Rome Tickets
Colosseum

Colosseum Underground Tours | See ancient Rome’s backstage

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Colosseum underground ruins with ancient stone structures in Rome, Italy.
Tour guide leading visitors through Colosseum underground passage in Rome.
Colosseum underground passageway with ancient stone walls in Rome, Italy.
Colosseum underground ruins with ancient stone structures in Rome, Italy.
Colosseum Arena interior with tourists exploring ancient Roman architecture in Rome, Italy.
Visitors exploring the Colosseum in Rome, Italy.
Tour group exploring the Arch of Constantine near the Colosseum in Rome.
Tour group exploring the Colosseum Arena in Rome, viewing underground chambers and learning gladiator history.
Archway passage in the underground Colosseum, Rome, with ancient stone walls and scattered ruins.
Roman Forum ruins with ancient columns and arches in Rome, Italy.
Colosseum Underground tour with views of Palatine Hill ruins on a sunny day in Rome, Italy.
Guided Tours
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Colosseum Underground & Arena Floor Guided Tour

Only way to access Colosseum’s restricted underground, where gladiators once awaited their fate before battling on the arena floor.

  • Everything you get: Descend into a fragile maze of tunnels, cages, and ancient lifts, once holding gladiators and animals, preserved for two millennia and accessible to only a few visitors at a time. Step onto the Arena Floor where battles raged, then climb the tiers to grasp its sheer scale, as your guide talks about prep zones, VIP routes, stage mechanics, and more.
  • Why choose this: The only tour with full Colosseum access, from Underground chambers to Arena Floor and panoramic tiers, limited to a select few daily. Stand where gladiators waited, fought, then see it from the stands like ancient spectators.
  • Upgrades: Add a guided visit to the Roman Forum & Palatine Hill, home to the Temple of Antoninus Pius, Temple of Saturn, Arch of Septimius Severus, and other political monuments. Or choose an intimate group of 6 for a more personalized experience.


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Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

1 hr. 15 min. - 3 hr.

Only way to access Colosseum’s restricted underground, where gladiators once awaited their fate before battling on the arena floor.

  • Everything you get: Descend into a fragile maze of tunnels, cages, and ancient lifts, once holding gladiators and animals, preserved for two millennia and accessible to only a few visitors at a time. Step onto the Arena Floor where battles raged, then climb the tiers to grasp its sheer scale, as your guide talks about prep zones, VIP routes, stage mechanics, and more.
  • Why choose this: The only tour with full Colosseum access, from Underground chambers to Arena Floor and panoramic tiers, limited to a select few daily. Stand where gladiators waited, fought, then see it from the stands like ancient spectators.
  • Upgrades: Add a guided visit to the Roman Forum & Palatine Hill, home to the Temple of Antoninus Pius, Temple of Saturn, Arch of Septimius Severus, and other political monuments. Or choose an intimate group of 6 for a more personalized experience.

Inclusions

  • Special access guided tour of the Underground and Arena Floor

  • Guided tour of Colosseum with reserved entry

  • English, French, or Spanish-speaking guide (as per option selected)

  • Guided tour of Palatine Hill & Roman Forum with priority access (as per option selected)

  • Small group of max 6 people (as per option selected)

  • Headsets

Exclusions

  • Access to upper floors
  • Hotel transfers

What to bring

  • Valid passport or photo ID for all visitors, including minors.
  • The full name of each participant (including children) must match the ID provided at entry.

What’s not allowed

  • Luggage, large bags, pets, smoking, alcohol, drugs, weapons, sharp objects, glass items, sprays, or aerosols.
  • Electric wheelchairs, prams, and strollers.

Accessibility

  • The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users, prams, strollers, or those with mobility issues.

