Ancient Rome & Colosseum Gladiators Group Tours

Colosseum and Ancient Rome Tour

In about three hours you will discover everything about Ancient Rome accompanied by an expert licensed tour guide that will thrill you with stories about Gladiator fights, their personal stories within Roman society.

Let’s take a guided tour of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill, focusing on the ground and first floors of the Colosseum and the key monuments in the Forum and Palatine Hill.

You will enter the Colosseum from the ground floor with a view of the Arena Floor that will bring you to experience the thrill of being in the exact place where the gladiator fights took place.

Colosseum Ground Floor

As you enter the Colosseum, you’re greeted by the impressive scale of this ancient amphitheater, built between 70-80 AD. The ground floor is where the action happened: this is where gladiators entered the arena, and the seating was filled with thousands of spectators.

Columns and Arches

The ground level features 80 arches, framed by engaged columns of the Doric order. These arches provided access to the seating and allowed the crowd to enter and exit smoothly.

Seating Areas

This level was reserved for the more privileged classes. The seats are slightly more comfortable, adorned with marble and having a better view of the gladiators’ games and the hunts of wild beasts.

Arena Floor (we see from outside)

The wooden floor is no longer intact, but beneath it lies the hypogeum, a complex of tunnels and chambers that housed animals, gladiators, and stage machinery. Imagine the excitement as combatants were brought up into the arena through trapdoors.

First Floor

Moving up to the first floor, you gain a better perspective of the arena and the architecture. From the first floor enjoy a bird’s eye view of the Colosseum square and the ancient Temple of Venus and Rome and understand the internal structure and the system of stairs inside the Flavian Amphitheatre.

Loggia

The first floor features loggias (open galleries) where spectators could watch the events, providing a sense of openness and connection to the exterior.

Ionic Columns

Here, the columns shift to the Ionic order, with delicate volutes. The design reflects the evolution of Roman architecture, moving from the simplicity of the Doric to the more ornate Ionic style.

You will continue your tour of Ancient Rome visiting the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill to discover the origins of Rome.

Roman Forum

After exploring the Colosseum, we head to the Roman Forum, the heart of ancient Rome’s public life. Here you can admire the remains of some of the most important and representative buildings of the Roman Empire age such as:

Via Sacra: The main street of the Forum, this sacred road led through a bustling area of temples, basilicas, and markets. You can almost hear the hustle and bustle of ancient Romans going about their daily lives.

Temple of Saturn: One of the oldest temples in the Forum, this structure was dedicated to the god Saturn and housed the state treasury. Its iconic columns, standing tall amidst the ruins, evoke the glory of Rome.

Curia Julia: This was the meeting place of the Roman Senate. The building’s remains show how grand it once was, with its robust walls and well-preserved interior layout.

Basilica Julia: A large public building used for legal proceedings and business transactions, the basilica featured a vast nave and is a fine example of Roman civic architecture.

The Roman Forum lets you understand Ancient Roman traditions, habits and laws. You will be amazed by the ruins that withstood the test of time and their everlasting beauty. Feel free to ask your guide about any curiosities.

Palatine Hill

Walk to the breathtaking Palatine Hill with your expert guide to discover its beauty and the history of roman nobility and their stunning houses.

Palatine Hill is one of the most ancient parts of Rome and offers a wealth of historical and archaeological sites. Here are some key attractions you will see:

• The House of Augustus: The residence of the first Roman emperor, showcasing well-preserved frescoes and ancient architecture.
• The Stadium of Domitian: An ancient sports arena that was used for various competitions and games.
• The Farnese Gardens: Beautiful Renaissance gardens that offer stunning views of the Roman Forum and the city.
• Ruins of Imperial Palaces: Explore the extensive remains of palaces built by emperors like Tiberius and Domitian.
• The Via Nova: An ancient road that runs through the hill, lined with ruins and offering insight into the everyday life of ancient Romans.
• From the Palatine enjoy stunning panoramic views of the Roman Forum and Circus Maximus!

This is a Small Group experience that reaches a maximum of 16 people so you get to enjoy great company while discovering the Colosseum and Ancient Rome.

Major highlights

• Colosseum Square
• Constantine’s Triumphal Arch
• Colosseum ground and first floor
• Palatine Hill
• Roman Forum

Tour’s Notes

• Not wheelchair accessible
• Near public transportation
• Normal sized backpacks are permitted as huge backpacks will not be admitted.
• Small group tour (16 max)
• Please be aware that to enter the Colosseum it is necessary to pass a metal detector security check;
• Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
• If you arrive late you might lose the entrance at the Colosseum or a part of the tour
• A current valid passport or ID document is required on the day of the tour for the entrance at the Colosseum
• The order of the visits might change due to the availability of tickets. It is possible that you will visit first the Roman
• Forum/Palatine Hill and then Colosseum
• Your itinerary will consist of visiting the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman forum.
• Tour includes entrance ticket

What is included

• Expert licensed Tour Guide in the requested language
• Guided tour of the Colosseum, Palatine Hill & Roman Forum
• Access to the Colosseum floors 1 and 2
• Access to Palatine Hill & Roman Forum
• Headsets (if more than 6 pax)