Looking to tour the Roman Colosseum to experience what it feels like to step where legends once walked?
If you’ve started researching tours, you’ve probably noticed the endless options—skip-the-line tickets, guided tours, night visits, underground access… So, how do you even know what Colosseum tour to take?
Well, as someone who’s explored countless historical Italian sites, I can tell you not all tours are created equal. Some merely show you stones, while others breathe life into every crumbling corridor.
And through this write-up, I’ll walk you through the absolute best Colosseum tours for 2025 — experiences that don’t just show you history but make you feel like you’re living it.
10 Best Colosseum Tours in Rome
Let’s walk you through the most incredible tours that’ll transport you back 2,000 years and help you skip those notorious lines while you’re at it.
Colosseum Tour with Underground, Arena, and Gladiator Gate with Roman Forum
Want to walk in the footsteps of gladiators? This LivTours experience is about as close as you can get.
Here’s what makes it special: you’ll get access to everything — and I mean everything. We’re talking about areas most visitors never see, including the underground chambers where gladiators and exotic animals once awaited their fate.
Having explored the underground level myself, I can tell you it’s absolutely mind-blowing. Standing in those ancient corridors, you’ll truly grasp the architectural genius that went into creating this marvel.
The best part? With just six people in your group, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to pepper your expert guide with questions about ancient Roman life, gladiatorial combat, and the engineering feats that made it all possible.
Things to Know
Skip-the-line Colosseum Tour with Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
Let’s face it — nobody enjoys waiting in line, especially under the Roman sun. This tour solves that problem while delivering an experience that brings ancient Rome to vibrant life.
With a small group of 15 (trust me, this matters when you’re trying to hear your guide over the crowds), you’ll go deep into tales of gladiatorial combat, naval battles, and, yes… even those infamous mass executions.
Think of it as a time machine: one hour exploring the Colosseum, then you’re whisked away to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
You’ll stand on the very spots where history-changing decisions were made and see the place where Julius Caesar was honored after his death.
While you won’t get underground access with this one, the guides have a knack for making history feel like a fascinating story rather than a dry lecture.
Things to Know
Duration: 3 hours
Group Size: 15 people max
Line-Skipping: Yes
Sights You’ll Enjoy:
- Colosseum
- Roman Forum
- Palatine Hill
- Julius Caesar’s altar
Pricing:
- Adults: 59€ – 100€
- Children (up to 14 years old): 55€ – 93€
- Under 2: Free
You can find more info and the best deals here.
VIP Colosseum Underground Tour + Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
Ever wondered what it felt like to be a gladiator preparing for battle? This tour takes you there — literally.
You’ll descend into the very underground chambers where gladiators and exotic beasts once waited, their hearts pounding before entering the arena above.
Sure, the group’s a bit larger at 24 people, but here’s the trade-off: you get access to those mysterious restricted areas that most tourists can only dream about.
Think of it as joining an exclusive club — one that lets you step into places where only certified guides can lead the way.
After experiencing the underground drama, you’ll find yourself onto the arena floor where thousands once cheered and jeered.
Then, as if that weren’t enough, you’ll explore the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill to complete your journey through ancient Rome’s greatest hits.
Things to Know
Duration: 3.5 hours
Group Size: 24-person max
Line-Skipping: Yes
Sights You’ll Enjoy:
- Colosseum
- Colosseum Underground
- Roman Forum
- Palatine Hill
- Arch of Constantine
Pricing:
- Adults: From 119€
- Children (up to 14yo): From 114€
- Under 2: Free
You can find more info and the best deals here.
Top Class Semi-Private Colosseum Tour with Panoramic Glass Elevator
Here’s something special for the view-chasers among us. While this tour skips the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, it offers something unique.
And that is a ride in a glass elevator to the Colosseum’s newly-opened upper tiers. (And yes, it’s as cool as it sounds.)
The views? Simply spectacular. As you glide upward in your glass capsule, Rome unfolds before you like a living history book.
From the top, you’ll get a bird’s-eye view that few visitors ever experience — perfect for those Instagram-worthy shots of both the ancient ruins and Rome’s modern skyline.
Things to Know
Duration: 1.5 hours
Group Size: 6-person max
Line-Skipping: Yes
Sights You’ll Enjoy:
- Colosseum
- Glass Elevator
Pricing:
- Adults: From 109€ (minimum two people, starting from 218€ for two all-inclusive)
- Teenagers (13-17yo): 99€
- Children (3-12yo): From 94€
- Under 3: Free
You can find more info and the best deals here.