Additional information

  • Colosseum tickets are non-refundable and cannot be changed.
  • Arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled check-in time; late arrivals will not be refunded.
  • All guests must go through an airport-style security check at entry for maximum safety. Expect to stand in line, this mandatory step cannot be skipped.
  • Meeting time may change—updates will be sent via call or message.
  • Rain or shine, tours operate. In case of heavy rain, some areas may be closed for safety.
  • In July and August, the tour duration may be shortened to 2 hours due to heat.
  • The order of attractions may vary to manage crowd levels.
  • Access to the underground is restricted to the general public. Be sure to book ahead to guarantee your spot!
  • These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Colosseum in Rome with tourists exploring the ancient amphitheater.
Colosseum interior view with ancient stone arches and arena floor in Rome, Italy.
Visitors exploring the ancient Colosseum arena in Rome, Italy.
Roman Forum ruins with surrounding historic buildings, part of Colosseum, Palatine Hill & Roman Forum tour.
Tourists exploring Palatine Hill ruins in Rome, surrounded by lush greenery.
Tourists exploring ruins of Palatine Hill and Roman Forum, Rome, Italy.
Ancient ruins of Palatine Hill and Roman Forum in Rome with surrounding greenery.
Roman Forum and Palatine Hill ruins in Rome, Italy, with ancient temples and arches.
Aerial view of the Colosseum in Rome, Italy, highlighting its ancient architecture.
Colosseum Museum artefacts display with ancient pottery, bones, and tools.
Tickets
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Colosseum, Palatine Hill & Roman Forum Access

Reserved entry to the Colosseum at a time you choose, plus the freedom to explore the Forum and Palatine Hill within 24 hours.

  • Everything you get: Enter at your selected time and explore the seating rows of the world's largest ancient amphitheater. Visit the museum on Level 2, then—within 24 hours—explore the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill to see ancient temples, markets, and palaces, with expert insights via audio guide.
  • Why choose this: Most tickets require visiting all three sites in one go, this one gives you flexibility. Enter the Colosseum at your chosen time, then explore the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill within 24 hours, with a high-quality audio guide to enrich your visit.
  • Upgrades: Step onto the Arena Floor, the Colosseum's exclusive center stage, or visit Mamertine Prison, where history’s most infamous prisoners were held, with its own audio guide. Prefer light support? Choose hosted entry for help with ticket collection, audio guide setup, and general information.


Check availability
Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Flexible duration
Audio guide

Reserved entry to the Colosseum at a time you choose, plus the freedom to explore the Forum and Palatine Hill within 24 hours.

  • Everything you get: Enter at your selected time and explore the seating rows of the world's largest ancient amphitheater. Visit the museum on Level 2, then—within 24 hours—explore the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill to see ancient temples, markets, and palaces, with expert insights via audio guide.
  • Why choose this: Most tickets require visiting all three sites in one go, this one gives you flexibility. Enter the Colosseum at your chosen time, then explore the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill within 24 hours, with a high-quality audio guide to enrich your visit.
  • Upgrades: Step onto the Arena Floor, the Colosseum's exclusive center stage, or visit Mamertine Prison, where history’s most infamous prisoners were held, with its own audio guide. Prefer light support? Choose hosted entry for help with ticket collection, audio guide setup, and general information.

Inclusions

  • Timed entry to the Colosseum

  • Access to Palatine Hill & Roman Forum

  • Audio guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese

  • Hosted entry (as per option selected)

  • Special access to the Colosseum Arena (as per option selected)

  • Mamertine Prison access with audio guide (as per option selected)

Exclusions

  • Access to the Colosseum underground & Belvedere
  • Headsets

What to bring

  • A valid photo ID is required for all participants and must match the name on the reservation.
  • Download your audio guide in advance on the Headout app and bring charged headphones if applicable.

What’s not allowed

  • Objects such as large bags, sharp items and loose electronics must be placed in the X-ray tray during security screening.

