Colosseum Underground Tour with Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

Get special access to the Underground dungeons and Arena Floor on this guided small group tour

Travel Flexibly 4.9 / 5 See All 620 Reviews · 3.00h · Rome, Italy

Did you know that only a fraction of Colosseum visitors can get tickets to see the incredible underground tunnels? As an active archaeological site with extremely limited access, tickets must be booked a month in advance and demand is high. This Colosseum tour lets you see the Underground, Arena Floor, and first and second tiers of the Colosseum. We're the leading provider Colosseum Underground tours, but even our tickets sell out fast so don't hesitate to book for your upcoming trip to Rome!

  • Beat the crowds with Restricted Access
  • The exclusive Colosseum Underground
  • Explore the Underground Tunnels
  • Deadly trap door & elevator
  • Gladiator's Gate
  • Colosseum Arena Floor
  • 1st and 2nd tiers of the arena
  • Roman Forum
  • Arch of Constantine
  • Arch of Titus
  • Vestal Virgins
  • Temple of Julius Caesar
  • Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine
  • Palatine Hill

Our Underground tours have limited availability this season. If it's sold out on the day of your trip to Rome, we recommend booking our popular Arena Floor tour that gives you access to the area where gladiators once fought!

Meet your expert local guide and small group near the Colosseo metro stop, and get ready for the ultimate journey into ancient Rome! The Roman Colosseum is a must-see attraction in Rome, but not many visitors are lucky enough to get hold of exclusive Colosseum Underground tickets. As one of the few companies who have access to these coveted tickets, our Colosseum Underground tour sells out fast. This tour gives you the Underground and so much more—you'll also gain behind-the-scenes access to the reconstructed Arena Floor, enjoy the views from the first and second tiers, take a guided stroll through the Roman Forum, and climb the Palatine Hill.

Colosseum Underground Tour Description

Your exclusive 3.5-hour tour includes:

  • Colosseum Underground tickets

  • Access to the Arena Floor and Gladiator's Gate

  • Guided tour of the Colosseum with 1st and 2nd tiers

  • A guided tour of the Roman Forum with skip-the-line tickets

  • Walking tour of Palatine Hill

  • An expert English-speaking guide

  • A maximum group size of 24

After booking this epic underground tour, you’ll hear from our friendly Travel Experts who’ll ask for your name and birthday. Each ticket is reserved specifically for you since you're a VIP. Don’t forget to bring your ID to the Colosseum to confirm your ticket!

Please note that depending on the assigned entry time for the Colosseum, your tour might enter the Roman Forum first and end in the Colosseum.

The Colosseum Underground and Dungeons

Used for storing slaves and animals, the Hypogeum (or Underground) featured two levels and an entire network of Colosseum tunnels underground. This is where gladiators, wild animals, and the condemned awaited their gruesome fate. Led by a professional English-speaking guide, explore this behind-the-scenes area of the Colosseum, where an active archaeological dig is still going on.

As you walk around this incredible part of the Colosseum, your guide will tell stories of the likely uses of the chambers and dungeons that once hid underneath the original Arena Floor.

Arena Floor and Gladiator's Gate

Ascending to floor level, you'll step back in time as you trace the footsteps of warriors through the imposing Gate of Death (or the gladiator's gate) and out onto the reconstructed Arena Floor. This is the heart of the Colosseum and where the savage games took place.

Visit the opening to the reconstructed trap door and hear your guide describe the wild animals and battles that once fought here to the delight of ancient Roman society. It's a unique chance to imagine the fear and adrenaline that competitors must have felt so many years ago with the deafening screams of 60,000 spectators.

First and Second Levels of the Colosseum

As part of your guided tour, you'll also visit the first and second levels of the Colosseum. The views from these parts of the arena provide an excellent opportunity for photos. Your guide will tell you more about the brutal games the Colosseum spectators once witnessed, as well as the rich and influential Romans who watched from high in the stands.

