Many Ancient Rome–themed walking tours include Via Sacra, which you’ll walk along when visiting the Roman Forum. The Colosseum and Roman Forum are often combined into one tour so you can visit both, but some Forum walking tours don’t include the amphitheater—choose the tour that best suits your interests. Either way, the Roman Forum is one of Rome’s most popular attractions, so book your tour or skip-the-line admission in advance to avoid waiting in ticket lines.
You’ll find Via Sacra in the ancient archaeological section of Rome between Piazza Venezia and the Colosseum, in the southeastern end of the city’s historical center. The closest Metro station is Colosseo.
The Roman Forum opens in the morning and closes one hour before sunset. It is almost always crowded in the summer; go early to beat the worst of the crowds and heat.
Unless you’ve visited before, you’ll likely combine your trip to the Colosseum and Roman Forum; they are a 10-minute walk from each other along Via Sacra. The standard visit to the amphitheater, whether you go on your own or with a guide, does not include the top tier and underground area, so consider a tour that does take in these less-visited sections for an enhanced experience.
