Italy · Rome
Walk where gladiators fought, climb the hill where Rome began, and go down through 2,000 years of history beneath a basilica. Four guided tours around the Colosseum.
Tours & experiences
RomeHistory
Colosseum → Palatine Hill → Roman Forum
Walk through the Colosseum, climb the Palatine Hill where Rome's emperors built their palaces, then descend into the Roman Forum, the centre of public life in the ancient city.
RomeUnderground
San Clemente Basilica, near the Colosseum
Descend through three layers of history: a 12th-century basilica, the 4th-century church beneath it, and 1st-century Roman buildings at the bottom, including a temple to the god Mithras.
RomeSpecial access
Colosseum arena → Roman Forum
Step onto the arena floor where gladiators once fought and look up at the tiers of seating, then continue into the Roman Forum with your guide.
RomeExclusive
San Clemente excavations
A small-group visit to the excavations below San Clemente, with time in the Mithraeum and beside the underground stream you can still hear running beneath the basilica.
No tours of this type yet.
Rome travel guide
Rome’s ancient centre is compact. The Colosseum, the Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum sit side by side in one archaeological park, and San Clemente Basilica is a short walk east of the Colosseum. That makes it easy to combine sights in one morning, but the ruins have few signs, and a good guide turns piles of stone back into temples, palaces and streets.
Opened in AD 80, the Colosseum held tens of thousands of spectators for gladiator fights and public shows. Next door, the Palatine Hill is where, according to legend, Romulus founded the city, and where later emperors built their palaces. Below it, the Roman Forum was the centre of political, religious and commercial life. Tours with arena access let you stand on the reconstructed arena floor and look up at the stands.
San Clemente is three buildings stacked on top of each other: a 12th-century basilica, a 4th-century church beneath it, and, at the lowest level, 1st-century Roman buildings including a temple to the god Mithras. Down at the bottom you can still hear an underground stream running through the ancient rooms.
Practical tips
Rules and conditions change, so always check official sources close to your travel date.
Shoulders and knees must be covered to enter basilicas such as San Clemente. A light scarf is useful in summer.
Colosseo station on Metro Line B is directly opposite the Colosseum. Many central hotels are a 20–30 minute walk away.
Expect airport-style bag checks at the Colosseum. Large bags, suitcases and big backpacks are not allowed inside.
Rome is often above 30°C in July and August. Refill your bottle for free at the city’s public drinking fountains, called nasoni.
Italy uses the euro. Cards are widely accepted, but keep a little cash for small cafés and kiosks.
Italy is in the Schengen Area. Check the visa and travel authorisation rules for your nationality before you travel.
FAQs
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Allow at least three hours to see the Colosseum, the Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum without rushing. Our half-day tours are timed around this.
Each tour page lists exactly what is included. Where entry tickets are included, they are timed tickets reserved for you, so you skip the ticket office queue.
No. Photography is not permitted inside San Clemente, including the underground levels, so this is one visit to enjoy without a camera.
The Colosseum has a lift to its upper level, but the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill have uneven ancient paving and slopes. Please contact us before booking so we can advise.
Early morning or late afternoon is cooler and quieter, especially from June to August.
