---
title: Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum Guided Tour
lang: en
type: tour
city: Rome
country: Italy
price: 69
currency: EUR
price_unit: per_person
availability: bookable
rating: 4.8
reviews: 732
duration_minutes: 60
duration_max_minutes: 180
languages: [en, es]
rank_in_category: 78 of 132 (Colosseum, Forum & Palatine Tours)
schedule_checked: 2026-09-26
data_updated: 2026-10-12
canonical: https://guidekin.com/italy/rome/tours/colosseum-palatine-hill-and-roman-forum-guided-tour/
---

# Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum Guided Tour

**Guidekin's take:** The value pick among the small group walks: quicker entry, a licensed guide and all three sites from €69 per person, with the arena floor as a paid add on. A detail nobody else advertises: the Colosseum is free on the first Sunday of the month, and this tour is discounted on those days. Order can flip with ticket times.

In our comparison: #78 of 132 in Colosseum, Forum & Palatine Tours, by rating weighted by review volume (table below).

## Overview

Journey back in time on our expertly guided tour of Ancient Rome’s most iconic sites: the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum. With quicker entry, a small group setting, and the knowledge of an expert guide, this 3-hour tour offers a rich, immersive look into the Eternal City’s past at the best value price.

Your experience begins inside the Colosseum, where tales of gladiators, emperors, and brilliant Roman engineering come to life. You'll also enjoy panoramic views from above the arena and get answers to all your curiosities along the way.

Then, explore Palatine Hill, Rome’s legendary birthplace and site of its most lavish imperial palaces, before descending into the Roman Forum, once the vibrant heart of Roman public life.

With a relaxed pace, intimate group size, and thoughtfully planned route, this tour delivers comfort, depth, and outstanding value. Space is limited, so book now and discover Ancient Rome like never before.

This tour is available in multiple languages.

## Before you book

- Meeting point: Please meet us in front the Arch of…
- Entry ticket included: skip the ticket desk
- Max 12 people: small group
- 8 start times: between 08:30 and 15:30
- Strollers OK: infants accepted
- Children from €59: ages 5 to 17

**Pickup:** No hotel pickup: everyone meets at the start point

## Key facts

- Price: from €69 per person for the Colosseum Tour option; other options up to €79
- Duration: 1h–3h
- Rating: 4.8/5 from 732 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor)
- Operator: Carpe Diem Tours
- Group: Shared, up to 12 travellers
- Guide languages: English, Spanish
- Tickets: Admission included
- Start times: 08:30, 09:00, 09:30, 10:00, 11:00, 13:30, 15:00, 15:30
- Booking: Instant confirmation, mobile ticket
- Price checked on Viator: 2026-09-26

## Reviews

4.8 from 732 ratings on Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor.
95% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4 or 5 stars: 692 of 732.

- 5 stars: 653 (89%)
- 4 stars: 39 (5%)
- 3 stars: 21 (3%)
- 2 stars: 8 (1%)
- 1 star: 11 (2%)

### What reviewers say

Reviewers praise the guides' historical knowledge and storytelling, though some struggled to hear or understand the commentary

**Praised:**
- Detailed explanations of Roman history and archaeology
- Stories, photos and demonstrations that help visitors picture ancient Rome
- Small groups that feel personal and inclusive
- Guides adjust the pace and make stops for shade, water and comfort
- Guides keep the group together and navigate crowded sites

**Complaints:**
- Some struggled to hear or understand the guide because of microphone faults or unclear English
- Booking changes were not communicated correctly, leaving some travellers unable to take the tour
- Some faced long entrance queues, while others reported getting past the lines quickly
- Lots of walking and stairs, with hot weather adding to the effort

Written by Guidekin from the 100 most recent English reviews on Viator & Tripadvisor (2024-10-09 to 2026-09-22); last checked 2026-10-03.

