VIP Tour of the Colosseum, Forum & Palatine Hill by PhD Guide in Rome
Rome, Italy

VIP Tour of the Colosseum, Forum & Palatine Hill by PhD Guide

Outty Ranking 43 5.0 · 5 traveler reviews3 hoursFrom $318

Pick your date

Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.

September 2026

SMTWTFS

Loading live availability

Who is going?

Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

0

Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.

From, per person$318
View availability on Viator

Non-refundable booking. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.

Instant mobile ticketSpots available today

Outty Ranking

43/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is VIP Tour of the Colosseum, Forum & Palatine Hill by PhD Guide worth booking?

VIP Tour of the Colosseum, Forum & Palatine Hill by PhD Guide is a 3-hour experience in Rome, Italy, from $318 per person. It scores 43 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look, based on a 5/5 rating across 5 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
43 / 100
Rating
5/5 (5)
Duration
3 hours
From
$318 per person

Choose a fantastic journey in Rome: you will see Ancient Rome come back to life! Thanks to this tour, you will discover the Colosseum and its surrounding area in a unique way. Your tour guide is an expert archaeologist t

What you get

    About this experience

    Choose a fantastic journey in Rome: you will see Ancient Rome come back to life! Thanks to this tour, you will discover the Colosseum and its surrounding area in a unique way. Your tour guide is an expert archaeologist that will share his knowledge and passion with you. Through the stories of ancient Rome, you will admire historical palaces and gardens, be able to spot hidden details and learn amazing facts about culture, art and architecture. Pick this tour and you will have an incredible experience!

    What's included

    Included

    • Colosseum entrance ticket (valued at €18 per person, or €24 per person if arena access included)
    • Blue Badge guide
    • Local guide
    • Colosseum reservation fee (valued at €2 per person)
    • Please note: Colosseum fees as above. The remaining cost of the experience covers other services.
    • Professional archaeologist guide

    Not included

    • Food and drink
    • Gratuities

    What you'll see and do

    1. Colosseum

      You will meet your private guide in front of the Colosseum Metro Station exit . Thanks to this tour you will discover the Colosseum and its surrounding area in a unique way. Enter the Colosseum, the most important amphitheater in the world, and explore the arena and the seating area with your guide. It will be interesting to find out how the spectators spent their time and how the gladiators fought.

      90 minutes here · Admission included

    2. Palatine Hill

      Surprise yourself with the breathtaking view and see the surviving mosaics and frescoes in the Emperor's Palace, sitting at the top of Palatine Hill.

      45 minutes here · Admission included

    3. Roman Forum

      Your top rated guide will show you the Roman Forum. Admire the ruins of the Senate House, the Temple of Julius Caesar, the Triumphal Arches, and other government and religious buildings.

      45 minutes here · Admission included

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Rome

    Just outside the Colosseo metro station, ground level. At the newsagent in front the COLOSSEO subway station exit - ground level (there is only one, just opposite the monument). Street address is: Via dei Fori Imperiali in front of the Colosseum. Your tour guide will be holding a sign with your name on it.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Returns to the starting point

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
    Languages
    en, it
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 7 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Tours of the Colosseum

    Know before you go

    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Please provide the full names of all travelers when booking. Failure to present a voucher with all travelers' full names at the ticket office prior to entry may result in denied entry to the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
    • Each traveler must present a valid passport or ID document that matches the name provided at the time of booking for successful entry to the Colosseum and Roman Forum.

    Photos

    Colosseum interiorVIP Tour of the Colosseum, Forum & Palatine Hill by PhD Guide in Rome, photo 3VIP Tour of the Colosseum, Forum & Palatine Hill by PhD Guide in Rome, photo 4VIP Tour of the Colosseum, Forum & Palatine Hill by PhD Guide in Rome, photo 5VIP Tour of the Colosseum, Forum & Palatine Hill by PhD Guide in Rome, photo 6

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 5 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    5 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    The guide

    4 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Photo opportunities

    1 mention

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Value for money

    1 mention

    Travelers feel they got more than they paid for.

    Small groups

    1 mention

    The group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.

    Traveler reviews

    5 verified traveler reviews for VIP Tour of the Colosseum, Forum & Palatine Hill by PhD Guide. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    5
    4 star
    0
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    Catherine_H · September 2025

    Informative, friendly, knowledgeable and energetic Tour guide through Viator for the coliseum/forum/palatine hill.

