Rome Bike Tour: Appian Way, Catacombs & Aqueducts

Ride the Queen of the Roads on a route that's 60% traffic-free.

This bike tour of Rome's Ancient Appian Way takes you through rural countryside and archaeological sites on a quality bike or e-bike, with a professional guide in your chosen language. The 4-hour version covers the Aurelian Walls, Appian Way, Circus of Maxentius and Tomb of Caecilia Metella. The 6-hour tour adds a 45-minute guided visit inside the 2nd-century San Callisto catacombs and the Villa of the Quintilii. Groups stay under 10 people. About 60% of the 27-kilometer route runs off-road through parks with no traffic. The remaining 40% uses carefully chosen city streets to connect the sites.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Appian Way and Aurelian Walls10m
2. Catacombs of Rome10m
3. Villa of the Quintilii10m
4. Aqueduct Park1h
5. Baths of Caracalla10m

Explore Ancient Appian Way and Ruins

• Marvel at Porta di San Sebastiano
• Ride on the Ancient Appian Way
• Pause at burial site (4-hour tour)
• Visit 2nd-century catacombs (6-hour tour)
• Stop at Imperial Villa and Circus ruins
• See the Tomb of Caecilia Metella
• Visit Villa of the Quintilii (6-hour tour)
• Explore Aqueduct Park
• View Baths of Caracalla (6-hour tour)
• Bike through countryside island in Rome

The experience

You start at the Porta di San Sebastiano, a gate built into Rome's 3rd-century defensive walls, then ride onto the Appian Way itself: the Regina Viarum, or Queen of the Roads, laid down in the 4th century BC and stretching all the way to Brindisi. Your guide leads you through a mix of ancient ruins and open countryside that feels far removed from the city: the Circus of Maxentius, a private chariot racetrack from the 4th century AD; the Tomb of Caecilia Metella, the largest mausoleum on the road; and the sprawling Aqueduct Park, where arches of ancient water systems still stand across green fields.

The 6-hour tour includes a 45-minute guided descent into the San Callisto catacombs, where you walk through 2nd-century burial chambers that held half a million souls. On Wednesdays, you visit San Sebastiano instead. The longer tour also stops at the Villa of the Quintilii, a 2nd-century estate so grand it caught the envy of Emperor Commodus, and a view of the Baths of Caracalla. The 4-hour version pauses at the catacombs entrance but does not go inside (except on Wednesdays, when that stop is skipped entirely). Either way, you cover roughly 17 miles, with your helmet and bike (or e-bike, if you choose that option) provided. Water is included. Food and drinks are not, though the route passes spots where you can buy them during a break.

The guide speaks your chosen language (English, Spanish, Italian, French or one of two others), and keeps the group small enough that you get personal attention. The route is intermediate in difficulty, and the bike equipment is rated for riders up to 300 pounds. Children from age 1 can join: infants in a child seat ride free; kids 5–8 use a child extension; kids 9 and up ride their own appropriately sized bike. On Wednesdays and between mid-January and mid-February, the tour may run about half an hour longer due to route changes.

What’s included

• Professional guide in your chosen language.
• premium bike or e-bike with anti-puncture tires and comfortable saddle.
• helmet.
• handlebar bag.
• biodegradable water bottle.
• 45-minute guided catacombs visit (6-hour tour only).

Options for this experience

24 options

4-hour Italian-language tour by regular bike09:30Catacombs not included

4-hour Spanish-language tour by regular bike09:30Catacombs not included

4-hour French-language tour by regular bike09:30Catacombs not included

See 21 more options

4-hour German-language tour by regular bike09:30Catacombs not included

4-hour Dutch-language tour by regular bike09:30Catacombs not included

4-hour English-language tour by regular bike09:30Catacombs not included

4-hour German-language tour by e-bike09:30Catacombs not included

4-hour English-language tour by e-bike09:30Catacombs not included

4-hour Spanish-language tour by e-bike09:30Catacombs not included

4-hour Italian-language tour by e-bike09:30Catacombs not included

4-hour French-language tour by e-bike09:30Catacombs not included

4-hour Dutch-language tour by e-bike09:30Catacombs not included

6-hour Dutch-language tour by regular bike09:00Catacombs included

6-hour English-language tour by regular bike09:00Catacombs included

6-hour German-language tour by regular bike09:00Catacombs included

6-hour Spanish-language tour by regular bike09:00Catacombs included

6-hour French-language tour by regular bike09:00Catacombs included

6-hour Italian-language tour by regular bike09:00Catacombs included

6-hour Dutch-language tour by e-bike09:00Catacombs included

6-hour French-language tour by e-bike09:00Catacombs included

6-hour Spanish-language tour by e-bike09:00Catacombs included

6-hour Italian-language tour by e-bike09:00Catacombs included

6-hour German-language tour by e-bike09:00Catacombs included

6-hour English-language tour by e-bike09:00Catacombs included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 09:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Youth (9 to 11 years) · Child (5 to 8 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years): free

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Dutch

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by TopBike Rental and Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the 4-hour tour if you have a free afternoon and want the main Appian Way sites without the catacombs visit. Pick the 6-hour version if you want to descend into the 2nd-century burial chambers and see the Villa of the Quintilii. The e-bike option suits riders who want to cover the distance with less physical effort, while the regular bike works well for anyone comfortable with intermediate cycling.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Dutch.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (9 to 11 years); Child (5 to 8 years); Infant (1 to 4 years): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between the 4-hour and 6-hour bike tour?

The 4-hour tour covers the Appian Way, Aurelian Walls, Circus of Maxentius and Tomb of Caecilia Metella, plus a pause at the catacombs entrance. The 6-hour tour includes all of those plus a 45-minute guided walk inside the San Callisto catacombs, the Villa of the Quintilii and a view of the Baths of Caracalla.

How much of this bike tour is on city streets versus off-road?

About 60% of the 27-kilometer route runs off-road through parks and countryside with no traffic. The remaining 40% uses city streets to connect the Appian Way Park to the Aqueducts Park, though the operator chooses these routes to minimize traffic exposure.

Can I ride a regular bike or do I have to use an e-bike?

You choose at checkout: the tour runs with either a premium regular bike or an e-bike, both with anti-puncture tires, a comfortable saddle and a handlebar bag. The e-bike option is available for all tour lengths and languages.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes a professional guide, helmet, premium bike or e-bike, handlebar bag and a biodegradable water bottle. The 6-hour tour adds a guided visit inside the catacombs. Food and drinks are not included, but the route passes places where you can buy them during a break.

Is this tour safe if I'm not an experienced cyclist?

The tour is rated intermediate difficulty and follows carefully planned routes with limited or no traffic on 60% of the ride. The operator requires all riders to wear a helmet, provided free. Riders should have at least moderate fitness. The tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers.