Once completely visible from the public’s area, recent renovation works are gradually recovering the underground with a wooden walkway. In a short time the Colosseum will look like it was back in Roman antiquity.
This tour includes also the entry tickets to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
Book the Colosseum Arena + Underground Guided Tour here.
Colosseum by Night with Underground & Arena
Entering the arena is absolutely magical, but imagine entering it at night! With this tour you will have access to the arena and underground.
One of the main benefits of going with this choice? The Colosseum standard visits are not allowed at night, as a result, you can enjoy the Colosseum with no crowds!
Book the Colosseum by Night with Underground & Arena here.
Guided Vatican & Colosseum Tours
Want to catch antique Rome and the Vatican essentials in a day? Get this tour! You start your day at the Vatican, guided through an inspiring journey through iconic sights and artworks. The highlights of the tour? Michelangelo’s frescoes on the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Note: you will have about 20 minutes inside the Sistine Chapel to admire the beautiful frescoes.
Once the visit is over and after a short lunch break, enter the 1st and 2nd floors of the Colosseum. Overall the tour lasts the whole day and doesn’t include meals or transportation from the Vatican to the Colosseum.
Book the Guided Vatican & Colosseum Tours here.
Colosseum and Ancient Rome Guided Tour
Get the gist of ancient Rome with this guided tour that will let you discover the 1st and 2nd floors of the Colosseum. And much more than that! In fact, the tour includes a walk through the Roman Forum (but NOT the Palatine Hill), the Capitoline Hill, Piazza Venezia (Altare della Patria), Piazza Navona, and the Pantheon.
Just like our self-guided one-day tour in Rome, this tour is perfect to see some of Rome’s most important landmarks.
Book the Colosseum and Ancient Rome Guided Tour here.
Useful things to know before visiting the Colosseum
- Wear comfortable shoes. You will walk a LOT in Rome if you are planning to visit the monuments (I’m thinking of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum for example). Take your most comfortable sneakers or sandals, you will thank me later!
- Take a water bottle with you. The walks are long and tiring, but there are plenty of free drinking water fountains in Rome. You won’t have any problem filling your bottle even inside the Roman Forum.
- Be careful of your time slot. Losing your ticket or guide because you are late may ruin your day (and you may also lose the refund)! Don’t take any risks and make sure to get to your meeting point earlier. You will also get to admire the monument from the outside better. I remember taking a million photos while waiting for our tour to start!
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Frequently asked questions about Colosseum Tours
Should I book the Colosseum ticket in advance?
Yes. This is very important as the tour gets fully booked fast. And also the time slots available may be less practical. The moment you book your flight to Rome, check out also for your tickets to Rome’s highlights.
Is it worth getting a guided tour of the Colosseum?
A self-guided tour is great of course, if you are looking for a budget-friendly option. There are many explication panels everywhere in the archaeological site. But if you are still undecided take the lip and invest in a guided tour. Especially in the Colosseum where you can learn so many extra details if exploring with a guide.
What day is the Colosseum free?
Each first Sunday of the month, entry to many public monuments in Rome is free. It’s indeed a great solution if you are looking to save some money. But, as you can imagine everyone and their mom will be visiting.
Is it worth paying for the Colosseum?
There are many nice pictures you can take outside the Colosseum (as it’s one of Rome’s most beautiful photo spots!). But entering inside is magical, especially in the arena! You will be transported back in time.
Have you picked your favorite?
The best Colosseum tour for you depends on your interests, budget, and the amount of time you have. But remember to reserve in advance. Also if you are planning a vacation in Rome or Italy in general, check out our guides, tips and day trips prepared for you by an Italian!
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