Private Colosseum Tour with Roman Forum & Palatine Hill: Essential Experience

Tour Overview

Nothing compares to the experience of climbing the steps of the Colosseum, exploring the cobbled streets of the Roman Forum, or admiring the stunning views of Rome from the top of the Palatine Hill. For anyone interested in history or culture, a private walk through the archaeological sites of Ancient Rome is an unforgettable experience. There’s so much to see and discover here that it can be overwhelming, especially if it’s your first trip to Rome, which is why the Ancient City is best experienced with a personal guide. Our guided tour will allow you to make sense of this labyrinth of arches, columns and temples: as you explore the most important sites of the ancient city with your expert guide, the pieces of the puzzle will come together - allowing you to see Rome through the eyes of the Romans. This 3 hour itinerary has been specially designed for visitors with limited time in Rome, perfect if you’ve got a plane to catch!

*** All participants 18 and over must book as adults, there is no older student discount available for this itinerary, and due to new regulations for Colosseum tickets, all participants must provide full names immediately upon booking ***

Tour Description

Bringing the past to life: a journey through 2,500 years of Roman history

Explore the dramatic history and spectacular archaeology of Ancient Rome on our private tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum. Uncover the shocking stories of the people who lived here: emperors and gladiators, senators and slaves. Learn about the bloody spectacles of the arena, and walk in the footsteps of Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra.

This streamlined visit to the Ancient City covers the highlights of Rome’s great monuments without sacrificing the historic and cultural context that make them so memorable.

Explore the Colosseum and admire the Arch of Constantine

The Colosseum is one of the wonders of the world, an incredible feat of engineering that hosted some of the most cruel yet spectacular shows in the ancient world. To understand the complex history of this magnificent monument, and to hear stories about the incredible spectacles that took place here - bloody gladiatorial combat, wild animal hunts, and even naval battles - follow your guide through the Colosseum, and walk in the footsteps of gladiators and slaves. On our Colosseum tour, you’ll discover that truth is stranger than fiction, as you learn about what went on behind the scenes. You’ll hear about the lives and deaths of the gladiators - many of whom became celebrities - and find out how the games were staged, using complex machinery and the labour of slaves.

Next to the Colosseum is the massive Arch of Constantine, a triumphal arch that vividly narrates the stories of Roman military victories. Its marble friezes can be read like a graphic novel, or could even be said to resemble scenes from a film, offering us a fascinating insight into fourth century Rome, as the empire turned towards Christianity.

Discover the daily life of the Romans and learn about politics and religion in the Roman Forum

This great valley, which lies beneath the Palatine Hill, was the political heart of Ancient Rome. Your tour of the Roman Forum begins at the Senate, the huge hall that once echoed with the fierce debates of the senators and the rousing speeches of the great orators, such as Cicero, determining the future of Rome. As you stand in front of the Temple of Caesar you’ll find out more about the extraordinary life and brutal death of Julius Caesar, whose funeral and cremation took place in the Forum.

A walk through the cobbled streets of the Forum also allows us to understand the mysterious rituals and beliefs of Roman religion. In the company of your expert guide, you’ll visit the iconic Temple of Saturn and the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, and learn about the worship of the Roman gods. When you explore the House of the Vestal Virgins, where the evocative statues of the priestesses still line the hallways, you’ll hear moving stories of their lives and sometimes premature deaths, which represent the contradictory role of women in Roman society.

We will then cross the ancient stones of the Via Sacra, where the marks of the Roman carriage wheels are still visible, which leads to the Arch of Titus, another impressive triumphal arch. This arch was constructed to commemorate the Roman conquest of Jerusalem, and the explanations of your private guide will provide further illumination, bringing the dramatic history of Rome to life.

Visit the palaces of the emperors and enjoy the views from the Palatine Hill

There’s no better place to get a real sense of the magnitude of the ancient city. Your Ancient Rome tour ends on the shady Palatine Hill, once the most desirable neighbourhood in Rome. When you see the spectacular views of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum in its entirety, you’ll understand why.

The Palatine Hill plays an important part in the founding myth of Rome, as it was here that Romulus and Remus were found by the she-wolf. Roman aristocracy and emperors built their luxurious villas on the hill, and awe-inspiring palaces and gardens can still be visited today, such as the Flavian Palace and the Stadium of Domitian. You’ll also see the panoramic view of the Circus Maximus that the emperors once enjoyed from their palace, and see the ruins of the Hut of Romulus, which dates back to the 8th century BC.

Experience the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill with a knowledgeable guide ready to offer you a memorable experience of the majestic ruins of the ancient Rome.

Tour Reviews

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