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Travel bucket list idea:

Last updated: 26 June, 2023
Expert travel writer: Rebecca Winke

Rome was officially born on 21 April 753 BC when the sons of Mars, Romulus and Remus, were found suckled by a she-wolf on the Palatine Hill. It was the favourite address of the Etruscan and Roman elite, and emperors whose magnificent Flavian residence overlooked the Forum. Although the imperial box is long gone, the Palatine offers the best views over the remains of the Circus Maximus, which once sat 300,000 people for chariot races.

Archaeologists have pinpointed the House of Tiberius, Temple of Cybele, Nero’s revolving dining room and the Domus Flavia, all amid the beautiful 17th-century Farnese Gardens.

Don’t miss

Orti Farnesiani, set behind the pavilions and divided by a small terrace, is a splendid ancient garden extends from the slopes to the top of Palatine Hill.

Il Lupercale

The Palatine Museum houses statues and finds going back centuries before Rome’s ‘official’ foundation. An extraordinary archaeological find, Il Lupercale, is believed to be the sacred grotto where the she-wolf protected Romulus and Remus. It’s still being excavated and cannot be visited.

Logistics

Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

Although there’s a separate entrance to the Palatine (Circo Massimo and Colosseo are the nearest metro stations), most visitors simply walk up from the Forum. Some sights, such as the House of Augustus, have only limited opening hours so check the website for times.

Allow half a day to see the Forum and Palantine Hill – and these are definitely locations where you want to book on a guided tour to understand what you are seeing.

The Roman Forum, Palatine and Colosseum, all next to each other, are included in one entrance ticket.

When to do it

The site is open all year round, seven days a week.

Who to go with: organised tours

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Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Skip the Line: Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Guided Tour

Rome

Skip the Line: Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Guided Tour
The ancient glory of Rome is reborn! Skip the Line at three of the most significant surviving remnants of the Eternal City: the Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum. Your English-speaking expert historian tour guide will share anecdotes and history throughout the 3-hour tour, rebuilding the impressive ruins with tales of Ancient Rome’s heyday.

Price: €57

Min age: 0

Rating 4.54 / 5 [19567 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Skip the Line: Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill Tour

Rome

Skip the Line: Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill Tour
Exclusive priority access to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Walk in the footsteps of gladiators and emperors as your vivacious guide transports you back to the era of ancient Rome. If you choose the special access to the gladiator's gate and Arena floor, you'll feel like you're a part of history as you explore one of the world's most iconic landmarks. Explore the inside of one of the worlds greatest attractions that’s waiting for you here in Rome. Let an expert official guide educate and amaze you with facts and memorable tales of the glorious gladiatorial games you’ll never forget. Don't loose the chance to have the most amazing and unforgetable experience ever! Your guide will be at your complete disposal for any question or curiosity guaranting an interactive visit tailored on your needs! Choose the option which better suigt your plans! Our Team will be pleased to welcoming you!

Price: €54

Min age: 0

Rating 4.44 / 5 [4033 ratings]

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Colosseum, Palatine Hill, Roman Forum Guided Tour Skip the Line

Rome

Colosseum, Palatine Hill, Roman Forum Guided Tour Skip the Line
Colosseum/Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Official Guided Tour and Tickets! Intimate Small Group Tours with our local expert guides for an unforgettable experience. Immerse Yourself in the History in this 2.5-hour skip-the-line tour of the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum in Rome goes back in time. Bypass the queue at the Colosseum to avoid long waits. Explore the first and second tiers for great views. Then walk through the ruins of Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum with your guide, an art and archaeology expert history come to life!! Special offers for private groups. Send your request

Price: €50

Min age: 0

Rating 4.43 / 5 [2352 ratings]

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Colosseum Arena Floor, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Guided Tour

Rome

Colosseum Arena Floor, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Guided Tour
With exclusive access you will skip the line and enter the Colosseum through the Gladiator’s Gate, walking directly onto the arena floor. Experience the grandeur of the arena from a unique perspective, as you stand where the gladiators once stood, when they walked out to the sounds of thousands of yelling spectators. Your licensed tour guide will bring to life the exciting and shocking events that took place where you now stand. Enjoy an up-close view of the underground chambers exposed below, wander through the vast corridors, and climb the ancient stone stairs of this magnificent amphitheater, as you learn of its rich history. 

Price: €70

Min age: 0

Rating 4.58 / 5 [2219 ratings]

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Guided Group Tour of Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill

Rome

Guided Group Tour of Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill
Our goal is to make the best tour experience for our customers. We set a limit in our group size so that the tour guide has time to answer the questions of each and any of tour participants. We have carefully chosen the best tour guides so that our clients get the most out of every tour. Their local expertise brings added value to our tours and main goal of achieving the best satisfactory experience for each client. Be guided by a professional local expert tour guide. Grasp the ancient beauty of Colosseum, symbol of the eternal city of Rome. You will take a stroll through the Roman Forum where spectacular ancient temples are still standing after 2000 years. You will walk through the Palatine Hill where Roman Emperors lived.

Price: €52

Min age: 0

Rating 4.76 / 5 [1623 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Destination guides

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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Rome

Lazio, Italy

Rome

The Eternal City – 2,000 extraordinary years of glory, greatness and triumph – and decadence, murder and destruction – evidenced by some of the world’s most iconic, must-see monuments and museums.

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