Why go

Beneath the countryside south of the city walls lie the catacombs, a network of underground cemeteries dug by early Christians from the 2nd century onwards. Roman law forbade burials inside the city, so communities tunnelled into the soft volcanic tuff along the great roads out of Rome, cutting niches for the dead on several levels. Over time the catacombs became places of pilgrimage, decorated with frescoes, symbols and inscriptions.

A visit is a quiet, thoughtful experience, very different from the crowds in the centre. Walking through the narrow galleries by torchlight, you get a direct sense of how ordinary Romans lived, believed and remembered their families during the centuries of persecution.

What to see

  • The Crypt of the Popes. In St Callixtus, the burial chamber of nine 3rd-century popes, with original inscriptions.
  • The Crypt of St Cecilia. Where the martyr was buried before her body was moved to her church in Trastevere.
  • Early Christian frescoes. Symbols such as the fish, the dove and the Good Shepherd painted on chamber walls.
  • The Appian Way. The ancient Roman road above, lined with tombs and pines, ideal for walking or cycling.
  • San Sebastiano and Domitilla. Two other catacombs nearby, each with its own basilica.

Plan your visit

The Catacombs of St Callixtus are the largest open to the public. They open from 9am to 12pm and from 2pm to 5pm, with the ticket office closing at 4.50pm, and close on Wednesdays, 1 January, Easter Sunday and 25 December. They also close for a winter break from 13 January to 10 February 2027, so plan around those dates.

Visits are by guided tour only and last about 40 minutes, with tours in several languages leaving roughly every 30 minutes. A standard ticket costs €10 and concessions, including children aged 7 to 16, cost €7. Children under 6 go free. You can turn up and join the next tour in your language, or book online through Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi, the official partner.

The other catacombs keep different closing days, so if St Callixtus is shut, San Sebastiano or Domitilla is usually open.

Getting there

Bus 118 runs along the Appian Way from Piramide and Circo Massimo stations on Metro line B, and bus 218 runs from San Giovanni. Journeys take 20 to 40 minutes depending on traffic. Many tours from the centre include transport, which saves time.

Tips

Bring a light layer, as the tunnels stay cool all year, and wear shoes with a good grip for the steps. Photography is not allowed. The visit is not suitable for wheelchair users or anyone uncomfortable in confined spaces. Bring cash or a card for the ticket office, as queues can build when coach groups arrive, especially mid-morning. Make a half day of it by renting a bike at the Appia Antica park information point and riding past tombs, aqueducts and villas, or pair it with the Capuchin Crypt for an underground Rome theme. Sundays are especially pleasant, when the old road is largely closed to traffic.