Additional information

  • If your ticket includes Mamertine Prison, your visit must begin there and you must arrive at least 1 hour before your Colosseum time slot to collect your entry ticket.
  • Timed access applies to the Colosseum only; Forum and Palatine Hill can be visited anytime within 24 hours but each entrance may be used only once.
  • Note that there are 2 entrances: one for the Colosseum, and another for the Roman Forum & Palatine Hill (combined). You may enter each entrance ONLY ONCE and not re-enter.
  • The security check can take 30 mins or more. To make the process quicker, please insert any object (including mobile phone) in the bag/backpack or in the tray to be included in the X-ray.
  • Each site has different opening hours, so check in advance. Plan around 2–3 hours for the Colosseum, 1–1.5 hours each for Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum, and 30–45 minutes for Mamertine Prison.
  • These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Visitors exploring the Colosseum arena during a guided tour in Rome.
Colosseum exterior with tourists, part of the Palatine Hill & Roman Forum guided tour in Rome.
Tourists exploring the Colosseum arena in Rome, Italy.
Tour group viewing ancient graffiti at Colosseum exhibit, Rome.
Tourists exploring Palatine Hill ruins in Rome, surrounded by lush greenery.
Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum ruins in Rome, Italy, viewed from above.
Couple viewing Roman Forum during guided tour in Rome.
Roman Forum ruins with surrounding historic buildings, part of Colosseum, Palatine Hill & Roman Forum tour.
Arch of Constantine near the Colosseum in Rome, part of the guided tour with arena access.
Guided Tours
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Colosseum, Palatine Hill & Roman Forum with Exclusive Arena Floor Guided Tour

Join an exclusive tour of the Arena, the gladiators’ battlefield, limited to just a few visitors at a time.

  • Everything you get: Skip the crowds and enter through the Gladiator’s Gate, straight onto the fragile, partially reconstructed Arena floor—off-limits with standard tickets. With your expert guide, uncover stories of gladiator training, bloody clashes, political intrigue, and even ancient stadium lighting. Then continue to Palatine Hill’s imperial ruins and the Roman Forum’s grand temples, arches, and basilicas.
  • Why choose this: Standard Colosseum access doesn’t include the arena floor—a rare privilege due to its very limited capacity and preservation needs. See the amphitheater from a gladiator’s-eye view, learn its significance from your guide, and finish amid the Forum’s ruins.
  • Upgrade: Opt for a small-group tour (15 guests) for an intimate, interactive experience, or choose a regular group tour for a budget-friendly option.


Check availability
Free cancellation

You can cancel these tickets up to 7 days before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

2 hr. 30 min. - 3 hr.

Join an exclusive tour of the Arena, the gladiators’ battlefield, limited to just a few visitors at a time.

  • Everything you get: Skip the crowds and enter through the Gladiator’s Gate, straight onto the fragile, partially reconstructed Arena floor—off-limits with standard tickets. With your expert guide, uncover stories of gladiator training, bloody clashes, political intrigue, and even ancient stadium lighting. Then continue to Palatine Hill’s imperial ruins and the Roman Forum’s grand temples, arches, and basilicas.
  • Why choose this: Standard Colosseum access doesn’t include the arena floor—a rare privilege due to its very limited capacity and preservation needs. See the amphitheater from a gladiator’s-eye view, learn its significance from your guide, and finish amid the Forum’s ruins.
  • Upgrade: Opt for a small-group tour (15 guests) for an intimate, interactive experience, or choose a regular group tour for a budget-friendly option.

Inclusions

  • Guided tour of the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, & Roman Forum

  • Special access guided tour of Arena Floor

  • English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian or German speaking guide (as per option selected)

  • Small group of 15 people (as per option selected)

  • Timed entry to the Colosseum

  • Headsets

What to bring

  • Valid passport or photo ID for all visitors, including minors.
  • The full name of each participant (including children) must match the ID provided at entry.

What’s not allowed

  • Luggage, large bags, pets, smoking, alcohol, drugs, weapons, sharp objects, glass items, sprays, or aerosols.
  • Electric wheelchairs, prams, and strollers.