All our tour guides are experts in the archaeology and history behind the historic sites we visit, including the Colosseum. Learn why "Colosseum" is just a nickname, why women didn't sit with men, and perhaps even the modern device that kept everyone protected from the sun.

Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

After your in-depth Colosseum tour, you'll talk the short walk to the Roman Forum for a guided tour with skip-the-line tickets. This was once the beating heart of ancient Rome, and you can imagine daily Roman life unfolding as you walk through the ruins of the Temple of Julius Caesar, the Arch of Titus, the Roman Senate House, and much more. Your guide will bring it all back to life with tales of Mark Antony, Cleopatra, Caesar, and more.

Sandwiched between the Roman Forum and the Circus Maximus, your final stop the historic Palatine Hill—a place we like to think of as the Beverly Hills of ancient Rome. This awe-inspiring area of towering pine trees, majestic ruins, and unparalleled views were where Romulus was said to have founded the city in 753 BC. This is also where Rome's emperors lived in opulent luxury.

Don't miss out on this unique Colosseum Underground tour—tickets sell out fast!

What you get with this tour
Colosseum Underground tickets
Access to the Arena Floor and Gladiator's Gate
Guided tour of the Colosseum with 1st and 2nd tiers
A guided tour of the Roman Forum with skip-the-line tickets
Walking tour of Palatine Hill
An expert English-speaking guide
A maximum group size of 24
Tripadvisor Logo

See what people are saying

620 total reviews

Leave a review
4.9/5 (based on 620 reviews)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 stars
05 June 2023
S
Reviewed by
SANDRA WENDT

Under the circumstances we had an Ok time, admittedly if I had not had 3 cocktails before I got to the colosseum I may have lost my sense of humour extremely quick. our tour was booked for the 27th May in the morning, our time was changed to the afternoon which was fine, however when we got to the museum, craig from the tour company meet us and informed us that we had no guide, which we do understand and sometimes these things happen, my biggest disappointment was that we paid the most expensive price to get the best experience that we possible could, all of us in the group accepted and understood that nothing could be done, however your company has not offered an apology or a part refund. Craig who meet us said the office would be in contact and we have not heard a thing from your company, it really is very disappointing and based on this I would not recommend your company and I am still waiting to hear back from someone.

3 hr tour was 2 hr! No compensation.
02 June 2023
J
Reviewed by
Jason Lammers

Didn’t get the full time we paid for! We paid for a 3 hour underground Colosseum tour to start at 15:30. (3:30 pm) We were notified 52 minutes before the start time that it would be postponed to 14:45. (4:45 pm) due to a guide emergency. Irritating. But understandable. The issue is that the tour still ended at the original time of 18:30 (6:30 pm). So we were rushed through, didn’t get to visit the upper levels of the colosseum AND the grounds closed 30 minutes after our tour ended so we couldn’t even explore on our own to make up the time. I understand things happen. We asked to be refunded 1/3 the cost since we only got 2/3 (or less) of the tour. We were told there would be no refund at this time. I reached out again and have had no reply. I DO NOT RECOMMENDED this company. You cannot advertise and charge for 3 hours and only provide 2 hours. I am baffled and disappointed.

Great Tour and Guide!
02 June 2023
B
Reviewed by
Britt Harrison

Fascinating and fun. Our guide was an absolute expert and gave a great tour!

show more reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

What to bring?

Please make sure to bring your passport or government ID! We also recommend comfortable shoes for walking on uneven terrain. Bring sunscreen and a water bottle for hot summer months.

What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?

This tour includes walking on uneven terrain for most of the tour. If you have any doubts about your mobility, we suggest booking a Colosseum private tour so your needs can be better accommodated.

What happens if it rains?

We run our Colosseum tours rain or shine. If rainfall is extremely heavy, the Colosseum management will sometimes close the restricted areas for safety reasons. If the restricted areas are closed, we will offer an €18 refund to compensate for missing these areas, but we'll still take you inside the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum.

