Best Rome Colosseum Tours

The beautiful Roman Colosseum

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The Best Roman Colosseum Tours - What To Expect

The Colosseum is just one of the many exciting things to see in Rome. If you’re looking for the best Rome Colosseum tours it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of choices. It’s important to note not all tours of the Colosseum are created equal. It’s easy to get stuck in long lines, even with tickets, or purchase something that gives you a bare-bones minimalistic experience. The Colosseum in Rome, Italy is a fascinating place and you’ll want to experience more than just the facade. After all, it’s a long way to travel, why not make the most of your trip and see what makes this attraction so very special?

For a truly memorable Rome experience, I’m here to disclose the very best Colosseum tours. These include the best wheelchair-accessible tours which are great not only for wheelchair users but those with mobility issues who want to avoid stairs and uneven walkways. The Colosseum has an elevator inside with access to multiple floors. The only level that doesn't allow wheelchair access is the underground. This is not a big issue as the underground is not part of most Coloseum tours and requires a separate ticket purchase to see.

With that out of the way, let’s get ready to explore Rome’s number-one tourist attraction!

The Colosseum at sunset

A Brief History Of The Colosseum

The Roman Colosseum, AKA the Flavian Amphitheater, was commissioned by Emperor Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty in AD 70-72. It was finally completed in AD 80 by his successor, Titus. Located in the heart of ancient Rome, the Colosseum was renowned for hosting various spectacles, including gladiatorial contests, animal hunts, mock sea battles, and dramas.

With a capacity of 80,000 spectators, the Colosseum symbolized the power and grandeur of Ancient Rome. The elliptical amphitheater stood about 160 feet tall, with four stories created in different architectural styles. Made of concrete and sand, the Colosseum's exterior was covered in travertine limestone.

Over the centuries, the Colosseum faced several natural disasters, neglect, and vandalism. Nevertheless, it remained a significant icon of ancient Rome. In the modern era, restoration efforts have helped preserve this architectural marvel, attracting millions of tourists annually to witness its historical and cultural importance.

Inside the Colosseum

Visit The Colosseum With These Colosseum Tour Options

You have plenty of tour options to visit the Colosseum. Below I’ll go through the best guided tours of the Colosseum, what makes them so awesome, and why they might be the right option for you to book. I don’t recommend private tours in this post as they’re super expensive and you’ll just be surrounded by other tour groups, so they lack a truly “private” tour experience.

Long lines at the Colosseum. This is why you want skip-the-line tickerts.

The Rome Colosseum Pass

First up, if you’re looking to save money this is your best option for seeing The Colosseum. This tour of The Colosseum does not include an expert guide or skip the line perks. But it does include an audio guide. Personally, I recommend tours with a guide and the perk of skipping the often incredibly long lines, but this may be a good option if you’re visiting Rome in the off-season where crowds are greatly reduced. It’s also significantly cheaper than other tours, so if you’re strapped for cash and don’t mind spending some time in line, this is a solid option. The Rome Colosseum Pass tour is also wheelchair-accessible and allows you to go at your own pace.

The Roman Colosseum

Best Colosseum Tour With Roman Forum And Palatine Hill

This wheelchair-accessible Colosseum Group Tour is the best way to have an unforgettable experience, immersing yourself in the glorious past of Rome on a small group tour. With a skip-the-line entrance, you will learn the fascinating history of the most famous amphitheater of the world, while reaching the first and second tiers of the Colosseum. Here, the panoramic terraces will give you an excellent opportunity to take stunning photos and admire the monument from a privileged position. This is the tour option I chose during my trip to Rome.

On this tour, you’ll learn more about the Colosseum’s history, and the bloody games it hosted, and hear interesting anecdotes and curiosities. Your knowledgeable guide will lead you on a journey through history on a guided tour across the arena floor. After visiting the Colosseum, your tour continues with a guided walk of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill granting you direct access to these superb ancient sites. This part of the tour begins by following the old Roman road. You’ll visit the tomb of Julius Caesar and explore the ancient ruins of the Roman Forum. You’ll also learn how the Forum was developed and became the center of Roman government and public life.

Palatine Hill

The tour ends on Palatine Hill, where you can enjoy a beautiful view of Rome and the remaining six hills on which the city was built. Take this opportunity to snap stunning photos from one of the most perfect viewpoints in the city. The tour of the Colosseum of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill is one of the best you will find because it gives you full insight into these iconic landmarks and their history. It also allows you to skip those long lines.

Looking out at those long lines.

Best Colosseum Night Tour and Colosseum Underground Tour

If you’re looking for a more unique Colosseum tour why not try visiting this iconic landmark at night? Visit the Colosseum in the serenity of moonlight with a Colosseum night-time guided tour. Enjoy access to the main areas of the structure, as well as exclusive access to the underground dungeons and arena floor where fierce gladiator battles once took place.

Upon arrival for your Rome Colosseum underground tour, you’ll meet your guide who will escort you through the entrance on your exclusive journey giving you access to underground chambers most tourists don’t see. Away from the usual crowds of the day, you’ll enjoy the opportunity to admire the Colosseum more intimately, as you first discover the grandstands. Then, you will enter one of the restrictive areas of the monument, the underground.

Discover a network of tunnels where lions, tigers, and other fearsome animals were once kept during ancient Roman times. See the remnants of cages, wooden elevators, and gladiator rooms where combatants awaited their fate in the arena. Head up to the arena floor through the archway named "The Gate of Death” as you listen to thrilling stories from your guide under the moonlight.

While tours of the Colosseum underground are awesome, they are NOT wheelchair-accessible and are NOT recommended for guests with heart conditions. Due to the conditions of the underground area, it will be difficult to navigate for guests with mobility impairments.

Colosseum arena floor

Best Colosseum And Ancient Rome Family Tour for Kids

Enjoy the highlights of Ancient Rome with a local expert guide specifically trained to give tours to kids and families. Your guide will take you through the footsteps of emperors and gladiators as you explore on this wheelchair-accessible tour of the Colosseum and ancient Rome for kids and families. You’ll visit amazing sites as you play, learn, and explore one of the most extraordinary places in the world, the center of the Roman Empire.

Skipping the long entrance lines with your skip the line tickets you will embark on a tour of the Colosseum, and hear fascinating stories about the fights that once took place here. These stories are helped by exclusive illustrations and material provided by your guide. You will feel like you’re going back in time, walking on the original paved roads, visiting temples, Ancient courthouses, the Imperial Palace, the Domus Aurea, the altar of Julius Caesar, the Arch of Constantine and Titus, and much much more.

Arch of Constantine

Your guide will play trivia games, conduct treasure hunts, and photo contexts, and engage in other games to make your tour interactive and fun for all ages. They’ll use visual media and overlays as well as books and show you movies and 3D reconstructions of Ancient buildings allowing them to come back to life in an exciting way.

This is the best tour if you want to see the highlights of Ancient Rome, learn history, play with its characters, and spend unforgettable moments with your whole family.

Final Thoughts On Colosseum Tours

As you can see there is no one-size-fits-all option when it comes to the best Rome Colosseum tours. These are my top options for exploring alone, touring with your family, touring at night, and best guided day tour with skip-the-line access. No matter which tour you choose, you’re sure to have an incredible time and see all the best sites.

For more facts and details, you can visit the Rome Colosseum official website. For the best Rome, Italy tours, check out my guide to Rome. If you’re interested in the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, check out my guide to Vatican City. Lastly, if you’re interested in taking a day trip to Pompeii check out my guide to Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius.

Have you been to the Colosseum? Which tour did you choose for your Colosseum visit?