Catacombs Tour and Appian Way Walk
Catacombs of St. Sebastian & Appian Way
Private Transportation
to the Catacombs
Pick-up & Drop-off at your hotel
If in Rome city center
Skip-the-line tickets
Professional Guides
Duration about 3 hours
Great Photo Ops
Tour information
The Catacombs Tour and Appian Way Walk offers a unique opportunity to step outside Rome’s busy city center and explore a quieter, greener side of the Eternal City, while discovering both ancient Roman history and early Christianity.
With a private driver and expert guide, you will travel along one of the most important roads of the ancient world, walk through archaeological landscapes surrounded by nature, and descend into Rome’s most famous underground cemeteries.
Your experience begins with hotel pick-up, followed by a short drive to the Appian Way, where your guided walk will start.
Sights included
Appian Way
- Tombs of Cecilia Metella & Romulus
- Church of St. Nicholas
- Circus of Maxentius
Catacombs
- Walk through underground tunnels
- See where the early Christians were buried
- Learn about the roots of Christianity
Included in the Price:
- Pick-up & Drop-off at your hotel (if located in the city center)
- Private Transportation
- Skip-the-line tickets
- Professional, Private Guides
1. The Appian Way
The Appian Way is the most important Roman road ever built. Construction began in 312 BC, and it played a crucial role in Rome’s expansion across southern Italy.
Originally designed for military purposes, the road later became a vital communication route linking Rome to key cities such as Capua, Benevento, and ultimately Brindisi, an important port from which travelers could sail to Greece and the eastern Mediterranean.
Walking along this remarkably preserved stretch, you will place your feet on the original Roman paving stones, surrounded by open landscapes, pine trees, and ancient ruins. Your guide will explain how Roman roads were built and why the Appian Way became known as the regina viarum, the “queen of roads.”
2. The Tomb of Cecilia Metella & the Circus of Maxentius
Continuing along the Appian Way, your guide will introduce you to the Tomb of Cecilia Metella, one of the most iconic funerary monuments of ancient Rome.
Cecilia Metella was the daughter-in-law of Marcus Licinius Crassus, a key political figure and ally of Julius Caesar. Her monumental circular tomb, later transformed into a medieval fortress, dominates the surrounding landscape and remains one of the most striking structures outside Rome’s city walls.
Nearby, you will see the ruins of the Church of St. Nicholas, one of the rare Gothic churches in Rome, and learn about the dramatic events connected to this area. Your guide will recount the story of Spartacus, the gladiator who led a massive slave revolt and was eventually defeated by Crassus. Thousands of his followers were crucified along the Appian Way, turning this road into a powerful symbol of Roman authority.
The walk also includes the remains of the Circus of Maxentius, a vast imperial complex where chariot races were held for the emperor and his guests, offering insight into elite entertainment during the late Roman Empire.
3. The Catacombs of St. Sebastian
The final part of your Catacombs Tour and Appian Way Walk takes you underground to the Catacombs of St. Sebastian, one of the most important early Christian burial sites in Rome.
Here, you will explore a vast underground cemetery carved into the volcanic rock, where Saint Sebastian was originally buried. Your guide will explain why catacombs were built underground, how they were excavated, and how they were used by early Christian communities.
You will walk through long corridors lined with tombs, see ancient frescoes and stucco decorations, and learn about early Christian beliefs, burial practices, and daily life. The visit also includes the Basilica of St. Sebastian, a beautiful church built above the catacombs.
For safety and preservation reasons, the visit inside the catacombs is conducted in small groups led by official catacombs staff. The rest of the tour remains fully private, with your personal guide accompanying you throughout the experience.
At the end of the tour, your driver and guide will take you back to your hotel or any location of your choice in Rome’s city center.
Step away from the crowds and enjoy a relaxing walk along the Appian Way, combined with a visit to one of the world’s most famous underground cemeteries. The Catacombs Tour and Appian Way Walk offers a perfect balance of archaeology, nature, and early Christian history.
Please note: the order of sites visited may vary. If the Catacombs of St. Sebastian are closed, the visit will be replaced with the equally remarkable Catacombs of St. Domitilla or St. Callistus.
Why Choose Our Catacombs Tour & Appian Way Walk
Off-the-Beaten-Path Experience
Explore a quieter side of Rome along the Appian Way and inside its ancient catacombs, away from the city’s crowds.
Expert, Private Guides:
Discover ancient Roman and early Christian history with a knowledgeable guide who brings these sites to life.
Peaceful & Scenic Setting:
Enjoy a relaxed walk through archaeological landscapes surrounded by nature and open spaces.
Private Transportation:
Travel comfortably between sites with a private vehicle included throughout the tour.
Our Catacombs Tour and Appian Way Walk Itinerary
Book Your Catacombs Tour and Appian Way Walk Today!
Discover a quieter, lesser-known side of the Eternal City with our Catacombs Tour and Appian Way Walk, a private experience that takes you beyond Rome’s historic center.
Walk along the ancient Appian Way with an expert guide, explore one of Rome’s most important catacombs, and gain a deeper understanding of ancient Roman and early Christian history in a peaceful, off-the-beaten-path setting.
Book your Catacombs Tour and Appian Way Walk and experience Rome through its landscapes, archaeology, and underground history.
IMPORTANT INFO!
- You MUST bring an ID, a passport or a driver’s license to enter the sights.
- You MUST cover your shoulders and knees to enter the Catacombs
- Inside the catacombs, visits are conducted in groups led by official catacombs guides, as private tours are not permitted. The remainder of the tour is fully private with your personal guide.
Included in the Price:
- Pick-up at your hotel (if located in the city center)
- Private transportation to the tour starting point
- Skip-the-line tickets
- Professional, Private Guides
Tour Price
Catacombs Tour and Appian Way Walk
Appian Way, Catacombs-
Private Transportation
-
Pick-up & Drop-off at your hotel
-
Skip-the-line tickets
-
Professional Guides
89€
for additional person
Contact Us!
If you want more info or to design a tailored tour!
Send us a message using the form below, contact us via WhatsApp or call us at +39 376 165 1457
BOOK NOW!
Through the booking calendar
Catacombs Tour
610,00 €