Can my tour be canceled or moved to a different day?

Yes, it is possible. Colosseum Underground tours are very exclusive and are subject to changes, but we’re experts in this field and have staff dedicated to ensuring the best possible customer experience. If we are unable to acquire tickets on your behalf, we will let you know at least 14 days before your tour date, in which case we'll add you to a comparable tour or offer a full refund.

Is it possible The Tour Guy will change this tour time?

Yes, it is very likely to happen due to the exclusive nature of this tour. We recommend you keep your entire day open to accommodate your new tour time. Be sure to monitor your email as we will contact you at least 14 days before the tour with any new start time.

What to bring?

Please make sure to bring your passport or government ID! We also recommend comfortable shoes for walking on uneven terrain. Bring sunscreen and a water bottle for hot summer months.

Why do you need my full name and birthday?

The Colosseum management recently changed their rules, which means tickets will be reserved specifically for the actual ticket holder. We'll use your name and birthday to reserve a ticket just for you, so don't forget to bring your passport or ID to the Colosseum to confirm your ticket!

Does this tour let me skip the line?

Yes! You'll avoid the main admission line to access the Colosseum via a separate entrance with your guide. You'll also skip the line at the Roman Forum.

Start From: $138.70

available days discounted days

Reserve Now $138.70 / per person
$138.70 / per person
You may also like
Skip the Line
Up to 8 % off

Skip the Line

Rome in a Day Tour with Colosseum and Vatican Museums

Explore the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, Roman Forum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and more!

Skip the Line
Up to 8 % off

Skip the Line

Privileged Entrance Colosseum Tour with Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

Skip the line at the Colosseum, plus Arch of Titus, Temple of Julius Caesar, and more!

Exclusive Access
Up to 8 % off

Exclusive Access

Special Access Colosseum Arena Floor Tour through the Gladiator's Gate

Walk in the footsteps of gladiators on the Colosseum floor and see the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

Skip the Line
Up to 10 % off

Skip the Line

Privileged Entrance Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel

Enjoy early access to see the Raphael Rooms, Creation of Man, St. Peter's Basilica, and more

Skip the Line
Up to 8 % off

Skip the Line

St. Peter's Dome Climb and Sistine Chapel Combo Tour

Save money while seeing Rome from above, the Papal Crypts below, and the Vatican museums nearby

Guided Tour

Guided Tour

Trastevere Local Food Tour in Rome

Join a culinary guide to indulge in tasty cheese, pasta, gelato, wine, and authentic food of Rome

Skip the Line
Up to 10 % off

Skip the Line

Skip the Line Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel

See the bucket-list Vatican attractions and St. Peter's Basilica with start times throughout the day

Day Trip

Day Trip

Unforgettable Rome Day Trip to Pompeii and Sorrento

The easiest way to dive deep into the famous ancient ruins and soak up the sunny coast of Sorrento

Skip the Line

Skip the Line

Rome Catacombs Tour With Capuchin Crypts

Skip the line and explore a creepy underground world of Roman tombs and crypts with an expert guide

Skip the Line

Skip the Line

Vatican After Hours Tour with Sistine Chapel

Book a unique experience that visits the Vatican after hours with fewer crowds

Skip the Line

Skip the Line

Private Colosseum Tour with Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill

See the Colosseum and ancient Rome like a VIP, the Temple of Caesar, and more!

Transportation Included

Transportation Included

Rome Shore Excursion from Civitavecchia

Book a private Rome tour and see the Colosseum, Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and more in just one day!

