Private Theatrical Tour of Italica Ruins with Emperor Hadrian

Walk the amphitheater where gladiators fought, narrated by an emperor in costume

A private theatrical guided tour of Italica's Roman ruins near Seville where a costumed guide portraying Emperor Hadrian leads you through the site for 2.5 hours, recounting tales of gladiatorial combat and daily Roman life. Private transport and a Spanish meal with a drink are included. The guide speaks English, Spanish or Portuguese, and children from age 9 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Italica with Emperor Hadrian

• Arrive in Seville
• Meet guide dressed as Emperor Hadrian
• Tour Roman ruins of Italica
• Hear theatrical reenactments of Roman history
• Visit Itálica Amphitheatre and learn its history
• Imagine Game of Thrones scenes filmed there
• Enjoy a traditional Spanish meal

The experience

What makes this different from a standard archaeological walk? The guide arrives in historically accurate costume as Emperor Hadrian himself, turning the ruins into a stage where history unfolds as you move through them. You'll stand in the Italica Amphitheatre (built in the 1st century AD and capable of holding 25,000 spectators), while the guide reenacts moments from Hadrian's reign and describes the underground tunnels where gladiators and animals once waited. The theatrical framing means you're not just hearing dates and facts. You're hearing the stories of political intrigue, combat and the texture of daily Roman life as someone inhabiting that world would tell them.

The tour runs 2.5 hours and includes private transportation to and from the site, so you don't arrange your own way there. After the walk through the ruins, you sit down to a Spanish meal: tortilla (with or without onion), your choice of drink (water, beer, soda or house wine), and time to absorb what you've seen. The guide is live and speaks English, Spanish or Portuguese, so you follow the commentary in whichever language works for you.

Children from age 9 can join. Under 18, alcohol is not served. The site itself suits all fitness levels, though you'll be walking the amphitheater grounds and moving between stops, so comfortable shoes matter. Public transportation options exist nearby if you prefer to arrive on your own, though pickup is included in the price.

What’s included

• Private transportation to and from Italica.
• a costumed guide portraying Emperor Hadrian leading the 2.5-hour theatrical tour.
• Spanish tortilla with a drink (water, beer, soda or house wine) included after the walk.
• live commentary in English, Spanish or Portuguese.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to SundayDepartures at 09:30, 12:30 and 15:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Infant (9 to 11 years) · Under 9: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Jorge Luque

Is this one for you?Book this if you want the ruins explained by someone in character rather than standing at a distance: the theatrical framing and private format mean the guide's full attention stays on your group, and the meal gives you time to sit with what you've learned before heading back.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (9 to 11 years). Children under 9 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Italica Amphitheatre actually like to walk through?

The Italica Amphitheatre is one of Spain's best-preserved Roman amphitheaters, built in the 1st century AD with multiple levels, an arena, and a system of underground tunnels and rooms where gladiators and animals were held before performances. It's large enough that it was used as a filming location for Game of Thrones, standing in as the Dragonpit, so the scale and structure are substantial enough to give you a real sense of the spectacle that took place there.

Do I need to arrange my own way to Italica, or is transport included?

Private transportation is included in the price, so you don't arrange it yourself. The operator picks you up and brings you back, and you travel privately rather than in a shared group.

Is there food included, or do I need to eat separately?

A Spanish meal is included after the tour: Spanish tortilla (you choose with or without onion) and a drink of your choice (water, beer, soda or house wine), so you don't need to arrange lunch elsewhere.

How long does the whole experience take?

The tour runs 2.5 hours and includes the theatrical walk through the ruins, the reenactments and storytelling, and the meal afterward.