The Signature Colosseum Tour with Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

See beyond the iconic ruins and hear the captivating stories of Ancient Rome
From US$187 for 1 person
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Tour Details
Duration
3.5 hours
Product Type
Tour
Venues
  • Colosseum
  • Roman Forum
  • Palatine Hill
Photos & Highlights
  • Go beyond the basics – No matter your reason for visiting the Colosseum, we will uncover the secrets and stories in the ruins, creating connections and memories for you and your family to cherish for a lifetime.
  • Expert-Guided, Stress-Free, Tailored to You – Each tour is carefully curated to your interests and led by an expert archeologist or historian who brings Ancient Rome to life, ensuring you get the most out of this iconic landmark.
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Tour Description
The crowds are roaring, the swords are clashing, the tunics are swishing over the flagstones, and the conversations are lilting across the Foro. These sounds of everyday life at the Colosseum and the Roman Forum still echo in the air as whispers of stories for you to hear as you journey into the heart of Ancient Rome with an archeologist or historian. 

As your expert guide leads you through the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, you’ll gain unparalleled insights and - through your expert's storytelling - your sense of the history will go beyond dry narratives to a living image of both what this place looked like before it was ruins and the powerful people who shaped it. This power had such a great legacy that generations of archaeologists (including some of our experts) have dug and preserved here hoping to understand the past better and - in some cases - to draw conclusions about how we live in the present.

Need help choosing the right tour for your needs? View a comparison of our most popular Colosseum tours

Choose this tour if…

  • You want to make unforgettable memories standing inside the legendary Colosseum, where gladiators once fought for their lives.
  • You prefer a stress-free experience with an expert guide who ensures you don’t miss the hidden stories and must-see highlights.
  • You desire to feel deeply connected to history, walking the same paths as emperors, senators, and citizens of Ancient Rome.
  • You want to understand how Rome’s empire still shapes today’s world, from politics and architecture to language and culture.
Experts
Emanuela Emanuela
Archaeologist
Alessandra Alessandra
Art Historian
Simonetta Simonetta
Art Historian
Valentina Valentina
Local Guide
Dimosthenis Dimosthenis
Archaeologist
Francesca Francesca
Art Historian
Simona Simona
Local Guide & Teacher
Maria Emilia Maria Emilia
Art Historian
Arianna Arianna
Art Historian
Fabio Fabio
Art Historian
Elisa Valeria Elisa Valeria
Archaeologist
Marina Marina
Local Guide
Priscilla Priscilla
Archaeologist
Jose Jose
Artist
Valeria Valeria
Archaeologist
Guido Guido
Tourist guide
Antonella Antonella
Archaeologist
Federico Federico
Local Guide
Maria Stella Maria Stella
Art Historian
Patrizia Patrizia
Art Historian
Liz Liz
Architect
Paola Paola
Architectural Historian
Gianluca Gianluca
Art Historian
Mara Mara
Local Guide
Cecilia Cecilia
Art Historian
Barbara Barbara
Architect
Laura Laura
Local Guide
Michele Michele
Local Guide
Vittorio Vittorio
Art Historian
Giulia Giulia
Archaeologist
Cristina Cristina
Art Historian
Giuseppe Giuseppe
Local Guide
Francesca Francesca
Archaeologist
Alessandro Alessandro
Archaeologist
Andrea Andrea
Historian
Sabrina Sabrina
Art Historian
Maddalena Maddalena
Art Historian
Luciana Luciana
Local Guide
Roberta Roberta
Art Historian
Jade Jade
Archaeologist
Patrick Patrick
Historian
Simona Simona
Archaeologist
Simona Simona
Art Historian
Dony Dony
Art Historian
Vannella Vannella
Art Historian
Simona Simona
Archaeologist
Siriana Siriana
Local Guide
Luisa Luisa
Local Guide
Massimo Massimo
Local Guide
Kasia Kasia
Local Guide
Olivia Olivia
Art Historian
Carlo Carlo
Local Guide
Richard Richard
Medievalist
Emily Emily
Art Historian
Flavia Flavia
Local Guide
Paolo Paolo
Archaeologist
Sandro Sandro
Local Guide
Alessia Alessia
Art Historian
Pier Paolo Pier Paolo
Art Historian
Laura Laura
Art Historian
Cecilia Cecilia
Art Historian
Fiorenza Fiorenza
Art Historian
Francesca Francesca
Archaeologist
Sara Sara
Art Historian
Tiziana Tiziana
Art Historian
Doriana Doriana
Local Guide

"Tremendously knowledgable guide"

"Emily was a tremendously knowledgeable guide who was able to maneuver thru the ticketing/security situations with ease, and left us wanting to know more."

Kay G.