Exclusive access

Exclusive access

VIP Colosseum at Night Tour with Underground and Arena Floor

See a different perspective of the Colosseum and Roman Forum with no crowds at night

Skip the Line

Skip the Line

After Hours Rome Catacombs Tour with Capuchin Crypts

Experience Rome’s creepy underground tombs and eerie bone displays on this exclusive night tour

Skip the Line

Skip the Line

Exclusive After Hours Sistine Chapel Tour with Aperitivo

Sip drinks in the Pinecone Courtyard after your quieter experience exploring an almost-empty Vatican

Skip the Line
Up to 5 % off

Skip the Line

Ultimate St. Peter's Basilica Dome Climb and Tour with Papal Crypts

See St. Peter’s Basilica up close and climb the dome for the best views of Rome and the Vatican

Entry Ticket

Entry Ticket

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Tickets

Skip the line and gain quicker access to the Vatican so you can explore at your leisure

Skip the Line

Skip the Line

Private Skip the Line Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and St Peter's Basilica Tour

Enjoy a tailored VIP Vatican experience with early entrance and a dedicated private guide

Skip the Line

Skip the Line

Colosseum, Roman Forum & Vatican Highlights Combo Tour

Skip the line at two of Rome’s most iconic sites with Sistine Chapel and Palatine Hill included

Skip the Line

Skip the Line

Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica Private Tour

See the wonders of the Vatican on a tailored private tour with expert guide and skip-the-line entry

Guided Tour
Up to 20 % off

Guided Tour

Half Day Electric Bike Tour of Rome

Join a local guide to see the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and so much more on this Rome e-bike tour

New Tour

New Tour

Rome Sightseeing Tour by Golf Cart

Whiz through Rome to see the Colosseum, Vatican, Roman Forum, Oppian Hill, Tiber Island, and more!

Skip the Line

Skip the Line

Private Rome City Driving Tour

See the best of Rome with the comfort of your own private vehicle and a dedicated local tour guide

Skip the Line

Skip the Line

Private Family-Friendly Vatican and Sistine Chapel Tour

Enjoy a boredom-free Vatican private tour that's perfect for kids, with treasure hunt and fun guide

Skip the Line

Skip the Line

Ancient Rome Tour with Colosseum Arena Floor & Catacombs

Explore the history of Rome and save money with our combined Colosseum, Forum, and Catacombs tour

Skip the Line

Skip the Line

Private Rome in a Day Tour with Colosseum & Vatican Museums

See the best of Rome your way with a private guide at the Sistine Chapel, Trevi Fountain, and more!

Private Tour

Private Tour

Private Pompeii & Sorrento Day Trip from Rome

Step back in time with a private guided tour of Pompeii then enjoy a lazy afternoon in Sorrento

Private Tour

Private Tour

Vatican Under the Stars Private Evening Tour with Sistine Chapel

Appreciate the Vatican masterpieces without the crowds on an after-hours tour with a private guide

Skip the Line

Skip the Line

Private Family-Friendly Rome Colosseum & Roman Forum Tour

Bring the Colosseum to life on this interactive kids tour with a treasure hunt and fun local guide

Skip the Line

Skip the Line

Skip the Line Vatican Tour with Local Trastevere Food Tour Combo

Book these two top-rated tours together for great savings and a truly unforgettable day in Rome!

Private Tour

Private Tour

Private Half Day E-Bike Tour of Rome

Cycle through the Roman streets with ease to see the Colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and more!

Skip the Line

Skip the Line

Catacombs Private Tour in Rome

Discover the mysterious Roman Catacombs, Capuchin Crypts, and Appian Way on an intimate private tour

Skip the Line

Skip the Line

Colosseum Arena Floor with Trastevere Local Food Tour Combo

Step through Gladiator's Gate then discover true Roman cuisine on this great value full day tour

Skip the Line

Skip the Line

Vatican Uncovered: A Private, Detailed Tour

Get an in-depth experience tailored to your interests of art, sculptures, and the Sistine Chapel

New Tour

New Tour

Tasty Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class Near Piazza Navona

Cook like a pro with a local chef as you master two Italian dishes then savor your own creations

Private Tour

Private Tour

Rome Evening Cocktail Tour with Local Guide

Experience Rome’s cocktail culture as you stroll by the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and Trastevere!

