A Green Oasis at the Heart of the Appia Antica

Between the Appian Way (Via Appia Antica) and Via Latina, just a few kilometers from the center, lies one of Rome's most beloved and surprising green spaces: the Caffarella Valley. Nearly two hundred hectares of meadows, streams, trees and ancient ruins, all part of the vast Appia Antica Regional Park. This is where Romans come to walk, picnic and breathe, surrounded by grazing sheep, Roman monuments and an almost rural atmosphere, just steps from the city.

Why Visit the Caffarella

The Caffarella is the perfect place for anyone who wants to experience a different Rome, slow and green: not a museum, but a landscape where history and nature blend into one. As you stroll, you'll come across the Nymphaeum of Egeria, the church of Sant'Urbano, ancient columbaria and a still-active farmhouse. It's ideal for families, nature lovers and anyone drawn to a quieter, more intimate slice of history.

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What to See in the Caffarella

The valley holds monuments and evocative corners:

  • The Nymphaeum of Egeria, tied to the legend of the nymph and King Numa Pompilius.
  • The church of Sant'Urbano alla Caffarella, an ancient Roman temple.
  • The Colombario Costantiniano (Columbarium of Constantine) and other ancient remains.
  • The Casale della Vaccareccia, a farmhouse with sheep and local products.
  • The Almone river and the Sacred Wood.

Learn more in what to see at Caffarella Park and in the guide to the Nymphaeum of Egeria.

A Valley Between History and Nature

The Caffarella takes its name from the Caffarelli family, who once owned the land. Even in antiquity the valley, crossed by the sacred Almone river, was dotted with villas and tombs: this was the site of the grand villa of Herodes Atticus, a wealthy figure of the 2nd century. Today that past lives alongside grazing fields and vegetable gardens, a rare example of Roman countryside that has survived inside the city. To experience it fully, see what to do at the Caffarella.

How to Get There and When to Go

The park has free entry and several access points (monument hours are approximate, so check on site). To reach it, see how to get to Caffarella Park. It pairs perfectly with a visit to the Appian Way and the Park of the Aqueducts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Caffarella Park? A green valley of nearly two hundred hectares between the Appian Way and Via Latina, part of the Appia Antica Regional Park, with meadows, Roman ruins and a farmhouse with sheep.

Is there an entrance fee for the Caffarella? No, the park has free entry. Some monuments have set hours or guided visits: check on site.

What can you see in the Caffarella? The Nymphaeum of Egeria, the church of Sant'Urbano, the Colombario Costantiniano, the Casale della Vaccareccia and the landscape of the Roman countryside.

Is it family-friendly? Yes: it's a vast green space ideal for walks, picnics and children, with grazing sheep and wide meadows.

Where is it located? In the southeast of Rome, between the Appian Way and Via Latina, near the Appio-Latino district and the Colli Albani and Furio Camillo metro stops.

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Article #643 · Category: Monuments · Updated: May 2026