Private Tour of Catacombs and Ancient Appian Way (hotel pick up)
Description
Embark on an intriguing journey exploring the "Secrets Below Rome" with our private driver tour of the Catacombs and Ancient Appian Way. Enjoy the convenience of hotel pick-up as you venture into the depths of Rome's history. Porta San Sebastiano: Ancient gate, Aurelian Walls. Catacombs of San Callisto: On a guided group tour, explore the labyrinthine catacombs, where popes and martyrs were buried over 1,800 years ago. Appian Way, one of the oldest and most important roads of the Roman Empire. Church of Domine Quo Vadis: Visit this sacred site where Saint Peter is said to have had his encounter with Christ. The church is home to the legendary footprints of Christ and offers a peaceful moment for reflection. Chiesa del Domine Quo Vadis The Church of Domine Quo Vadis, According to tradition, this is where Saint Peter, fleeing persecution in Rome, encountered a vision of Christ.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The Porta San Sebastiano, originally known as Porta Appia, is one of the largest and best-preserved gates in the Aurelian Walls, which encircle ancient Rome. This impressive structure marks the beginning of the historic Appian Way, Rome’s “Queen of Roads,” and serves as a stunning reminder of the city’s ancient defensive systems. A Majestic Entrance: Marvel at the grandeur of this massive gate, which dates back to the 3rd century AD and was a critical part of Emperor Aurelian’s fortifications. Learn how Porta San Sebastiano served as a key military defense point, guarding the road that led to the south of Italy.
Uncover the secrets of early Christianity with a guided group tour of the Catacombs of San Callisto, one of Rome’s most significant underground burial sites. Established in the 2nd century, these catacombs served as the official cemetery of the Church of Rome and are a testament to faith, history, and architecture. Explore Ancient Underground Passageways: Wander through a labyrinth of tunnels stretching over 12 miles, where popes, martyrs, and early Christians were laid to rest.
Walk in the Footsteps of Legends: Discover where Spartacus and his 6,000 followers met their tragic fate, and explore sites tied to iconic figures like Crassus and Commodus.
The Church of Domine Quo Vadis, also known as the Church of Saint Mary in Palmis, is a small yet profoundly significant chapel located on the legendary Appian Way. This humble site is steeped in Christian tradition and offers visitors a moment of reflection amidst the echoes of history. The Famous Encounter: According to tradition, this is where Saint Peter, fleeing persecution in Rome, encountered a vision of Christ. When Peter asked, “Domine, quo vadis?” (“Lord, where are you going?”), Jesus replied, “I am going to Rome to be crucified again.” Moved by the vision, Peter returned to Rome to face martyrdom. Sacred Footprints: Inside the church, you'll find a marble slab believed to bear the footprints of Christ, marking the spot of this divine encounter.
A Sacred Jewel of Early Christianity The Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls is one of Rome’s four major basilicas and a site of profound spiritual and historical importance. Built over the burial site of Saint Paul the Apostle, this grand basilica is a masterpiece of early Christian architecture and a serene escape from the bustling city center. Portraits of the Popes: Explore the long gallery adorned with medallion portraits of every pope, a unique feature that connects the church's history to the present day.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
please provide your hotel name
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(125)
The pickup was on time, the van was comfortable, Our guide Gaya was friendly, knowledgeable, fluent in English and was very pleasant. The driver Mohammed was also great. Had a very comfortable vehicle, a nice supply of cold water, knew the streets of Rome well, was very pleasant, and very timely. I wish all our tours were this good! Thanks Gaya and Mohammed.
Dear Gary, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed your tour of the Catacombs and the Ancient Appian Way. It's especially rewarding to know that Gaia's knowledge and friendly guidance, together with Mohammed's safe driving, comfortable vehicle, and thoughtful service, made your experience so memorable. We'll be sure to share your kind words with both Gaia and Mohammed. Thank you for choosing Eternal City Tours, and we hope to welcome you back to Rome for another unforgettable experience!
This is not a Private Tour. It’s a private driver. Driver basically drove us around. We arrived at the catacombs - tickets were 10 euros - got us on a tour that was already in process. So we missed a lot of the history. Dropped us off at the next church said Ok you have 5 minutes. Not a word about the church and what to look for. Dropped us off at the next church and showed us the entrance. We had him drop us off at the Baths of Caracalla because what was the point of continuing. Ridiculously over priced and not described correctly.
