Rome: San Clemente Basilica & Ancient Underground Secrets Tour
Rome, Italy

Rome: San Clemente Basilica & Ancient Underground Secrets Tour

Outty Ranking 52 3.5 · 13 traveler reviews0.8 hoursFrom $11
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Outty Ranking

52/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

3.5/5

Based on 13 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Rome: San Clemente Basilica & Ancient Underground Secrets Tour worth booking?

Rome: San Clemente Basilica & Ancient Underground Secrets Tour is a 0.8-hour experience in Rome, Italy, from $11 per person. It scores 52 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.5/5 rating across 13 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
52 / 100
Rating
3.5/5 (13)
Duration
0.8 hours
From
$11 per person

Discover one of Rome’s most captivating hidden gems with a self-guided audio tour of the Basilica of San Clemente and its extraordinary archaeological excavations. Just steps from the Colosseum, this site unveils over 2,000 years of history, layered beneath your feet. With your audio guide, explore freely and at your own pace. Begin in the magnificent 12th-century basilica, where shimmering mosaics and medieval frescoes adorn the walls. Then venture below to a 4thcentury Christian basilica and, even deeper, an atmospheric Mithraeum — a pagan temple used for ancient rituals. Wander through ancient rooms and passageways, marvel at the preserved ruins, and imagine life in Rome across the centuries. Your audio guide offers rich storytelling, bringing each space to life while giving you the freedom to linger and explore at your own pac Don’t miss this unique opportunity to delve into Rome’s hidden underground world. Book your San Clemente audio tour today — the Eternal City’s secrets await!

What you get

    About this experience

    Discover one of Rome’s most captivating hidden gems with a self-guided audio tour of the Basilica of San Clemente and its extraordinary archaeological excavations. Just steps from the Colosseum, this site unveils over 2,000 years of history, layered beneath your feet. With your audio guide, explore freely and at your own pace. Begin in the magnificent 12th-century basilica, where shimmering mosaics and medieval frescoes adorn the walls. Then venture below to a 4thcentury Christian basilica and, even deeper, an atmospheric Mithraeum — a pagan temple used for ancient rituals. Wander through ancient rooms and passageways, marvel at the preserved ruins, and imagine life in Rome across the centuries. Your audio guide offers rich storytelling, bringing each space to life while giving you the freedom to linger and explore at your own pac Don’t miss this unique opportunity to delve into Rome’s hidden underground world. Book your San Clemente audio tour today — the Eternal City’s secrets await!

    What's included

    Included

    • Visit of the Third Level - Archaeological Excavations, including the ancient Mithraeum
    • Visit of the Upper Basilica of San Clemente (12th century)
    • Audio guide app available in: English - Spanish - French - German - Italian
    • Audio guide app with 22 listening points to explore the site in depth
    • Visit of the First Basilica level (4th century)
    • Skip-the-line ticket for the archaeological site

    Not included

    • Food & Drink unless specified
    • Gratuities
    • Transportation from/to the attraction
    • Tour guide

    What you'll see and do

    1. Basilica of San Clemente

      The Basilica of San Clemente is one of Rome’s most fascinating hidden gems, a true time capsule layered with over two millennia of history. Just a short walk from the Colosseum, this site allows visitors to descend through three distinct levels of Roman life. The 12th-century upper basilica features beautiful medieval frescoes and stunning mosaics. Beneath it lies a 4th-century Christian basilica, its faded yet evocative frescoes telling stories of early Christianity. Descend further and you’ll find a 1st-century Roman house and an extraordinary Mithraeum, a temple dedicated to the god Mithras, complete with an altar and intricate carvings. As you explore these underground chambers, you witness the city’s evolution from pagan worship to Christian devotion. The site’s intimate, mysterious atmosphere offers a unique glimpse into Rome’s layered past. San Clemente is a must-visit for those eager to experience Rome’s rich, multi-layered history, where every stone whispers ancient stories.

