Colosseum Underground Tour with Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
Explore the Underground tunnels and Arena Floor with an experienced guide and small group
Did you know that only a fraction of Colosseum visitors can get tickets to see the Underground tunnels? That's because it's an active archeological site with extremely limited access, but travelers in Rome who can't wait to see the Colosseum make it a priority to see this exclusive area. We are the leading provider of tours to the Colosseum underground, but even our tickets sell out fast, so don't hesitate to book when you find a tour time that works for your upcoming trip to Rome!
Tour Details
- Restricted Access to the Ancient Stadium
- Walk onto the Reconstructed Arena Floor
- The Exclusive Colosseum Underground
- Explore the Underground Tunnels
- Deadly Trap Door & Elevator
- Newly Opened Areas: Be One of the First to Visit
- 1st and 2nd Levels of the Colosseum
- Arch of Constantine
- Roman Forum
- Arch of Titus
- Vestal Virgins
- Temple of Julius Caesar
- Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine
- Palatine Hill
The Roman Colosseum is a must-see attraction in Rome and one of our most popular Colosseum tours. Witness the incredible history of this 2,000-year-old structure up close on our exclusive skip-the-line Colosseum Underground tour. Few visitors get the chance to explore the underground area since Colosseum Underground tickets sell out fast and few companies have access to these coveted tickets. On this tour, you'll also gain behind-the-scenes access to the reconstructed Arena Floor, take a guided stroll through the Roman Forum, and climb the Palatine Hill. Your exclusive 3.5-hour tour include:
Colosseum Underground tickets
Access to the Arena Floor
Fun, and professional English-speaking guide
A guided tour of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
A maximum group size of 19
The Colosseum Underground and Dungeons
Used for storing slaves and animals, the Hypogeum (or Underground) featured two levels and an entire network of Colosseum underground tunnels. This is where gladiators and wild animals awaited their gruesome fate. Led by a professional English-speaking guide, explore this behind-the-scenes area of the Colosseum close to where the active archeological dig is still going on.
Walk under a great archway known as the Porta Libitinaria or the Gate of Death and out onto the reconstructed Arena Floor. This is the heart of the Colosseum and where the savage games took place. The Gate of Death earned its name because all deceased gladiators and animals were removed from the Colosseum through this exit. As you trace the footsteps of gladiators, imagine the deafening screams of 60,000 spectators.
First and Second Levels of the Colosseum
Visit the first and second levels of the Colosseum on this guided tour. The views from these parts of the Colosseum provide an excellent opportunity for more photos. As you snap away on your phone or camera, learn more about the brutal games the Colosseum spectators once witnessed. All our tour guides are experts in archeology and history behind the historic sites we visit, including the Colosseum. Learn why the "Colosseum" is just a nickname, why women didn't sit with men, and the modern device that kept everyone protected from the sun.
Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
Your tour tickets also include skip-the-line tickets for a guided tour of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Get a front-row seat to ancient Roman history as you take a guided 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, Julius Caesar, and more. And last but not least, sandwiched between the Roman Forum and the Circus Maximus, is the Palatine Hill. 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.
Come join us on one of our most popular Colosseum tours that you truly won't forget!
What you get with this tour

See what people are saying
433 total reviews
Leave a reviewFaby was an amazing host
Dana L
Our host Faby was funny, articulate and an absolute wealth of knowledge about Rome and Italy. She kept us engaged and entertained the entire tour. I learned so much! Highly recommended.
AMAZING tour with a WONDERFUL guide
Melinda Rowley
We really enjoyed this tour--especially our knowledgeable guide. I really wished I remembered her name (it was hard for me to prounounce--Flaminia or Flamingia or something like that). She made our tour so enjoyable. Was fortunate that this tour accommodated us as we were originally booked with another tour company who cancelled our tour only two days prior to our tour after booking 2 1/2 months in advance. This tour booked us the day before and it was outstanding. Exactly what we wanted.
Fantastic Guide
Eric A Eimstad
Our tour of the Colosseum, Palantine Hill, and the Roman Forum was amazing, and that was due to our outstanding guide, Eleanor’s. She has an incredible knowledge of every place we visited and everything we saw, but what made the experience so enjoyable as well as educational was her humor and her passion for history and love for the City of Rome!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to meet?
Meet your guide at the green souvenir kiosk in front of the “Colosseo” metro stop, located just outside the lower level entry. A representative will be there holding a sign with our company name on it.
What to bring?
Archaeological sites normally have uneven terrain so wear comfortable sneakers. Bring sunscreen and a water bottle for hot summer months. If you plan on staying in the Roman Forum, you might want to bring a snack.
What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?
If you have any doubts about your mobility, we strongly suggest you take 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. Obtaining reservations for this tour is a complicated process, but we’re experts at Colosseum tours. Still, sometimes it’s impossible to obtain Colosseum Underground reservations every day—though this is rare. We will let you know at least 7 days prior to your tour if this is the case for you. You'd be entitled to 100% refund, and we would do our best to move you to another one of our incredible tours that have access to restricted areas.
Is it possible The Tour Guy will change this tour time?
Yes, it is possible. This tour is highly coveted and the limited number of reservations are hard to get from the Colosseum management, which is a challenge for all tour companies. Entry times often change by a few hours, but we will do our best to update you at least 7 days before your tour. Our goal is to ensure you have a positive experience, so we will do our best to meet the needs of your schedule. If necessary, The Tour Guy will call the number or email you've provided to inform you of any changes. You can always reach out to make sure your Colosseum tour is going to run as scheduled by calling +1 888 290 5595.
What to bring?
Archaeological sites normally have uneven terrain so wear comfortable sneakers. Bring sunscreen and a water bottle for hot summer months. If you plan on staying in the Roman Forum, you might want to bring a snack.
Where to meet?
Meet your guide at the green souvenir kiosk in front of the “Colosseo” metro stop, located just outside the lower level entry. A representative will be there holding a sign with our company name on it.