Appian Way & Catacombs

The Appian Way, or Via Appia Antica, is one of the oldest and most famous roads of ancient Rome. It starts at the city walls and runs south through the countryside past tombs, villas and underground catacombs. Parts of the original basalt paving survive, and the route is now protected within the Appia Antica Regional Park. Yes, the catacombs are on the Appian Way: several of Rome’s best-known ones lie along it, and they can only be visited with a guide.

For bookable options, see our Rome catacombs tours page; this is the place overview and logistics guide.

A short history of the Appian Way

The road was begun in 312 BC under the censor Appius Claudius Caecus, and originally led to Capua. It was later extended to Brindisi on the Adriatic, which made it the main route to Greece and the East. The Romans called it the regina viarum, the “queen of roads”. After the slave revolt led by Spartacus was crushed in 71 BC, thousands of captives are said to have been crucified along it. Roman law banned burials inside the city, so roads such as this were lined with tombs, from simple markers to grand mausoleums.

In the Middle Ages the road lost importance, and tombs were stripped for stone or turned into fortresses. In the nineteenth century archaeologists and artists rediscovered it, and in the twentieth century, development was limited by protection of the area.

Are the catacombs on the Appian Way?

Yes. The Christian catacombs are networks of underground burial galleries dug into soft volcanic rock (tufa) from the second century AD onwards. They were not hiding places, as is often said; they were cemeteries. Several lie on or near the Appian Way:

• Catacombs of San Callisto: among the largest, associated with the burial of several third-century popes.
• Catacombs of San Sebastiano: beneath a basilica on the road, with a long tradition connecting it to the apostles Peter and Paul.
• Catacombs of Domitilla: a large complex with early Christian frescoes, a short drive from the main stretch.

Visits are guided only and the galleries are cool and narrow. Each catacomb closes one day a week and the day differs between sites, so check before you go. Our posts on which catacombs to visit and what to look for on the Appian Way go deeper. The catacombs underground tour is the guided option.

What to see above ground

• Porta San Sebastiano and the Museo delle Mura: the old gate at the start of the road, with a small museum on the Aurelian Walls.
• Church of Domine Quo Vadis: marking the tradition of Peter meeting Christ as he fled Rome.
• Tomb of Cecilia Metella: a large round mausoleum of the first century BC that became part of a medieval fortress.
• Circus of Maxentius: a well-preserved Roman chariot-racing track of the early fourth century.
• Villa dei Quintili: a large imperial-era villa complex with baths, part of the archaeological park.
• Roman paving and tombs: basalt stones with cart ruts, and tomb remains and copies of sculpture along the roadside.

How to get to the Appian Way from central Rome

The most common public route is bus 118, which runs along the road from near the Colosseum and Circo Massimo, and is consistent with the transport details we list for the site. Check the current route and frequency before you go. A taxi is quick, and the park visitor centre is the place for maps. Some guided tours include transport, which removes the logistics.

Can you bike the Appian Way?

Yes, and it is a popular choice. Bikes and e-bikes can be rented near the park information point, and the road is largely traffic-restricted on Sundays and holidays, which makes it more pleasant for cyclists and walkers. The cobbles are rough, so a hybrid or e-bike is more comfortable than a thin-tyre road bike. Our Appian Way e-bike tour combines the route with a guide.

How long does it take to walk the Appian Way?

The walkable stretch from Porta San Sebastiano to the Tomb of Cecilia Metella is a few kilometres and takes an hour or more at a leisurely pace, longer with stops. Going further to the Villa dei Quintili adds distance. A half day is a sensible plan, and you will want a lift or bike if you also visit a catacomb.

Is the Appian Way open on Sundays?

The park is open, and traffic restrictions on Sundays make it popular. Some sites, such as certain catacombs, close on specific weekdays or on Sundays. Check each site individually.

Best time to visit

Spring and autumn are most comfortable. Midday in summer is hot, with little shade on the road. Bring water and wear sturdy shoes. In the catacombs it is cool, so a light layer helps.

Nearby and next steps

The Appian Way fits well into a day that also includes the Colosseum or the Baths of Caracalla. See the Colosseum guide and day trips from Rome.