Colosseum Arena Tour

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About the Colosseum Arena Tour

With this special-access Colosseum arena floor tour you get a chance to step out of the highly-trafficked areas of Rome's most famous attraction. First, you’ll enter the Colosseum through the ‘Gladiator’s Gate’. This was the side entrance which was once exclusively used by gladiators. Through this VIP entrance, you not only get the quickest way to enter the Colosseum but it also gives you the full gladiator-eye-view of what it was like to enter the combat-driven amphitheater nearly 2,000 years ago.

 

Embark on an in-depth Colosseum Arena Floor tour once you are inside. For the most amazing 360-degree views of the Colosseum, you’ll have to stand on a wooden reconstruction of the original arena floor. Due to the fact that this area is closed to the general public, it makes it one of the best places to soak up the magic of the building. With all this majesty surrounding you, your guide will tell you stories about the famous blood sports that once took place on the very spot upon which you stand.

After the Colosseum arena floor portion of the tour is finished, you will have access to the general areas of this monumental building with your guide. You'll get to see the first and second tiers over the course of an hour which includes a balcony with a great view over the Roman Forum and the Arch of Constantine.

There will also be the option of a guided tour of the center of ancient Rome - the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill (depending on the itinerary, tours may sometimes start in ancient Rome before entering the Colosseum). These attractions can sometimes be difficult to decipher as they are active archeological sites, but an expert guide will make everything worthwhile. The ruins will come to life. Some of the highlights include the Senate buildings, cremation point of Julius Caesar, opulent palaces, and the Temple of the Vestal Virgins. If you are interested in these areas, make sure you book the Colosseum Arena Floor tour that includes the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

Tour Highlights

Book the Colosseum Arena Floor Tour Online

As you enter the Arena Floor, you get to walk out onto one of the coolest restricted areas of the monument that is not available to standard Colosseum ticket holders. You will also be able to skip the line and stand on the reconstructed Colosseum Arena Floor. Travel back in time as your guide takes you to the grand opening of the amphitheater and describes the trap doors as well as the types of wild animals that also contributed to the Colosseum's popularity. Because tickets are limited and the area is restricted, you will enjoy standing on the Colosseum Arena floor with just a few other visitors.

Roman Colosseum History

Visit the Colosseum’s first and second levels after the Arena Floor portion of the tour. You will also see where Emperors sat and get to learn the rules of the gladiatorial games, both for the competitors and spectators. Your tour guide will point out interesting sites like ancient graffiti as well as describing what happened to the Colosseum after the fall of the Roman Empire.

Guided Roman Forum Tour

The Colosseum Arena Floor tour includes a visit to the Roman Forum’s major sites and the ruins held within. This area is a Roman archaeological site that was also referred to as the "Ancient City.” It was once the location of downtown Ancient Rome. As you walk down the same roads taken by famous Roman Emperors and philosopher's, you'll get to relive ancient history.

Climb Palatine Hill

The Palatine Hill is also included in the Colosseum Arena Floor tour and your guide will cover its major attractions. Along with incredible views of the Roman Forum and Circus Maximus, the Palatine Hill is also home to the Farnese Gardens. With ancient pieces of marble strewn about, the Palatine Hill is the ideal place to admire Rome’s beautiful ancient surroundings.

Visitor Highlights

  • One of the most exclusive moments possible in Rome is entering the Colosseum Arena floor through the same entrance as the Roman gladiators.
  • You will get to see the elevator and trap door system up close. These trap doors allowed for the surprising entrance of various types of animals during a gladiator battle.
  • During the Colosseum Arena floor tour you will get a close look at the few remaining original marble seats while your guide explains the tiered seating system that was used.
  • Discover the ancient Rome Colosseum Arena by walking in the footsteps of Gladiators as you explore the special-access Colosseum Arena Floor via the ‘Gladiator’s Gate’ - the gate of warriors and heroes.
  • This is known as the most affordable special-access Colosseum tour in the market. It is also the most desirable, who wouldn't want to stand center stage in the Colosseum?
  • You’ll also save time when visiting with the Colosseum arena tour because you will bypass even the smallest lines via the skip-the-line entrance.
  • If your tour option includes the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill, you will only have a short security check at these sites because the ticket is valid for the entire archaeological area.
  • The Colosseum arena floor tour can be booked as a Colosseum only tour or can be combined with a visit to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. This means that you can tailor-make a tour that is perfect for you.
  • You get special access to the arena floor and a chance to walk where gladiators and lions battled for the appeasement of big crowds.
  • Enjoy the tour of the Roman Forum and learn the history behind each sight and structure from your guide’s commentary.
  • The enchanting view of the quaint streets of Rome and its besieging buildings all the way from the top of Palatine Hill is absolutely stunning.

Colosseum Travel Tips

  • Make sure to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled start time, this will ensure you have enough time to find your Colosseum Night Tour meeting point.
  • While there are a few on-site toilets at the Colosseum, the waiting time can take a while. So be prepared!
  • You won’t find any luggage facilities, restaurants or cafes on-site.
  • All of the entrances to the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill have a mandatory security check. This check cannot be avoided and is necessary for the safety of all visitors.
  • Only small bags are allowed inside the Colosseum. No luggage or bags with wheels are allowed.
  • Do not bring weapons, aerosol sprays or glass containers.
  • The people with reduced mobility can easily access the Colosseum as paths at all the available routes are marked. Some tours may not be wheelchair accessible, so be sure to check the tour details or opt for a private tour.
  • It is highly recommended to get your tickets ahead of time online and because tours for the Colosseum at night sell out fast.
  • The Colosseum tour prices vary and can cost anywhere from 30€ up to 100€, or more. The type of tour you choose will be reflected in the price and duration of the tour.

Know Before You Go

Covid Safety Measures:

 

  • All the areas that customers come in contact with are frequently cleaned
  • In order to reduce crowds, the number of visitors is limited 
  • Customers are required to bring and wear face masks
  • There is a mandatory temperature check for customers 
  • Social distancing standards must be maintained inside the monument

 

Special Colosseum Night Tickets:

 

  • The Colosseum night ticket does not include entrance to the Roman Forum/Palatine Hill (these areas remain closed at night).
  • It is up to the Colosseum administration to determine what areas are accessible during the Colosseum night visit. It is not guaranteed that either the arena or the Colosseum underground will be accessible to visitors at night.


 

What to bring:

 

  • Weather-appropriate clothing
  • Comfortable shoes
  • Passport or ID card
  • Water

 

Things that are not allowed:

 

  • Pets
  • Drones
  • Any kind of weapons or sharp objects are not allowed.
  • Luggage or large bags, even smaller bags with wheels, are not allowed.

Getting There

  • Metro: The Colosseum metro stop is located on the B line of Rome’s metro. Check the map at your local station.
  • Regional Train - Take the underground line B from the Termini Station and get off at the Colosseum stop.
  • Bus - There are many public buses that stop in front of the Amphitheatre on your Colosseum tour: 75, 81, 85, 87, 117, 118.
  • Car: There are paid parking spots available in the neighbourhoods surrounding the Colosseum.
  • Tram: Tram #3 passes the Colosseum
  • Bicycle: The Colosseum is accessible by bike, just make sure to lock your bike in an appropriate place. Bikes that are locked to the railings in archaeological areas could be taken by the police.

 

Note: The Imperial Forum Road is closed to car and bus traffic on Sundays, which means it’s the perfect time to go for rental bikes or take a nice walk along via Fori Imperiali towards the Colosseum. Some bus routes are deviated on Sundays, so be sure to allow extra time to arrive.