Roman Catacombs Tour
Explore the Roman catacombs, early Christian underground burial sites in Rome. Our tours guide you through historic churches, tunnels and chambers adorned with early Christian art and inscriptions, and the resting places of martyrs and saints.
29.3K+ travellers love this
See what they have to say
Visitor's guide
Must-see highlights & key info
- Skip the hassle with round-trip transfers, making it easy to explore these historic sites scattered across Rome.
- Step into the eerie yet fascinating Capuchin Crypt, where 4,000 friars’ remains create hauntingly beautiful chapels—your audio guide unveils their story.
- Venture deep into one of Rome’s legendary catacombs—Domitilla, St. Callixtus, or St. Sebastian—on a guided tour through ancient underground burial tunnels.
- Uncover hidden history beneath the Basilica of San Nicola in Carcere, where remnants of the Temple of Juno Sospita and an ancient marketplace still stand.
- Want to mix it up? Trade San Nicola Basilica for a visit to the legendary Bocca della Verità, plus Santa Maria in Cosmedin and Hadrian’s Crypt!
More details
- Skip the hassle with round-trip transfers, making it easy to explore these historic sites scattered across Rome.
- Step into the eerie yet fascinating Capuchin Crypt, where 4,000 friars’ remains create hauntingly beautiful chapels—your audio guide unveils their story.
- Venture deep into one of Rome’s legendary catacombs—Domitilla, St. Callixtus, or St. Sebastian—on a guided tour through ancient underground burial tunnels.
- Uncover hidden history beneath the Basilica of San Nicola in Carcere, where remnants of the Temple of Juno Sospita and an ancient marketplace still stand.
- Want to mix it up? Trade San Nicola Basilica for a visit to the legendary Bocca della Verità, plus Santa Maria in Cosmedin and Hadrian’s Crypt!
- Delve deep into Rome’s largest underground catacombs and learn all their hidden secrets, with optional transfers for added convenience.
- Skip the long queues at the Catacombs of St. Callixtus, the sacred resting place of early Christians and popes, guided by an expert.
- Hear the stories behind its frescoes, inscriptions, and why it’s called the “Little Vatican,” once home to 16 popes from your guide.
- Since the catacombs are outside the city, go for round-trip transfers for a hassle-free journey from central Rome.
- Upgrade your experience with a visit to the eerie Capuchin Crypt, where human bones create mesmerizing artwork and monastic history comes to life.
More details
- Delve deep into Rome’s largest underground catacombs and learn all their hidden secrets, with optional transfers for added convenience.
- Skip the long queues at the Catacombs of St. Callixtus, the sacred resting place of early Christians and popes, guided by an expert.
- Hear the stories behind its frescoes, inscriptions, and why it’s called the “Little Vatican,” once home to 16 popes from your guide.
- Since the catacombs are outside the city, go for round-trip transfers for a hassle-free journey from central Rome.
- Upgrade your experience with a visit to the eerie Capuchin Crypt, where human bones create mesmerizing artwork and monastic history comes to life.
- Skip the ticket lines and step straight into this underground world of the eerie Capuchin Crypt, home to the remains of 4,000 friars, at your chosen time.
- See the crypt’s chilling bone art, crafted from real skeletons, while your audio guide unpacks its deep history and symbolism.
- Want more? Opt for a combo tour to explore the ancient Domitilla (except Tuesdays) or St. Callixtus (Tuesdays only) Catacombs, with smooth one-way open-bus transfers to each site.
- Go all in with the ultimate package—Catacombs, Capuchin Crypt, and San Nicola Basilica—complete with round-trip AC coach transfers from central Rome for a hassle-free journey.
More details
- Skip the ticket lines and step straight into this underground world of the eerie Capuchin Crypt, home to the remains of 4,000 friars, at your chosen time.
- See the crypt’s chilling bone art, crafted from real skeletons, while your audio guide unpacks its deep history and symbolism.
- Want more? Opt for a combo tour to explore the ancient Domitilla (except Tuesdays) or St. Callixtus (Tuesdays only) Catacombs, with smooth one-way open-bus transfers to each site.
- Go all in with the ultimate package—Catacombs, Capuchin Crypt, and San Nicola Basilica—complete with round-trip AC coach transfers from central Rome for a hassle-free journey.
-
Skip the ticket lines and step straight into Domitilla’s 17km maze—Rome’s only catacombs with a still-standing underground basilica.
-
Hear untold stories from your guide as you uncover stunning frescoes like ‘Daniel with the lions’ and 'Noah’s Ark,' plus the shift from pagan to Christian burials.
-
Descend 30 meters to explore a rare semi-underground basilica, built to honor the martyrs Nereus and Achilleus.
-
Take your adventure up a notch with a visit to the eerie Capuchin Crypt—where skulls and bones form haunting art—plus smooth open-bus transfers between sites.
More details
-
Skip the ticket lines and step straight into Domitilla’s 17km maze—Rome’s only catacombs with a still-standing underground basilica.
-
Hear untold stories from your guide as you uncover stunning frescoes like ‘Daniel with the lions’ and 'Noah’s Ark,' plus the shift from pagan to Christian burials.
-
Descend 30 meters to explore a rare semi-underground basilica, built to honor the martyrs Nereus and Achilleus.
-
Take your adventure up a notch with a visit to the eerie Capuchin Crypt—where skulls and bones form haunting art—plus smooth open-bus transfers between sites.
-
Breeze past ticket lines and dive into this 19km underground maze with a guide who unpacks its deep history and spiritual significance.
