Take a trip back in time to ancient Rome on this small group guided tour that explores the Colosseum, Forum, and Palatine Hill. Experience an exclusive visit to the awe-inspiring arena floor.
Colosseum with Arena Floor, Forum & Palatine Hill Tour
Summary Description
Highlights
- Relive the bloody drama of the Colosseum with an expert guide
- Follow in the footsteps of the gladiators and walk out onto the Arena floor
- Explore the beating hear of antiquity in the Roman Forum
- Discover the opulent palaces of the emperors on the Palatine Hill
Description
Skip the lines and dive into Ancient Rome with a guided tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Step onto the Colosseum’s arena floor, usually closed to the public, and explore the truth behind gladiator legends. Learn how this massive monument was built in under a decade and how the games thrilled emperors and crowds alike. Then walk through the ruins of the Roman Forum, once the heart of Roman political life, and see the Senate, Vestal Virgins’ House, and iconic temples. Stroll the Via Sacra, still bearing the ruts of ancient carriages, and admire the triumphal arches of Titus and Septimius Severus. Finally, ascend Palatine Hill to explore imperial palaces and the legendary birthplace of Rome, where Romulus founded the city. This immersive experience offers deep insight into Roman history, myth, and architecture—all in the very places where it unfolded.
Relive the bloody drama of the Colosseum with an expert guide
A true Roman icon, there are few experiences in travel more exciting than your first sight of the Colosseum; a visit to the extraordinary Flavian amphitheatre is a must when in the Eternal City. The best way to experience the Colosseum is in the company of an expert guide, and on our tour of the ancient city you’ll be in the engaging hands of one of our highly qualified archaeologists. During the glory days of the Roman empire the Colosseum could seat over 65,000 people, and the city came to a standstill to drink in the gruesome spectacles of death that unfolded here: brutal gladiatorial combats to the death, wild animal hunts that brought some of the world’s most exotic animals to the brink of extinction and shocking public executions all took place on the sand of the Colosseum’s arena floor. Learn all about what a day at the ancient games was like and get the full picture of gladiator combat in the ancient world, right where it happened.
Follow in the footsteps of the gladiators and walk out onto the Arena floor
Have you ever imagined what it must have been like to step out onto the sands of the Colosseum, a tiny and insignificant speck looking up at rows upon rows of men, women and children screaming for the spilling of your blood? The baying crowds might be no more, but the unique opportunity to tread the very ground where the gladiators practised their brutal art thousands of years ago is a very special experience. On our tour you’ll get to follow in the footsteps of the gladiators and walk out onto the stage where the bloody drama unfolded almost two millennia ago.
Discover who the gladiators were and what exactly took place on the sands of the arena; see the imperial box from where the emperor watched the combat, and learn how the games played a vital role in the society of ancient Rome. Access to the arena floor is only possible for a limited number of visitors each day, but on our tour you can be sure that you’ll get to channel your inner Russel Crowe as you visit this exclusive area of the Colosseum.
Explore the beating heart of antiquity in the Roman Forum
Whilst the Colosseum was the most important entertainment venue in the ancient city, the nearby Roman Forum was the political heart of ancient Rome. A valley filled with temples, courthouses, triumphal arches and much more, it is in the Roman Forum where you can witness the splendour of ancient Rome in all its variety. On our tour of the Roman Forum we’ll take a stroll along the Via Sacra, the ancient city’s most important road, and explore the enormous basilica of Maxentius. Learn all about the mysterious Vestal Virgins, sombre guardians of ancient Rome’s sacred flame, in the beautiful house they called home, and gaze on their ancient portraits. Relive the dramatic assassination of Julius Caesar in the temple dedicated to him after his death, and admire the soaring columns of the awe-inspiring Temple of Saturn.
Discover the opulent palaces of the emperors on the Palatine hill
Your tour will also include an in-depth exploration of life in ancient Rome on the beautiful Palatine hill. The Palatine Hill is a vital piece of the jigsaw puzzle that is Ancient Rome, and its spectacular ruins are far too often overlooked by visitors. The Palatine is where the long history of Roman civilization began, and where the powerful Emperors of the Imperial age ruled over one of the largest empires the world has ever seen. On our tour we’ll get to grips with the history of Rome, learning the legendary tale of Romulus and Remus and tracing the evolution of Rome from a Republic to an empire. Exploring the ruins of the vast Palace of Domitian (including a private racetrack) with spectacular views over the Circus Maximus, you’ll get a vivid sense of the incredible grandeur of the ancient world’s most important city.
Included / Excluded
- • All fees and taxes
- • Expert, English-speaking guide
- • Skip-the-line tickets
- • Exclusive Arena floor visit
- • Headsets (for groups of 6 or more)
- • Transportation to and from meeting and end points
- • Food and Beverages
- • Gratuities (optional)
Start / End Locations
Important Information
Know Before You Book
- As this is a walking tour through large archaeological sites in Rome with steps and uneven surfaces, comfortable walking shoes and a bottle of water are strongly recommended.
- Please advise if any travelers have mobility concerns so that we can best accommodate you.
- To obtain a student discount, valid student ID must be shown on the day of your tour. If a student does not have valid student ID, they may be charged a new full ticket entrance price, which must be paid by you on the day of the tour.
- Please ensure you arrive 10 mins early and at the right meeting point, we cannot wait for late arrivals.
- Please email the ages of all children traveling with you to [email protected]
- As this is a walking tour with steps, staircases and uneven surfaces, comfortable walking shoes and a bottle of water are strongly recommended. Please advise if any travelers have mobility concerns so that we can best accommodate you.
- Wheelchairs, motorised scooters and big/bulky strollers are not permitted on our group tours.
- Large bags, glass bottles, alcoholic beverages or spray cannisters (such as sunscreen) are not permitted into these sites so please leave such items at your hotel or they will be confiscated by security on entrance.
Cancellation
Cancellation Cutoff: 24 hours
Cancellation Notes: Up to 24 hours before the beginning of the activity: full refund Less than 24 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: no refund
Options and Pricing
| Colosseum with Gladiator Arena Floor, Forum and Palatine Hill Semi-Private Tour | RETAIL PRICE |
|---|---|
| Adult (18 - 64 years) | $109.00 |
| Child (5 - 11 years) | $99.00 |
Points of interest
Redemption Information
Tickets will be held at the box office
About operator:
Through Eternity is a tour company in Italy that provides insightful guidance and commentary on historical and artistic sights, both well known and off the beaten track. The company has been providing exceptionally high quality cultural tourism since 1999. Our guides are all highly educated, fluent English-speaking professionals who bring history alive and provide deep cultural context. The company provides tours and excursions in Italy, Spain, France, Turkey, England and Greece. All Through Eternity's back-office staff are native English speakers.
Basic Information
- Duration:
- Category: Tours & Sightseeing
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