Appian Way Rome: How to Visit the Via Appia Antica (Catacombs, Walls, Bike or Golf Cart)

The Appian Way (Via Appia Antica) is free and always open, and its best-preserved stretch starts at the Domine Quo Vadis church, just outside Rome’s walls. Bus 118 from the Colosseo or Circo Massimo Metro stops takes you there. Most sites close on Mondays; the catacombs cost €10 and the Tomb of Caecilia Metella €8.

Cover photo: Palickap, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Appian Way shows a different side of Rome: an ancient road lined with tombs, umbrella pines and ruins, with the catacombs beside it. Its sights are spread over several kilometers, each with its own hours and tickets. We run private Appian Way tours by golf cart and vintage Fiat 500, and this guide brings together the official information and our practical tips.

What is the Appian Way?

The Appian Way, Via Appia in Italian, is the road that ancient Rome built toward the south. Work started in 312 BC under the censor Appius Claudius Caecus, who gave it his name. It first linked Rome to Capua, near Naples, and was later extended to Brindisi, the port for Greece and the East. The Romans called it the Regina Viarum, the “Queen of Roads”.

Roman law did not allow burials inside the city, so families built their tombs along the roads leading out of it, and the early Christians dug their catacombs here. Wealthy Romans built country villas along the road, and in the Middle Ages noble families turned some tombs into towers and castles. In the mid-19th century, Pope Pius IX had the stretch outside Rome laid out as an open-air archaeological walk, designed by the architect Luigi Canina. In July 2024, UNESCO added “Via Appia. Regina Viarum” to its World Heritage List.

Today two parks look after it: the state-run Appia Antica Archaeological Park, which manages the main monuments, and the Appia Antica Regional Park.

Where does the Appian Way start, and which part should you visit?

The ancient road started at Porta Capena, near the Circus Maximus. Its first stretch lies under modern streets and leaves the city walls at Porta San Sebastiano. The straight, well-preserved section, with Roman paving and hundreds of ancient monuments, begins at the crossroads with Via Ardeatina, by the Domine Quo Vadis church. Inside Rome, the Via Appia Antica runs for about 16 km, as far as Frattocchie, by Santa Maria delle Mole.

For a first visit, the stretch from Porta San Sebastiano to the Tomb of Caecilia Metella holds the best-known sights. Beyond it, the road is closed to traffic and becomes quieter and more rural: the most pleasant part for walking and cycling.

What can you see along the Appian Way?

From north to south:

Porta San Sebastiano and the Museum of the Walls. Porta San Sebastiano is one of the largest and best-preserved gates in the 3rd-century Aurelian Walls. Inside is the free Museum of the Walls; its walkway on top of the walls has been closed for works since June 15, 2026. It is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–16:00, takes up to 20 visitors at a time, and has stairs but no lift. Read more in our post on Porta San Sebastiano and the Museum of the Walls.

Domine Quo Vadis church. This small church stands at Via Appia Antica 51, where Via Ardeatina branches off. Legend says that here St. Peter, fleeing Rome, met Christ and asked him “Domine, quo vadis?” (“Lord, where are you going?”), then turned back. Inside is a copy of a stone with two footprints; the original is in the Basilica of San Sebastiano. Entry is free.

Catacombs of San Callisto. At Via Appia Antica 110, these Christian catacombs are known for the Crypt of the Popes and the crypt of St. Cecilia. You visit them only on a guided tour of about 40 minutes, and tours start every 30 minutes. They are closed on Wednesdays.

Basilica and Catacombs of San Sebastiano. At Via Appia Antica 136 is the spot the Romans called ad catacumbas, a name later given to all catacombs. The 40–45 minute guided visit takes in the crypt of St. Sebastian and three decorated 2nd-century Roman mausoleums, and ends in the basilica. It is closed on Mondays. See our guides to the San Sebastiano Catacombs and to all the catacombs of Rome.

Villa and Circus of Maxentius. At Via Appia Antica 153 are the ruins of the estate Emperor Maxentius built in the early 4th century, with a long circus for chariot races and the mausoleum of his son Romulus.

Tomb of Caecilia Metella. At the third mile, Via Appia Antica 161, stands the symbol of the Appian Way: a tall round tomb built between 30 and 10 BC for a noblewoman, probably the daughter-in-law of Crassus. In the early 14th century the Caetani family made it the tower of a castle, whose rooms now display statues and inscriptions from the road; the visit includes the church of San Nicola. The nearby Capo di Bove complex has been closed for restoration since 22 June 2026.