-
Discover why these catacombs are nicknamed the "Little Vatican"—home to the tombs of 16 popes and countless early Christian martyrs.
-
Observe the centuries old ancient frescoes and burial chambers, each telling a story of early Christian faith and artistic evolution.
More details
-
Breeze past ticket lines and dive into this 19km underground maze with a guide who unpacks its deep history and spiritual significance.
-
Discover why these catacombs are nicknamed the "Little Vatican"—home to the tombs of 16 popes and countless early Christian martyrs.
-
Observe the centuries old ancient frescoes and burial chambers, each telling a story of early Christian faith and artistic evolution.
-
Hop on an air-conditioned coach with your guide for a relaxing ride along the historic Appian Way.
-
As you step into tunnels built over 2 milennia ago, admire early Christian symbols and frescoes inscribed on marble loculi behind which the dead rest.
-
Hear fascinating myths, facts, and legends from your guide in your preferred language.
-
On Wednesdays, visit the Catacombs of Domitilla instead and see some of the most elaborately decorated tombs on the Appian Way.
More details
-
Hop on an air-conditioned coach with your guide for a relaxing ride along the historic Appian Way.
-
As you step into tunnels built over 2 milennia ago, admire early Christian symbols and frescoes inscribed on marble loculi behind which the dead rest.
-
Hear fascinating myths, facts, and legends from your guide in your preferred language.
-
On Wednesdays, visit the Catacombs of Domitilla instead and see some of the most elaborately decorated tombs on the Appian Way.
- 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.
-
Skip the stress of navigating—enjoy pre-arranged transfers to these hidden, far-flung sites for a seamless experience.
-
Venture into the ancient Catacombs of Domitilla or St. Callixtus (Tuesdays only) with a guide, discovering frescoed tombs, underground basilicas, and early Christian burial sites.
-
Step into the eerie Capuchin Crypt, where the bones of 4,000 friars create haunting memento mori artwork, brought to life with an immersive audio guide.
More details
-
Skip the stress of navigating—enjoy pre-arranged transfers to these hidden, far-flung sites for a seamless experience.
-
Venture into the ancient Catacombs of Domitilla or St. Callixtus (Tuesdays only) with a guide, discovering frescoed tombs, underground basilicas, and early Christian burial sites.
-
Step into the eerie Capuchin Crypt, where the bones of 4,000 friars create haunting memento mori artwork, brought to life with an immersive audio guide.
-
Descend into the Catacombs of Domitilla with an specialist guide and uncover 17kms of underground galleries.
-
Explore richly decorated cubiculas with frescoes depicting Biblical scenes like 'Noah's ark' and ‘Jonah and the whale’.
-
In the language of your choice, learn about the cultural and symbolic significance of Rome's catacombs.
-
Venture 30 meters below to uncover a unique semi-underground basilica in the Domitilla Catacombs, dedicated to martyrs Nereus and Achilleus.
More details
-
Descend into the Catacombs of Domitilla with an specialist guide and uncover 17kms of underground galleries.
-
Explore richly decorated cubiculas with frescoes depicting Biblical scenes like 'Noah's ark' and ‘Jonah and the whale’.
-
In the language of your choice, learn about the cultural and symbolic significance of Rome's catacombs.
-
Venture 30 meters below to uncover a unique semi-underground basilica in the Domitilla Catacombs, dedicated to martyrs Nereus and Achilleus.
Pro tips to help you make a pick
Similar things to do in Rome
About Roman Catacombs
Descend into the depths of history at the Roman Catacombs. These ancient burial chambers are a treasure trove of ancient artifacts, intricate frescoes, and sacred relics. Learn about the lives of early Christians in this mysterious underground world on an expert-led tour.
The Roman Catacombs stretch over 150 kilometers beneath the city, making them one of the largest underground burial sites in the world.
There are more than 60 catacomb complexes in Rome, although only a few are open to the public, including the Catacombs of San Callisto and San Sebastiano.
The catacombs were rediscovered in the 16th century after being forgotten for nearly a thousand years.
Early Christians buried their dead in the catacombs because Roman laws forbade burials within the city walls.
The catacombs house some of the earliest known Christian art, including frescoes, inscriptions, and religious symbols like the fish and the anchor.
Why visit Roman Catacombs?
Highlights
Underground Basilica of Nereus and Achilleus
The Catacombs of Domitilla have a unique church located in its depths, just above the tombs of the Saints Nereus and Achilleus, used mainly by Flavian Domitilla and her eunuchs.
%20-%20Roman%20Catacombs.jpg?w=806.4000000000001&h=728.7&crop=faces&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=min)
Salvatore Mundi (Bust of the Savior)
Within the Catacombs of St. Sebastian, there is a mysterious marble sculpture. Although authorship is not confirmed beyond a doubt, many researchers believe it is the long-lost last work of Gian Lorenzo Bernini!
Crypt of St. Cecilia
A space housing an evocative life-size statue of the patron saint of music – Cecilia, surrounded by mosaics and humble adornments.
Petronilla receiving Veneranda at the gates of heaven
This painting lies on a closing stone at the end of a tunnel behind the apse in the Catacombs o Domitilla, and represents Saint Petronilla taking a recently deceased Veneranda to be beside God.
Travel guides and tips
Millions love heading out with us
Ollie
Derrick
Kellie
Kassandra
Stacey
Sherry
Molly
Richard
Nearby cities to explore
Get the Headout app, save up to 80%
Enjoy exclusive deals, offline access to your tickets & live booking updates.
