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Experience the best of Catacombs of Saint Sebastian

Beneath Rome's surface lies the enigmatic Catacombs of Saint Sebastian, an ancient burial labyrinth that whispers tales of early Christianity. These subterranean passages, adorned with frescoes and epitaphs, cradle the remains of martyrs, weaving a haunting narrative of faith and history beneath the Eternal City.
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Slide 1 of 8, Facade of a Roman basilica on the Appian Way with visitors exploring the site.
Facade of a Roman basilica on the Appian Way with visitors exploring the site.

Papal Basilicas, St. Callixtus & St. Sebastian Catacombs Tour with Transfers

3 hrs
1 more
  • Visit the pope’s official seat, the stunning Basilica of St. Mary Major, and two ancient catacombs—all with expert insights and hassle-free transfers.
  • Kick things off at the Sancta Sanctorum, where you’ll find the Holy Stairs—believed to be the very steps Christ climbed before meeting Pontius Pilate.
  • Step inside the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, the pope’s home church, then take in the splendor of St. Mary Major perched on Esquiline Hill.
  • Go underground to explore the catacombs of St. Callixtus and St. Sebastian, where ancient faith, art, and history come alive.
  • Sit back and enjoy smooth transfers between stops while your guide shares the incredible stories behind each site.
More details
  • Visit the pope’s official seat, the stunning Basilica of St. Mary Major, and two ancient catacombs—all with expert insights and hassle-free transfers.
  • Kick things off at the Sancta Sanctorum, where you’ll find the Holy Stairs—believed to be the very steps Christ climbed before meeting Pontius Pilate.
  • Step inside the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, the pope’s home church, then take in the splendor of St. Mary Major perched on Esquiline Hill.
  • Go underground to explore the catacombs of St. Callixtus and St. Sebastian, where ancient faith, art, and history come alive.
  • Sit back and enjoy smooth transfers between stops while your guide shares the incredible stories behind each site.
from
€130
Slide 1 of 14, Tour guide briefing tourists about Rome Catacombs and Appian Way.
Tour guide briefing tourists about Rome Catacombs and Appian Way.

Catacombs of St. Sebastian Guided Tour with Aqueducts & Appian Way

3 mins - 3 hrs 25 mins

  • Walk the ancient basalt stones of the Appian Way, the legendary “Queen of Roads” once used by generals, nobles, and traders.

  • Take in the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella — the grand tomb of a powerful aristocrat whose family held major sway in late Republican Rome.

  • Stand beneath the soaring arches of Rome’s monumental aqueducts, extraordinary engineering works that kept the ancient city alive and thriving.

  • Venture into one of Rome’s most meaningful catacombs at last entry, usually the devotion-rich complex linked with centuries of pilgrimage, though some departures may visit the atmospheric Domitilla tunnels instead.

  • Travel effortlessly between these historic sites aboard a comfortable, air-conditioned minibus.

More details

  • Walk the ancient basalt stones of the Appian Way, the legendary “Queen of Roads” once used by generals, nobles, and traders.

  • Take in the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella — the grand tomb of a powerful aristocrat whose family held major sway in late Republican Rome.

  • Stand beneath the soaring arches of Rome’s monumental aqueducts, extraordinary engineering works that kept the ancient city alive and thriving.

  • Venture into one of Rome’s most meaningful catacombs at last entry, usually the devotion-rich complex linked with centuries of pilgrimage, though some departures may visit the atmospheric Domitilla tunnels instead.

  • Travel effortlessly between these historic sites aboard a comfortable, air-conditioned minibus.

from
€55
Slide 1 of 5, Facade of San Sebastiano Catacomb entrance in Rome, Italy, with historical architecture.
Facade of San Sebastiano Catacomb entrance in Rome, Italy, with historical architecture.

Catacombs of St. Sebastian Tickets with Guided Tour

30 mins - 3 hrs 25 mins
Transfers available

  • Explore the Catacombs of St. Sebastian, one of Rome’s oldest Christian burial sites, on a guided tour through third-century underground tunnels and chambers.

  • Learn how saints, popes, martyrs, and Roman nobles were laid to rest here as your expert guide brings early Christian Rome to life.

  • Visit the catacombs linked to Saints Peter and Paul, an important pilgrimage site that played a key role in the history of Christianity.

  • Upgrade to include round-trip transfers and entry to the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella for a deeper exploration of the historic Appian Way.

  • Choose a full-day experience to visit both the St. Sebastian and St. Callixtus Catacombs, three papal basilicas, and the Holy Stairs with guided commentary throughout.

