A road two thousand years old, still walked today
The Via Appia Antica is the most celebrated of all Roman roads, the Regina Viarum ("Queen of Roads"): opened in 312 BC by Appius Claudius Caecus, it linked Rome to Brindisi and the East. Today its first stretch, just beyond the Aurelian Walls, is an extraordinary archaeological park — the original basalt paving once trodden by the legions, flanked by monumental tombs, mausoleums, Christian catacombs, and the remains of villas, all set among umbrella pines and the Roman countryside. It is one of the most evocative and least "touristy" corners of Rome: here you literally walk through history.
The Appia is not a single monument but a road that runs for miles, with its sites — catacombs, Cecilia Metella, imperial villas, aqueducts — spread out along the route. Planning ahead pays off, because these points are far apart and poorly served by public transport.
What makes the Appia Antica unique
- The original Roman paving: in some stretches you walk on the very same stones as 2,000 years ago.
- The catacombs: the great underground Christian cemeteries (San Callisto, San Sebastiano, Domitilla). → Catacombs of San Callisto
- The tombs and mausoleums: from the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella to the dozens of sepulchres lining the road.
- The landscape: umbrella pines, aqueducts, meadows — the "Roman countryside" of the 19th-century painters.
- Car-free Sundays: the first stretch of the Appia is closed to traffic on Sundays and public holidays, perfect for walking and cycling.
What to see along the Via Appia Antica
Traveling the Appia means crossing two thousand years of history out in the open. Here are the key sites, in order along the route from the entrance heading south.
1. The Church of Domine Quo Vadis — At the very start of the Appia, the little church tied to the legend of the encounter between Saint Peter, fleeing Rome, and Christ ("Quo vadis, Domine?"). Inside, the supposed footprints of Jesus (a copy; the original is kept at San Sebastiano).
2. The Catacombs of San Callisto — The largest underground Christian cemetery, home to the Cripta dei Papi (Crypt of the Popes). → Catacombs of San Callisto
3. The Catacombs of San Sebastiano — Beneath the basilica of the same name; this is where the very word "catacomb" comes from.
4. The Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella — The great circular tomb from the 1st century BC, turned into a fortress in the Middle Ages by the Caetani family: one of the icons of the Appia.
5. The Villa dei Quintili — The largest private villa of imperial Rome, with baths and monumental halls, set deep in the countryside.
6. The Parco degli Acquedotti — A short way off, the great arches of the Roman aqueducts striding across the countryside: a movie-worthy scene.
7. The paving stones and the tombs — All along the road, the original cobblestones and dozens of tombs and funerary monuments.
Tickets and opening hours
- Catacombs: visits are by guided tour only, with reservation. Each complex (San Callisto, San Sebastiano, Domitilla) has different closing days — check before you go, because they don't all close on the same day of the week.
- Combined ticket: a single combined ticket covers Terme di Caracalla + Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella + Villa dei Quintili. The catacombs, on the other hand, have their own separate tickets that include the guided tour.
| Site | Access | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Catacombs (San Callisto, San Sebastiano, Domitilla) | Guided tour, by reservation | Closing days vary by site |
| Cecilia Metella + Villa dei Quintili | Combined ticket | Also includes Terme di Caracalla |
| Quo Vadis church, paving, roadside tombs | Free, open-air | — |
How to get there
The entrance to the Parco dell'Appia Antica sits just outside the Aurelian Walls, at Porta San Sebastiano, south of central Rome — only a few kilometers from the Colosseum (about 15–20 minutes by car). Remember, though, that the sites stretch for miles along the road.
By public transport
- Bus 118: runs along the Appia from the Circo Massimo/Piramide area and stops near the Catacombs of San Callisto and San Sebastiano.
- Archeobus / tourist lines: when running, they connect the main highlights.
- Metro: there is no metro stop on the Appia itself; the handiest is Circo Massimo (Metro B), where you catch the 118 bus.
Public transport covers the main sites but runs on limited frequencies, and it doesn't conveniently reach the more distant points (Villa dei Quintili, the aqueducts).
By bike (perfect on Sundays)
With the first stretch closed to cars on Sundays and public holidays, renting a bike is one of the loveliest ways to experience the park — pedaling over the ancient paving stones among the pines and the tombs. Rentals are available at the park entrance.
On foot
The first pedestrian stretch is gorgeous, but the distances between sites are considerable: on foot you'll only see a small portion. The ideal mix is a walk plus some transport for the far-flung points.
With a private driver (the way to see it all)
Because the sites are far apart and poorly connected, a private NCC driver is the most efficient choice for a half day on the Appia: you'll go from San Callisto to Cecilia Metella, on to the aqueducts and back, with your driver waiting at every stop. No bus waits, no miles on foot under the sun — ideal for families, older travelers, or anyone looking to make the most of their time.
| Your need | Best option | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Catacombs only (San Callisto/Sebastiano) | Bus 118 from Circo Massimo | Limited frequency |
| Experiencing the park on Sunday | Bike (road closed to cars) | Rentals at the entrance |
| Seeing several sites in a half day | Private driver (door to door) | Catacombs + Cecilia Metella + aqueducts |
| Family / older travelers / short on time | Private driver | No miles on foot |
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Practical tips
- When to go: Sundays for the car-free pedestrian stretch; spring and autumn are the best seasons.
- How much time: from half a day (catacombs + Cecilia Metella + a stroll) to a full day if you add the Villa dei Quintili and the aqueducts.
- Book the catacombs ahead: guided tours fill up and closing days differ between complexes.
Suggested itinerary (half a day)
- Quo Vadis (about 10 min) at the entrance.
- Catacombs of San Callisto (guided tour ~45 min).
- Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella and the finest stretch of paving stones.
- Villa dei Quintili (if you have time, with the combined ticket).
- Parco degli Acquedotti (photos among the arches).
With a private car, the timing works out far better and you avoid backtracking between distant sites.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to see on the Via Appia Antica? The Quo Vadis church, the catacombs (San Callisto, San Sebastiano, Domitilla), the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella, the Villa dei Quintili, the Parco degli Acquedotti, and the original Roman paving lined with tombs along the road.
How do you visit the Via Appia Antica? On foot or by bike (ideal on Sundays, when it's closed to cars), by Archeobus/bus 118 from Circo Massimo, or with a private driver — the most comfortable way to link the far-flung sites in half a day.
Can you reach the Appia Antica by metro? There's no metro stop on the Appia: the handiest is Circo Massimo (Metro B), where you catch the 118 bus. Otherwise you arrive by private car or by bike.
Is the Via Appia closed to traffic on Sundays? Yes — on Sundays and public holidays the first stretch is closed to cars, turning it into a paradise for walkers and cyclists.
Can you visit the catacombs on your own? No: they can only be visited on a guided tour by reservation. Each complex (San Callisto, San Sebastiano, Domitilla) has different closing days, so check before you go.
Is there a single ticket for all the sites? There's a combined ticket for the Terme di Caracalla + Cecilia Metella + Villa dei Quintili. The catacombs have their own tickets, which include the guided tour.
Read also
- Catacombs of San Callisto
- The Catacombs of Rome: which ones to visit
- Private car with driver in Rome: what it is and when it's worth it
- Private tour of Rome by car with a driver
Book an Appia Antica tour with a driver
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