Rome

Colosseum Arena Floor Guided Tour with Ancient Rome Access

Rome, Italy

Skip the line Colosseum arena floor tour with Ancient Rome

2 hours
Offered in: English

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Overview

Get exclusive access to the infamous arena floor—where ancient gladiators once entered into battle—during this skip-the-line Colosseum tour. Beat the crowds and enter the thousands-year-old Roman arena using your own special entrance, the "Triumphal Arch." Then, listen to in-depth commentary on the epic combats once waged. Then, explore the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill at your own pace.

A skip-the-line, tour of the Colosseum with arena floor access
Walk through the "Triumphal Arch" that was once used by the emperors
Bypass standard wait times using your own exclusive entrance
Tickets tot he Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are included

What's Included

Live Guide
Headphones (10 people or more)
Gladiator's Entrance
Colosseum guided tour
Palatine and Forum group ticket; no individual tickets, no guided tour.

Food and Drink
Transportation

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Via del Cardello, 31, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
From the metro station Colosseo, turn right on Via Dei Fori Imperiali and go straight to the first traffic light then, turn right on Via Cavour and turn left on the second street. You will find the agency Italy in Love Tours on Via del Cardello 31.

End point

Roman Forum
Via della Salara Vecchia, 5/6, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

What To Expect

Colosseum

40 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Palatine Hill

40 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Roman Forum

40 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
On this tour, some of the venues or parts of the venue may be subject to last-minute, unpredictable closures. When this occurs, we are happy to offer customers an extended tour in keeping with the advertised total length of the tour.
Please be advised that the Colosseum's capacity regulations and security may delay the tour departure

Customers have a mandatory meeting time stated 30 minutes prior the scheduled departure time due to managing and organizational reasons.
All visitors must pass through airport-style security.
Tickets for this tour are nominative and will show the visitor's personal data. Please note that these tickets are nominative for each participant and it will not be possible to change the name after the purchase. In case of mismatch with the identity document, access to the Colosseum will not be allowed and no refund will be issued. 
Each traveler must present a valid passport or ID document that matches the name provided at the time of booking for successful entry to the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
PLEASE NOTE: All participant names are required at the time of booking in order to enter the Colosseum. If we do not receive the full customers names, the booking won’t be confirmed. Every customer (adult / children) is required to carry a valid ID that matches the full name on the ticket, or the entry will be refused. Name changes and cancellations are not permitted once the booking is confirmed.
In case of late arrival, no show or cancellation beyond the limits indicated in the cancellation policy by the customer, a refund is not foreseen.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 25 travelers

Cancellation Policy

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.0

90 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 90 reviews

Excellent tour

Melissa_F, Nov 2023

Gaston was a knowledgeable and experienced tour guide! Enjoyed every aspect of the tour! Did wish those in the office allowed the tour to begin on time instead of waiting 30 minutes for late comers.

Response from Host, Nov 2023

Thank you for the feedback, Melissa! The meeting time is 30 minutes before the start time.

Unfair Bait and Switch - Taking Advantage of Tourists

Mary_G, Oct 2023

We paid for this tour specifically to get Arena floor access but we were shocked to learn that we COULD NOT do just that! We asked the guide about the arena tour afterwards but she knew nothing about it. Information regarding floor status was NEVER provided upon checking in. When we called the tour company after our tour was done, they said that it was sold out for the day when we bought them. They neglected to mention that. We were also told that we couldn't get a refund directly to my credit card. We instead had to walk back to the tour office where we received only 24 euros instead of what the experience was actually valued in 160 euros difference. It was hot and the walk was not an easy feat to collect the cash refund. Our tour guide was nice enough, but I felt that we missed out on the experience we paid for. I'm disappointed and would not recommend this to anyone. The only reason I'm giving this 2 stars is because we had a decent tour guide.

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Hello, Mary! Upon checking, it seems your review was removed once by Viator because you are spreading false information. Again, you were announced that the arena tour is not available and you were refunded the difference between the 2 tours! Even the tour itself is not 160 euros, so how can the difference be 160 euros?! You had the group tour, not the private one! Please read carefully the information! I see you are very confused about the product you bought. You agreed to join the regular Colosseum tour, you did the COMPLETE tour + Palatine and Forum guided tour (tour NOT INCLUDED in the initial tour you bought!). So, we don't really understand why you keep leaving us negative reviews. Also, please note we have all the proofs for your case!