Gladiators’ Gate: Special Access Colosseum Tour along with Arena Floor
Want to make an entrance to the gladiator floors? This tour lets you step through the same gate that gladiators used 2,000 years ago.
There’s something spine-tingling about walking onto the arena floor through that historic entrance — suddenly, you’re not just a tourist, you’re part of the spectacle.
From the arena floor, you’ll get a gladiator’s-eye view of the massive seating areas where emperors and citizens once sat, cheered, and decided fates.
After soaking in the arena’s atmosphere, your journey continues to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, where you’ll discover the legendary spot where Rome’s story began with two brothers and a wolf.
Things to Know
Duration: 3 hours
Group Size: 25-person max
Line-Skipping: Yes
Sights You’ll Enjoy:
- Colosseum
- Gladiator’s Gate
- Arena Floor
- Roman Forum
- Palatine Hill
Pricing:
- Adults: 63€ – 107€
- Children (13-17yo): 59€ – 96€
- Under 2: Free
You can find more info and the best deals here.
Private Colosseum Tour along with Ancient City
Now, if you’re looking for a VIP experience, this private tour can put you in the spotlight with your own personal expert guide.
It’s like having a time-traveling friend who knows all the best stories about ancient Rome.
And here’s a bonus for families: you can add a special gladiator school experience for the kids (though, let’s be honest — adults might enjoy that just as much).
Things to Know
Duration: 3 hours
Group Size: Private
Line-Skipping: Yes
Sights You’ll Enjoy:
- Colosseum Main Floor and 1st Tier
- Roman Forum
- Palatine Hill
Pricing:
- 2 Participants: 429€ (all-inclusive)
- Teenagers (13-17yo): 69€
- Children (3-12yo): 64€
- Under 3: Free
You can find more info and the best deals here.
Rome in A Day Tour, Including Vatican, Colosseum and Historic Centre
Short on time but big on ambition? This tour can be your secret weapon for conquering Rome’s greatest hits in a single day, then.
Yes, it’s ambitious — almost daring — to pack this much history into 7.5 hours. But if time isn’t on your side and you’re determined to see it all, this is your best bet.
Think of it as Rome’s greatest hits album: the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, and of course, the mighty Colosseum.
Your expert guide will keep you moving at just the right pace, making sure you don’t miss any of the highlights.
Things to Know
Duration: 7.5 hours
Group Size: 18-person max
Line-Skipping: Yes
Sights You’ll Enjoy:
- Colosseum
- Vatican Museums
- Centro Storico
- Pantheon
- Piazza Navona
- Trevi Fountain
- Capitoline Hill
Pricing:
- Adults: 139€
- Children (up to 14yo): 129€
- Under 2: Free
You can find more info and the best deals here.
Private Colosseum Guided Tour, Covering Underground and Ancient Rome
Now, here’s another gem from LivTours that gives you the full VIP treatment. It’s like having your own personal storyteller who can adjust the tour to match your interests perfectly.
One of its key highlights is the Roman Forum — the beating heart of ancient Rome.
It’s my favorite spot to pause at Julius Caesar’s altar, where even today, visitors leave fresh flowers for the deified emperor.
There’s something powerful about standing in a place where history feels so alive and present.
Things to Know
Duration: 3 hours and 15 minutes
Group Size: Private
Line-Skipping: Yes
Sights You’ll Enjoy:
- Colosseum
- Colosseum Underground
- Arena Floor
- Roman Forum
- Palatine Hill
Pricing:
- 2 Participants: 519€ (all-inclusive)
- Teenagers (13-17yo): 89€
- Children (3-12yo): 84€
- Under 3: Free
You can find more info and the best deals here.
Colosseum Tour along with Gladiator’s Entrance
If you enjoyed the movie ‘Gladiator,’ this tour will make you want to channel your inner Russell Crowe.
After all, it starts with a bang — entering through the Gladiators’ Gate. It’s hard not to get goosebumps as you step through the same entrance that gladiators and condemned prisoners once used.
What makes this tour special is how it lets you experience the Colosseum from every angle. Your guide will paint vivid pictures of the past using both historical facts and fascinating stories.
And when you reach the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, they’ll bring out 3D reconstructions to show you how these magnificent ruins once looked in their glory days.
Things to Know
Duration: 3.5 hours
Group Size: 20-person max
Line-Skipping: Yes
Sights You’ll Enjoy:
- Colosseum
- Gladiators’ Gate
- Colosseum Dungeon
- Arena Floor
Pricing:
- Adults: 50€
- Children (6-17yo): 44€
- Under 6: Free
You can find more info and the best deals here.