Villa dei Quintili. At the fifth mile lies the largest villa on the outskirts of ancient Rome. Emperor Commodus had its owners, the Quintilii brothers, killed in 182 or 183 AD and took it over. The ticket includes the nearby farmhouse of Santa Maria Nova, with a gladiator mosaic. The entrances are at Via Appia Antica 251 and Via Appia Nuova 1092.

What are the opening hours and ticket prices?

These are this winter’s hours and prices, from the official sites of the Archaeological Park, the Museum of the Walls, San Callisto, San Sebastiano and the Villa of Maxentius.

• The Park ticket (€12) covers all the Archaeological Park sites, including Caecilia Metella and the Villa dei Quintili, for seven days. Under-18s enter free, and EU citizens aged 18 to 24 pay €2. Buy it on the Musei Italiani website or app, or at the card-only machines at each entrance and at the info point in Piazza di Porta Capena (daily 9:30–19:00).
• From March the Park sites close later: 18:30 in March, 19:15 from April to September.
• At the catacombs the guided tour is included, and children up to 6 enter free.

How do you get to the Appian Way from central Rome?

• Bus 118 from the Colosseo or Circo Massimo Metro B stops is the most direct line: it runs past the Quo Vadis church and the San Callisto and San Sebastiano catacombs, toward the Villa dei Quintili.
• Bus 218 from San Giovanni (Metro A) stops at Fosse Ardeatine, about 300 meters from San Sebastiano.
• Bus 660 from Arco di Travertino (Metro A) reaches the Appian Way near the Tomb of Caecilia Metella.
• Bus 663 or 664 from Colli Albani (Metro A) goes to the Villa dei Quintili entrance on Via Appia Nuova.
• On foot, follow Via di Porta San Sebastiano from the Circus Maximus to the gate.

Parking is limited, and bus routes can change, so check the ATAC website or app on the day. If you would rather skip the buses, our private golf cart tour of the Appian Way picks you up in the historic center.

Can you walk or cycle the Appian Way?

Yes, and a bike helps with the distances. The Regional Park rents bikes online and at its info point at Via Appia Antica 58/60, near the Quo Vadis church: from November to March, Monday to Friday 9:30–13:00 and 14:00–17:00, weekends 9:30–17:00, with longer hours from April to October.

• The first stretch has traffic. To avoid it, the park suggests the private road through the San Callisto grounds, from the Quo Vadis junction to San Sebastiano; its gate is closed on Wednesdays.
• The paving is uneven from Caecilia Metella onwards, so wear comfortable shoes with good soles.
• There is no street lighting. Plan to finish before sunset.

Is the Appian Way closed to cars on weekends?

Partly. Since 19 September 2026 the first stretch is a limited traffic zone (ZTL Appia Antica) on Saturdays and Sundays, from 7:00 to 19:00, all year except August. It covers the Appian Way from Porta San Sebastiano to Via Appia Pignatelli, and Via Ardeatina from Via delle Sette Chiese to the Appian Way. Private vehicles, electric ones included, may enter only if they leave through the same gate on the same day, so they cannot drive through, and the speed limit is 30 km/h. Buses, taxis, licensed private-hire cars, tourist coaches, bikes and drivers with a disabled badge can pass. According to the Regional Park, beyond Caecilia Metella the road is closed to traffic every day, except for residents. That makes weekends the calmest time to walk or cycle the first stretch.

When should you go, and how long do you need?

• Avoid Mondays. The Museum of the Walls, San Sebastiano, the Villa of Maxentius, Caecilia Metella and the Villa dei Quintili are all closed. San Callisto opens on Mondays but closes on Wednesdays.
• In winter, start in the morning. Most sites close between 16:00 and 17:15, and the catacombs’ winter closures are in the table above.
• In summer, bring a hat and water. Much of the road is in full sun.
• Allow half a day for the Walls, one catacomb and Caecilia Metella, and a full day, or a bike, to reach the Villa dei Quintili.

The catacombs are cool and humid and have stairs but no lift: bring a layer, dress respectfully and do not take photos.

Should you go on your own or take a tour?

If you have a full day and want to go inside Caecilia Metella or the Villa dei Quintili, go on your own: it costs much less, and our tours do not include entry. If you have only a morning, or travel with children or someone who cannot walk far, a private tour covers the Walls, the road as far as the Tomb of Caecilia Metella, seen from the outside, and, if you wish, San Sebastiano, in three hours.