Guisseppe spoke very fast...

Kathy_K, Sep 2023

Guisseppe spoke very fast and repeated himself. He walked very fast making it difficult for the older participants to keep up.

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Hello Kathy and thank you for sharing your feedback! There is a specific amount of time allocated for each attraction and we always respect the itinerary. Also, all of our guides are professional licensed guides!

Not great

Beritha_R, Aug 2023

We were suppose to see the Colosseum first (as a guided tour) and thereafter we could go to the Roman Forum and Palantine Hill on our own. They changed the tour and did the Roman Forum and Palantine Hill first as a guided tour and only after that the Colosseum. We mainly wanted to see the Colosseum and had limited time as we needed to get back to our cruise ship. Due to the changing of the schedule we never got to see the Colosseum from the inside.

Response from Host, Aug 2023

Hello Beritha and thank you for taking the time to leave us your feedback! First of all, it is clearly mentioned that the venues won't necessarily come in this order. Also, you were given an upgraded tour, with full access to all the 3 attractions without needing to pay anything extra. The duration of the tour was basically the same. We just tried to provide a better experience for you and we thought you'd enjoy that! We are sorry this was not the case.

Missed the Mark

Laura_B, Jun 2023

Our tour started late and the tour guide did not share interesting facts or stories about the colosseum. It was very general and basic information was repeated several times. We have been on other tours of this that were much more interesting and our teenagers did not enjoy it at all.

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Hi, Laura! Our guides are professional licensed guides! Guided tours are not for everyone. Thank you!

Did not get what we should have received.

Suzy_G, Jun 2023

We had the Colosseum Arena Floor Guided tour scheduled for several months to only find out when we arrived that the vendor could not accommodate us with tickets to the arena floor and that our tickets were changed to a Colosseum tour only. We were very disappointed as we had been on the regular Colosseum tour during a past trip. We were refunded the difference in price of the tour but that was not the point. To make matters worse, the vendor accused us of cancelling the tour via Viator and would not allow us to join the group initially. Another call to Viator straightened out the miscommunication but we missed the entire outside portion of the tour. Very disappointing and I would not recommend this vendor.

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Hello, Suzy! Unfortunately, the arena was subject to a last-minute closure on 1st of June and there was nothing we could do about it. We gave you the option to cancel for a full refund or to join a regular tour. As we remember, you also called Viator several times that day. You initially wanted to cancel, and after that you started crying that you want to do the tour. Since you cancelled, we couldn’t allow you on tour anymore. You called Viator again to rebook and this is why you missed the introduction of the tour. It is not our fault and we really tried to offer you the best possible experience. Viator also have the conversation with you and this information can be checked! We don’t think it’s fair to leave us a negative review, considering your behaviour on the day of the tour but anyway, thank you for taking the time to write us your feedback!

Scammed by I Love Italy Tours

Geraldine_C, Jun 2023

I have booked with Viator for many years and this was the worst tour I’ve ever been on. It was very disorganized from the start. When I got to the office we were told that we could not access the arena floor because it was closed. However, once inside the Colosseum, we saw many people on the arena floor. The tour company changed our tour from 3:30 to 3:00 and removed the arena floor from our tour without being truthful. We were asked to come early only to stand in the hot sun for 30 minutes. Once inside the Colosseum, we were moved from one area to another several times, just waiting about another 20 minutes for the tour to start. Once started, the guide talked incessantly without really saying anything. We couldn’t understand most of what she said. After climbing 55 steps up to the top of the Colosseum, the tour guide disappeared with no time or place set to go to the Roman Forum. After waiting another 20 minutes, we walked to the Roman Forum on our own and were told we had to pay 16 euros to enter, a cost which was supposed to be included with our tour. I contacted I Love Italy tours to try to resolve these issues and they have been uncooperative so I highly discourage anyone from booking with this company.