      60 minutes here · Admission included

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Rome

    The meeting point is at our travel agency, located at: Via Labicana 96, Rome — just a few steps from San Clemente Basilica and the Colosseum. Our friendly staff will be waiting to welcome you at the agency and assist you before and after your tour begins.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Returns to the starting point

    Options you can book

    • AUDIO GUIDE APP ONLY

      NOT TICKETS INCLUDED : With this option, TICKET TO THE EXCAVATIONS of San Clemente are NOT INCLUDED! AUDIO GUIDE APP : Audio guide app available in: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, with 22 listening points

    • Ticket + Audio Guide

      Ticket + Audio Guide: THIS OPTION INCLUDES TICKET AND AUDIO GUIDE

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    de, en, it, fr, es
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 14 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Tour In Rome by Tour in the City

    Know before you go

    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • A dress code is required to enter all the churches: knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women.
    • PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED
    • To download and use the app, we recommend using a smartphone produced in 2020 or later.
    • Headphones are recommended for optimal audio quality — bring your own.
    • Please arrive at the meeting point at least 20 minutes before your scheduled entry time.

    Photos

    Rome: San Clemente Basilica & Ancient Underground Secrets Tour, photo 2Rome: San Clemente Basilica & Ancient Underground Secrets Tour, photo 3Rome: San Clemente Basilica & Ancient Underground Secrets Tour, photo 4Rome: San Clemente Basilica & Ancient Underground Secrets Tour, photo 5Rome: San Clemente Basilica & Ancient Underground Secrets Tour, photo 6Rome: San Clemente Basilica & Ancient Underground Secrets Tour, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 13 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    7 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    4 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Pace and timing

    2 mentions

    Several reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.

    Traveler reviews

    13 verified traveler reviews for Rome: San Clemente Basilica & Ancient Underground Secrets Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    7
    4 star
    1
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    2
    1 star
    3
    Sort
    Sue_B · September 2026

    The basilica was under...

    The basilica was under complete construction and was not worth the price of entrance. It would have been cheaper to buy an entrance ticket when we arrived at the church.

    via Viator

    Michael_L · September 2026

    Rome Basilica di San Clemente self guided tour (audio only)

    In Rome, we went to the Basilica di San Clemente and the self guided audio only tour. It was an excellent experience and it was really helpful having any information because we didn’t want to spend a huge amount of time but wanted some information. He ended up doing about a 45 minute tour, which was perfect. The audio only allowed us to skip ahead if we wanted to or play something over if you wanted to hear it again. One thing that could’ve been better is that we had to stop at the office to have the team (who were very helpful and gave us bottles of water) to help me download the app and get things set up for the particular tour. It would’ve been better if you had an easier way to simply have that app downloaded after I’ve made my purchase.

    Response from the operator: Thank you for your detailed and thoughtful review! We are delighted that you enjoyed the Basilica of San Clemente and found the audio guide flexible and informative, allowing you to explore at your own pace, skip sections or replay the content whenever needed. We also appreciate your comments about the app installation. The stop at our office allows our team to verify the booking, provide the necessary access details and ensure that the audio guide is correctly downloaded and working before the visit. We are pleased that our staff were helpful and that you appreciated the bottles of water. Nevertheless, we understand that an easier and more immediate download process would improve the experience, and we will certainly take your suggestion into consideration. Thank you again for choosing us!

    via Viator

    David_H · May 2026

    Daniel at the travel...

    Daniel at the travel agency was very helpful in setting all of us up on the digital app so we could do the self guided tour of the Basilica.

    Response from the operator: Thank you very much for your kind words! We are really happy to hear that Daniel was helpful in assisting you with the app setup and that you enjoyed discovering the Basilica through the self-guided experience. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you again in Rome soon!

    via Viator

    Melissa_R · May 2026

    Easy, Self-Guided Audio Tour with Good Information

    It was a good audio tour of the underground area. Lots of history and good information. Picking up the tickets was very easy.

