The Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill with Context

The Roman Forum is a treasure trove filled with triumphal arches, temples, and basilicas from Ancient Rome. On this walking tour with Context Travel expert Livia Galante – a PhD archaeologist and expert guide – you‘ll see these impressive sites from a whole new perspective, and learn about the history of the central marketplace where ancient Romans went about their daily business.

Starting at Campidoglio, the square designed by Michelangelo, you‘ll enter the Forum and make your way to the Temple of Venus and Rome. There, you‘ll see the iconic Colosseum from a hidden spot that most tourists miss. You‘ll walk up Palatine Hill, one of the city’s founding sites, which goes all the way back to Emperor Romulus in 753 BC. You‘ll see Flavian Palace and enjoy breathtaking views from Terrazza Belvedere del Palatino observation deck before making your way back to the Arch of Titus, where our tour ends.

On this 90-minute Roman Forum audio tour, you‘ll have a chance to:

• Hear the legend of the twins Romulus and Remus
• Spot several prominent arches, including the Arch of Titus and Septimius Severus Arch
• See the burial place of Giacomo Boni, an architect who scientifically surveyed the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill in the 1800s
• Stroll past several ancient temples and their remains, including the Temple of Castor and Pollux, Temple of Vesta, Temple of Minerva, and the Antoninus and Faustina Temple
• Gaze upon the still-impressive Basilica di Santa Francesca Romana, and the site where Basilica Giulia once stood
• Take in the remnants of aristocrats‘ and emperors‘ homes on Palatine Hill

By the end of this tour, you‘ll come away with a deeper knowledge of one of history‘s most pivotal empires, and the many historical figures who once walked the streets of Rome.

Context Travel connects you with world-class experts for audio guides like this one, as well as in-person tours. Explore more at contexttravel.com.

Please Note: This tour doesn't include entry into the Forum. Buy your tickets to enter the Forum online here.

We recommend that you purchase non-timed tickets to visit the Forum because these tickets are typically available at the last minute. These tickets do not include visiting the Colosseum, although we'll discuss it from the exterior during this tour. If you're planning in advance, you may be able to purchase a timed ticket for both the Forum and the Colosseum. Our tour ends near the Colosseum, so if you plan to visit both the Forum and the Colosseum, we recommend visiting the Forum first and purchasing your Colosseum ticket for 2 hours after you plan to start the audio guide.