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Hello, Geraldine! First of all, the meeting time is 30 minutes before the start time (please see this information is mentioned on your voucher) for security reasons. Some parts of the venues can be subject to las-minute closures and this has nothing to do with us, also the information is mentioned in the details of the tour. You ACCEPTED to do a regular tour and you were refunded the difference for the arena tickets! We gave you the option to join a regular tour or a full refund, since the arena was subject to last-minute closure. So, no time was changed and no part of your tour was removed. You did a complete tour inside the Colosseum and the guide gave you free time to take some pictures inside the monument. You were the only 2 people that missed the second part of the tour. The entire group went inside the Forum, except you! This is not our fault! The guide met everybody after the short break and took the group in the second part of the tour. As we checked with the guide and with other participants, you were the only one who missed the Forum. This is not our fault and also, the in formation of our product is very clear! We also have the conversation with you here on Viator, so don’t try to say we’ve been uncooperative. You contacted us from the very beginning to threaten us that you’ll leave us a negative review because you lost the tour! This is unacceptable, everybody followed the guide inside the Forum, except you! This is not our fault! Thank you for your understanding!

Bait and switch?

Heather_S, May 2023

We departed on this tour with a group of 16 of us. After waiting a bit to go through security where the guide gave us some historical background, we entered the Colosseum and walked up to the second level where the guide spoke in more detail. The tour was very rushed and did the job as we were only in Rome for the day, but know going into it that you will not have time to stop to go to the bathroom and the only time to take photos was while the guide was speaking, so you have to choose. Take photos or listen to the guide. Would have been nice if she had said take 5 minutes to take some photos and then I will speak about what you are seeing. After about 10 minutes upstairs she took our headsets and told anyone wanting to enter Palantine Hill and the Forum to follow her there. You all need to enter on her one ticket for 16 people. She does not have individual tickets to distribute. At this point half of the group is asking her why we are not going down to the arena floor as the ticket says we are supposed to. She says she doesn't know and that her ticket for the 16 people does not include the arena floor and she only does what they tell her to do at the office. I called the office and was told that due to the rain they limit the number of people on the arena floor. I don't see what one has to do with the other. We had been at the office while it was pouring rain to check in an hour earlier and was not told this would be an issue. Totally felt like a scam. The office person came to meet us at the exit of the Colosseum and was giving out cash for what he claimed was the difference between a regular ticket and a ticket including the arena floor. We had no idea if this was the actual amount or not and did not feel like ruining our morning in Rome arguing with this man. The guide then brings you all inside the forum and then leaves. We did not expect a tour of the forum as the site says it was not included, but it would have been nice to have had more time inside the Colosseum and to enter the forum on our own time. We were only inside the Colosseum for a half hour.

Response from Host, May 2023

Hello, Heather! First of all, the Arena was subject to a las-minute closure due to the weather conditions. You can check the details of the tour and see this information is MENTIONED. It it not our rule and this doesn't depend on us! Also, it is mentioned that you DO NOT HAVE individual tickets. You had the arena tour with access inside the palatine and forum (no guided tour for the last 2), information also MENTIONED. Please read the details and see everything you are complaining about here is MENTIONED in the details! Thank you for your understanding!

Spend your money elsewhere.

Jena_W, May 2023

Non-enthusiastic guide. Stories and history could have been better told. Then when we got to the forum after the coliseum, he just left without giving even one fact on the forum or what it even is. I couldn’t believe it. Would not recommend this tour.

Response from Host, May 2023

Hello! Upon checking, you had JUST the Colosseum tour with only access to the Palatine and Forum!

Ancient Roman sport entertainment

Sharon_H, May 2023

Seeing where the Gladiators fought was the highlight of the trip for my husband. The Forum was also terrific to see and learn more history about the Roman Empire.

Response from Host, May 2023

Thank you for taking the time to leave us your feedback!

Strongly NOT recommend

Natcheli_C, Apr 2023

Horrible. They combined two large tour groups together from a separate agency. Very unorganized. The tour started 1.5 hours late. Tour guide was friendly, but hard to understand. Minimal information was given about the monument. Would not recommend.

Response from Host, Apr 2023

Hello, Natcheli! Your tour had 29 participants, exactly as advertised!!!

Great tour

Tammy_G, Nov 2022

Great tour and great guide. Loved being able to see it from arena floor and above. We had a child in our tour and the guide did a great job with him

Response from Host, Nov 2022

Thank you so much for your feedback, Tammy!

Super!!!

Marlene_D, Aug 2022

Andrei was great as our tour guide. If I’m town and would like an awesome and knowledgeable guide he’s the one to go with.

Response from Host, Aug 2022

Thank you so much for your review! We appreciate it!

