Christian Rome Private Tour: Papal Basilica/Catacombs/Appian way
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 7 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Christian Rome Private Tour: Papal Basilica/Catacombs/Appian way worth booking?
Christian Rome Private Tour: Papal Basilica/Catacombs/Appian way is a 4-hour experience in Rome, Italy, from $72 per person. It scores 65 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 7 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 65 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (7)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $72 per person
Discover Rome’s most interesting attractions, which most tourists miss. Go beneath the bustling city to the Catacombs of San Callisto, where you can see ancient tombs and artwork. Then along cobblestone streets and under
What you get
- Private transportation
- Hotel pick up/drop off
- Exploration of the Ancient Appian Way
- Entrance fees
- Guided group tour Catacombs of San Callisto
- Visit Chiesa del Domine Quo Vadis
About this experience
Discover Rome’s most interesting attractions, which most tourists miss. Go beneath the bustling city to the Catacombs of San Callisto, where you can see ancient tombs and artwork. Then along cobblestone streets and under aqueducts on the Appian Way, once considered one of the most important roads in the Roman Empire. Embark on an intriguing journey exploring the "Secrets Below Rome" with a private driver. Enjoy the convenience of hotel pick-up as you venture into the depths of Rome's history. Descend into these ancient underground burial sites, where early Christians once gathered and revered. Next, follow the path of ancient Romans along the storied Appian Way. Marvel at the remnants of this historic road, immersing yourself in the echoes of its past. With personalized transportation and insightful guidance, delve into the hidden narratives and lesser-known wonders that lie beneath Rome's surface.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Hotel pick up/drop off
- Exploration of the Ancient Appian Way
- Entrance fees
- Guided group tour Catacombs of San Callisto
- Visit Chiesa del Domine Quo Vadis
- Visit Basilica St Paul
Not included
- Food and drinks
What you'll see and do
Porta San Sebastiano
Originally known as the Porta Appia, the gate sat astride the Appian Way, the regina viarum (queen of the roads), which originated at the Porta Capena in the Servian Wall.
15 minutes here
Catacombe di San Callisto
The Catacombs of Rome (Italian: Catacombe di Roma) are ancient catacombs, underground burial places in and around Rome, of which there are at least forty, some rediscovered only in recent decades.
45 minutes here · Admission included
Appian Way (Via Appia Antica)
The Appian Way (Latin and Italian: Via Appia) is one of the earliest and strategically most important Roman roads of the ancient republic. It connected Rome to Brindisi, in southeast Italy. Its importance is indicated by its common name, recorded by Statius, of Appia longarum... regina viarum ("the Appian Way, the queen of the long roads"). The road is named after Appius Claudius Caecus, the Roman censor who began and completed the first section as a military road to the south in 312 BC during the Samnite Wars.
15 minutes here
Chiesa del Domine Quo Vadis
Santa Maria in Palmis also known as Chiesa del Domine Quo Vadis, is a small church southeast of Rome. It is located about some 800 m from Porta San Sebastiano, where the Via Ardeatina branches off the Appian Way, on the site where, according to the apocryphal Acts of Peter, Saint Peter met the risen Christ while Petrus was fleeing persecution in Rome. According to the tradition, Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?" (Latin: Domine, quo vadis?). Christ answered, "I am going to Rome to be crucified again"
15 minutes here
Villa di Massenzio
The Villa of Maxentius is an imperial villa in Rome, built by the Roman emperor Maxentius. The complex is located between the second and third miles of the ancient Appian Way, and consists of three main buildings: the palace, the circus of Maxentius and the dynastic mausoleum, designed in an inseparable architectural unit to honor Maxentius.
29 minutes here
The pyramid of Cestius is a Roman Era pyramid in Rome, Italy, near the Porta San Paolo and the Protestant Cemetery. It was built as a tomb for Gaius Cestius, a member of the Epulones religious corporation. Due to its incorporation into the city's fortifications, it is today one of the best-preserved ancient buildings in Rome.
