The Ancient Appian Way & Catacombs by Bicycle

Cycling along the ancient Appian Way offers a unique opportunity to take in Rome’s captivating history. This renowned thoroughfare, constructed over 2,000 years ago, winds through well-preserved ruins, aqueducts, and pastoral landscapes, providing a captivating backdrop for adventurous travelers. The journey culminates in a visit to the Catacombs of St. Callixtus, an underground network steeped in early Christian heritage. With guided tours and e-bike rentals, this adventure promises an unforgettable experience, blending the thrill of cycling with the richness of Roman antiquity. Uncover the secrets that lie beneath the surface as you pedal through time.

About Your Stay

• Explore the Ancient Appian Way, a historic Roman road, by bicycle and discover well-preserved ruins, aqueducts, and pastoral landscapes.
• Visit the Catacombs of St. Callixtus, an underground network of tunnels and tombs for early Christians, with guided tours available.
• Experience the Aurelian Wall, Baths of Caracalla, Tomb of Cecilia Metella, and Arch of Drusus along the tour route.
• Enjoy the convenience of e-bike rental, security lock, and map provided, with hotel pickup and drop-off included.
• Ensure a smooth experience by reviewing the tour logistics, pricing, and cancellation policy, and be aware of any potential issues highlighted in the review.

Contents

• About Your Stay
• Exploring the Ancient Appian Way
• Cycling Through Historic Landmarks
• Visiting the Catacombs of St. Callixtus
• Meeting Point and Tour Duration
• Inclusions and Participant Information
• Pricing and Cancellation Policy
• Review and Host Response
• Worth The Stay
• Our Top Picks in Rome
• More Tour Reviews in Rome
• Not for you? Here's more things to do in Rome we have recnetly reviewed

Exploring the Ancient Appian Way

The ancient Appian Way, once the most important road in the Roman Empire, winds its way through the heart of Rome, offering cyclists a unique opportunity to explore the city’s rich history.

Pedaling along this storied thoroughfare, cyclists can marvel at the well-preserved ruins and ancient aqueducts that line the path. The route traverses rolling hills and pastoral landscapes, providing a refreshing respite from the bustling city streets.

As riders glide past ancient tombs and monuments, they’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the enduring legacy of this remarkable Roman engineering feat.

The Appian Way bike tour allows visitors to experience the grandeur of Rome’s past in an immersive and active way.

Cycling Through Historic Landmarks

Cycling along the ancient Appian Way, riders encounter a wealth of historic landmarks that bring the grandeur of Rome’s past to life.

The journey offers a unique perspective, allowing adventurers to experience the city’s ancient roads firsthand.

Key highlights include:

• Passing the Aurelian Wall, a marvel of Roman engineering that once protected the city

• Pedaling past the iconic Baths of Caracalla, a sprawling complex of ancient Roman public baths

• Cycling beside the Tomb of Cecilia Metella, a towering funerary monument from the 1st century BC

• Catching glimpses of the Catacombs of St. Callixtus, an extensive network of underground cemeteries

• Admiring the Arch of Drusus, a triumphal arch dating back to the 1st century AD.

Visiting the Catacombs of St. Callixtus

Weaving through the ancient Appian Way, cyclists reach the Catacombs of St. Callixtus, an underground network of tunnels and tombs that once served as burial sites for early Christians.

Descending underground, visitors are transported back in time, surrounded by the sacred remnants of a bygone era. The tour provides entrance tickets, allowing cyclists to explore the intricate labyrinth of galleries and chambers adorned with frescoes and epitaphs.

Though not wheelchair accessible, the catacombs offer a unique glimpse into Rome’s rich, spiritual history.

With a guide’s expertise, cyclists can navigate the winding passages, uncovering the secrets that lie beneath the Eternal City.

Meeting Point and Tour Duration

Conveniently located just 5 minutes from Termini Station, the meeting point at Via Cavour, 80 sits next to the iconic Santa Maria Maggiore Cathedral.

This tour covers the ancient Appian Way and the Catacombs of St. Callixtus over approximately 3 hours. You’ll start your journey at 10:00 AM, exploring Rome’s rich history by bicycle.

The experience includes:

• Security lock for your bicycle
• Map of Rome to navigate the city
• Rental of an e-bike and helmet
• Entrance tickets to the Catacombs
• Hotel pickup and drop-off at the meeting point

At the end of the tour, you’ll return to the starting location, having experienced the wonders of ancient Rome up close.

Inclusions and Participant Information

This tour includes a variety of amenities to enhance the experience.

The rental of an e-bike and helmet, along with a map of Rome, helps visitors navigate the city with ease. The entrance tickets to the Catacombs of St. Callixtus are included, allowing direct access to this historic underground site.

While the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible, it’s suitable for most travelers, with the exception of those with heart problems or other serious medical conditions.

Infant seats are available, making the tour family-friendly. With the tour’s proximity to public transportation, it’s an accessible option for those exploring Rome.

Pricing and Cancellation Policy

The tour is priced at €5,918.68 per person, offering a Lowest Price Guarantee. Customers can take advantage of free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, allowing for flexibility in their plans.

The tour includes:

• Security lock for the bicycle
• Map of Rome to navigate the ancient streets
• Rental of an e-bike, providing an effortless cycling experience
• Helmet rental for safety
• Entrance tickets to the captivating Catacombs of St. Callixtus

With these inclusions and the cancellation policy, the tour provides a well-rounded and accessible experience for visitors exploring the Ancient Appian Way and the underground catacombs of Rome.

Review and Host Response

According to the review, the overall experience received a rating of 3.0 out of 5 stars.

The reviewer noted that the guide was new but friendly and available. However, they chose the French audio guide, which led to a disappointing experience.

Plus, the tour didn’t include a visit to the catacombs, as promised, and instead only passed by them on the bicycle. The reviewer opted to shorten the tour by one hour, ultimately describing the experience as just average.

In response, the host apologized for the misunderstanding and emphasized that the catacomb visit requires a dedicated tour due to time constraints.

Worth The Stay

Cycling along the Ancient Appian Way is a captivating journey through Rome’s storied past. From the well-preserved ruins to the serene countryside, this tour immerses travelers in the city’s rich history. The highlight is the visit to the Catacombs of St. Callixtus, an underground network steeped in early Christian heritage. With e-bike rentals and guided expertise, this experience offers an unforgettable way to explore Roman engineering and culture.