More details

  • Explore the Catacombs of St. Sebastian, one of Rome’s oldest Christian burial sites, on a guided tour through third-century underground tunnels and chambers.

  • Learn how saints, popes, martyrs, and Roman nobles were laid to rest here as your expert guide brings early Christian Rome to life.

  • Visit the catacombs linked to Saints Peter and Paul, an important pilgrimage site that played a key role in the history of Christianity.

  • Upgrade to include round-trip transfers and entry to the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella for a deeper exploration of the historic Appian Way.

  • Choose a full-day experience to visit both the St. Sebastian and St. Callixtus Catacombs, three papal basilicas, and the Holy Stairs with guided commentary throughout.

from
€12

Pro tips to help you make a pick

Book ahead rather than relying on a walk-in. Visits are organised around reservations, and visitors with reservations who arrive on time have priority.

Arrive on time for your tour. You can't simply join a later group or explore independently; the catacomb requires visitors to remain with its internal guide throughout.

Carry as little as possible. Bulky items, including luggage and musical instruments, aren't permitted inside. This is particularly useful to know if you're visiting the Appian Way with bags.

Bring a light layer even in summer. Underground temperatures are around 17°C, with very high humidity, so the catacombs can feel noticeably cooler and damper than Rome above ground.

Don't plan on taking photos. Photography and video are prohibited inside the catacomb, so treat this as a look-and-listen experience rather than a place to document every gallery.

If you're taking public transport, use the stop at the entrance. Buses 118 and 660 stop at the San Sebastian Catacombs stop directly outside/at the entrance; 118 connects from Colosseo/Circo Massimo and 660 from Arco di Travertino.

Don't expect to explore beyond the guided route. You can't leave your group or enter passages that aren't open to the public. The visit is a curated route through the complex, not access to the entire underground network.

Treat the catacomb slot as fixed. Plan the underground visit first and add outdoor sightseeing afterwards. The catacombs are guided-only, while the surrounding Appian Way park is open and free to explore independently.

Similar things to do in Rome

About Catacombs of Saint Sebastian

Saint Sebastian stands out for its layered scope. Alongside the early Christian burial galleries, the complex preserves three 2nd-century mausoleums, the Cubicle of Jonah with 4th-century frescoes, and the Basilica of Saint Sebastian Outside the Walls above ground. That mix of underground archaeology, devotional history, and later church art creates a broader Appian Way stop than catacombs alone.

Did you know?

In the 3rd century, the site became known as the Memoria Apostolorum. Archaeologists found graffiti invoking Saints Peter and Paul, and many scholars believe their remains were temporarily housed here.

The catacombs were not originally Christian. The site began as pozzolana quarries. Christians later adapted the underground spaces into a cemetery, creating burial galleries with loculi and arcosolia.

The site was originally called ad catacumbas, generally explained as referring to the quarry/depression. Over time, catacomb became the generic word used for Christian underground cemeteries

The network extends for about 12 km across three levels, reaching up to around 18 m below ground. Only selected areas form part of the visitor route.

The site preserves three 2nd-century mausoleums with surviving frescoes and stucco decoration, showing that the funerary complex predates the Christian catacomb.

Why visit Catacombs of Saint Sebastian?

See one of Rome’s oldest Christian burial sites

Go underground to experience an early Christian cemetery where burial galleries, inscriptions, frescoes, and ancient tombs reveal how Rome’s first Christian communities commemorated their dead.

Visit a site tied to Peter and Paul

San Sebastian was once known as the Memoria Apostolorum, where Peter and Paul were venerated together. Ancient graffiti recording this devotion still survives at the site.

See the Cubicle of Jonah and its frescoes

The 4th-century frescoes of the Cubicle of Jonah are among the most distinctive sights on the visitor route, giving you something specific to look for rather than simply wandering through burial tunnels.

Experience more than a Christian cemetery

The complex layers pagan and Christian history in the same archaeological setting, including three 2nd-century mausoleums decorated with surviving frescoes and stuccoes.

Finish in the basilica above the catacombs

The Basilica of Saint Sebastian Outside the Walls gives the outing an above-ground finish and preserves the saint's cult context. It also contains the Bernini-associated Salvator Mundi bust, adding a Baroque artwork many visitors do not expect at a catacomb stop.

Plan your visit

Main site entrance at Via Appia Antica 136

This is the visitor entrance for the Catacombs of Saint Sebastian complex on the Appian Way. Standard visitors check in here for guided departures before entering the underground route. Official guidance says buses 118 and 660 stop right in front of the entrance.

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