15 minutes here · Admission not included
Basilica Papale Di San Paolo Fuori le Mura
The Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls (Italian: Basilica Papale di San Paolo fuori le Mura) is one of Rome's four major papal basilicas,[a] along with the basilicas of Saint John in the Lateran, Saint Peter's, and Saint Mary Major, as well as one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome.
25 minutes here
Giardino degli Aranci
The Orange Trees Garden is the name used in Rome to describe the Parco Savello. It is about 7,800 square meters and is located on the Aventine Hill. The park offers an excellent view of the city. The garden, as it is today, was designed in 1932 by Raffaele De Vico.
15 minutes here
Aventine
The Aventine Hill is the southernmost of Rome's seven hills.
15 minutes here
Circo Massimo
The Circus Maximus is an ancient Roman chariot-racing stadium and mass entertainment venue in Rome, Italy. In the valley between the Aventine and Palatine hills, it was the first and largest stadium in ancient Rome and its later Empire.
10 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 5 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
San Valentino
San Valentino Pickup included
Family/Group Tour
Minivan Pickup included
Jubilee 2025 Christian Rome Private Tour with Hotel Pickup
Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 7 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Eternal City Private and Guided Tours
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 7 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Traveler reviews
7 verified traveler reviews for Christian Rome Private Tour: Papal Basilica/Catacombs/Appian way. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great Experience
This was a great way to see parts of Rome off the beaten path. Stefano took my wife and I to sites outside the city wall. He explained many sites and waited while we toured the Catacombs and St Paul Basilica. He provided cold bottled water twice. He was did several drive by stops in route to all locations and explained each stop. His knowledge of his city was impressive.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much, Clarence, for your wonderful review! We’re very happy to hear that you and your wife enjoyed discovering some of Rome’s lesser-known treasures with Stefano. We’re especially pleased that you appreciated his knowledge, explanations, and thoughtful service throughout the tour. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you back to Rome again in the future!
via Viator
Perfect
★★★★★ Stefano made this tour truly exceptional. From the moment we were picked up in a very slick and comfortable Mercedes, we knew we were in for a wonderful experience. Stefano was incredibly kind, patient, and knowledgeable. His understanding of Roman history and architecture brought every site to life, from the catacombs and Appian Way to the beautiful churches and historic landmarks we visited. He took the time to explain what we were seeing and made the entire experience interesting and enjoyable. He was also an excellent and very safe driver, provided us with bottles of water, and made sure we were comfortable throughout the day. His warmth and attention to detail made the tour feel personal rather than rushed. We feel incredibly lucky to have experienced these remarkable sites, and even more fortunate that Stefano was the person who guided us through them. He truly made an amazing day in Rome even more memorable. We cannot recommend Stefano highly enough! ★★★★★ Stefano made this tour truly exceptional. From the moment he picked us up in a very elegant and comfortable Mercedes, we knew we were in for a wonderful experience. Stefano was incredibly kind, patient, and knowledgeable. His deep knowledge of Roman history and architecture brought every place we visited to life, from the catacombs and the Appian Way to the beautiful churches and historic monuments. He took the necessary time to explain what we were seeing, making the entire experience interesting and enjoyable. He was also an excellent and very safe driver, offered us bottles of water, and made sure we were comfortable throughout the day. His warmth and attention to detail made the tour personal and relaxed, never rushed. We feel incredibly lucky to have been able to visit these extraordinary places and even luckier to have had Stefano as our guide during this experience. He truly made a wonderful day in Rome even more memorable. We could not recommend Stefano more highly!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for this incredible review! We’re truly delighted to hear that Stefano made your Christian Rome tour such a special and memorable experience. It’s wonderful to know that you appreciated not only his knowledge of Rome’s history and architecture, but also his kindness, patience, safe driving, and attention to every detail throughout the day. We’re especially happy that the experience felt personal, comfortable, and never rushed. We will be very pleased to share your generous words with Stefano. Thank you again for choosing us and for recommending him so highly. We hope to welcome you back to Rome for another unforgettable experience!
via Viator (translated)
Wonderful tour of Roman Christianity
Truly interesting tour!! The driver Stefano was very knowledgeable and professional. It is an experience that I highly recommend.
