Catacombs of Rome Small Group Tour
Description
Journey beneath the surface of Rome and uncover a forgotten world on this fascinating tour of the city’s ancient Christian catacombs. Tucked away under the countryside along the historic Appian Way, these underground burial sites tell powerful stories of faith, survival, and early Christian life. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, you’ll descend into a labyrinth of tunnels lined with tombs, chambers, and early Christian art. Walk through sacred spaces that date back nearly 2,000 years and learn how these underground sanctuaries offered refuge during times of persecution. The catacombs are more than burial sites—they're a testament to resilience and belief in the face of adversity. This tour offers a unique perspective on Roman history, far from the usual tourist trails. It’s a quiet, moving experience that adds depth to your understanding of the Eternal City.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Saint Sebastian's catacombs, situated in Via Appia, are very important because historians believe that this place had hosted Saints Peter and Paul bodies. They are located in a slope that has always been used as a cemetery also before the Christianism, later it was converted in a cemetery for slaves and freedmen.
The catacombs of St. Callixtus are among the greatest and most important of Rome. They originated about the middle of the second century and are part of a cemeterial complex which occupies an area of 90 acres, with a network of galleries about 12 miles long, in four levels, more than twenty meters deep. In it were buried tens of martyrs, 16 popes and very many Christians. You will also admire the Crypt of St. Cecilia: the popular patron saint of music, she was martyred and entombed where the statue now lies.
The Catacombs of Rome (Italian: Catacombe di Roma) are ancient catacombs, underground burial places under Rome, Italy, of which there are at least forty, some discovered only in recent decades. Though most famous for Christian burials, either in separate catacombs or mixed together, people of all the Roman religions are buried in them, beginning in the 2nd century AD, mainly as a response to overcrowding and shortage of land.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Pickup is included for all accommodation within Aurelian Walls. If your hotel is not in the list send us an email with your hotel /B&B/accomodation in Rome, we will let you know if the pick up is included.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Included in the tour is the visit of two of these four Catacombs, available according to the day.
- Please provide your accommodation’s information at the time of booking (name, address)
- The day before we'll send a mail with exact pick up time
- Please note that the tour inside the Catacombs will be shared with other people as it is not possible to do private tours of the Catacombs
Reviews(20)
Driver was excellent and very engaging. Would definitely recommend this tour. To anyone who is interested in the catacombs of Rome.
Thank you for your review!
DO NOT BOOK THIS TOUR. We paid for semi private, and all we got was a semi private bus ride. The driver took us to 2 different catacombs sites where he bought us tickets and we joined the tour group that was already going, one group had 20 people in it. He also got lost going to the second site, missed his turn, and had to be told by the real guide to stop flashing his light at the frescos. Then, he tried to demand a tip at the end. This was a terrible experience and a waste of money.
We are sorry to read this review, as it does not tell the full truth. On the day of the tour the driver picked you up at your hotel with a van, not a bus as you claim. There were already passengers on board in the same vehicle that transported you to and from the catacombs, which means your travel experience was a semi-private experience exactly the way you booked the tour and which is just what you claim to have purchased in your own review, therefore we do not understand what your complaint about semi-private is all about as in fact that is what you booked and that is what we delivered. As per the product's description, Catacombs tours can not be private because only specific guides are allowed to take you inside in small groups at specific times so the tour is always shared with other people. The driver did not got lost going to the second site, he just had to take a different road due to a road closure, but still arrived on time for the second part of the tour. A tip is not an obligation, the driver did not demand it and of course you were under no obligation to give one.
The tour part itself is great - it’s a group tour, 20-40 people, to see the catacombs. But this ticket sale is way overpriced. The catacombs ticket at each place is €10 with a bunch of people. If you can taxi to and from yourself, you’ll save hundreds of euros. This is just paying for a driver to take you around and wait for you.
We messaged the tour operator in the morning to verify pickup time and place. They let us know pickup was an hour later than originally scheduled, at our front door. We only visited two of the three catacombs. Our driver was great, and the two tours we did go on were wonderful. All told we were out for 3 hours, and were dropped off back at our door.
The Catacombs were amazing to see. Our driver and the tour guides were all great. The only reason this is not 5 stars is that the title is misleading. It was NOT a small group tour. The first was 26 people and very crowded, the second was about 15. Either way, not a small group. The time was also very confusing. It was scheduled for 2 pm, at 1 pm we received a message “in 15” but we weren’t clear on what that meant. We tried to find out but communication was not clear, nor easy to reach. Then we received a text that it was changed to 3 pm. Once we got to the first place, it was still a 45 minute wait. With all that it probably was more like a 2-3 star, as we rearranged other obligations to be at this one. Be prepared to have a flexible time table.
The guides were very knowledgeable and eager to answer questions. Even though all remains have been removed, the catacombs were fascinating. A great lesson in history.
We learned so much about ancient Rome and the burial practices of the Christians and how the Church became involved in preserving and restoring the Catacombs. We've visited all of the major tourist attractions on past trips. This year our focus was to visit sites outside the City. This is a "must do" experience. Our guides were extremely knowledgeable.
Thank you for your review 😊
Show up to provide the tour!!! We waited for 50 minutes after our tour pickup time. No one showed up to pick us up. I tried calling all the phone numbers that were provided, used the “communicate with the tour operator” option in Trip Advisor, and an email to try to reach someone. Was unable to reach anyone. Have requested a full refund.
Interesting stories & sights. Surrounding area is lovely. Great way to cool off from the Rome summer heat. heads-up: the driver (nice man) was really just a ride out to the catacombs (and got tix to catacombs for us once there). Did not provide information as a "guide" on the way to/from the sites. Was fine for us, just might matter to some.
The actual tour was good. Organizing it through this local tour provider was a waste of time and money. First, they changed the time of our tour from 2pm to 9am, causing us to have to rearrange our entire day. Second, the person who met us was not actually our guide. She simply organized the cab ride to the sights and bought the entrance tickets one we arrived. Could have done that ourselves and saved the cost of the middle man.
