Small group ancient rome and colosseum tour underground chambers arena and upper tier

Experience the full glory of Rome's Colosseum on a unique, small-group tour with skip-the-line entry! Accompanied by an expert guide who is passionate about Roman history, you'll gain rare access to areas of the Colosseum that are newly opened or normally off-limits. Enjoy private viewings of the Colosseum's underground chambers, arena and upper level, and then head to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill for unforgettable views of Ancient Rome.

Numbers are limited to 12 people on this small-group Colosseum tour, ensuring you'll see this incredible Rome attraction in an intimate atmosphere.

Once known as the Flavian Ampitheatre, the Rome Colosseum was easily the largest building of the Roman Empire, built to host the gladiator battles that typified the culture of Ancient Rome. Still by far the most impressive building in Rome today, the Colosseum is a must-visit attraction and, as such, draws incredibly long queues! After meeting your expert guide nearby, start your small-group Colosseum tour by skipping the long lines and heading directly inside with your priority entrance ticket.

Your first stop is the Colosseum's fascinating underground level, which for the first time is open to a limited amount of people each day. Explore the network of underground passages, chambers and cells as your guide brings this subterranean maze to life with tales of gore and glory! It was here that Roman gladiators prepared for battle, and where the fearsome, wild animals they fought were caged.

Working upward, you'll see the arena next. Public access to the arena itself is also recent; rather than walking round the edge as most do, you get to step right into the space where battles were once fought. Little of the original arena floor still exists, but the gaps allow you to enjoy clear views of the underground levels below.

Your tour then takes you to the Colosseum's upper tier. Recently opened for the first time since the 1970s, this third level was where the lower Roman classes sat when cheering the gladiators, enjoying bird's-eye views of the action below. Walk around and enjoy the views from this unique vantage point.

Your Colosseum tour now comes to an end, but there is more of Ancient Rome to see! Take a leisurely walk to the Roman Forum -- the sprawl of ruins that was the heart of ancient Rome. Head up Palatine Hill with your guide to see where rich Romans once lived, and enjoy views of Nero's Circus Maximus, where chariot races were held. Your tour ends on the Via Sacra, the main street of ancient Rome that leads to Capitoline Hill.

Please note the order of which sites are visited may be reversed on our itinerary, although all sites will be visited.