Roman Catacombs tour from Rome: 90 minutes underground with guide

Four levels of underground Rome in a single afternoon: crypts, frescoes, a subterranean basilica, and back to the city center

A small-group guided tour of Rome's Catacombs takes you 16 meters underground into the Domitilla labyrinth on four levels, where you see ancient wall-paintings and the 4th-century Basilica of Nereus and Achilleus with a live guide in your language. Private transfer from a central meeting point and luggage storage are included. The whole experience runs 90 minutes from start to return.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Roman Catacombs and return

• Meet guide near office
• Access free WiFi and leave luggage
• Descend 16 meters underground
• Explore Catacombs labyrinth
• View ancient wall-paintings and frescoes
• Learn about early Christian history
• Visit Basilica of Nereus and Achilleus
• Return to city center by minivan

The experience

You have a free afternoon in Rome and no car. The tour picks you up at a meeting point 20 meters from the office: leave your luggage there, grab the free WiFi, and step into a minivan with no more than 10 other people. The driver takes you outside the city center to the Catacombs of Domitilla, where the real day starts: a descent 16 meters below street level into the burial chambers that early Christians carved into the volcanic rock.

Your guide leads you through the accessible part of the labyrinth, which spreads across four levels. You move through underground corridors lined with wall-paintings (mythological figures, biblical scenes, religious symbols), and hear the story of how faith shifted from paganism to Christianity in Rome, and what it meant to believe in secret. The frescoes are still there, still legible. You end in the 4th-century Basilica of Nereus and Achilleus, a subterranean church built into the stone itself. Then back to the minivan and downtown again. The whole thing takes 90 minutes from meeting point to return.

The guide speaks your language (English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, or one of two others), and uses a sterilised headset so everyone hears clearly even in the echoing passages. All entrance fees and transport are included. If you travel with an infant, specialized seats are available. Service animals are welcome.

What’s included

• Private minivan transfer from the meeting point to the Catacombs and back to downtown Rome.
• luggage storage at the office for the duration of the tour.
• all entrance fees to the Catacombs.
• full on-site assistance from your guide.
• sterilised headsets so you hear clearly in the underground passages.

Options for this experience

17 options

Group of up to 16 people in German10:15 and 14:30Choose this option for a 1.5-hour shared tour with transfer for a group of 16 participants, led by a German-speaking guide.

Group of up to 16 people in Italian10:15 and 14:30Choose this option for a 1.5-hour shared tour with transfer for a group of 16 participants, led by an Italian-speaking guide.

Group of up to 16 people in PortugueseAvailable from 20 Dec · 10:15Choose this option for a 1.5-hour shared tour with transfer for a group of 16 participants, led by an Italian-speaking guide.

See 14 more options

Group of up to 16 people in SpanishAvailable from 21 Jan 2027Choose this option for a 1.5-hour shared tour with transfer for a group of 16 participants, led by a Spanish guide.

Group of up to 16 people in English10:15 and 14:30Choose this option for a 1.5-hour shared tour with transfer for a group of 16 participants, led by an English guide.

Group of up to 16 people in French10:15 and 14:30Choose this option for a 1.5-hour shared tour with transfer for a group of 16 participants, led by a French guide.

Group of up to 10 people in French10:15 and 14:30Choose this option for a 1.5-hour shared tour with transfer for a group of 10 participants, led by a French-speaking guide.

Group of up to 10 people in German10:15 and 14:30Choose this option for a 1.5-hour shared tour with transfer for a group of 10 participants, led by a German-speaking guide.

Group of up to 10 people in SpanishAvailable from 21 Jan 2027Choose this option for a 1.5-hour shared tour with transfer for a group of 10 participants, led by a Spanish-speaking guide.

Group of up to 10 people in English10:15 and 14:30Choose this option for a 1.5-hour shared tour with transfer for a group of 10 participants, led by an English-speaking guide.

Group of up to 10 people in Italian10:15 and 14:30Choose this option for a 1.5-hour shared tour with transfer for a group of 10 participants, led by an Italian-speaking guide.

English-language private tour09:00, 10:00 and 15:00Choose this option for a private guided tour lasting 1.5 hours, with transfer, led by an English-speaking guide.

Italian-language private tour09:00, 10:00 and 15:00Choose this option for a private guided tour lasting 1.5 hours, with transfer, led by an Italian-speaking guide.

Portuguese-language private tour09:00, 10:00 and 15:00Choose this option for a private guided tour lasting 1.5 hours, with transfer, led by a Portuguese-speaking guide.

French-language private tour09:00, 10:00 and 15:00Choose this option for a private guided tour lasting 1.5 hours, with transfer, led by a French-speaking guide.

German-language private tour09:00, 10:00 and 15:00Choose this option for a private guided tour lasting 1.5 hours, with transfer, led by a German-speaking guide.

Spanish-language private tour09:00, 10:00 and 15:00Choose this option for a private guided tour lasting 1.5 hours, with transfer, led by a Spanish-speaking guide.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Tuesday5 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 15:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (6 to 15 years) · Infant (under 6)

GroupUp to 15

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

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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by TOURIKS

Is this one for you?Book the small-group tour if you want a guide focused on your questions throughout the visit. Choose private if you're traveling with family or friends and want the passages to yourselves.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

In English, French, German and Italian, with 5 departure times. In Portuguese, at 09:00, 10:00, 10:15 and 15:00. In Spanish, at 09:00, 10:00 and 15:00.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 15 years); Infant (under 6).

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.

How deep underground do you actually go in the Catacombs of Rome?

The Catacombs of Domitilla descend 16 meters below the surface, and the tour explores the accessible part of the labyrinth across all four levels where the burial chambers and frescoes are located.

What will I see inside the Roman Catacombs?

You'll see ancient wall-paintings of mythological and biblical figures, the religious symbolism carved into the stone, and the 4th-century Basilica of Nereus and Achilleus: a subterranean church built into the catacombs themselves.

Is there a maximum group size on this tour?

The tour runs with a maximum of 10 participants in a small group, or you can book a private tour if you prefer to go with only your own party.

How long is the whole tour, including travel time?

The entire experience takes 90 minutes from the moment you meet your guide at the office to when you return to the city center, including private transport both ways.

Can I leave my belongings somewhere while I'm underground?

Yes, luggage storage is included at the office near the meeting point for the duration of the tour, and there's free WiFi available while you wait.