Small-group tour · max 12
Underground Rome: Catacombs & Appian Way
The second day in Rome — out along the ancient Appian Way, down into the catacombs, back by private minivan.
Overview
Most first visits to Rome stay inside the walls. This half-day tour goes the other way, following the Appian Way — the road opened in 312 BC, the oldest in Rome to survive — out to a landscape of tombs, umbrella pines and aqueduct arches. A private minivan collects the group, twelve travellers at most, in Piazza Barberini and handles the distances, so the three and a half hours are spent on the sites rather than in traffic. The heart of the morning lies underground. Depending on the day's closures you descend into San Callisto or San Sebastiano — both major complexes on the Appian Way — where early Christians cut kilometres of burial galleries into the soft volcanic tuff from the second century AD onwards. The corridors are lit and ventilated, the air holds a steady sixteen degrees in every season, and the visit follows the site's guided levels. Cameras stay above ground: these are consecrated burial places first, and photography is not permitted below. Back in the daylight you walk a stretch of the original basalt paving, between mausoleums and farmland that has changed remarkably little since the Grand Tour. It is the closest Rome comes to countryside, minutes from the centre — and the reason we recommend this tour for a second day in the city, once the Colosseum is done. The minivan returns you to Piazza Barberini by early afternoon.
Highlights
- Catacombs entry ticket included, San Callisto or San Sebastiano
- A walk on the original basalt paving of the Appian Way (312 BC)
- Private minivan round trip from Piazza Barberini
- Early-Christian burial galleries cut into volcanic tuff
- Tombs, Roman pines and aqueduct views beyond the walls
- Small group of no more than twelve travellers
What's included & Not included
What's included
- Catacombs entry ticket
- Private minivan round trip
- Licensed expert guide
- Small-group experience (max 12)
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup
- Gratuities
Frequently asked questions
Which catacombs will we visit, and why does it vary?
We descend into San Callisto or San Sebastiano, the two great complexes on the Appian Way. Their weekly closing days differ, so the site depends on the day you travel. Both offer the same experience of tuff-cut galleries and early-Christian burials, and your booking confirmation email names the exact catacomb.
Is it claustrophobic underground, and how many steps are there?
The galleries are lit and ventilated, and the visit follows a guided route, so most visitors find it easier than expected. Passages do narrow in stretches, and you take a staircase down and another back up. The catacombs are not suited to wheelchairs or strollers; if enclosed spaces worry you, contact us before booking.
What should I wear and bring?
Bring a warm layer even in August: the galleries hold a constant sixteen degrees Celsius underground. Sturdy shoes matter more than you expect, because the Appian Way's original basalt paving is uneven. Dress with the modesty appropriate to a burial site, and note that photography is not permitted inside the catacombs.
How long is the tour, and how much walking is involved?
This experience runs about 3 hours 30 min at an unhurried pace, with regular pauses so your guide can answer questions along the way. Expect a comfortable amount of walking, some of it on uneven historic ground, so wear sturdy, broken-in shoes. Allow a little extra time to reach the meeting point beforehand.
Where does the tour start, and how will I find the guide?
You will meet your guide in Piazza Barberini, by the Triton Fountain. Please arrive about fifteen minutes early so the group can set off promptly at the booked time. The exact address and a contact number are confirmed in your booking email, and your guide will be holding an Eterno sign.
Which languages is the tour available in?
This tour is guided in English and Italian. If you would prefer a private departure in another language, contact us before booking and we will do our best to arrange it. Groups stay small, capped at 12 guests, so everyone can hear the guide clearly throughout.
Traveler reviews
Walking the Appian Way and then going down into the catacombs was unforgettable. The small group made it feel really personal. Worth every euro.
James W. · Couples · April 2026 The underground is something most visitors never see. Our guide was a true expert and the drive out along the Appian Way was beautiful. Book ahead — it sells out.
Elena G. · Friends · February 2026
FromEUR 89 per person
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