Gladiator’s Gate: Special Access Colosseum Tour with Arena Floor
Get a gladiator’s view of the Colosseum, then explore the Roman Forum on a walking tour through the heart of ancient Rome. With special access ticket, you'll enter the arena via the Gladiator’s Gate, stand where gladiators once fought, hear tales of ruthless crowds and emperors, then explore the Colosseum’s first and second levels with your guide. Finish with a tour of Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum with even more stories that bring the ruins to life.
Options
Arena Express Tour
Duration: 2 hours
w/ Forum & Palatine Hill: Please note: This tour does not include the upper levels of the Colosseum.
What's included in Gladiator’s Gate: Special Access Colosseum Tour with Arena Floor
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Colosseum
Meet your guide near the formidable hulk of the Colosseum, the gigantic arena that drew Romans of all walks of life to watch violent fights between gladiators and beasts. Bypass the crowds and head straight inside, entering the Colosseum through a special gate once used by gladiators themselves. Walk right onto the arena floor—an area not usually accessible to the public—and learn about the harrowing events that took place here for entertainment's sake centuries ago. 9 AM tour only: Join a small group of maximum eight guests for an intimate and personalized journey through history.
The adventure continues at the Roman Forum. You’ll appreciate having a historian as a guide here. As you wander the streets, they can make sense of the ruins for you, pointing out the subtle differences that reveal whether the structure is a moneylender’s shop, public bath, or any number of common ancient structures. Learn what life was like in the days of Caesar, Nero, and Hadrian, and how Roman society functioned.
Palatine Hill
Finally, climb the hill to see the palaces of Palatine Hill, built on the grounds where Romulus and Remus were discovered by the she-wolf in the legend of Rome’s founding. After an incredible day of making ancient history come to life, you’ll part from your group feeling more in touch with the beautiful ruins of Rome. If you choose the 3:30 pm tour when booking, your Palatine Hill and Roman Forum tour (which will take place before your Colosseum visit) includes access to the SUPER Sites. Normally off-limits to visitors with standard access tickets, these are some of the most breathtakingly beautiful ancient ruins in all of Rome. One highlight is the Casa di Augusto, the house of Caesar Augustus, with vibrant frescoes that rival those in Pompeii.
Inclusions
- Local English-speaking guide
- Colosseum Underground option: Full Experience & Underground Areas Ticket €24
- Time at leisure in the Roman Forum after the tour ends(unless taking the Super Sites guided tour))
- Small group of 16 guests maximum
- Colosseum entrance ticket with arena access (valued at €24 per person)
- Note: Colosseum fees are as above. The remaining cost of the experience covers other services
- If VIP Caesar & Colosseum option selected: Visit the incredible Roman Forum SUPER Sites.
- Gratuities
- Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
- This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
- 3:30 PM only: Access to Roman Forum SUPER Site. Please note: this option DOES NOT include the Arena Floor.
- This tour is fully refundable up to 7 days prior to the event. Within 7 days, this tour is 100% non-refundable.
- The full names of all participants must be provided at the time of booking and must match the names on the ID/Passport. Name changes are not permitted.
- A government-issued ID or passport is required for all participants. Without an ID, security may deny entry to the monument. All guests, including children, must bring ID on tour day.
- The Colosseum, Forum, and Palatine Hill may close occasionally. We'll notify you of any changes in advance if possible. For last-minute closures, updates will be given at the start of the tour.
- Walks is an Official Parco Archeologico del Colosseo Operator approved to lead guided tours of the Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill.
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting Points
- This tour meets at Via delle Terme di Tito, 72 (Oppio Caffè). Meet directly across the street from Oppio Caffè at the gated entrance to Colle Oppio Park. Meet your guide at the entrance of Colle Oppio Park on the corner of Via di Terme di Tito and Via Nicola Salvi.
End Points
- Colosseum/Roman Forum
Redeem
Ticket Redemption
- Please arrive 15 minutes before your tour start time for check-in. Out of courtesy to other guests, we’re unable to wait for latecomers. No refunds can be provided for late arrivals or no-shows. - The full names of all participants must be provided at the time of booking and must match the names on the ID/Passport. Name changes are not permitted. - A government-issued ID or passport is required for all participants. Without an ID, security may deny entry to the monument. All guests, including children, must bring ID on tour day. - All guests must pass through security. No weapons or large items will be permitted. - Only small backpacks and regular-size handbags are allowed inside, guests with larger bags will be denied entrance. No storage room/lockers available. - The Colosseum, Forum, and Palatine Hill may close occasionally. We'll notify you of any changes in advance if possible. For last-minute closures, updates will be given at the start of the tour. - This tour is fully refundable up to 7 days prior to the event. Within 7 days, this tour is 100% non-refundable. - Tips/gratuities (for your guide) are always appreciated.
