Underground Rome: The 15 Best Tours Below the Streets

1.Colosseum: Underground and Ancient Rome Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 12,691 reviews · 3 hours · from $160Our pick

Spend three hours with a live English, French, or Spanish guide across the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and Colosseum. You’ll enter the restricted underground, walk onto the arena floor, and see the ground and second tiers. Guides such as Carmelo, Teddy, Maya, and Mitra are praised for clear explanations and lively storytelling.

“The tour was fantastic. the price was exorbitant but I had no choice but to pay. I tried to get the cheaper tix but could not and had to use the third party provider. This is extortion. It should not be allowed.”

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2.Crypts and Catacombs Underground Tour with Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 5,341 reviews · from $74

Travel from Piazza Barberini to Rome’s bone-lined Capuchin Crypt, early Christian catacombs, and San Martino ai Monti. You’ll have an audio guide at the crypt, a local guide underground, and air-conditioned transfers. Choose the daytime tour for all three sites, or After Hours for a shorter crypt and catacomb visit.

“the whole trip was fantastic! our guide cat was amazing. highly recommend”

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3.Expert Guided Tour of Colosseum Arena OR Underground, and Forum

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5,041 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $107

Choose the Colosseum’s Arena floor or Underground chambers, then walk through the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill with guides such as Gabriel, Rosy, Bogdan, and Francesca. Expect about three hours, steady walking, security checks, and a group of up to 25 people.

“We had an amazingly informative and entertaining day with Guido of Touriks Tours. He’s thorough and VERY experienced as a tour guide. He seems to know so much about Rome, its history, architecture and art. I highly recommend the tour!!!”

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4.Colosseum Underground Small Group Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 4,844 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $105

You’ll tour the Colosseum’s restricted underground, dungeons, arena floor, and main levels with an English-speaking guide in a group of up to eight. Guides such as Daniella, Carmelo, and Sofian bring the site to life. Your ticket also covers self-guided access to Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum.

“Fantastic tour! One of the best I’ve done in Europe. Excellent t guide who was able to bring the Colleaeum to life. Highly recommend.”

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5.St. Peter’s Basilica, Dome Climb, and Underground Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 3,404 reviews · 1.5 - 2.5 hours · from $38

Join a small-group or private tour of St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Grottoes, and the Dome. Guides such as Federico, Claudio, Olga, and Sofia explain the art and papal history, while the Dome option adds Rome views and a strenuous stair climb.

“We had Claudio on saturday 14th Feb for our tour. He was nothing short of excellent! So knowledgeable and interesting to listen to. We had a really long queue and he kept the whole group entertained whilst we waited, always checking everyone was ok. Such a patient, genuine & hard working guide - would definitely recommend the tour and Claudio, he was amazing and a credit to the company.”

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6.Colosseum Underground, Arena & Forum Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3,272 reviews · from $157

Enter the Colosseum’s underground chambers and arena floor, then learn how ancient Romans lived at the Forum and Palatine Hill. Spanish-speaking guides such as Francesca, Donatella, and Gabriele are praised for clear storytelling, humor, and a steady pace. Plan for moderate walking and stairs.

“Great tour, unfortunately did not get to see the underground, but we were refunded for that portion.”

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7.Colosseum Underground & Ancient Rome Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,590 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $74

Choose underground access or an arena-only visit, then follow an English-speaking guide through the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. The underground option reveals gladiator tunnels, animal rooms, and arena machinery, with headsets, reserved entry, and about three hours on foot.

“Mirta, gave the most incredible tour of the Coliseum and Roman Forum. Her knowledge and ability to communicate ancient Roman history was like being taught by your favorite professor in college. l learned so much and was fascinated by this period of history and this wonder of the world. My Rome experience has been enhanced by taking this tour with such an amazing guide. Thank you Mirta and Viator for a great tour experience.”

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8.Trevi Fountain and Underground Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,664 reviews · 40 min · from $41

Meet near Trevi Fountain for a 40-minute guided visit with headsets, then descend nine meters at Vicus Caprarius to see a working 2,000-year-old aqueduct and imperial Domus. Guides such as Mario and Francesca bring the site to life, but the excavation is not directly beneath the fountain basin.