"An experience for everyone"

"Wonderful tour! Maddalena was engaging and kept everyone in our group interested, from my 76 yo parents to my teenagers. Highly recommend!"

Kristen F.

"Expert experience makes this special"

"Christina & Context are wonderful. This was our 4th tour with Context. Each guide is special to their tour. Christina is an archaeologist and has actually participated in expeditions at the Colosseum. Wonderful! Excellent tour."

Nancy H.
Begin at the awe-inspiring Colosseum, the largest amphitheater ever built. Your expert guide, who is either an archeologist or historian, will bring the landmark to life, from the architectural genius behind its construction to the legendary gladiator battles that captivated thousands.

Next, ascend Palatine Hill, the mythical birthplace of Rome. Stand where Romulus built the city in 753 BC and take in breathtaking panoramic views of the Eternal City. 

Finally, follow the Via Sacra, the path once walked by victorious emperors and senators. As you stroll through the Roman Forum, envision the grand temples, bustling markets, and political debates that shaped the empire—and still influence our world today. Your guide will highlight overlooked details, ensuring you see more than just ruins, but the very soul of Ancient Rome.

By the end of this immersive experience, you won’t just have checked the Colosseum off your list—you’ll have gained a deeper understanding of its legacy, felt the pulse of ancient history, and made memories that will last a lifetime.

Sites Visited

  • Colosseum – Learn more about this iconic landmark on our Context Stories
  • Palatine Hill – Offering a stunning panoramic view of the Roman Forum, this was once the location of the home of aristocrats and emperors.
  • Roman Forum – A central marketplace for ordinary citizens and noblemen to conduct their daily business.

Logistics

Tickets
Includes tickets to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.
Upon receiving your order, our team will secure a guide. Once the venue tickets are released, we will purchase them. Our team will be in touch with alternative options if we cannot secure tickets for the date and time you requested. 
Headsets
Depending on your group size, we may be required by the venue to order headsets in which case you’ll see a “Headset Fee” added to your order.
We understand that some of our valued guests may have mobility concerns, and we want to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout your tour. If there are any accessibility concerns that your tour guide will need to be aware of, please let our team know at the time of booking.

Wheelchair accessibility
The Colosseum and the Roman Forum are wheelchair accessible while the Palatine Hill is not. 
The Palatine Hill can be skipped and the itinerary can be adjusted to make it more accessible, however, this tour covers around 2.5 miles and includes cobblestones, uneven and natural terrain, stairs, and hilly areas that are tricky to maneuver.  
Service Dogs
Service dogs are allowed if you have a medical certificate proving the need.

For more information about Context tours, please visit our FAQs.

Will I need to bring identification to enter the Colosseum?
Yes, original identification is required to be presented upon entry to the Colosseum for all visitors including children. These should be original documents, copies will not be accepted.   
 
If children under 18 qualify for free tickets, why am I required to purchase a ticket for my child?
While children may enter for free, they are required to stand in the general entrance line if they do so. To save time and expedite the tour, we purchase regular tickets so they may enter as quickly as possible.

Do we have to buy tickets on-site?
For this tour, your Colosseum tickets are pre-purchased, which allows you to go directly to the security line where you will have your pre-purchased ticket scanned.   

I have purchased the Roma Pass, can I use it on my Context tours?
You cannot use the Roma Pass on your Context tours. Roma Pass holders have to wait in a long line for the non-reserved public entrance to the Colosseum. To save time and expedite the tour, we purchase regular tickets so you may enter as quickly as possible.  

Why does this tour only take place early in the morning and late in the afternoon?
In the summer, this tour has an early start or takes place late afternoon to beat the heat.

Is this tour suitable for children?
If you're travelling with children under the age of 12, we recommend our family-oriented Colosseum Tour for Kids with the Roman Forum

Are your Colosseum tours legitimate and officially accredited?
Yes! We are proud to be an accredited tour operator with the Colosseum. All our tours are professionally conducted and fully comply with all official regulations and guidelines set by the Parco Archeologico del Colosseo.

Cancellation Policy

Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here
Where You'll Start
(4.81) 2817 Reviews

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.

Christina was wonderful! So interesting and full of answers to all of our questions. A lovely person and will definitely use her again! Thank you
Paolo was absolutely fantastic! His deep knowledge and passion for Roman history truly brought the Colosseum and Roman Forum to life. He shared fascinating insights and stories that made the experience both educational and engaging. His enthusiasm was contagious, and we all walked away with a much greater appreciation for ancient Rome. If you’re looking for a guide who is not only informative but also makes history come alive, Paola is the perfect choice!
Such a great tour! Emily did a fantastic job bringing the history to life. She answered all of our questions and made sure to prioritize our interests throughout the tour.

Explore ancient Rome with Context

Get to know one of the archaeologists leading this tour

Meet Dimo