Rome

Ancient Rome Classic Tour

  • Private Tour
  • 3 Hours
  • Rome
  • 13 reviews

Private tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum led by an archaeologist. Includes skip the line tickets

  • Icona puntinoVisit inside the Colosseum
  • Icona puntinoExplore the Roman Forum and the main highlights
  • Icona puntinoDiscover the Colosseum underground (optional at additional price)
  • Save time thanks to skip the line tickets
  • Experience history coming alive with your friendly private guide
  • Extend the itinerary for a more indepth experience (optional at additional price)

Description:

This private walking tour of Ancient Rome will start at the Colosseum, where you will meet your friendly, officially licensed guide.

Thanks to the skip-the-line tickets, you will have quick and easy access to this monumental amphitheater, built in 80 AD under Emperor Titus. Once inside, your guide will bring the history of the Colosseum to life, explaining its role in hosting gladiator games, naval battles, and great spectacles that entertained the people of ancient Rome.

After exploring the Colosseum, the tour will continue to the Roman Forums, an archaeological complex that served as the political, religious, and commercial center of ancient Rome.

As you walk along these ancient paths, your guide will point out remnants of old roads, alongside traces of shops and houses, giving you a unique insight into the everyday life of the city. You will discover not only its monumental structures but also the daily activities that shaped Roman society.

Your private guide will also explain how the city"s historical layers developed over time. As centuries passed, new buildings and structures were built over older ones, each phase of construction telling a part of the story of Rome. You will learn about the archaeological work that uncovered these layers, revealing how the city transformed from its ancient roots to later periods.

During this tour of ancient Rome, you will also enjoy spectacular views of the Colosseum, offering a unique perspective of this iconic landmark, with amazing photo opportunities.

Throughout the tour, you will visit some of the most important sites of the Forums, including the Temple of Saturn, one of the oldest and most significant temples in Rome, with its towering Doric columns. The Curia, or Senate House, will offer a glimpse into the heart of ancient political life, where crucial decisions shaping the Roman Empire were made. Its design stands as a great example of Roman political architecture.

Next, you will visit the Temple of Vesta, a circular structure dedicated to the goddess of the hearth. The sacred fire here was tended by the Vestal Virgins. Nearby, the House of the Vestals provides an interesting look into both religious practices and the daily life of these priestesses.

You will finally see the Trajan’s Column, a monumental structure commemorating Emperor Trajan’s victories in the Dacian Wars. The detailed frieze wrapping around the column depicts scenes of battle and triumph, taking you through this historic military campaign.

If you wish, you can extend the tour by adding an extra hour with your private guide to visit the Palatine Hill. It is one of the seven hills of ancient Rome and it is also said to be the legendary birthplace of Rome, where Romulus is believed to have founded the city in 753 BC. It served as residential area for Rome"s aristocracy during the Republic. Later, the emperors extablished their residence her. The remains of the emperors" residences are still visible, such as the Domus Tiberiana, the Domus Augustana, the Domus Flavia and more. While exploring these ancient ruins, you will gain insight into the opulent lifestyles of Rome’s elite, while enjoying stunning views of the Roman Forum below. To add the visit to the Palatine Hill, simply select the option in the reservation box.

By selecting the relevant option in the reservation box, you can also add a visit to the Colosseum’s Undergrounds. These areas were used to house gladiators, animals, and scenery for the spectacles held in the arena. The underground was equipped with a sophisticated system of pulleys, ramps, and trapdoors that allowed wild animals and gladiators to be raised into the arena during the battles. The undergrounds offer a fascinating glimpse into the engineering marvels of ancient Rome behind the grand spectacles that once captivated audiences. Please note that the availability for the Undergrounds is extremely limited, if no tickets will be available, you will receive a refund for this additional option.

If you wish, we can also organize a pick-up at your hotel with a private driver so you don"t have to worry about finding a taxi or arriving late (the private transfer is optional at additional price).  

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Included:

  • Private guide officially licensed
  • Entrance fees
  • Skip the line tickets

Not included:

  • Food
  • Drinks
  • Transportation (unless booked as specific option)

Languages:

Italian, English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin

Meeting point:

Near the Colosseum. Detailed intructions and map will be emailed.

Duration:

3 Hours

Dress code:

We suggest to wear comfortable shoes and during summer months a hat to protect from sun. Do not take backpacks and large bags as they are not allowed and there is no cloakroom to leave them.

Options:

Private Hotel Pick-up

Private Hotel Pick-up and Return

Palatine Hill Extension

Colosseum Extension: Underground and Arena

Reviews

(13 reviews)
12/05/2024

Sandy and Josh

Pacific Palisades (CA)

Dear Andrea, Thank you again for your help in organizing the tours. We had a fantastic time in Rome and the tour guide was superfriendly. We would have never had the same experience on our own. Ciao and grazzi

12/09/2023

Peter Kowal

Edmonton, Alberta - Canada

Buongiorno, the ancient Rome tour I took in September was a lifetime experience I will never forget. Going inside the Colosseum was breathtaking. Our guide Vanessa was an archaeologist. She is excellent. A big thank you to her and to the staff of kissfromitaly.