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Book the Best Rome Catacombs Tours

Why Visit the Catacombs?

    • The catacombs were created between the 2nd and 5th centuries AD as underground burial sites for Christians and Jews when above-ground burials were restricted.

    • Visiting the catacombs offers a rare chance to see how early Christians practised their faith in secret during times of persecution.

    • Major sites like San Callisto and Priscilla house thousands of tombs, ancient frescoes, and even the burial places of early popes and martyrs.

    • Temperatures inside the tunnels remain cool year-round, making them a refreshing break from the summer heat. A jacket is recommended.

    • A guided catacombs tour in Rome provides context, highlighting historical significance, religious symbolism, and tunnel architecture.

    • Many catacombs are located near or along the Appian Way, allowing you to combine your visit with a walking or bike tour of the Roman countryside.

    • The Capuchin Crypt, decorated with human bones, offers a unique perspective on mortality and art. Combo tickets often include both crypt and catacomb access.

    • Sites like San Nicola in Carcere reveal layers of Roman history, with underground spaces beneath active churches showing the city’s religious evolution.

     

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Explore the best Catacombs of Rome

What to expect

Plan your visit
  • Opening Hours Vary by Site: Most catacombs open between 9am–5pm with closures on select weekdays and holidays—always check specific days before visiting.

  • Top Sites to Explore: Visit iconic catacombs like Domitilla (frescoes), San Callisto (Crypt of the Popes), Saint Sebastian (church & galleries), and Priscilla (early art).

  • Best Times to Visit: Early mornings on weekdays (especially Tuesday and Thursday) offer fewer crowds; spring and autumn are ideal for comfortable weather.

  • Prepare for the Experience: Wear modest clothes, sturdy shoes, and bring a jacket—catacombs are cool, slippery, and require over 100 steps with no lifts.

  • Facilities & Tours: Basic amenities available at entrances; guided tours (often with Capuchin Crypt) offer deeper insight. Not suitable for wheelchairs or claustrophobic visitors.

Visit
Opening hours
  • Opening Hours Vary by Site: Most catacombs open from 9am–12pm and 2pm–5pm; closed on select weekdays and holidays. Always check specific closures before visiting.
  • Top Catacombs to Visit: San Callisto, Domitilla, Priscilla, Saint Sebastian, and Sant’Agnese each offer unique features and tour durations ranging from 30–50 minutes.
  • Best Times to Visit: Go during the low season (Sept–Nov), on weekdays, and early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds and enjoy a more peaceful visit.
  • Tickets & Tours: Book online in advance for timed entry. Guided tours are recommended for historical insights and access to restricted areas.
  • Accessibility & Photography: Catacombs are not wheelchair accessible and photography is limited or prohibited in many sections—respect the rules to preserve the site.
Opening hours
Getting there
  • Major Locations: Top catacombs include San Callisto and Saint Sebastian (Appian Way), Domitilla (Via delle Sette Chiese), Priscilla (Via Salaria), and Sant’Agnese (beneath a church).
  • Public Transport Access: All sites are accessible via a combination of Metro lines (A or B) and buses (118, 714, 716, 63, 92)—ideal for budget-friendly travel.
  • Best Metro Stops: Use San Giovanni (Line A) for Appian Way catacombs and Sant’Agnese/Annibaliano (Line B) for Priscilla and Sant’Agnese catacombs.
  • Travel Time by Taxi: Most catacombs are 10–20 minutes by taxi from central Rome—perfect for combining multiple sites in one day.
  • Ticket Prices & Hours: Entry ranges from free to €15, with most catacombs open 9am–5pm, closed on select days and holidays—always check in advance.
Getting there
Facts
  • Origins & Purpose: Built in the 2nd century AD, Roman catacombs served as secret burial grounds for Christians during times of persecution.
  • Massive Underground Network: Rome’s catacombs stretch over 400 miles, with sites like Domitilla and San Callisto containing multiple levels and ancient chapels.
  • Rich Symbolism & Art: Expect early Christian frescoes, Biblical imagery, and sacred symbols like doves and fish carved or painted throughout the tunnels.
  • Burial Practices: Over six million people were buried here, in niches called loculi; wealthier families had ornate chambers with inscriptions and paintings.
  • Visitor Experience: Prepare for dim lighting, narrow passages, over 100 steps, cool temperatures (12–15°C), and a sacred, quiet atmosphere throughout the tour.
Facts
Tickets & Tours