Perfect Colosseum and Forum tour!

John_A, Jul 2022

Our guide was extremely knowledgeable, engaging and passionate about the sites we were seeing. He shared his vast knowledge in a compelling and informative way, in the Forum and the Colosseum. He cared about ensuring we all saw the same thing and had time to experience the Arena floor.

Response from Host, Jul 2022

Thank you so much for your kind review! We appreciate it!

Roma Tour, Rome Tour Colesseum

Melanie_R, Jun 2022

We had a wonderful time Marco was our tour guide, we got to see every part of the Colesseum and Marco’s commentary was interesting, we also got Palantine tickets and Marco was attentive and considerate. Highly recommend

Response from Host, Jun 2022

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a 5-star review!

A one star operator failed to give you a good experience

Lance, Apr 2022

The young guy, who firstly decided the size of group and gave us the sticker, was not polite and even a bit rude speaking to people. After a long while, they finally organize this group about 20 people. We had a local senior guide who was nice and very knowledgeable, but he hand over us to the same young guy who sent us to the Roman Forum later and then disappeared without saying anything. All the people in the group were not aware what happened and what’s the next. A experience ruined by this operator.

Response from Host, Apr 2022

Hi, Lance! Thanks for sharing your feedback! We assure you our staff is very professional and polite! The size of the group is 20 people, as you saw when you booked our tour, so nobody decided this last minute. Unfortunately we had an unpredictable lack of guides and some organisational problems caused by the Catholic Easter, but this is a very rare situation. We are sorry for your negative experience with us and we hope you'll consider giving us another chance in the future, to enjoy the good quality services we are known for!

One star

Debbie_E, Apr 2022

We paid for an arena tour. Got there at correct time of 12.30. They walked us round to departure point then said our tour was 2 hours later at 2.30!! Ended up on a tour without seeing what we paid for because we had plans in theafternoon. The company offered us a business card for somewhere to have lunch but at out own expense!! The actual tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and we enjoyed her tour but very disappointed with what happened.

Response from Host, Apr 2022

Hello, Debbie and thanks for your review. As we remeber, you were late for the tour. 12:30 was the start time, not the meeting time. Our meeting time is 30 minutes before the start time.

Maria

Orlando_D, Apr 2022

Maria was a great teacher with a strong historical knowledge! Very responsive and well explain during tour

Response from Host, Apr 2022

Thank you for taking time to leave us your feedback and for recommending Maria! We are very happy you liked our tour!

Terrific guide and informative tour

Tonia_H, Aug 2021

We almost didn't take a tour of the Colosseum because we had heard it can be rushed, but were so glad we decided to do it anyway. This tour guide was awesome! He was incredibly informative, but patiently allowed lots of opportunities for picture taking. As a photographer, this was very important to me. Highly recommend it!

Response from Host, Aug 2021

Thank you so much for your beautiful review! We are glad you enjoyed your tour!

Bait and Switch-no Arena Floor

David_S, Jul 2019

Though confirmed for colesseum and arena floor tour after arriving on time ...the tour group manager said the 1030am tour with the arena floor and the gate of death was not available until 1230. He said we were welcome to wait the 2 hours (in the heat outside the colesseum) or join the tour without the arena floor at the scheduled 1030 time slot—noting it was in the middle of close to 100F temperatures-the reason we opted for the earlier tour. We went ahead and toured without the arena floor—disappointing my young son who felt this would be the highlight. The tour manager gave us a cash refund of 10 euro each for the inconvenience—-no where close to the missed opportunity. If you really want to see the arena floor don’t count on it. The quoted 1 hour 35 minutes within the colosseum without the arena floor was closer to 1 hour and the tour guide gathered the whispers and said we were on our own and meet the forum guide at the colesseum exit in 1 hour. The forum tour was a bit better, no whispers used and stopped at the base of the Palatine hill. Don’t use this tour group as you may be disappointed if you expect the advertised description to match your experience.

Response from Host, Aug 2019

Hi, Firstly we didn't do any tours on the 5th of June at 10:30 hence you have placed your review on the wrong page sir i request you to kindly delete it or place it in the right page. thank you. if you could please forward us the details of the bill with our company name. our email id is info@italyinlovetours.com/ p.lhamo@outlook.com i will really appreciate your kind gesture. thank you again