    Our PHD Tour Guide was knowldgeable in art history. She was a professional tour guide but she was very informative, friendly and energetic and took the time to answer our questions. She was definitely a cut above our experience booking through the Vatican with their tour guides. While that was inexpensive compared to this tour experience, the cheaper guides are jaded and go through the motions. So while I hesitated at first at the price, you get what you pay for. This tour guide was excellent and we all enjoyed the tour.

    via Viator

    Shana_G · May 2025

    Wonderful tour.

    Excellent tour by such a knowledgeable guide. We really appreciated all of the information and insight throughout. We learned so much and really enjoyed ourselves. Sorry we were so exhausted as it was our first day in Rome and still had jet lag. Thank you.

    via Viator

    pmurski · May 2024

    One of the best ever!!

    This Private tour (just my husband & myself) with Alexandra, a PhD historian/archeologist, was one of the very best we’ve done over the years. Her knowledge, outgoing personality and attentiveness to our desires as we toured were exceptional! We learned even more than we did on our last tour of the colosseum two years ago, which was with a small group of 6. It was well worth the money! If you are financially able to do a private one on one tour, don’t hesitate!!

    via Viator

    J5493AWjoem · March 2024

    Skip-the-Line Guided Group Tour of Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill

    Skip-the-Line Guided Group Tour of Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill - Tripmasters - Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Another awesome tour provided by Tripmasters. First, it's a pleasure to have a "local" who has studied Roman history & is passionate about it leading our Tour. With that said, the complete tour was INCREDIBLE. As moved thru the different stops, I could feel myself being transported back to Roman times! She did an excellent job finding the "good spots" to view the monuments & also take pictures. She was pleasant, fun & patient was the group. HIGHLY RECOMMEMD! A+++++++++

    via Tripadvisor

    Lovetogg57 · February 2020

    Amazing experience

    We met our guide Donato,outside the colleseum. Donato made an immediate impression with his warm welcoming personality.Before entering the colleseum,he made sure we had an understanding of the history and significance of the site and sourroundings. Once inside his knowledge,attention to detail,interesting anecdotes and obvious enthuasiasm,made our tour an unforgettable experience-we felt like we were back in ancient Roman times ! His explanations of this complex monument made our visit so enjoyable.-we never felt that we were part of a 'standard scripted tour',but instead on a wonderful journey of discovery. It was the same experience for the Forum and PalatineHill.We were very invigorated at the end,had gained a much better understanding and appreciation of Ancient Rome-all thanks to an exceptional tour guide.Donato didnt just give us a tour-he gave us an unforgetable experience.We give Donato the highest recommendation,for anyone wishing for a memorable experience of these amazing monuments. - Pat & Joseph,Dublin,Ireland.

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    3 hours
    Free cancellation
    Non-refundable
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $318 to $489
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    2
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Why this scores 43

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)79
    Review evidence (18% weight)24
    Booking momentum (14% weight)17
    Value for money (12% weight)0
    Listing quality (10% weight)75
    Local standing (8% weight)59
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)0

    VIP Tour of the Colosseum, Forum & Palatine Hill by PhD Guide: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Rome.

    How much does VIP Tour of the Colosseum, Forum & Palatine Hill by PhD Guide cost?

    +

    Prices start at $318 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Rome usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does VIP Tour of the Colosseum, Forum & Palatine Hill by PhD Guide take?

    +

    Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Rome is not rushed.

    Is VIP Tour of the Colosseum, Forum & Palatine Hill by PhD Guide worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 43 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 5 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable culture & history in Rome, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule VIP Tour of the Colosseum, Forum & Palatine Hill by PhD Guide?

    +

    No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.

    Is VIP Tour of the Colosseum, Forum & Palatine Hill by PhD Guide suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book VIP Tour of the Colosseum, Forum & Palatine Hill by PhD Guide?

    +

    Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Rome can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Rome and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does VIP Tour of the Colosseum, Forum & Palatine Hill by PhD Guide start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Rome within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Rome?

    +

    Rome runs on skip-the-line access. The Colosseum underground, the Vatican before opening, and the catacombs south of the walls all require a licensed operator, and the price gap between the good ones and the rest is smaller than you would expect. We rank by guide credentials, group size and how reliably the promised access actually materialises. On Outty we rank every Rome experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Rome Pasta and Tiramisu Class: Ravioli, Fettuccine & Fine Wine 5*, Pasta Making & Wine Tasting with Dinner in Frascati from Rome, Rome: Pizza & Tiramisu or Gelato Class with Flowing Fine Wine 5*. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Rome?

    +

    April, May, September and October. August is hot and half the city is shut. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Rome?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for VIP Tour of the Colosseum, Forum & Palatine Hill by PhD Guide.

    Pick your date