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Below and onto the arena

The best Colosseum dungeon and arena floor tours

The official Underground and Arena ticket, guided arena floor tours, small groups, the gladiators' entrance and the upper levels. Here is how to get below or onto the arena. We are honest about whether it is worth the extra money, tickets that sell out and last-minute changes.

By the Things to Do in Rome editorial team 6 tours compared Prices checked 25 October 2026

See our 6 picks
The underground passages of the Colosseum seen from the stands, under a cloudy sky
Short answer

To see the Colosseum underground, buy the official Full Experience ticket, from €24. It goes on sale 30 days before your visit, and the underground part depends on availability. None of our GetYourGuide picks goes below ground. The best of them, a guided arena floor tour from €39, puts you on the arena where the gladiators fought.

Our 6 arena floor picks

These are arena floor tours, not underground tours: none of them goes below ground. The three with free cancellation come first.

Arena floor tours compared

Arena floor tours compared
TourFromDurationFree cancellationWho it suitsWhy we picked it
Guided arena floor, Forum and Palatine tour 4.5 (29,538)€39
per person		2.5–3 hoursYesThe arena on a budgetThe best value for the arena: 4.5 from 29,538 reviews, from €39.
Small-group arena floor tour 4.2 (1,027)€89
per person		2 hoursYesA smaller group in the arenaA small group on the arena, from €89.
Small-group arena floor and Roman Forum tour 4.8 (735)€129
per person		3 hoursYesVisitors who want the best-rated arena tour4.8 from 735 reviews, the highest rating here.
Arena floor with the 1st and 2nd levels 4.4 (170)€129
per person		Not statedNoVisitors who want the upper levels tooThe only pick with the upper levels: 4.4 from 170 reviews.
Arena floor and Forum entry with a city walk 4.0 (414)€52
per person		3 hoursNoVisitors who want a city walk on the same dayArena entry plus a city walk, from €52, rated 4.0 from 414 reviews.
Private tour through the gladiators' entrance 4.1 (627)€309
per person		2 h 30 minNoPrivate groups who want the gladiators' gateThe only private option, from €309, rated 4.1 from 627 reviews.

  • Guided arena floor, Forum and Palatine tour

    €39 per person2.5–3 hours 4.5 (29,538)

    Details
    Free cancellation
    Yes
    Who it suits
    The arena on a budget
    Why we picked it
    The best value for the arena: 4.5 from 29,538 reviews, from €39.

  • Small-group arena floor tour

    €89 per person2 hours 4.2 (1,027)

    Details
    Free cancellation
    Yes
    Who it suits
    A smaller group in the arena
    Why we picked it
    A small group on the arena, from €89.

  • Small-group arena floor and Roman Forum tour

    €129 per person3 hours 4.8 (735)

    Details
    Free cancellation
    Yes
    Who it suits
    Visitors who want the best-rated arena tour
    Why we picked it
    4.8 from 735 reviews, the highest rating here.

  • Arena floor with the 1st and 2nd levels

    €129 per person 4.4 (170)

    Details
    Free cancellation
    No
    Who it suits
    Visitors who want the upper levels too
    Why we picked it
    The only pick with the upper levels: 4.4 from 170 reviews.

  • Arena floor and Forum entry with a city walk

    €52 per person3 hours 4.0 (414)

    Details
    Free cancellation
    No
    Who it suits
    Visitors who want a city walk on the same day
    Why we picked it
    Arena entry plus a city walk, from €52, rated 4.0 from 414 reviews.

  • Private tour through the gladiators' entrance

    €309 per person2 h 30 min 4.1 (627)

    Details
    Free cancellation
    No
    Who it suits
    Private groups who want the gladiators' gate
    Why we picked it
    The only private option, from €309, rated 4.1 from 627 reviews.
  • None of the 6 includes hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point.
  • Private option: Guided arena floor, Forum and Palatine tour; Small-group arena floor and Roman Forum tour.
  • Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 25 October 2026. Prices are "from" prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.

Colosseum underground tickets: when and where to book

Book Colosseum underground tickets on the official site, ticketing.colosseo.it, 30 days before your visit. The ticket is called Full Experience Underground and Arena.

It costs €24, or €32 with an educational tour. The underground depends on availability, so book as soon as sales open for your date.

The official underground ticket (colosseo.it, 25 October 2026)
TicketPriceWhat you get
Full Experience Underground and Arena€24Colosseum with underground and arena, plus Forum and Palatine
Same, with an educational tour€32The same, with a tour
24h ticket (no underground)€18Colosseum, Forum and Palatine

What the Rome underground Colosseum tour includes

The official ticket includes one Colosseum entry at your booked time, with the underground and the arena. You get about 90 minutes in the Colosseum.

It also includes one entry to the Forum, Palatine and Super Sites, on the day before or after. The ticket is valid for 2 days. Last access is 4:40 p.m.

Colosseum arena floor tours and tickets

An arena floor tour puts you on the floor where the gladiators fought, but not below it. The arena and the underground are two different tickets.

The official site also sells "Only Arena" and "Full Experience Arena" tickets. Our six picks are all arena tours, with a guide or an audio app.

Is the Colosseum underground tour worth it?

Yes, if you want to see the rooms below the arena: the official ticket costs only €6 more than the 24h ticket. The catch is that the underground depends on availability.

If you cannot get it, a guided arena floor tour is the next best thing, from €39.

If the arena is not for you, compare all Colosseum tours in Rome on our main Colosseum page.

Tips before you book

  1. Bring a matching ID

    Tickets carry your name. Bring an ID that matches, and show it with your ticket.

  2. Arrive 15 minutes early

    Your Colosseum time cannot be changed. The official site asks you to come 15 minutes early.

  3. Watch the weather

    Two tour listings say the arena floor may close in bad weather, such as heavy rain or ice.

  4. Prefer free cancellation

    Some travellers report short-notice cancellations by resellers. Three of our six picks let you cancel for free.

Colosseum underground: questions and answers

Is the Colosseum underground tour worth it?
Yes, if you want to see below the arena. The official ticket costs €24, only €6 more than the 24h ticket. The underground depends on availability.

When do Colosseum underground tickets go on sale?
30 days before your visit, on ticketing.colosseo.it.

Where and how do I book Colosseum underground tickets?
On ticketing.colosseo.it. Choose the Full Experience Underground and Arena ticket and a time slot. None of our GetYourGuide picks goes below ground.

What is the Colosseum underground tour?
A Colosseum visit with the rooms under the arena and the arena floor. It also includes the Forum, Palatine and Super Sites on the day before or after.

How long does a Colosseum underground visit take?
The official page says 90 minutes in the Colosseum. Arena floor tours take 2 to 3 hours with the Forum.

More Colosseum arena tours, live

More options with live prices and availability, straight from GetYourGuide.

See every tour with today's prices and open dates on GetYourGuide.

Browse all on GetYourGuide

Browse all of them on GetYourGuide

More of ancient Rome

Sources (2), facts checked on 25 October 2026

Written by the Things to Do in Rome editorial team.