Like the Roman Forum hub, every tour here bundles Palatine Hill with the Colosseum and Roman Forum - so you're picking an Ancient Rome package, and Palatine is rarely the star. Prices run $48.45 to $296.98, with ratings clustered at 4.7 to 4.9.
The two private options bookend the list on price ($226 and $297), while the group tours deliver strong value in the $48 to $142 range. The value leader is 325705P1 at $48.45 for all three sites; the most socially proven is the VIP 109384P5 with 1,524 reviews. Decide between private exclusivity, a special-access upgrade, or straightforward group value - then let the numbers guide you.
#1Best private
Rome: Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Private Tour
A fully private three-site tour with hotel pickup.
★★★★½ 4.9 (317 reviews)·from $226·Flexible·Private
At $226.16 this fully private tour covers the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill with optional arena access and hotel pickup. Its 4.9 rating over 317 reviews is the highest in the hub. It's expensive next to the group tours, so it's worth it only if privacy is the goal.
★★★★★“This was the final day of our family "bucket list" vacation, and my wife and I (both of whom had previously toured the Forum and Colosseum 10 years ago) wanted our 19 and 22 year old daughters to experience this wonder and be impacted the way we were.
As you know -- the tour guide makes or breaks the experience. And we hit the lottery with Manny. He was personable, very easy to understand, a ma”
— Verified traveller
What's included
- Arena Access (if option selected)
- Roman Forum Guided Tour (valid for all options but "Colosseum Only - No Forum")
- Palatine Hill Guided Tour (valid for all options but "Colosseum Only - No Forum")
- Hotel pickup (if option selected)
Where you'll go: Colosseum · Roman Forum · Arch of Constantine · Tempio di Vesta
What's good
- Fully private with hotel pickup
- Highest rating here at 4.9
- Optional arena access
What to know
- Expensive at $226.16
- Arena access is extra
Best for: Groups wanting a private guide
Skip it if: You're fine in a group setting
#2Best budget pick
Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum with Guided Tour
All three Ancient Rome sites guided for under $50.
★★★★½ 4.8 (251 reviews)·from $48·2h 30m·
This $48.45 tour is the cheapest here, covering the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill with a guide and tickets over 150 minutes. A 4.8 rating over 251 reviews makes it excellent value. No arena floor, but for a guided sweep of all three sites the price is unbeatable.
★★★★★“Our tour guide, Aphrodite, was excellent! We learned so much and she made sure to keep us together and answered all our questions.”
— Verified traveller
What's included
- Colosseum entrance ticket valued at €18 per person
- Entrance to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
- Colosseum reservation fee (valued at €2 per person)
- Entrance to the Colosseum
Where you'll go: Colosseum · Roman Forum · Palatine Hill
What's good
- Cheapest at $48.45
- All three sites with a guide
- 4.8 rating over 251 reviews
What to know
- No arena floor access
- Standard group size
Best for: Budget travelers wanting the full Ancient Rome trio
Skip it if: You want the arena floor or a private guide
#3Most reviewed
VIP Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum Guided Tour
The most-booked Ancient Rome VIP tour, arena floor optional.
★★★★½ 4.7 (1,524 reviews)·from $82·Flexible·
At $82.13 this VIP tour covers the Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum with a licensed historian and optional arena floor access. Its 1,524 reviews are the most in the hub, at a 4.7 rating. A safe, popular middle-ground choice, if a notch below the top ratings.
★★★★★“Ursus is an excellent guide! Extremely knowledgeable and he really did his research. He shared stories beyond the standard reading off of facts and made Rome come to life. Excellent work!”
— Verified traveller
What's included
- Colosseum entry ticket and reservation fee included (€18–€24 value)
- Admission to the Colosseum Arena Floor (if option selected)
- Personalised, group experience offering top-rated value and comfort
- Expert storytelling from a licensed historian guide with headphones provided
Where you'll go: Colosseum · Palatine Hill · Roman Forum
What's good
- Most reviews in the hub at 1,524
- Licensed historian guide
- Optional arena floor access
What to know
- 4.7 rating trails others
- Arena floor costs extra
Best for: Travelers wanting the most-booked tour
Skip it if: You want the highest rating
#4Best value group tour
Rome: Guided Group Tour of Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
A well-reviewed guided group tour of all three sites.
★★★★½ 4.7 (704 reviews)·from $64·2h 30m·
This $64.28 group tour runs 150 minutes through the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill with an official guide, tickets and headsets. Its 4.7 rating over 704 reviews gives it a solid track record. It's a dependable, affordable option, though it doesn't include arena floor.
★★★★★“Don’t use Georgia. She will leave you behind, rush you and don’t let you stop for the bathroom because she’s rushing THE WHOLE TIME! If I could give 100 negative stars I will.”
— Verified traveller
What's included
- Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill entrance ticket (Adult 18€- Child 0€)
- Official Tour Guide
- Headsets to Hear the Guide Better
- Please note: Colosseum fees as above. The remaining cost of the experience covers other services.
Where you'll go: Colosseum · Roman Forum · Palatine Hill
What's good
- Good value at $64.28
- 704 reviews at 4.7
- Official guide and headsets
What to know
- No arena floor access
- Larger group format
Best for: Travelers wanting a proven affordable group tour
Skip it if: You want a small or private group
#5Best small-group budget
Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum Guided Tour
A wallet-friendly small-group tour of Ancient Rome.
★★★★½ 4.7 (267 reviews)·from $56·Flexible·
At $55.59 this small-group tour covers the Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum with a licensed guide and entry ticket, with optional arena floor for a fee. The 4.7 rating over 267 reviews is respectable. It's a low-cost small-group option, if lightly reviewed compared to the leaders.
