Rome: Appian Way E-Bike Tour with Catacombs & Lunch

Ride Rome's Ancient Roads on an E-Bike, From Catacombs to Aqueducts

You ride an e-bike through Rome's Appian Way Natural Park, stopping to explore the Catacombs, pass Roman ruins like the Villa of Maxentius and Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella, and finish at the Aqueduct Park. Lunch with typical Roman dishes is included at a local spot, and the small group size means the guide can actually talk to you. You'll need good cycling experience and moderate fitness, but the e-bike motor handles the hills.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Appian Way and Aurelian Walls10m
2. Circus of Maxentius15m
3. Baths of Caracallapass by
4. Catacombs of Rome1h · entry included
5. Aqueduct Park20m

Explore Appian Way and Aqueducts

• Admire Arch of Drusus and city gate
• View Appian Way from Roman Walls Museum
• Stroll Villa of Emperor Maxentius
• Pass Baths of Caracalla ruins
• See Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella
• Visit Catacombs of Rome
• Discover Aqueduct Park remains
• Enjoy typical Roman food break

The experience

You clip into a full suspension e-bike at the start, and within minutes you're rolling down the Appian Way: the same stone road emperors once traveled. The route takes you past the Arch of Drusus and the Museum of the Roman Walls first, so you get your bearings from above before dropping into the park itself. It's a small group, which means the pace stays manageable and the guide can actually answer questions instead of herding you along.

The first real stop is the Catacombs: either Saint Callixtus or Saint Sebastian depending on the day (they close on Wednesdays). You walk underground through the early Christian burial chambers, and the guide explains what you're looking at without the usual museum audio-guide distance. Then you're back on the bikes, pedaling past the Villa of Maxentius and the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella, both massive enough that you feel the weight of the centuries even from the saddle. The e-bike motor takes the strain out of the climbs, so you can actually look around instead of just breathing hard.

Lunch happens at a local water bottling plant, not a restaurant, which is the whole point. You eat typical Roman dishes there, sitting in nature, and the food stop includes vegetarian and gluten-free options if you need them. After that, the Aqueduct Park is the final push: the remains of the Aqua Claudia and Aqua Felix rise up around you, and the whole afternoon has this strange quiet to it, like you've slipped out of the city without actually leaving.

You need solid cycling skills to join this one. It's not a leisurely pedal, and the terrain varies. The tour runs in the morning or afternoon depending on what you book, and if you're booking last-minute (less than 24 hours), it'll be in English unless the operator already has another language group scheduled. Helmets are provided, and the bikes come with full suspension, so the ride itself is smoother than you'd expect on ancient stone.

What’s included

Your day includes use of a full suspension e-bike with helmet, a live guide, entry to the Catacombs (except Christmas, Easter, and New Year's Day), lunch in the morning tour or aperitivo in the afternoon tour with vegetarian and gluten-free options available, and access to all stops along the Appian Way and Aqueduct Park.

Options for this experience

4 options

Group tour, without catacombs or foodGuide in 4 languages · 09:00 and 14:30Small group tour without catacombs or food. Length: 3 hours. The tour runs 3.5 hours. Full-suspension Cube e-bike. Last-minute booking: for tours booked less than 24 hours before the activity, the tour is automatically in English unless we already offer another language

Group tour, plus catacombs and foodGuide in 4 languages · 08:30 and 14:00Small group tour with catacombs and food included. Length: 5 hours. The tour runs 5 hours. Lunch or aperitivo. Full-suspension Cube e-bike. Last-minute booking: for tours booked less than 24 hours before the activity, the tour is automatically in English unless we already offer another language

Private, without catacombs or foodGuide in 4 languages · 09:00, 09:30, 14:00 and 14:30Private tour without catacombs or food. Length: 3 hours. The tour runs 3.5 hours. Full-suspension Cube e-bike

Private tour, plus catacombs and foodGuide in 4 languages · 08:30, 09:00 and 14:00Private tour with catacombs and food included. Length: 5 hours. The tour runs 5 hours. Lunch or aperitivo. Full-suspension Cube e-bike

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 14:30

Book up to6h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Under 12: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Customers have to arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the departure time of the tour The tour leaves at maximum 5 minutes after the departure time”

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 today

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by EsBikeTours

Is this one for you?Book this if you're comfortable on a bike and want to see Rome's ancient sites without the crowds of the city center: the e-bike and small group size are what make it possible to cover this much ground in one morning or afternoon without exhaustion.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Italian.

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.

Do I need to be an experienced cyclist?

Yes, you need good cycling skills and at least moderate physical fitness. The e-bike motor helps with climbs, but you're riding for several hours on varied terrain.

What happens if the Catacombs are closed?

The Catacombs close on Wednesdays (you'd visit Saint Sebastian instead of Saint Callixtus), and on Christmas, Easter, and New Year's Day. If those are also closed, the tour goes to the Catacombs of Domitilla.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Morning tours include lunch. Afternoon tours include an aperitivo. Both are served at a local water bottling plant, and vegetarian and gluten-free options are available.

What's the age requirement?

Children under 12 are not permitted on this tour.

Is this tour accessible for people with back problems?

No, it's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What if I book less than 24 hours before?

Tours booked within 24 hours run in English unless the operator already has availability in another language scheduled.

What's included in the price?

The e-bike, helmet, live guide, entry to the Catacombs, lunch or aperitivo, and access to all the sites along the route.

Can the food stop change?

Yes, the food stop location may change due to holidays or special events, but it's always included in the tour.