Accessibility

  • The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users, prams, strollers, or those with mobility issues.
  • All visitors must pass through a mandatory security check with metal detectors.

Additional information

  • Colosseum tickets are non-refundable and cannot be changed.
  • Arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled check-in time; late arrivals will not be refunded.
  • Meeting time may change—updates will be sent via call or message.
  • Rain or shine, tours operate. In case of heavy rain, some areas may be closed for safety.
  • In July and August, the tour duration may be shortened to 2 hours due to heat.
  • The order of attractions may vary to manage crowd levels.
  • As there is no timed entrance to the Palatine and Forum, it is impossible to skip entry lines. Please expect a delay when entering these sites.
  • You can cancel these tickets up to 7 days before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Hear from our guests

Loved by 45 million+
Vanessa Venezia Heuer

Vanessa

Nov 2025
5/5
Our tour guide David was FANTASTIC! This was, hands down, the best tour we had during our 16 day tour of Italy, Greece and Turkey. The information provided was historically accurate and flavored with a strong sense of humor. David's crowd management strategies allowed us to get amazing photo ops as well as have direct observation of crowd psychology. We can't say enough positive things about this experience but would gladly make the trip back from Alaska in a heartbeat if it included another tour led by David.
Christopher Green

Christopher

Nov 2025
5/5
The place itself was breathtaking as was the information given to our group by our guide. An in depth knowledge, great humour and an all round mood lifter.
Diane Saunders

Diane

Nov 2025
5/5
Coliseum was incredible and Paulina our guide was fantastic, she was knowledgeable and extremely friendly and approachable. Best guide I have ever had.
Saskia Vermeulen

Saskia

Nov 2025
5/5
We had a super fun and interesting day with our tour guide Luigi!!! Really highly recommended!
andrew john willis

Andrew

Nov 2025
4/5
guide very enthusiastic, althoughbwould need another hiur in the forum to see more that a glimpse
Phillip Goodes

Phillip

Nov 2025
5/5
The tour guide was very knowledgeable and well prepared. Absolutely enjoyed the experience.
Christopher Breeling

Christopher

Nov 2025
5/5
Being able to see the underground, and guides knowledgeable explanations
Ivan Alexis Popoff

Ivan

Nov 2025
5/5
The guide was very clear and professional

The Colosseum Underground, or hypogeum, was a maze of tunnels and cells beneath the arena floor. This was where gladiators and animals waited before being hoisted into the arena for battle. The hypogeum was equipped with mechanisms for elevating people and animals to the surface.

How to enter the Colosseum Underground?

The Underground lies directly beneath the Colosseum’s arena floor. Access is restricted and available only through guided small-group tours that help preserve the site.

Things to know before booking Colosseum Underground tours

  • Access: The Underground are restricted areas and can only be accessed with a licensed guided tour. Standard tickets won’t get you here, you’ll need this exclusive variant.
  • Limited availability: Only a few Underground tours operate daily with capped group sizes. These experiences are highly sought after and tend to sell out quickly, especially during peak season. It’s best to book at least two weeks in advance to secure your preferred time slot.
  • Full ancient Roman experience: Upgrade to a combo that includes the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill for temples, triumphal arches, and imperial palaces.
  • Small group options: For a more personalized experience, go for a small group tour limited to around 8 participants. You’ll get more direct interaction with your guide and space to explore at your own pace.
  • Price parity: Due to the exclusivity and limited group size, Underground tours are priced higher than general admission. However, the depth of access and guided insight make them a worthwhile splurge for history lovers and first-time visitors alike.
  • Accessibility: The Underground involves uneven floors, narrow passageways, and stairs. It is not recommended for visitors with mobility issues, wheelchairs, or strollers.

What to expect on a Colosseum underground tour

The Underground, or Hypogeum—a two-level labyrinth—was where the real drama began. Hidden from public view, it served as the backstage of Rome’s grand games. Meet your guide and start at the exclusive Colosseum underground entrance with a brief historical overview before descending below.

