Rome: Colosseum Underground & Arena Floor Tour, Small Group

Walk where gladiators waited beneath rome’s colosseum then stand on the arena floor with stories echoing all around

You’ll feel ancient Rome come alive as you step into the Colosseum’s hidden underground chambers with your guide, then walk out onto the arena floor itself: sunlight hitting centuries-old stones under your feet. Explore upper levels for sweeping city views and finish wandering Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum at your own pace.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Colosseum1h 15m · entry included
2. Palatine Hill1m · entry included
3. Roman Forum1m · entry included

Explore Colosseum and Ancient Rome

• Meet expert guide
• Introduction to Colosseum history
• Explore underground chambers
• Step onto arena floor
• Visit exhibit and upper level

The experience

I still remember the first thing I noticed: a faint, earthy chill coming up from below as we followed our guide, Marco, through a narrow stone corridor under the Colosseum. It smelled almost like wet clay mixed with something metallic. He paused to point out scratch marks on the wall, saying they might’ve been made by animals waiting their turn in the games. I tried to picture that: lions pacing in the dark, muffled roars echoing under thousands of stomping feet above. Honestly, it gave me goosebumps.

The underground part felt strangely intimate. Just seven of us and Marco’s low voice bouncing off ancient bricks. At one point he handed me a tiny flashlight so I could peek into a side tunnel (I dropped it, of course). There was this old wooden lift mechanism he showed us. You could almost hear how it would’ve rattled when they hoisted up cages. Someone asked if gladiators got nervous down here. Marco just smiled and shrugged: “Probably more than we can imagine.”

When we climbed up to the arena floor itself, wow, it’s nothing like seeing it from above. The sun hit my face hard after all that darkness, and suddenly you’re standing right where those fights happened. People were quiet for a second. You get this weird mix of awe and discomfort thinking about what went on here. Kids in another group tried to reenact sword fights (badly), which made us laugh and kind of broke the tension.

The upper levels were less intense but honestly had some of my favorite views over Rome: roofs stretching out forever, bits of green poking through ruins. Our tour included access to Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum too. We wandered around afterward until my legs started complaining. If you’re thinking about a Colosseum underground tour from Rome or want to walk that arena floor yourself, I’d say do it. Just bring good shoes and maybe don’t drop anything important in those tunnels.

What’s included

Your day includes guided entry to Rome’s Colosseum with an expert local guide (and headset), access to both the restricted underground chambers and arena floor depending on your choice, plus tickets for Palatine Hill and Roman Forum: all in a small semi-private group so you actually hear every story as you wander through history together.

Options for this experience

3 options

Guided tour of the Colosseum's arena floorGuide in English · 10:30, 10:40, 13:30 and 13:40Small group of up to 12 guests, keeping the group size limited for better interaction with your guide and a more immersive visit. Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes, with around 2 hours of guided exploration inside the Colosseum, followed by independent access to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Highlights: priority Colosseum entrance, Arena Floor access, Upper Levels views, and Roman Forum and Palatine Hill access. Please arrive 15 minutes early. A valid ID is required for entry, and security checks are mandatory. The Underground is available through a separate option.

Colosseum Underground TourGuide in English · Available from 27 Nov · 09:30 and 14:30Small group of up to 7 guests for a more exclusive, in-depth visit to the restricted Underground areas. Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes, with around 2 hours of guided time inside the Colosseum, including Underground access. The Forum and Palatine Hill are explored on your own. Highlights: priority entrance, Underground access, Arena Floor, Upper Levels, and Forum and Palatine access. Please arrive 15 minutes early. A valid ID is required for entry, and security checks are mandatory.

Night-time visit to the Colosseum's underground passagesGuide in English · Available from 26 Oct 2027Night tour of the Colosseum that opens with prosecco and then takes you through the hidden tunnels beneath the arena. Maximum 6 travelers. Duration: 2 hours. Unlimited prosecco is served during the introduction. Itinerary: 30-minute intro with prosecco, followed by a 60-minute visit inside the Colosseum.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day6 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 14:30

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (under 18)

GroupUp to 7

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Roman Guides

Traveler reviews

4.88★★★★★★★★★★

266 verified traveler reviews

5 ★253

4 ★6

3 ★1

2 ★1

1 ★5

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 18).

Is this Colosseum tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible on this tour.

How many people are in each group for the underground tour?

The underground extension allows up to 7 guests per group.

Does this include entry to Palatine Hill & Roman Forum?

Yes, tickets for both Palatine Hill and Roman Forum are included.

Is there hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup. You meet your guide at a designated location near the Colosseum.

Do I need to bring headphones?

No, headsets are provided so you can hear your live guide clearly during the tour.

How long does the Colosseum underground tour take?

The experience typically lasts several hours including all sites visited.