View of the inside of the Colosseum from the Gladiator's Arena floor and underground
Tourists in Rome listening to their tour guide inside the Colosseum
View of the Roman Forum in Rome on a sunny day
Tourist enjoying their visit of the Colosseum
Skip the Line

Experience the Colosseum Underground with Arena Floor & Roman Forum Tour

4.93
(1,797 Reviews)
3h
English
10
Everyday
Several Departure Times

Join Our Semi-Private Colosseum Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Access - Uncover the Secrets of the Ancient Roman Theater. Get exclusive access to the Underground "Backstage" and skip-the-line to the Roman Forum & Palatine Hill with an expert guide. Limited to groups of 10 or less with dedicated audio headsets.

  • Enjoy special Skip-the-Line access to the Colosseum’s hidden Underground “Backstage” section
  • Listen as your expert guide regales you with tales of past events and the spectacles of entertainment
  • Enjoy Skip-the-Line access to the political center of Rome: the Forum & Palatine Hill
  • Dedicated audio headsets, so you can hear your guide
  • Groups of 10 people or less

Delve into the Depths of the Colosseum Underground

What's Included

  • English-speaking tour guide who is an expert on Ancient Rome
  • Small groups of 10 people or fewer
  • Skip-the-Line special access at the Colosseum Underground, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
  • Includes Colosseum Entry ticket with Arena and Underground (24€)
  • Dedicated audio headsets so you can focus on the sights without missing a word
  • Gratuities (welcomed and appreciated)

Sites Visited

  • Colosseum
  • Gladiator's Entrance and special access to Underground
  • Roman Forum and Via Sacra
  • Palatine Hill

Explore the hidden mysteries of the Colosseum with our expert-led Colosseum Underground Tour and uncover the magnificent history of one of the world's most iconic sites.

Put Yourself in Gladiators Sandals

You’ll begin your Underground tour at the back entrance to the Colosseum, away from the normal tourist lines. Your guide will take you below to the restricted Underground section to see how the grand events were orchestrated. Imagine the drama that took place here between the encircling walls and the buzz of the 80,000 strong crowds that packed the seats. Then your guide will lead you up the vomitoriums to see what it was like for those who could cheer at the bloody events from the safety of their seats.

Feel the Republic come to Life

After the Colosseum use our Skip-the-Lines access to enter the political center of Rome, the Ancient Forum. You’ll walk through the temples built by triumphant Emperors along the Via Sacra, the same road which battle-hardened soldiers walked on as they returned home to a city that many of them no longer recognized. From this public space, the pressure created by an expansionist empire and the needs of the growing citizens was channeled into vast building projects like the Colosseum.

Breath in the clear air where the City was born

You’ll also be able to see the actual birthplace of Rome on Palatine Hill. This was where the siblings Romulus and Remus were rescued from the Tiber. Their own personal conflict over territory led to the foundation of Rome as a city. Later, the hill was used by Emperors to legitimize their own authority. You will enjoy the same vantage point from the hill as successive Roman Emperors.

Discover the Real Stories of Rome

This tour will bring to life the sweltering conditions beneath the Colosseum where gladiators, captured criminals, Christian martyrs, and wild animals waited to meet their fate in just three hours. You’ll also stroll through the wide-open public spaces of the Forum and up to the lofty heights associated with the kings and Emperors. You’ll uncover what went on below the surface of Ancient Rome, whether it was gladiators becoming noble warriors, orators becoming leaders or Emperors becoming divine gods.


Important Notes

  • On this tour, some of the venues or parts of the venue may be subject to last-minute, unpredictable closures. When this occurs, we are happy to offer customers an extended tour in keeping with the advertised total length of the tour. Find hours, directions, and more for the Colosseum on this page. Due to increased security measures at many attractions, some lines may form on tours with 'Skip the Line' access.
  • Please note that for security reasons, random identity checks can be carried out at the Colosseum by their staff.
  • Please make sure you carry an ID or Passport with you on tour to ensure you will be able to enter the venue.

Cancelation Policy

Due to the fact that Colosseum Underground entry tickets must be purchased using the full name of each passenger and cannot be modified or canceled, no refund will be given for any tour cancelation once the tickets are purchased on the passengers’ behalf.

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From
US$194.96
per adult
Likely To Sell out
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  • No Hidden Costs: All taxes and fees included.

Get to Know Dark Rome

Guide showing attraction

A Dark Rome tour is the product of meticulous research, detailed planning, and a passion for providing customers with travel experiences they will cherish forever.

With Dark Rome it's not just facts, our passionate guides tell you the stories that bring the sights to life.

  • All of our guides are experts in their field
  • We only hire fluent English-speakers so nothing is ever lost in translation
  • We focus on the little details and anecdotes that make Dark Rome so special