Self-Guided Virtual Reality Colosseum Tour
Prefer to explore at your own pace? Here’s a tech-savvy solution that lets you be your own guide.
Armed with a 3D virtual device and audio guide in your chosen language, you’ll get to experience the Colosseum as it was 2,000 years ago.
Think of it as your personal time machine — one that lets you see the ancient games and spectacles through virtual reconstruction while you stand in the very spot where they happened.
Plus, you’ll still get fast-track access to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
Things to Know
Duration: 2 hours
Line-Skipping: Yes
Sights You’ll Enjoy:
- Colosseum
- Roman Forum
- Palatine Hill
Pricing: From 59.90€ per person
You can find more info and the best deals here.
Colosseum Opening Hours
When’s the best time to visit? Let’s break down the Colosseum’s seasonal schedule.
- January 2nd to February 15th: Early birds win, 8:30 am — 4:30 pm (last entrance at 3:30 pm)
- February 16th to March 15th: Slightly extended hours, 8:30 am — 5 pm (last entrance at 4 pm)
- Mid-March to Late March: Hours keep expanding, 8:30 am — 5:30 pm
- Late March to September 30th: Peak season! 8:30 am — 7:15 pm (hello, long summer days)
- October 1st to 26th: Back to slightly shorter days, 8:30 am — 6:30 pm
- Late October to December 31st: Winter hours, 8:30 am — 4:30 pm
Mark your calendar: The Colosseum takes a break on January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th. Plan accordingly.
How to Get to the Colosseum by Public Transport
Rome’s public transport is your gateway to history. Here’s your quick navigation guide:
- Metro: Take Line B and hop off at Colosseo stop
- Buses: Catch lines 75, 81, 673, 175, or 204
- Tram: Line 3 is your friend
What Are the Best Colosseum Tour Providers?
If you search online, you’ll come across dozens of Colosseum tour providers. But after years of exploring and researching, I found these companies as the best historical storytellers with the best packages:
- LivTours (my personal favorite)
- TakeWalks
- GetYourGuide
- Viator
- Walks of Italy
- The Tour Guy
- Through Eternity Tours
- The Roman Guy
Are Guided Tours of the Colosseum Worth It?
Short answer? Absolutely.
Long answer? Imagine trying to understand a complex novel without any context. That’s what exploring the Colosseum solo feels like.
I’ve done both — wandered alone and toured with experts — and the difference is night and day. A good guide transforms stone ruins into a living, breathing story.
Suddenly, you’re not just looking at old rocks; you’re understanding the intricate social dynamics, architectural innovations, and human drama that made the Colosseum pulse with life.
Is the Colosseum Underground Tour Worth It?
Well, if you want the VIP backstage pass to ancient Roman entertainment, the underground tour is no less than a golden ticket.
Those subterranean spaces weren’t just holes in the ground — they were sophisticated engineering marvels where gladiators and wild animals prepared for their life-or-death performances.
As you’ve noticed in the previous discussions, not all tours include these restricted areas. So, if you want the full experience, look specifically for tours that feature both the underground and the arena floor.
Can You Do a Self-Guided Tour of the Colosseum?
Sure, you can! Skip-the-line tickets let you explore at your own pace. But here’s the catch — you’ll only access standard visitor areas.
Besides, if you want to walk where gladiators walked, you must get a certified guide for those exclusive zones like the arena floor and underground chambers.
A Few Tips to Make Your Colosseum Tour a Success
Now, this is where you’ll want to pay close attention to. Afer all, these tips can make or break your experience:
- Book Online: Whether it’s a guided tour or a simple ticket, online booking is your friend.
- Bring ID: No passport, no entry. It’s that simple.
- Arrive Early: Aim to be 10-15 minutes ahead of your tour time.
- Comfort is King: Wear comfortable walking shoes. Stilettos and ancient ruins? Not a match made in heaven.
- Pack Light: No backpacks allowed. A small crossbody bag is your best accessory.
- Stay Hydrated: Bring a reusable water bottle. Those Roman summers are no joke.
- Sun Protection: Sunscreen and a hat are your archaeological adventure essentials.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a history buff, an adventure seeker, or just someone looking to step back in time, the Colosseum offers an experience like no other.
From underground chambers to the arena floor, every stone tells a story. So, book your Colosseum tour for 2025, and get ready to walk in the footsteps of emperors, gladiators, and legends.