Archway passage in the underground Colosseum, Rome, with ancient stone walls and scattered ruins.

Ancient entertainment & gladiator life

Explore animal cages, gladiator holding cells, and wooden elevators. Each space reveals the tension and anticipation before battles, with guides sharing vivid stories of drama, danger, and surprise arena entrances.

Colosseum Rome tickets

Imperial & sacred passages

Discover private tunnels that once linked the underground to emperors and Vestal Virgins. Decorative tiles, preserved niches, and altars to Nemesis highlight the rituals, fate, and honor intertwined with the games.

Colosseum Rome tickets

Engineering & arena mechanics

Marvel at arches, passageways, and reconstructed elevators. Trapdoors and pulleys allowed rapid set changes, transforming the arena from naval stage to combat ground in minutes, exhibiting Roman ingenuity.

Tour guide leading visitors through Colosseum underground passage in Rome.

Immersive & guided experience

Cool stone walls, dim lighting, and echoing footsteps create suspense. Expert guides illuminate both mechanics and stories; gladiator traditions, imperial pageantry, and the logistics behind Rome’s legendary spectacles.

What to see inside the Colosseum Underground

Animal cages & lift chambers

Explore the holding areas for lions, tigers, and other wild animals, along with restored wooden elevators that hoisted them into the arena. The trapdoors and ramps showcase Roman ingenuity in orchestrating sudden, thrilling entrances.

Gladiator preparation areas

Walk through gladiator quarters and monumental arched entrances. Here, warriors readied themselves for battle while spectators above roared, highlighting the theatrical tension of the games.

Imperial & vestal passages

Hidden corridors allowed emperors and Vestal Virgins to access the arena privately. Decorative tiles and small niches hint at the sacred and symbolic nature of these spaces, including altars to Nemesis, goddess of fate.

Central gallery & arena mechanics

At the core, see remnants of pulleys, lifts, and stage fittings once used to transform the arena into seas, forests, or battlefields, blending spectacle with engineering.

Sacrificial altars & storage rooms

Small niches for offerings and storage areas for props, weapons, and costumes reveal the practical and ritual aspects of the underground.

Arena Floor access

Step onto the arena edge to appreciate the scale and imagine the roar of thousands. From here, the subterranean systems that supported Rome’s grandest spectacles come vividly to life.

Exclusive Arena tours

Unique facts about the Colosseum Underground

1. The Hypogeum was a game changer—literally.

The Colosseum originally didn’t have an underground level when it opened in 80 AD. The Hypogeum (Underground) was added under Emperor Domitian, transforming the way games were staged by allowing dramatic entrances via trapdoors and hidden lifts.

2. It had 60+ trapdoors for surprise effects.

A complex network of over 60 trapdoors connected to elevators and pulleys allowed animals and scenery to appear suddenly in the Arena—enhancing the suspense and showmanship of the games.

3. Wooden elevators were powered by human strength.

The ancient elevators that lifted animals and gladiators to the Arena were manually operated by teams of slaves using a system of winches, ropes, and counterweights. These elevators could lift up to 300 kg.

4. It was a backstage jungle—literally.

Exotic animals like lions, tigers, elephants, and crocodiles were held in cages below the Arena. They were released suddenly to surprise gladiators or be hunted for sport, recreating scenes of wild landscapes.

5. No two shows were alike.

The underground allowed organizers to completely change the setup of the Arena floor—from forest landscapes to shipwreck scenes—thanks to hidden stage props and movable platforms.

6. Forgotten for centuries.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Colosseum Underground was filled in with rubble and earth. It remained buried until excavations in the 19th and 20th centuries unearthed this ancient “backstage.”

7. A marvel of Roman engineering.

Even by modern standards, the coordination of trapdoors, elevators, and stage effects beneath a massive amphitheater was a masterclass in logistics and design—built over 2,000 years ago, without electricity or modern tools.