Response from the operator: Grazie mille per la splendida recensione! Siamo davvero felici che il tour della Roma Cristiana sia stato interessante e coinvolgente e che Stefano abbia contribuito a rendere l’esperienza piacevole con la sua preparazione e professionalità. La vostra raccomandazione ci fa molto piacere e speriamo di potervi accogliere nuovamente a Roma per un’altra esperienza speciale!
via Tripadvisor (translated)
The best time ever with Eternal City Tours
Our driver Stefano was prompt, courteous, and accommodated every request we had! He used his knowledge of the city and sites that we wanted to visit to make our day easy and fun. We were able to tour all the basilicas we wanted and go through the Holy Doors for the Jubilee year. Even though we were hampered by a foot injury, Stefano found a way to easily get us into every site with minimal difficulty. We were so very well cared for - it was an exceptional experience. Stefano found us a charming restaurant to eat before returning to our hotel at the airport. He also made time to help us with some personal errands! This is the second time we have used eternal city tours and we will not use anyone else on any future trips! For comfort, personalization, and value you will find none better!
Response from the operator: Wow, thank you so much for your incredible review! We are absolutely thrilled to hear that you had the best time ever on your Jubilee 2025 Christian Rome Private Tour with Eternal City Tours! It's wonderful to know that our guide, Stefano, was prompt, courteous, and went above and beyond to accommodate your requests. We pride ourselves on the professionalism and knowledge of our drivers, and we're particularly delighted that Stefano was able to navigate the basilicas, Holy Doors, and even your personal errands with such care and ease, especially with your foot injury. Finding ways to ensure minimal difficulty and maximum enjoyment is what we strive for. Thank you also for highlighting the charming restaurant and the smooth transfer back to your airport hotel. We are truly honored that this is your second time choosing Eternal City Tours, and your endorsement that we offer the best in comfort, personalization, and value means the world to us. We look forward to welcoming you back for all your future trips to Rome!
via Tripadvisor
Great experience.
This was a GREAT EXPERIENCE. The tour was the best one we had in Rome the detail was explicit. The driver we had was experienced / knowledgeable and exceptional to work with.
Response from the operator: Thanks for sharing your review! It sounds like you had a wonderful time on the Jubilee 2025 Christian Rome Private Tour. It's great to hear that the driver was experienced, knowledgeable, and made the tour so special for you.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 12+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $72 to $186
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 65
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Christian Rome Private Tour: Papal Basilica/Catacombs/Appian way: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Rome.
How much does Christian Rome Private Tour: Papal Basilica/Catacombs/Appian way cost?
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Prices start at $72 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Rome usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Christian Rome Private Tour: Papal Basilica/Catacombs/Appian way take?
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Plan for about 4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Rome is not rushed.
Is Christian Rome Private Tour: Papal Basilica/Catacombs/Appian way worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 65 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 7 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Rome, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Christian Rome Private Tour: Papal Basilica/Catacombs/Appian way?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Christian Rome Private Tour: Papal Basilica/Catacombs/Appian way suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 12. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 4-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Christian Rome Private Tour: Papal Basilica/Catacombs/Appian way?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Rome can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Rome and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Christian Rome Private Tour: Papal Basilica/Catacombs/Appian way start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Rome within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Rome?
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Rome runs on skip-the-line access. The Colosseum underground, the Vatican before opening, and the catacombs south of the walls all require a licensed operator, and the price gap between the good ones and the rest is smaller than you would expect. We rank by guide credentials, group size and how reliably the promised access actually materialises. On Outty we rank every Rome experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Rome Pasta and Tiramisu Class: Ravioli, Fettuccine & Fine Wine 5*, Pasta Making & Wine Tasting with Dinner in Frascati from Rome, Rome: Pizza & Tiramisu or Gelato Class with Flowing Fine Wine 5*. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Rome?
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April, May, September and October. August is hot and half the city is shut. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Rome?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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