    Response from the operator: Thank you for your kind review! We're glad you found the audio tour informative and easy to follow, and that the ticket collection process was smooth. San Clemente’s underground layers are truly fascinating, and it’s great to hear you enjoyed discovering their history. We hope to welcome you again on another experience in Rome!

    via Viator

    X1690PKfredericd · April 2026

    Audioguide

    Unfortunately I was unable to pick up the audio guide before the visit to the basilica because I was late, but the Tour in the city provider was very understanding and reimbursed me.

    Response from the operator: Merci pour votre retour. Nous sommes désolés d’apprendre que vous n’avez pas pu récupérer l’audioguide en raison de votre retard. Cependant, nous sommes ravis de savoir que le prestataire, Tour in the City, a fait preuve de compréhension et a procédé au remboursement. Si vous avez d’autres questions ou besoin d’assistance à l’avenir, n’hésitez pas à nous contacter.

    via Tripadvisor (translated)

    Good to know

    Duration
    0.8 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $11 to $28
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    5
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Tour In Rome by Tour in the City, who run 36 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 52.3.

    See everything Tour In Rome by Tour in the City runs

    Why this scores 52

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)42
    Review evidence (18% weight)36
    Booking momentum (14% weight)28
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)0
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Rome: San Clemente Basilica & Ancient Underground Secrets Tour: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Rome.

    How much does Rome: San Clemente Basilica & Ancient Underground Secrets Tour cost?

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    Prices start at $11 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 Rome: San Clemente Basilica & Ancient Underground Secrets Tour take?

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    Plan for about 0.8 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 Rome: San Clemente Basilica & Ancient Underground Secrets Tour worth it?

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    It holds an Outty Ranking of 52 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.5/5 across 13 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 Rome: San Clemente Basilica & Ancient Underground Secrets Tour?

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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 Rome: San Clemente Basilica & Ancient Underground Secrets Tour suitable for kids and families?

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    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 0.8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Rome: San Clemente Basilica & Ancient Underground Secrets Tour?

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    Around 5 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 0.8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Rome: San Clemente Basilica & Ancient Underground Secrets Tour 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 Pizza & Gelato Class with Wine by Cooking Italy, Rome [4in1] Pasta Making_Tiramisù_Wine Tasting_Secret Cellar, Rome Pasta and Tiramisu Class: Ravioli, Fettuccine & 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.

    What is included in Rome: San Clemente Basilica & Ancient Underground Secrets Tour?

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    Included: Visit of the Third Level - Archaeological Excavations, including the ancient Mithraeum; Visit of the Upper Basilica of San Clemente (12th century); Audio guide app available in: English - Spanish - French - German - Italian; Audio guide app with 22 listening points to explore the site in depth; and Visit of the First Basilica level (4th century). Not included: Food & Drink unless specified; Gratuities; Transportation from/to the attraction; and Tour guide. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for Rome: San Clemente Basilica & Ancient Underground Secrets Tour?

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    The meeting point is at our travel agency, located at: Via Labicana 96, Rome — just a few steps from San Clemente Basilica and the Colosseum. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is Rome: San Clemente Basilica & Ancient Underground Secrets Tour offered in?

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    It is offered in German, English, Italian, French and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Rome: San Clemente Basilica & Ancient Underground Secrets Tour?

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    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    What happens to Rome: San Clemente Basilica & Ancient Underground Secrets Tour if the weather is bad?

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    It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Rome. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.

    What do travelers say about Rome: San Clemente Basilica & Ancient Underground Secrets Tour?

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    Across 13 reviews averaging 3.5 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Several reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.

    What booking options are available for Rome: San Clemente Basilica & Ancient Underground Secrets Tour?

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    There are 2 options to choose from, including AUDIO GUIDE APP ONLY, Ticket + Audio Guide. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

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