Journey Tours · Via dei Fori Imperiali
Journey Tours takes groups of up to 24 through the Forum, the Palatine and the Colosseum with a live guide, and the arena ticket is in the base price. Pick it if you want a guide on the floor in English, French, Spanish or Portuguese, or a semi-private group of about 12.
Journey Tours meets on the square in front of the Basilica of Santi Cosma e Damiano, halfway along Via dei Fori Imperiali near the Forum entrance. Staff wear light blue vests. The options differ only by language and group: English, French, Spanish and Portuguese guided tours, plus a Semi-Private English Tour with up to about 12 guests. Every one of them includes the Colosseum ticket with arena access, valued at EUR 24, and the EUR 2 booking fee.
The guide comes inside the Colosseum, and that's the main difference from the Show Me Italy tour that meets on the same square. One September guest described walking straight through the entrance onto the arena floor as the first stop. The listed route usually runs Forum, Palatine, then Colosseum. In July and August Journey Tours shortens the visit to two hours because of the heat.
Two warnings from the reviews. One September guest wrote that her group went onto the arena floor and straight back out, without the first and second levels she had expected. The listing doesn't promise those levels by name, so ask your guide at the start. And another guest arrived 20 minutes before check-in time, got lost and missed the tour by three minutes; late arrivals can't join. If you want the underground as well, this tour doesn't include it; look at Touriks or the private underground tour.
In front of the Basilica of Santi Cosma e Damiano, Via dei Fori Imperiali 1. Look for staff in light blue vests with the Journey Tours logo.
Security, then the Forum with your guide and a headset.
The imperial palaces and the views over the Forum.
Into the amphitheatre with your guide and out onto the arena platform above the hypogeum. In July and August the whole tour runs about 2 hours.
★★★★★Our tour guide, Paola, was extremely friendly, knowledgeable and articulate. Her command of the history of these ruins was quite impressive. A beautiful afternoon and a highly recommended experience.
★★★★★Great tour, guide was very knowledgeable. She showed pictures and took us to great viewpoints with cool anecdotal details
★★★★★I learned so much on this tour about the history, architecture, and everything about the experience of going to the colloseo for a show.
★★★★★It was excellent. Our tour guide Massimo was very knowledgeable and friendly! He explained everything very well! I learned a lot!
Read next:
Yes. The Colosseum ticket with arena access (valued at EUR 24) is in the inclusions for the whole product. The options only change the language or make the group semi-private.
Yes. It's a fully guided tour with headsets in the Colosseum, the Forum and the Palatine. Guests describe the guide taking them onto the arena floor.
The square in front of the Basilica of Santi Cosma e Damiano, Via dei Fori Imperiali 1, near the Roman Forum entrance. Staff wear light blue vests. Arrive 15 minutes early.
Free cancellation up to 3 days before. After that the Colosseum tickets can't be changed or refunded, and names must match each traveller's ID exactly.
Ready to book
Arena included and a live guide in English, French, Spanish or Portuguese, or semi-private.
Arena Floor, Forum & Palatine with Audio GuideThe arena ticket is in the price, but inside the Colosseum you have an audio guide. The live guide covers the Forum and Palatine.★ 4.2 · 2 hours 30 minutes · from $102
Arena Floor, Roman Forum & Palatine TourThe arena floor in every option, a live guide inside the Colosseum, then the Forum and Palatine. Check in at the purple-flag office.★ 4.7 · 2 to 3 hours · from $91
Colosseum, Forum & Palatine, Arena OptionalA well-reviewed three-site tour. The low price is the Basic option without the arena; Arena Group costs more.★ 4.6 · 3 hours · from $55