Thank you for your feedback. We are very sorry to hear that the experience did not meet your expectations. We would however like to clarify that this experience is described and sold as a private driver-guided tour with transportation, including hotel pickup and visits to the Catacombs and Appian Way area. The Catacombs themselves are always visited through the official on-site guides provided directly by the archaeological site, as external guiding inside the Catacombs is not permitted. Our driver-guides are highly rated by many travelers for their professionalism, knowledge, and personalized service, and this tour consistently receives excellent reviews from guests who appreciate the combination of private transportation, flexibility, and historical highlights. Regarding the Catacombs visit, entrance timing is managed directly by the site and, especially during busy periods, groups may occasionally join a tour already in progress depending on operational logistics at the venue. We are sorry that the pace and format of the experience did not align with your expectations, but we can confirm that the service provided was in line with the published tour description and inclusions. We nevertheless appreciate your comments, as feedback always helps us continue improving our experiences for future guests. Warm regards, Eternal City private and guided Tours Arrive as a Guest, Leave as a Local Marta
The sites and history throughout this tour were exceptional 👌
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you found the sites and history of the Catacombs and the Ancient Appian Way exceptional. It’s truly a unique part of Rome, and we love sharing its stories with our guests. We really appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you again for another memorable experience in Rome!
The tour of the catacombs is excellent. Stefano was very knowledgeable. For some reason, the other tours had earpieces, and ours did not. I did not know if it was what we signed up for or just a general supply. The Appian Way was informative, and St. Paul's Cathedral was fantastic. St. Paul's was one of the highlights of Rome. It was such a beautiful church.
Thank you very much for your thoughtful review! We’re delighted to hear that you had a great time exploring the catacombs and the Appian Way, and that Stefano’s knowledge made the experience even more special. We’re also happy that St. Paul Outside the Walls was a highlight of your visit — it truly is one of Rome’s most beautiful and inspiring basilicas. We appreciate your note regarding the earpieces and will review this to ensure the best possible experience for our guests. It was a pleasure having you with us, and we hope to welcome you back to Rome again soon!
Patrick did a great job with our tour hes was prompt and explained everything well he was professional 5 stars
Thanks so much for your kind words! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the Catacombs and Ancient Appian Way tour and that Patrick helped make the experience memorable. Punctuality, clear explanations, and professionalism are exactly what we strive for on every tour. It was a pleasure having you with us, and we hope to welcome you back to Rome again soon!
Really enjoyed learning about the catacombs! Giorgio made the ride there and back so interesting with facts and pointing out all the sites. He also took us to St. Paul’s Beyond the Walls and were able to go through the Holy Door there! An unexpected surprise! Would recommend!!
Thank you so much for your fantastic review of the Jubilee 2025 Rome: Tour of Catacombs and Ancient Appian Way! We are absolutely delighted to hear how much you enjoyed learning about the Catacombs and exploring the ancient sites. We are especially proud of Giorgio! It’s wonderful to know that he made the journey so interesting and that his insightful commentary enhanced your experience. We agree—he truly is one of our best driver-guides. We're also pleased that you appreciated the unexpected stop at St. Paul’s Outside the Walls and the opportunity to walk through the Holy Door, a truly special moment during the Jubilee Year! We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to welcoming you back to Rome.
Disappointing Experience I recently took a tour with Stefano, who was super friendly, accommodating, and knowledgeable. However, the overall experience was quite disappointing. The company car, meant for 4 adults, was small but clean. The real letdown was the visit to the catacombs. They were very disappointing, as we only saw holes in the wall and found out that the tombs had been moved. Essentially, these are empty catacombs with nothing to see but dirt, rock, and holes. Additionally, the catacombs themselves were not pleasant. The group was twice the size it should have been, and we could not hear the guide. There was a Spanish group that rudely pushed into the tail of our English group, creating a disappointing interaction and distraction. While the driver was good and drove us around to show us sights on the list, it felt more like a taxi service than a guided tour, especially at this price point. We paid $187.14 per person, which felt like a huge waste of money considering the actual tour of the catacombs was only 10 euros. In hindsight, I feel like we were taken advantage of. This experience taught me to do more research before spending a significant amount of money on a tour. I will definitely be more cautious in the future and would never book this tour again. Really disappointed. Per our request, he dropped us off at a great restaurant that he recommended instead of taking us back to the hotel. We absolutely loved this tour!