Skip the Line

Skip the Line

Sistine Chapel, Vatican Gardens & Castel Gandolfo Day Trip

Travel to the Pope’s summer residence by train after an in-depth Vatican Gardens and museums tour

Skip the Line

Skip the Line

History of Christianity Tour with Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and Catacombs

Step back into Catholic history at the Roman crypts and skip the line to see the Vatican treasures

New Tour

New Tour

Trastevere Pasta Making Class: Fettuccine and Maltagliati

Head to Rome’s trendiest food district to try your hand at authentic pasta making (and eating!)

Skip the Line

Skip the Line

Private Borghese Gallery Tour

Admire stunning Renaissance art most miss like Bernini's Rape of Proserpina & Apollo and Daphne

New Tour

New Tour

Ultimate Pizza & Gelato Making Class Near Piazza Navona

Learn the secrets of making authentic gelato and pizza from a pizzaiolo chef before devouring them

Cooking Class

Cooking Class

Dough to Dessert: 3-in-1 Cooking Class near Piazza Navona

Master the art of making fettuccine, ravioli, and mouthwatering tiramisu in a single day!

Private Tour

Private Tour

Private Palazzo Barberini Museum Tour with Art Historian Guide

See Judith Beheading Holofrenes, La Fornarina, and more inside this opulent 17th-century palace

Private Tour

Private Tour

Private Pompeii & Mt. Vesuvius Day Trip from Rome

An unforgettable visit to ancient ruins with all the details and transportation taken care of

Private Tour

Private Tour

Trastevere and Jewish Ghetto Private Rome Tour

With a private guide, unearth the trendiest Rome districts from Santa Maria Basilica to Tiber Island

Skip the Line

Skip the Line

Private After Hours Vatican Tour

Experience the quiet of the Sistine Chapel without the crowds after your tailored tour

Skip the Line

Skip the Line

Basilicas of Rome Private Driving Tour

Uncover relics of Catholic history and three of Rome’s major churches with an expert local guide

Skip the Line

Skip the Line

The Quickest Early Access Private Vatican Tour

Explore the Vatican before the crowds on a shorter, tailored tour that includes the Sistine Chapel

Private Tour

Private Tour

Orvieto, Civita di Bagnoregio & Winery Private Day Trip from Rome

Escape the city on a memorable journey through Umbria’s historic towns to taste fine local wines

Private Tour

Private Tour

Private Transfer from Rome to Amalfi Coast with Tour of Pompeii

Travel south in style with door-to-door service, and explore Italy’s lost city with a private guide

Private Tour

Private Tour

Tivoli Fountains & Hadrian's Villa Private Tour from Rome

Escape the city on a VIP private day trip to Tivoli, with Villa d’Este, Hadrian’s Estate, and more!

Private Tour

Private Tour

Brunello di Montalcino Helicopter Tour from Rome or Florence

Take to the skies on the ultimate VIP Tuscany tour that includes wine tasting and a gourmet lunch

Skip the Line

Skip the Line

Privileged Entrance Colosseum with Rome Walking Tour

Skip the line at the Colosseum and Roman Forum then see the ancient history of Rome on a city tour

Covid Test

Covid Test

Rome Rapid/Antigen Covid-19 Test

Reserve your travel-certified Covid-19 test online today

Private Tour

Private Tour

Private Campidoglio and Capitoline Museums Tour

Discover a Top Collection of Ancient Roman Art with a Private Art Historian Guide

Private Tour

Private Tour

Piazza Navona Underground Ruins Tour with Palazzo Altemps

Admire the stunning Suicidal Gaul, Athlete at Rest, and more then see the ruins of Domitian' Stadium

New Tour

New Tour

Rome Golf Cart Food Tour: Explore the City's Iconic Sites and Cuisine

Journey Through Time and Taste on a Small-Group Adventure