Rome: Underground Secrets and Mysteries Private Tour
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 20 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Rome: Underground Secrets and Mysteries Private Tour worth booking?
Rome: Underground Secrets and Mysteries Private Tour is a 3-hour experience in Rome, Italy, from €45 per person. It scores 73 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 20 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 73 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (20)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- €45 per person
The Basilica of San Clemente in Rome is a remarkable site, known for its unique architectural structure that spans multiple historical layers, reflecting nearly 2,000 years of Roman history. Located near the Colosseum, San Clemente is one of the best examples of Rome’s stratified history, with a 12th-century basilica built over a 4th-century Christian church, which itself was constructed atop a 1st-century Roman building complex. The Caelian Hill is one of the seven hills on which ancient Rome was founded. The Roman Houses on the Celio Hill are an extraordinary archaeological site located beneath the Basilica of Santi Giovanni e Paolo on Rome's Celio Hill. These houses provide a rare glimpse into ancient Roman domestic life, showcasing a complex of well-preserved residences from different periods, complete with stunning frescoes and architectural features.
What you get
About this experience
The Basilica of San Clemente in Rome is a remarkable site, known for its unique architectural structure that spans multiple historical layers, reflecting nearly 2,000 years of Roman history. Located near the Colosseum, San Clemente is one of the best examples of Rome’s stratified history, with a 12th-century basilica built over a 4th-century Christian church, which itself was constructed atop a 1st-century Roman building complex. The Caelian Hill is one of the seven hills on which ancient Rome was founded. The Roman Houses on the Celio Hill are an extraordinary archaeological site located beneath the Basilica of Santi Giovanni e Paolo on Rome's Celio Hill. These houses provide a rare glimpse into ancient Roman domestic life, showcasing a complex of well-preserved residences from different periods, complete with stunning frescoes and architectural features.
What's included
Included
- San Clemente entrance ticket
- 3 hours guided tour
- Professional blue badge guide
- Private Tour
- Roman houses on the Celio Hill entrance ticket
Not included
- Food And Drinks
What you'll see and do
Case Romane Del Celio
The Roman Houses on the Celio Hill (Case Romane del Celio) are an extraordinary archaeological site located beneath the Basilica of Santi Giovanni e Paolo on Rome's Celio Hill. These houses provide a rare glimpse into ancient Roman domestic life, showcasing a complex of well-preserved residences from different periods, complete with stunning frescoes and architectural features.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Caelian Hill
The Caelian Hill is one of the seven hills on which ancient Rome was founded. Though often overshadowed by its more famous counterparts like the Palatine or Capitoline Hills, the Caelian Hill is steeped in history and has been home to a range of important religious, political, and residential buildings over the centuries.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Basilica of San Clemente
The Basilica of San Clemente in Rome is a remarkable site, known for its unique architectural structure that spans multiple historical layers, reflecting nearly 2,000 years of Roman history. Located near the Colosseum, San Clemente is one of the best examples of Rome’s stratified history, with a 12th-century basilica built over a 4th-century Christian church, which itself was constructed atop a 1st-century Roman building complex. In our tour we can explore this multilayered history, descending through the centuries.
90 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Rome
Your guide will wait you in front of "Basilica San Clemente", in Piazza di San Clemente, Roma. The guide will hold a board with your name on it
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Options you can book
Pick up Included
Duration: 3 hours 15 minutes Pickup included
Pick up and Drop Off Included
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes Pickup included
Meeting on Site
Duration: 3 hours
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
- Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Kai Travel
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 20 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
20 verified traveler reviews for Rome: Underground Secrets and Mysteries Private Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Serena was an amazing guide for our Underground Rome tour!
Serena was an amazing guide for our Underground Rome tour! She was especially wonderful with our 10-year-old—engaging, knowledgeable, and great at keeping our whole family of three interested throughout San Clemente and the Case Romane del Celio. She also gave us an excellent lunch recommendation and knew all the “secret AC” spots to help us stay cool. We highly recommend Serena for families!
Response from the operator: Dear Garret, Thank you so much for your wonderful 5-star review! We are delighted to hear that Serena made your Underground Rome experience so special, especially for your 10-year-old. We will be sure to share your kind words with her — she will be thrilled! We are also happy that her lunch recommendation and her “secret AC” spots helped make your visit more comfortable during the hot Roman summer! Thank you again for choosing Kai Travel and for recommending Serena to other families. We hope to welcome you all back to Rome with open arms on your next visit! Warmest regards, Ruth by Kai Travel
via Tripadvisor
A tour worth booking
It was my first time visiting Rome and this great tour really inspired me to use my imagination and dive into a different historical time. This would not have been possible without our guide Alessandro whose professionalism and passion made every detail interesting and easy to understand. I can highly recommend to anyone who would like to have a short break from the commercial sightseeing spots and feel like an explorer of the Underworld of Ancient Rome instead!