★★★★★“We had a wonderful tour guide who set a nice and easy pace. Very knowledgeable and went above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable as a pregnant woman on a 90 degree day!”
— Verified traveller
What's included
- Optional Arena Floor access available for an additional fee.
- Colosseum entry ticket included (€18–€24 value, depending on option).
- Top-rated small-group tour, offering excellent value.
- Expert insights and history provided by a licensed guide.
Where you'll go: Colosseum · Palatine Hill · Roman Forum
What's good
- Low $55.59 price
- Small-group format
- Optional arena floor available
What to know
- Only 267 reviews
- 4.7 rating, arena floor extra
Best for: Budget travelers wanting a small group
Skip it if: You want maximum social proof
#6Best special access
VIP Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill & Special Access Sites
A VIP tour with special-access SUPER Sites beyond the basics.
★★★★½ 4.7 (189 reviews)·from $142·3h 30m·
This $141.65 VIP tour runs 210 minutes and adds special-access SUPER Sites to the standard Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill route. The 4.7 rating over 189 reviews backs it up. You're paying more for the extra restricted-access spots, so it's worth it only if those appeal.
★★★★★“Our guide Eddy, with a PhD in archeology could not have been more knowledgeable. We learnt a lot and benefited enormously from his experience and his enthusiasm. The tour was on an extremely hot day but we were captivated and 3.5 hours passed very quickly”
— Verified traveller
What's included
- Local English-speaking guide
- Roman Forum
- SUPER Sites
- Headset (groups over 6 people)
Where you'll go: Roman Forum · Palatine Hill · Colosseum
What's good
- Special-access SUPER Sites included
- Longer 210-minute tour
- Licensed English-speaking guide
What to know
- Pricier at $141.65
- Only 189 reviews
Best for: History buffs wanting restricted-access sites
Skip it if: You just want the standard three-site tour
#7Best private art-history walk
Private Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill Guided Tour
A private historian-led walk through Ancient Rome - at a premium.
★★★★½ 4.7 (170 reviews)·from $297·3h 00m·Private
At $296.98 this is the most expensive tour here, a private 180-minute art-history walk covering the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill with reserved access and tickets. The 4.7 rating over 170 reviews is solid. It's the priciest private option, so it's for those who want depth and exclusivity together.
★★★★★“very well organized, we had 2 little children so we opted for the private experience and for us it was well worth it. the guide Alessandra was patient, nice and informative. we have no regrets.”
— Verified traveller
What's included
- Reserved Access to the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
- Colosseum reservation fee (valued at €2 per person)
- Colosseum entrance ticket (valued at €18 per person or €24 per person with Arena access)
- Please note: Colosseum fees as above. The remaining cost of the experience covers other services.
Where you'll go: Colosseum · Palatine Hill · Roman Forum
What's good
- Fully private with reserved access
- Art-history focused walk
- Arena or standard ticket options
What to know
- Most expensive at $296.98
- 4.7 rating, only 170 reviews
Best for: Travelers wanting a private, in-depth walk
Skip it if: You're watching your budget
Before you go
- Don't skip it — many people are tired by this third site, but the views over the Forum from the top are the best in the ancient center.
- It's already on your Colosseum combined ticket, so there's no reason to leave it out.
- Save some energy and water for the uphill walk; it comes after the Colosseum and Forum in most tours.
- For frescoed imperial houses, book a tour with SUPER / special-access sites (like the ~$142 VIP option) — standard tickets don't include them.
- Use the hill's shaded gardens as a cooler rest stop midway through a long ancient-Rome day.
- Look out over the Circus Maximus from the south side — an easy view to miss if you only face the Forum.
How I ranked these
For Palatine Hill tours I weighted three things: what you actually get for the money (group size, what's included, special access), the rating balanced against how many reviews back it up — a 4.9 from 200 people isn't the same as a 4.6 from 15,000 — and price for what's on offer. Ratings, review counts and prices shift over time, so always check the live booking page before you pay.
Good to know
What's actually on Palatine Hill?
It's the hill where Rome was legendarily founded and where emperors built their palaces — the word 'palace' comes from Palatine. You'll see the ruins of imperial residences, the Stadium of Domitian, and sweeping views down over the Roman Forum on one side and the Circus Maximus on the other. It's the greenest, calmest part of the ancient center.
Is Palatine Hill included with the Colosseum and Forum?
Yes — it's the third site on the combined Colosseum ticket, and every tour here covers all three. Many visitors run out of energy by the time they reach it, which is a shame because the views and the quieter atmosphere are a highlight. Pace yourself so you still have legs for the climb.
Is the climb up Palatine Hill hard?
It's a moderate uphill walk on paths and steps, not a strenuous hike, but it comes after you've already covered the Colosseum and Forum, so tired legs feel it. Wear good shoes and take it slowly. The reward at the top is the best panorama over the Forum you'll get anywhere.
Are there special-access areas on the Palatine?
Yes — certain frescoed houses and areas (the so-called SUPER sites) require a special ticket beyond the standard combined entry. One VIP tour here (around $142) includes those special-access sites. If you're an ancient-Rome enthusiast, that upgrade opens rooms most visitors never see; otherwise the standard access is already rich.
Should I do Palatine Hill first or last?
Because it adjoins both the Forum and Colosseum, most tours fold it in as the final stop after the Colosseum and Forum. If you're self-guiding and it's a hot day, consider doing the hill earlier while you're fresh and using its shade and views as a rest point before the exposed Forum.
Prices are "from" prices in USD and change with date and availability. Last updated August 2026.