“The extra information provided was very cool, but it isn't actually under the trevi fountain so dont think youre going into some secret passage way, but the experience is extremely neat and good place to get out of the heat and crowd and dont regret it at all the tour guide was amazing, but you can listen to an audio tour for 3.50 euro if you just go there yourself. To elaborate tour was amazing but far too expensive for what it is.”

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9.Ancient Rome: Colosseum Underground Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,059 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $66

Meet near the Colosseo Metro station for a guided visit to the Colosseum’s underground chambers and arena floor. You’ll see animal cages, gladiator passages, and the first level, then explore the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill on your own. Groups can reach 24 people.

“My first time in a night tour, I've been twice before only on the upper sections which were amazing as well. I thought the history and ancient ruins were amazing and I suggest find that at least once, the ticket included Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum. Worth the $94.00”

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10.Rome Underground: Catacombs Tour, Aqueducts and Appian Way

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,007 reviews · 3 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $65Top rated

Spend 3 hours and 15 minutes outside central Rome, walking the ancient Appian Way, visiting Cecilia Metella’s tomb, viewing the aqueducts, and entering the Catacombs of San Sebastiano or Domitilla. English-speaking guides such as Sylvia, Antonella, Francesca, and Andre have led past departures.

“It was a very good tour and the guide was very informative. A very special surprise was to see the last sculpture by the great Bernini of the Crist Bust.”

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11.Colosseum Underground and Arena Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,002 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $94

Spend 2.5 hours with an English-speaking guide such as Sara, Claudia, Virginia, or Giorgio, visiting the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Colosseum underground, arena floor, and upper tiers. The group is limited to eight, but underground access can depend on Colosseum staff and changing rules.

“We absolutely loved our tour - Sara was amazing - literally couldn’t fault the experience - maybe slightly longer in the places to look around a bit and some free time to explore inside the forum - and the underground colosseum felt a little rushed”

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12.Colosseum Tour with Underground and Arena Floor Access

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 789 reviews · from $112

Enter the Colosseum’s underground chambers and arena floor on a 75-minute English tour with guides such as Paolo, Giovanna, Tanja, Scott, or Maya. Hear how lifts, pulleys, gladiators, animals, and staged naval battles shaped Rome’s greatest amphitheater, then explore the Forum and Palatine Hill on your own.

“Brilliant tour, Giovanna was very informative and good humoured. Really amazing to walk around such an ancient building, and she helped imagine what it would have been like so long ago.”

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13.Exclusive Colosseum Underground and Roman Forum Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 569 reviews · from $152

Join Eyes of Rome for a three-hour, six-person tour of the Colosseum underground, arena floor, and Roman Forum. Guides such as Marco, an archaeologist, and Alessandro bring the ruins to life with clear stories, visual reconstructions, and practical help getting around Rome.

“Was a great tour and we learned so much history about the colosseum and Roman forum. If we hadn’t taken this tour we wouldn’t have been able to fully appreciate the rich history that took place 2000 years ago.”

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14.Colosseum Underground and Roman Forum Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 528 reviews · 3 hours 10 minutes (approx.) · from $89

Spend about three hours with an English-speaking guide at Rome’s Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. You’ll enter the arena and underground levels, hear stories of gladiators and emperors, and use headsets in crowded areas. Guides may include Carmelo, Rita, Chris, Barbara, Teddy, or Katrina.

“10/10 day, thank you so much to our tour guide who gave our group an amazing experience. I did the tour solo, which I was nervous about because I’m an introvert, but the group, as well as the tour guide made the 3 hours feel very comfortable. We learned an insane amount about the history of Rome and the Coliseum. The tour felt like a very exclusive tour…security was a breeze at Palatine Hill, and we had a bathroom break. There’s also a small shop to buy snacks or drinks. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable about the history and facts, and also showed us pictures. He gave us time…”

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15.Navona Square Underground Ticket with Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 518 reviews · 1 day · from $18Best value

Descend five meters beneath Piazza Navona to see the Stadium of Domitian, Rome’s first masonry-built stadium. A self-guided audio tour in seven languages explains ancient sports, construction, and the piazza above. Allow about 45 to 60 minutes, then add an aperitif or wine tasting if selected.

“the site was clealy marked which together with the audioguide made everything understanable”

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