See the Appian Way with us

Our private golf cart tour of the Appian Way starts at 10:00 with pickup in the historic center (staying further out? we meet at our office, Via del Colosseo 11A). You ride along a stretch of the Appian Way, visit the Museum of the Walls (its walkway along the walls has been closed for works since June 15, 2026). With the optional catacombs ticket, you join the 11:30 guided visit of San Sebastiano, led by the catacombs’ own guides. It lasts 3 hours and costs €450 for 1–3 guests, then €150 per person. The Fiat 500 tour of the Appian Way follows the same route in a vintage electric Fiat 500 or Fiat 850 cabrio: €590 for 1–3 guests, €295 per person for 4, and €240 per person from 5.

For a longer morning, the 4-hour golf cart tour with the catacombs starts at 9:30 and drives past Piazza Navona, Piazza Venezia and the Circus Maximus to the Quo Vadis church and San Sebastiano, for €590 for 1–3 guests, then €200 per person. The same route by vintage Fiat 500 starts from €790 for 1–3 guests.

Good to know:

• All these tours are private. Our drivers are not licensed guides, and apart from the Museum of the Walls and the optional catacomb visit, you see the sights from the outside.
• They run when San Sebastiano is open: Tuesday to Sunday, but not from 7 to 27 December 2026, on 25 December, 1 January or Easter Sunday.
• On Saturdays and Sundays from 7:00 to 19:00 (except in August), the first stretch of the Appian Way, from Porta San Sebastiano to Via Appia Pignatelli, is a limited traffic zone that vehicles cannot drive through, so on weekends our driver changes the route.
• The catacombs ticket is optional: €12 per person, added for each guest when you book.
• Golf carts run in the rain, with rain covers; the Fiat 500 tours switch to golf carts if it rains.
• Golf carts take children of any age, with child seats, and on private tours wheelchair users move onto a seat while the folded wheelchair travels on board; on the Fiat 500 children must be at least 3.
• Up to 21 guests guaranteed on the 3-hour tours and 15 on the 4-hour tours; larger groups on request, with plenty of notice.
• These bookings are non-refundable once we confirm them.

See all our golf cart tours in Rome and vintage Fiat 500 tours in Rome, and our Colosseum guide for the rest of your day.

Explore it with us

Appian Way & Catacombs by Golf Cart3 hours, Museum of the Walls included · €450 for 1–3 guests, €150 pp from 4Book nowAppian Way & Catacombs by Fiat 5003 hours in a vintage electric cabrio · €590 for 1–3 guests, then from €240 ppBook nowGolf Cart Tour + Catacombs4 hours, from Piazza Navona to the Appian Way · €590 for 1–3 guests, €200 pp from 4Book now

FAQ

What is the Appian Way?

The Appian Way, or Via Appia, is an ancient Roman road begun in 312 BC to link Rome with Capua and later extended to Brindisi. Its first miles outside Rome are lined with tombs, villas and catacombs, and since 2024 it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

How long is the Appian Way, and where does it start and end?

The ancient road ran from Porta Capena, near the Circus Maximus, to Brindisi in southern Italy, more than 500 km away. Inside Rome, the Via Appia Antica runs for about 16 km, from near the Baths of Caracalla to Frattocchie, by Santa Maria delle Mole.

Who built the Appian Way, and when?

The censor Appius Claudius Caecus started it in 312 BC, and the road is named after him. It was built first for military reasons, then became a main route for trade and travel toward southern Italy and the East.

How do you get to the Appian Way from central Rome?

Take bus 118 from the Colosseo or Circo Massimo Metro stops: it runs past the Quo Vadis church and the San Callisto and San Sebastiano catacombs. Bus 218 from San Giovanni and bus 660 from Arco di Travertino are alternatives, or you can book a private tour with pickup in the center.

Is the Appian Way free to visit?

Yes. The road and the park are free and always open. You pay only for some sites: the catacombs (€10), the Tomb of Caecilia Metella and the Villa dei Quintili (€8 each, or €12 with the Park ticket) and the Villa of Maxentius (€7.50). The Museum of the Walls and the Quo Vadis church are free.

Which catacombs are on the Appian Way?

San Callisto and San Sebastiano are right on the Appian Way, and Domitilla is nearby on Via delle Sette Chiese. San Callisto closes on Wednesdays and San Sebastiano on Mondays, so at least one of them is open every day, except on 25 December, 1 January, Easter Sunday and during their winter closures.