About this tour
Explore Rome's underground network on this 2.5-hour tour combining the Appian Way and early Christian catacombs. Private transport picks you up from your hotel and carries you out to the city's ancient burial sites, where you'll walk through limestone tunnels used by Christians for worship and interment from the 2nd century onwards. A guide leads small groups through San Sebastiano or San Callisto, revealing how these spaces functioned as both refuge and cemetery.
Highlights
- Walk the original Appian Way, Rome's most important ancient road
- Navigate tunnel networks carved entirely by hand
- See frescoed chambers and thousands of burial niches
- Learn early Christian funeral rites and symbolism
- Hotel pickup and private vehicle transport included
What to expect
Your driver collects you from your accommodation and heads southeast towards the Appian Way. Once there, you'll walk sections of the paved road itself, seeing how it connected Rome to the southern coast. The group then descends into one of two major catacomb systems. Inside, expect cool air, tight passages, and chambers lit by your guide's torch or fixed lighting. You'll see loculi (burial slots), family crypts, and remnants of painted decoration. The tour involves some stooping and climbing; pace is leisurely but bring comfortable shoes. Groups stay small, allowing genuine conversation with your guide about daily life, burial customs, and why Christians chose underground burial.
Good to know
Bring a light jumper—catacombs stay around 12°C year-round. Photography rules vary by site; confirm with your guide. The Appian Way section is mostly flat but unpaved. Infant seats available. Not wheelchair-accessible underground. Wear sturdy footwear.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.