Response from the operator: Thank you for your feedback. I will pass your kind words on Alessandro, he will definitely be enjoyed by them. I really appreciate your review, as it helps us to improve our service. Hope to see you soon back to Rome. I wish you a nice day and happy 2020! Regards
via Tripadvisor
Great Tour
Learned a deal. Guide was knowledgeable. Kept us engaged. Provided in-depth look into history of churches, gladiators and so much more!!
Response from the operator: Dear Brian thank you so much for your feedback. We so enthusiastic to read how much you enjoyed the experience with my colleague Alessandro. He is very expert archeologist and owns a deep knowledge of Rome and Italy as well. He is so expert of Ancient Rome and Underground that is aim is to share with each member of his groups, all he has learned about the past. Hope to see you back to Rome in the next future, Have a lovely day
via Tripadvisor
Unbelievable!
What an incredible experience to really see the real ancient rome away from the crowds. This was such a delight in that the places we went to we had to ourselves and the opportunity to explore as well as really soak in the experience. Alessandro was amazing and his archeological experience bought it even more to life. It was wonderful sifting through the 'fiction' to the facts as well as being able to see Rome as the empire it was. If you want to avoid the crowds and deepen your knowledge of Rome and get off the tourist track this tour is a MUST!
via Viator
Stories, History, Passion -
Allessandro combines amazing detail and passion as he takes you down below street level on this awesome tour. He goes out of his way to bring history to life - he started his tour saying "I'm going to ask you many times to use your imagination" - however - he is so well prepared and knowledgable that what you find yourself doing is actually 'being there' in the past. The destinations are rich - visually and historically. What I also liked was as we walked along to the destinations he was able to speak about other things along the route - I was really impressed by the Ludus Magnus outside the Colosseum and how he explained its structure and function - this was a bonus! Allessandro is a lovely host, intellectually curious, engaging and is really interested to know what you think and feel about what you are seeing as well. Subsequent to this tour i joined a longer multi city tour throughout Italy - the 'local experts' engaged by that tour company were superficial compared to Allessandro. It is rare to spend time with someone who lives and breathes this stuffand invests time to go into the detail - and he is a cool guy as well! Highly recommended for something more substantial and the history buffs.
Response from the operator: Dear Greg, thank you so much for your review. We so enthusiastic to read how much you enjoyed the experience with my colleague Alessandro. He is very expert archeologist and owns a deep knowledge of Rome and Italy as well. Thank you for putting everything in such details and helping other guest to prepared before going. Hope to see you back to Rome in the next future, Have a lovely day
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat
- Price range
- €45 to €795
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 7
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Kai Travel, who run 19 experiences we rank across 4 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 52.2.
See everything Kai Travel runsWhy this scores 73
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Rome: Underground Secrets and Mysteries Private Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Rome.
How much does Rome: Underground Secrets and Mysteries Private Tour cost?
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Prices start at €45 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: Underground Secrets and Mysteries Private Tour take?
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Plan for about 3 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: Underground Secrets and Mysteries Private Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 73 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 20 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: Underground Secrets and Mysteries Private 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: Underground Secrets and Mysteries Private Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Rome: Underground Secrets and Mysteries Private Tour?
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Around 7 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 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Rome: Underground Secrets and Mysteries Private 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: Underground Secrets and Mysteries Private Tour?
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Included: San Clemente entrance ticket; 3 hours guided tour; Professional blue badge guide; Private Tour; and Roman houses on the Celio Hill entrance ticket. Not included: Food And Drinks. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Rome: Underground Secrets and Mysteries Private Tour include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 1091 listed pickup locations in and around Rome. Be ready about 15 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Rome: Underground Secrets and Mysteries Private Tour offered in?
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It runs in English. 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: Underground Secrets and Mysteries Private 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: Underground Secrets and Mysteries Private 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: Underground Secrets and Mysteries Private Tour?
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Across 20 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
What booking options are available for Rome: Underground Secrets and Mysteries Private Tour?
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There are 3 options to choose from, including Pick up Included, Pick up and Drop Off Included, Meeting on Site. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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