## Tour options

Prices are the operator's current list price for two travellers (whole euros); options sold only to bigger parties say so; pick the option on the booking page.

| Option | Price | Guide languages | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colosseum Tour | €69 / person | English, Spanish | Colosseum tour with an expert guide, including visits to the Palatine Hill and Roman Forum. |
| Small-Group Colosseum Tour | €79 / person | English | Small Group Colosseum tour with a maximum of 12 people, and visits to the Palatine Hill and Roman Forum. Duration: 3 hours |

## What's included

- Optional Arena Floor access available for an additional fee.
- Colosseum entry ticket included (€18–€24 value, depending on option).
- Top-rated small-group tour, offering excellent value.
- Expert insights and history provided by a licensed guide.
- This tour is available in multiple languages, depending on the option selected.
- Personalised, guided group tour of Ancient Rome for a comfortable experience.
- Faster access to the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum.

## Not included

- Access to the Arena floor (available if selected for an additional fee)

## Itinerary

1. **Colosseum** (1h; admission included) - You will retrace the steps of the Gladiators, accompanied by exciting stories, told by your local, expert guide. Uncover the history of the events that unfolded inside the great walls of the world-famous Colosseum. Bring the ancient monument to life, and gain all the insights...
2. **Palatine Hill** (30m; admission included) - The Palatine Hill is the most beautiful and important of Rome’s seven hills, and is a must-see on any tour of the city. Here, with the aid of your guide, you can discover the birthplace of one of the greatest civilisations in history, and explore the ancient ruins of the...
3. **Roman Forum** (30m; admission included) - It is vital to visit the political, social, and commercial heart of downtown Rome to truly understand the spirit of life in Roman times. Here you will walk original Roman roads, the Via Sacra and the Via Nova, which weave amongst ornate arches, towering temples, and the...

## Schedule

- Runs: daily
- Departures: 08:30, 09:00, 09:30, 10:00, 11:00, 13:30, 15:00, 15:30
- Schedule last checked: 2026-09-26
- These are published departures, not a live seat count; availability is confirmed at checkout.

## Cancellation

If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

## Meeting point

Please meet us in front the Arch of Constantine. Your guide will be holding a Yellow Carpe Diem Tours flag or sign. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to start time. Late arrivals will not be eligible for refunds.
Map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJn8yMY7ZhLxMRoGckLEOtWZU

Ends: The tour will either finish in the Roman Forum or the Colosseum, depending on which monument we start with, where you will be left to either leave or spend more time exploring the area.

## Good to know

- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please provide the full names of all travellers when booking. Failure to present a voucher with matching names at the ticket office may result in denied entry to the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
- Each traveller must present a valid passport or ID matching the name provided at booking for entry to the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
- Tour order may vary: we will start with either the Colosseum or the Roman Forum/Palatine Hill depending on ticket availability.
- Colosseum admission is free on the first Sunday of each month; tours are discounted on these days.
- Want an upgrade? Check out these other options: Small-Group Colosseum Tour (12pax)

## Compared with other Colosseum, Forum & Palatine Tours

| Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **This tour · #78 of 132** | €69 | 1h–3h | 4.8 (732) | shared, max 12 |
| [Ancient Rome Discovery: Colosseum, Forum, Palatine Guided Tour](/italy/rome/tours/ancient-rome-discovery-colosseum-forum-palatine-guided-tour/?format=md) | €129 | 3h | 4.99 (1367) | shared |
| [German Colosseum and Roman Forum](/italy/rome/tours/german-colosseum-and-roman-forum/?format=md) | €99 | 3h | 4.98 (686) | shared |
| [Colosseum & Ancient Rome with Arena Floor Option I Max 6 People](/italy/rome/tours/colosseum-ancient-rome-with-arena-floor-option-i-max-6-people/?format=md) | €149 | 3h | 4.94 (3890) | shared |

Ranked #78 of 132 in Colosseum, Forum & Palatine Tours by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €4 to €1500, median €115; typical length 2h 30m. 41 of 132 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market.

Full list: https://guidekin.com/italy/rome/colosseum-tours/?format=md

## More in Rome

- All Rome tours: https://guidekin.com/italy/rome/?format=md
- This page as HTML: https://guidekin.com/italy/rome/tours/colosseum-palatine-hill-and-roman-forum-guided-tour/

Filters, the full catalogue and the URL contract for this city: https://guidekin.com/italy/rome/?format=md
