A road that is two thousand years old and still walked today

The Via Appia Antica is the most celebrated of all Roman roads, the Regina Viarum: 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, set among pines and the Roman countryside. It is one of the most evocative and least "touristy" corners of Rome — here you literally walk through history.

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, perfect for walking and cycling.

A large park: planning pays off

The Appia Antica is not a single monument but a park stretching for miles, with its sites scattered along the road. The catacombs, Cecilia Metella, Villa dei Quintili, and the aqueducts are far apart and poorly served by public transport: to see them at a relaxed pace in half a day, a private car (or a bike, on Sundays) makes a huge difference.

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How to visit it

  • On foot: the first stretch is stunning, but the distances between sites are long.
  • By bike: ideal on Sundays (road closed to cars); rentals available.
  • With a private driver: the most comfortable way to see several sites in half a day, with the catacombs and Cecilia Metella and no miles of walking.
  • Archeobus / bus 118: public options, but with limited schedules and coverage.

Practical information

  • Where: just beyond Porta San Sebastiano, south of Rome.
  • When to go: Sundays for the pedestrian stretch; spring and autumn are the best seasons.
  • Catacombs: guided visits only, by reservation; closed on certain days of the week (varies by site).
  • Combined ticket: available for Terme di Caracalla + Cecilia Metella + Villa dei Quintili.

Frequently asked questions

What is there to see on the Via Appia Antica? The catacombs (San Callisto, San Sebastiano, Domitilla), the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella, the tombs and mausoleums lining the road, the Domine Quo Vadis church, the remains of villas and, a short way off, the Parco degli Acquedotti. All of it set in the Roman countryside.

How do you visit the Via Appia Antica? On foot or by bike (ideal on Sundays, when it is closed to cars), by Archeobus/bus 118, or with a private driver — the most comfortable way to link the far-flung sites in half a day.

Is the Via Appia closed to traffic on Sundays? Yes, the first stretch of the Appia Antica is closed to cars on Sundays and public holidays, turning it into a paradise for walkers and cyclists.

How much time do you need to visit the Appia Antica? From half a day (catacombs + Cecilia Metella + a stroll) to a full day if you add Villa dei Quintili and the aqueducts.

Can you visit the catacombs of the Via Appia 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 — check before you go.

Read also

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Flat rate · Door to door · Catacombs, Cecilia Metella, and aqueducts

Article #247 · Category: Archaeology · Updated: May 2026