• Visit St. Callixtus and Domitilla for vast catacombs, early Christian art, and guided historical tours.
• The Capuchin Crypt showcases thousands of monk bones arranged into eerie yet artistic displays.
• San Clemente Basilica offers a layered journey through Roman history, from temples to early churches.
• Book combo tours to explore multiple underground sites with guides and skip-the-line access.
• Wear sturdy shoes and a jacket — tunnels are cool, damp, and involve stairs and narrow spaces.

Tickets
Catacombs of Domitilla

• Choose from guided tours, combo packages with the Capuchin Crypt or Appian Way, or skip-the-line multisite tickets, ranging from €10 to €65.

• Key highlights include a 4th-century underground basilica, ancient Christian frescoes, symbolic carvings, and over 17 km of burial tunnels.

• Open daily except Tuesdays, with visiting hours from 9am–12pm and 2pm–5pm; final entry is 30 minutes before closing.

• Access is by guided tour only; book online in advance, especially during high season, to secure preferred time slots.

• The catacombs are not wheelchair accessible and involve narrow passages and steep stairs—best avoided by visitors with mobility or claustrophobia issues.

Domitilla Catacombs
Catacombs of San Callisto

• Established in the 3rd century AD, the Catacombs of St. Callixtus span over 20 km and include the tombs of 16 popes and many early Christian martyrs.

• Key highlights include the Crypt of the Popes, frescoes, burial chambers, and ancient Christian symbols like the Chi-Rho and fish.

• Open Thursday to Tuesday, 9am–12pm and 2pm–5pm; access is by guided tour only, with tickets priced between €10–€15.

• Located along the Appian Way, it's easily reachable via Metro A to San Giovanni and Bus 118 or 218, or by bike or taxi.

• Wear modest clothing and sturdy shoes; the tour involves stairs, narrow tunnels, and cool underground temperatures around 15°C.

San Callisto Catacombs
Saint Sebastian Catacombs
  • Explore one of Rome’s earliest Christian burial sites, dating back to the 3rd century AD.

  • Visit the Crypt of Saint Sebastian and see ancient frescoes, inscriptions, and martyr tombs.

  • Walk through the Triclia, a rare funerary banquet hall used for early Christian rituals.

  • Book guided tours with options to combine Appian Way walks or Capuchin Crypt visits.

  • Located along the historic Appian Way, with weekday mornings offering the quietest visits.

Saint Sebastian Catacombs
Catacombs of Priscilla
  • Explore the “Queen of the Catacombs,” dating back to the 2nd century AD.

  • See the earliest known fresco of the Virgin Mary in the stunning Greek Chapel.

  • Discover ancient Christian tombs, inscriptions, and early Eucharistic art.

  • Located on Via Salaria — a quieter, less touristy alternative to the Appian Way catacombs.

  • Guided tours only; book in advance for a peaceful and intimate underground visit.

Catacombs of Priscilla
Capuchin Crypt
  • Visit the Capuchin Crypt, where over 3,700 monks' bones form intricate chapels beneath a Roman church.

  • Explore six bone-decorated chambers, including the haunting Crypt of the Skulls.

  • Entry includes access to the Capuchin Museum, featuring relics and paintings by artists like Caravaggio.

  • Guided and self-guided tours available — visits last around 30–45 minutes.

  • Located near Barberini Station, it’s one of the most unique and reflective stops in Rome

Capuchin Crypt