The Ultimate Tour Guide to Rome’s Colosseum: What to See and Do

Destination Articles

The Colosseum stands as one of the most famous monuments in the world and is an icon of Roman culture and history. For anyone traveling to Rome, it remains a major attraction that cannot be missed. Exploring guided tours of the Colosseum in Rome is a proven way to truly immerse yourself in a site that is unlike any other. 

Ultimate tour guide to Rome's Colosseum
The Colosseum

In this ultimate guide, you will find everything you need to know to get the most out of your visit. 

The Incredible History of the Colosseum

Vespasian commissioned the Colosseum in 72 AD in an effort to quell unrest amongst the wider population. By the time it was completed 8 years later, he had passed away, leaving the empire in the hands of Titus, his eldest son. 

During the first 100 days of the Colosseum thousands of performers, gladiators, and wild animals were presented to the crowds on the arena floor. It truly was the beating heart of Roman culture and live entertainment.

Getting a sense of this incredible spectacle with one of the many tours of the Colosseum in Rome allows visitors to connect with ancient Rome. Experiencing history firsthand in this way enables you to leave Rome with a greater appreciation of the scale of the achievement and the lasting architectural legacy. 

Colosseum Features You Cannot Miss

Our ultimate Colosseum tour guide is designed to ensure that you get to know ancient Rome’s most iconic landmark like never before. Here are our three must-not-miss features every visitor should see:

  • The reconstructed arena floor provides a real sense of scale and allows you to picture gladiatorial battles in a whole new way
  • The underground chambers where gladiators, wild animals, and countless slaves would await their fate will take you behind the scenes
  • The upper tiers allow you to look down on the arena floor and imagine what a full crowd would have been like
Inside the Colosseum arena
Inside the Colosseum arena

The Colosseum is also regularly updated to provide improved access for visitors of all ages and abilities. 

Colosseum Accessibility Tips

Because of the ancient nature of the Colosseum, a little pre-planning is required to make sure your access needs can be met:

  • The first two floors have been equipped with comprehensive wheelchair access
  • An elevator has been added to allow all visitors to access the underground chambers
  • Only a guided tour lets you walk through the famous Gladiator's Gate onto the arena floor

With the right choice of tour, you can make sure that your entire traveling party is catered for.

Choosing the Right Colosseum Tour

If you know what to see at the Colosseum and want to book in a way that beats the crowds, all it takes is a little bit of planning. There are a variety of different Colosseum tours to choose from:

  • Standard entry is a common option and will provide access to the first and second floors, however, there will often be large crowds at peak times
  • Self-guided audio tours provide some historical background and are often aimed at solo travelers who want the freedom to move at their own pace
  • VIP tours give visitors full access to all open areas of the Colosseum, including underground chambers, the arena floor, and the open upper tiers
  • Dedicated underground tours are often carried out late into the evening and are designed for groups who want to avoid the crowds
  • Skip-the-line and fast-track tours provide efficient entry into the Colosseum and can be booked to avoid the busiest times

Experiencing the full wonder of the Colosseum is about having the time and space to take it all in. Where possible, consider avoiding the crowds and gaining access to more of the open areas with a VIP guided tour.

What to Know When Visiting the Colosseum

Here are our Rome Colosseum tour tips, each one put forward by a skilled guide with years of experience working in and around this unique landmark: 

  • The Colosseum draws the biggest crowds in the middle of the day, so try to arrive at around 08:30 in the morning if you want to beat the rush
  • Guided tours will often include fast access, allowing you to skip the line while also benefiting from the knowledge of a professional guide
  • Make sure to pack a drink and wear comfortable clothing as you can be out in the sunshine for several hours
  • Purchasing your tickets in advance online, rather than in-person on the day, will give you the greatest level of choice regarding timings, costs, and access
  • Families and school groups with a wide range of ages will benefit from a guided tour booked at a time to avoid the heaviest footfall
Colosseum crowds
Colosseum crowds

With a little pre-planning, you can also tie in visits to other nearby attractions on the same day.

Enriching Your Colosseum Visit

Now that we’ve covered the Colosseum features to explore, we now need to turn our attention to the surrounding remnants of ancient Rome:

  • The Palatine Hill was seen in ancient times as the birthplace of the empire. Politically savvy emperors would use the symbolism of building their palaces there to emphasize their connection to the people
  • The Roman Forum was where politicians would talk to crowds and traders would sell to the masses. It was in many senses the center of Roman trade and government while the Colosseum served as the primary source of entertainment
  • The Arch of Constantine celebrates a key military victory achieved by Constantine and is strategically placed along the route victorious Roman legions would march on their return from battle

Each of these iconic landmarks can be combined with a guided Colosseum tour thanks to their close proximity to one another. This will give visitors to Rome a firsthand look at how Romans governed themselves, traded with one another, celebrated military victories, and socialized en masse. 

Conclusion

The best tours for the Colosseum are the ones that provide historical context within which you can place this unique site. Being able to ask a skilled guide any questions that come to mind allows you to feel like you’re very much connected with the heart of ancient Rome. 

Share this:

More Destination articles you might enjoy

Tahir Rafiq

I'm Tahir, a game developer and freelance writer with a passion for travel, good food, and wine. When I’m not working, I enjoy relaxing yoga sessions, exploring spirituality, and getting lost in a good book. I’m always on the lookout for new experiences to inspire my creativity and personal growth.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

backpacker travel logo
COPYRIGHT © BACKPACKER TRAVEL 2025. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.