Dear Customer, Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback regarding the "Jubilee 2025 Rome: Tour of Catacombs and Ancient Appian Way" tour. While we are delighted to hear about some of the redeeming qualities of your experience, we are truly sorry that the overall tour was a disappointing experience and felt like a poor value for your money. First and foremost, we are happy to acknowledge the excellent service provided by your private driver-guide: Stefano** is indeed one of our **5-star rated driver-guides**, and we are glad to hear he was **"super friendly, accommodating, and knowledgeable." We are also pleased that **he dropped you off at a great restaurant per your request, which you "absolutely loved!" We sincerely apologize for the areas that were disappointing: Vehicle Size We understand your concern regarding the size of the vehicle. A standard sedan is correctly used for private tours for up to 4 persons and complies with the tour specifications. However, we acknowledge that for some travelers, a full sedan may feel cramped, and we appreciate this feedback. The Catacombs Experience We are genuinely sorry that the actual visit to the Catacombs was an "underwhelming" and "disappointing" experience. You are correct that the Catacombs, by their nature, are ancient underground burial tunnels. Their historical significance lies in the fact that they are empty "holes in the wall"—the original resting places of early Christians and martyrs—as the remains and major relics were moved to churches (Basilicas) in the city centuries ago for safekeeping. We regret that this historical context was not clear enough to manage your expectations before entry. Furthermore, the issues you raised regarding the conditions inside are unacceptable: Overcrowding and Audio: The Catacombs are operated by external site management, and the group sizes and guiding are unfortunately beyond our direct control. The situation with the group being "twice the size it should have been" and the resulting inability to hear the guide, compounded by the distraction from other groups, completely ruined the atmosphere and educational value. We are taking this up with our local partner immediately. Pricing and Value We understand your frustration about the high per-person price versus the nominal site entrance fee. We want to clarify the price breakdown for a private tour with a private driver-guide: The cost is for the **exclusive private service** provided by Stefano, which includes: 1. A **5-Star Private Driver-Guide** for 3 hours. 2. **Private, air-conditioned transportation** for 3 hours. 3. The **guided drive and narrative** along the Ancient Appian Way. 4. **Hotel pick-up and drop-off** (or custom location, like your restaurant). 5. Sites like Basilica St Paul, Villa Maxenxius, Church Domine Quo Vadis 6. All fuel, parking, and associated operational costs. While this type of private service is significantly more expensive than a group bus tour, we understand that when the experience within the catacombs themselves is compromised, it severely impacts the perceived value. We thank you again for the honest feedback, which is crucial as we navigate the challenges of the Holy Year with our local partners. We are truly sorry we failed to deliver a 5-star experience on this occasion.
Appian Way was gorgeous. The catacombs were fascinating. Seeing the footprints of Jesus at Santa Maria of Palmis was a touching moment. St Paul’s Cathedral was breathtaking.
That sounds like an absolutely incredible, deeply historical, and spiritual tour! It's clear why you call it a "Wonderful Tour." The highlights you mentioned are truly some of Rome's most special sites: Appian Way: The ancient road itself is gorgeous and a marvelous historical setting. The Catacombs: They are indeed fascinating, offering a look into the early days of Christianity in Rome. Santa Maria in Palmis (also known as the Church of Domine Quo Vadis?): That church is famous for the marble slab (a copy of which is there) believed to contain the footprints of Jesus, marking the spot where tradition says St. Peter met Christ while fleeing Rome. It's an incredibly powerful and touching moment for many. St Paul's Cathedral: This is likely a reference to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls (Basilica Papale San Paolo Fuori le Mura), one of Rome's four great Papal Basilicas, which is truly breathtaking in its scale and beauty. It sounds like you had a very moving and memorable day exploring the Christian and ancient history of Rome!
The catacombs your was very interesting. Full of new to me knowledge of the roman underground burials. We also visited St. Paul Basillica. Thst was beautiful and full of religious history. Well worth the time and money.
Thank you for your excellent review! We are delighted to hear that you found the Catacombs tour interesting and learned new things about the Roman underground burials. It sounds like the visit to St. Paul's Basilica was equally rewarding with its beauty and rich religious history. We agree that this tour is a great way to spend your time and money! We hope to welcome you on another tour soon.
It was nice to have a private driver. He was friendly and informative. The tour guide was also good.
Thank you for your review of the Tour of Catacombs and Ancient Appian Way. We're delighted to hear that you had a positive experience and that both your private driver and tour guide were friendly and informative. Our team takes great pride in providing professional and knowledgeable service, and we'll be sure to pass along your kind words to them. It's our goal to ensure every guest has a seamless and memorable experience while exploring the historical wonders of Rome. We appreciate you choosing us for your tour. We hope to see you again on your next visit to Italy!
