moderate
3 hours
Participants should be able to walk and stand for several hours on uneven surfaces and stairs.
Step inside the Colosseum and on to the gladiators’ arena floor with Roman Vacations’ exclusive private tour. Experience ancient Rome's key landmarks with expert guides who bring history to life.
Walk on the Arena Floor from the Gladiator Entrance
Experience the grandeur of ancient Rome on a private tour that takes you through the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Walk the same paths as senators and emperors, stand on the arena floor as a gladiator, and enjoy expert insights from your guide, ensuring an unforgettable journey through history.
The best way to see the Colosseum in Rome is to experience its majesty and grandeur with your own private tour guide. With a predetermined entry time, and an expert friendly guide to answer all of your questions, you will get the absolute most out of your tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. We begin at Trajan’s column near Piazza Venezia, from here it’s a short walk along the Imperial Forum, constructed in Rome’s Golden Age, to the entrance of the more famous Roman Forum. Here you will see the bold majesty of the Senate House, the house and temple of the Vestal Virgins and even the Temple of Julius Caesar. From the forum we move up onto the Palatine Hill to explore the Imperial Palace, home of the emperors, where we even get a gorgeous view of Circus Maximus. Then it’s on to the Colosseum itself, where you will go inside via the Gladiator Gate and stand on the Arena Floor. Your guide will be sure to take you through the main level as well as the second level (ring) to get the very best vantage points.
Please check-in at the meeting point 15 minutes prior to your scheduled tour time. Tours will depart promptly at the scheduled time, and no refunds will be given for late arrivals or missed tours.
Proof of identification may be required, so please bring a valid form of photo ID for each guest.
Depending on the start time, the tour route may begin at the Forum/Palatine Hill.
Tours will proceed in all weather conditions, unless the site is closed by authorities for safety reasons. It is highly recommended to bring bottled water, sunscreen, hat, and umbrella.
There will be a security check upon entering the Colosseum. Any weapons, sharp objects, glass or aerosol containers will be confiscated, so please do not bring these items to the tour.
All tours operate within the current COVID-19 regulations set by the Italian Government.
Check in at least 15 minutes before your tour to ensure a timely start and avoid missing access.
The tour involves walking over uneven ancient stone surfaces across the Colosseum, Forum, and Palatine Hill.
Carry bottled water and apply sunscreen, especially in warmer months when shade is limited.
Prepare for security controls; leave prohibited items like weapons or large aerosols behind to avoid delays.
Palatine Hill is where Rome’s mythic founders Romulus and Remus were said to have been raised, making it a cradle of Roman civilization.
Efforts in Rome focus on preserving the fragile ruins through controlled visitor access and ongoing archaeological restoration.
Essential for navigating ancient stone terraces and uneven ground safely.
Protects from strong sun while moving between open-air sites.
summer specific
Staying hydrated is critical for comfort and health when touring the outdoor ruins.
summer|spring|fall specific
Useful for sudden showers or wind, especially on exposed hilltops.
spring|fall|winter specific