- Wondering where the catacombs in Rome are and how to visit them? There are about 60 catacombs scattered around the city, but only a handful are open to the public. We’ll introduce you to the four most fascinating ones.
- You won’t find any bones in the catacombs themselves. For that, head to the Capuchin Crypt near the Spanish Steps. A great option is this Catacombs and Capuchin Crypt combo tour.
- All of Rome’s catacombs are located outside the city center. You can get there by public transport, but booking a tour with transfers included is definitely the most convenient option.
What You Need to Know About the Catacombs in Rome
Visiting the catacombs is one of the most popular tours in Rome.
The catacombs go back to the earliest days of Christianity, when followers were tolerated at best or even persecuted.
They were only allowed to bury their dead beyond the city walls, and preferably out of sight.
That’s why early Christians carved out these underground tunnel systems with burial chambers, niche tombs — the catacombs. It all started in the 2nd century AD, nearly 1,800 years ago.
Here’s some essential info about the catacombs in Rome:
- There are around 60 catacombs in Rome, but only a few are open to visitors.
- Altogether, there are said to be hundreds of kilometres of tunnels under Rome; roughly 170 km are accessible today.
- You won’t see bones like in the Paris catacombs. Instead, you walk through underground corridors, spotting niche tombs, burial chambers, frescoes, and inscriptions.
- If human remains are what you want to see, you need to go to the Capuchin Crypt in central Rome.
- All of Rome’s catacombs lie outside the city centre. By public transport it takes about an hour; a taxi or a tour that includes transfer is faster.
- Besides the catacombs of Rome, the catacombs of Naples are also well worth visiting when you’re in Italy.
- The Calixtus Catacombs are included in the Rome Turbo Pass and the Hop‑On Hop‑Off ticket by Big Bus Rome.
Our Tip: The Combination Tour Catacombs and Capuchin Crypt
Our top recommendation is the tour with transfer to the catacombs and then to the Capuchin Crypt. Why?
You won’t see bones in any of the catacombs in Rome.
And strangely enough, that’s part of what makes a catacombs tour special, we believe. That’s why this combined tour hits the sweet spot.
Which catacomb you visit depends on opening hours. As a rule, though, the Domitilla Catacomb is included.
After that, you’ll go to the Capuchin Crypt, near the Spanish Steps. It’s made up of five underground chapels adorned with the bones of about 3,700 Capuchin monks. Something similar exists in Palermo, Sicily.
The transfer between catacombs and crypt is by private bus, and the whole tour is about three hours. Using Rome’s public transport, you’d need most of an afternoon. We think this is a good deal!
Book a combined tour Catacombs and Capuchin Crypt
Map of The Four Most Exciting Rome Catacombs
On this map you can see where the Catacombs of Rome and the Capuchin Crypt are located.
The catacombs are all a little off the beaten track, outside the center of Rome. We recommend taking a cab or booking a transfer.
The Capuchin Crypt, on the other hand, is very central.
Calixtus Catacomb
The Calixtus Catacomb is the best‑known catacomb in Rome and appears on almost every catacombs tour. It’s also the first catacomb ever built in the city and one of top places to visit in Rome.
Here, the first popes were buried, about 100 martyrs and half a million believers.
The network runs over a total of 20 kilometres across multiple levels underground. But you won’t see it all, only a small section is open to visitors.
Guided tours of the Calixtus Catacomb run several times daily.
On the official website, tickets cost 12 euros.
With GetYourGuide, tickets are priced at 14 euros, with refund options if your plans change.
Book a Calixtus Catacomb tour at GetYourGuide (refundable)
Sebastian Catacomb
The Sebastian Catacomb lies right beside the Calixtus Catacomb and is just as noteworthy. Above it stands the Church of St. Sebastian, one of Rome’s seven pilgrimage churches.
Below ground, the catacomb has three floors with niche tombs, mausoleums, frescoes and roughly 600 inscriptions. Even so, only a portion is open to the public.
Tickets for the Sebastian Catacomb are 12 euros via the official website.
Book your ticket for the Sebastian Catacomb with transfer
Domitilla Catacomb
The Domitilla Catacomb is also one of the largest catacombs in Rome.
Its network of tunnels stretches about 17 kilometers, housing around 150,000 niche tombs.
What makes Domitilla unique among the catacombs in Rome is its own underground church.
The area open to visitors is a bit smaller compared to other catacombs, and the tour lasts roughly 30 minutes.
Admission is 8 euros, and tickets are only sold on-site. Alternatively, you can book a ticket with transfer from the city center:
Book your ticket for the Domitilla Catacomb with transfer
Priscilla Catacomb
The Priscilla Catacomb is the only one located in the northeast of Rome and sits about an hour from the city center.
It features roughly 13 kilometers of tunnels across two levels. As with other tours of the catacombs in Rome, only a small section is shown.
This catacomb is especially important for its frescoes, including the world’s oldest depiction of the Virgin and Child, dating back to the 2nd century AD.
Book your ticket for the Priscilla Catacomb
FAQ About The Catacombs in Rome
What are the best catacombs to visit in Rome?
The most famous are the Catacombs of Callixtus, which also happen to be the largest in Rome. We also love the Catacombs of Domitilla because they feature an underground church — something you don’t come across often.
Honestly, when it comes to tours of the catacombs in Rome, you really can’t go wrong; all the catacombs are fascinating to explore.
How do you get to the catacombs in Rome?
It takes about an hour and two bus rides from your hotel in Rome to reach the Catacombs of Callixtus, and it’s much the same for the others. That’s why we suggest booking a catacombs tour that includes transportation.
How cold is it in the catacombs of Rome?
The temperature in the catacombs is around 16°C, even in summer. So it’s a good idea to bring a sweater.
Are children allowed in the catacombs?
Yes, children of all ages are allowed. Admission is only charged from the age of 7. However, strollers are not allowed inside the catacombs.
Can you buy catacombs tickets on site?
Yes, you can buy tickets on site at all the catacombs in Rome. But at the Catacombs of Callixtus and the Catacombs of Sebastian, you might have to wait since they’re some of the best catacombs in Rome and often busy. Also, tours of the catacombs in Rome only start at set times.