🏛️ Brief history of the Colosseum Underground

72–80 AD: Construction of the Colosseum begins under Emperor Vespasian and is completed by Titus. The Underground (hypogeum) is built to house animals, gladiators, and stage machinery.

80–404 AD: The Colosseum hosts gladiator battles, animal hunts, and elaborate shows. The Underground becomes the backstage hub for complex performances, using trapdoors and wooden elevators.

5th Century AD: With the decline of the Roman Empire, public spectacles cease. The Colosseum—and its Underground—falls into neglect and disrepair.

Middle ages: The structure is repurposed as a quarry. Stones are taken for other Roman buildings. The Underground is buried and forgotten.

18th–19th Centuries: Excavations begin, bringing parts of the Underground back to light. Archaeologists begin to uncover its original purpose and layout.

20th Century: Major restoration efforts aim to preserve the Colosseum, including structural work on the Underground chambers and tunnels.

2010s: The Colosseum Underground opens to the public via guided tours, offering an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at Rome’s most iconic amphitheater.

Detailed history of the Colosseum

Visitor tips

  • Arrive early or take late tours to avoid crowds and enjoy dramatic light filtering through the tunnels.
  • Wear sturdy, close-toed shoes for uneven stone floors and narrow staircases.
  • Check the weather; heavy rain can lead to tour cancellations due to flooding.
  • Travel light—carry a small bag, leave valuables at your hotel, and use secure camera straps.
  • Set your camera for low light—high ISO, wide apertures, or a small tripod will help capture dim passageways.
  • Consider accessibility; the underground isn’t wheelchair-friendly and may be challenging for claustrophobic visitors or young children.
  • Pause on suspended walkways for sweeping views of the Hypogeum’s engineering before focusing on finer details.
  • Respect site rules—avoid touching surfaces, follow guides’ instructions, and refrain from using flash or tripods.

Guide to planning your Colosseum visit

Frequently asked questions about Colosseum Underground tours

Are Colosseum Underground tours available year-round?

Yes, but with exceptions. Tours run throughout the year but may be paused due to adverse weather, restoration works, or exclusive events.

Can I explore the Underground on my own?

No, the Underground is a restricted zone only accessible with a licensed guide. This is both for visitor safety and the preservation of the fragile archaeological area.

Does a general Colosseum ticket include Underground access?

No, not all Colosseum tickets include access to the Underground. The Colosseum Underground requires a separate ticket, which includes a guided tour. This ticket typically also includes access to the rest of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.

Is the Underground tour physically demanding?

It can be. Expect uneven paths, stairs, and limited seating. These tours may not be ideal for wheelchair users or those with mobility issues. Wear comfortable shoes and check accessibility details beforehand.

Are the tours suitable for children?

Yes, but best suited for older kids (8+). Younger children might find the historical depth and walking tiring. Some tours offer family-friendly formats—look out for those if traveling with kids.

Who designed the Colosseum Underground?

The Colosseum, including the Underground, was commissioned by Emperor Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty, but the hypogeum was added later by Emperor Domitian.

When was the Colosseum Underground built?

The Colosseum was built between 70-80 AD, but the Underground was added later, approximately ten years after the inauguration of the arena.

How do I get the most out of my Underground tour?

Choose a small group tour (around 8–12 people) for an intimate experience. This gives you more time with your guide, better photo ops, and fewer crowds in tight spaces.

What can I do at the Colosseum Underground?

Visitors to the Colosseum Underground can explore the labyrinthine tunnels, learn about the logistics of staging the grand gladiatorial games, and gain a deeper understanding of ancient Roman history and culture.

Do I need to book Colosseum Underground tours in advance?

Absolutely. These tours sell out fast due to limited group sizes and high demand, especially in spring and summer. Booking at least 2–3 weeks in advance is strongly recommended.

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Woman using phone in front of the Colosseum, Rome.

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