DinaLast Updated on September 17, 2026
Catacombs of St. Callixtus: quick information
- Οnline ticket price: €14, including the €2 booking fee
- Reduced admission: €10.50
- Opening hours: 09:00–12:00 and 14:00–17:00
- Closed: Every Wednesday
- Guided tour: Mandatory and included
- Tour duration: Approximately 40 minutes
- Underground temperature: Around 16°C
- Photography: Not permitted
- Address: Via Appia Antica 110, Rome
- Recommended total time: At least 2–3 hours, including transport
Are the Catacombs of St. Callixtus worth visiting?
Yes, but I would not place them above the Colosseum, the Vatican Museums or the Pantheon for someone spending only one or 2 days in Rome.
The Catacombs of St. Callixtus are a good choice if you have already visited the major attractions, are particularly interested in early Christian history or want to experience a completely different side of Rome.
My verdict: Visit if you have at least 3 days in Rome or plan to explore the Appian Way. The underground tour lasts only about 40 minutes, but transport from the historic centre means you should reserve at least 2-3 hours!
The visit takes you through narrow underground passages, burial chambers and ancient religious spaces beneath the Appian Way. It feels very different from visiting a conventional museum or archaeological site.
Catacombs of St. Callixtus tickets in 2026
*** Online reservations are required, so book your visit before travelling to the catacombs. ***
The admission prices are, together with the €2 reservation fee.
- Adults: €14
- Reduced ticket: €10.50
The price includes the guided tour. It is not possible to enter independently or wander through the tunnels without a guide.
👉 Check prices and availability for the Catacombs of St. Callixtus ticket and guided tour
Catacombs of St. Callixtus opening hours
The catacombs are normally open:
- Monday: 09:00–12:00 and 14:00–17:00
- Tuesday: 09:00–12:00 and 14:00–17:00
- Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday: 09:00–12:00 and 14:00–17:00
- Friday: 09:00–12:00 and 14:00–17:00
- Saturday: 09:00–12:00 and 14:00–17:00
- Sunday: 09:00–12:00 and 14:00–17:00
Tours usually begin every 30 minutes and last approximately 40 minutes.
The final morning tour begins at 12:00 and the final afternoon tour at 17:00. The ticket office closes at 16:50.
Notice the two-hour closure between 12:00 and 14:00. Arriving during this period will leave you waiting outside.
The catacombs may also close on major religious holidays and for an annual winter break. As these dates can change, always check the latest official opening hours before your visit.
What exactly are the Catacombs of St. Callixtus?
The catacombs were not underground houses where early Christians lived or permanently hid from the Roman authorities. They were primarily cemeteries.
Christians in Rome began excavating community burial areas here around the middle of the second century. In the early third century, Pope Zephyrinus appointed the deacon Callixtus to administer the cemetery. Callixtus later became pope, and the complex eventually took his name.
The underground network extends for almost 20 kilometres, across four principal levels, and reaches a depth of more than 20 metres in places.
Approximately half a million Christians were buried within the complex, including numerous martyrs and 16 popes. For this reason, the site became one of the most important burial grounds of the early Church in Rome.
Do not expect piles of bones like those seen in the Paris Catacombs. Most of the burial niches are now empty, and many important relics were moved to churches in Rome during the Middle Ages for protection.
What to see inside the Catacombs of St. Callixtus
1. The Crypt of the Popes
The Crypt of the Popes is one of the most important areas of the entire complex.
Nine popes and several bishops from the third century were buried here. Because of its importance to the early Church, the crypt is sometimes described as the “Little Vatican.”
The original Greek inscriptions identifying five of the popes can still be seen.
2. The Crypt of St. Cecilia
Beside the Crypt of the Popes is the Crypt of St. Cecilia, one of the most atmospheric parts of the tour.
St. Cecilia was a Roman martyr who later became the patron saint of music. Her remains were transferred in 821 to the Basilica of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere.
The statue visible inside the crypt is a copy of Stefano Maderno’s famous sculpture, created after the saint’s tomb was opened in 1599.
3. The Cubicles of the Sacraments
These small burial chambers contain some of the catacombs’ most important early Christian frescoes.
The paintings date mainly from the beginning of the third century and include scenes connected with Baptism, the Eucharist and resurrection.
4. Early Christian symbols
During the tour, look for symbols such as the fish, the anchor, the dove and the figure of the Good Shepherd.
These images communicated Christian beliefs at a time when many people could not read. Your guide will explain their meaning and how they relate to early Christian ideas about death and eternal life.
What is the visit actually like?
Visits are only possible as part of a guided group. Tours are normally offered in Italian, English, French, Spanish and German, although the schedule varies.
The underground route is dark, narrow and humid. It is atmospheric and occasionally unsettling, but it is presented as an archaeological and religious site—not as a horror attraction.
The temperature remains around 16°C throughout the year. Even during a hot Roman summer, you will probably want a light jacket or sweater.
There are approximately 50 irregular steps going down and another 50 steps to return to the surface. There is no lift and nowhere to sit during the underground section.
The public route represents only a small part of the enormous complex. Gates block access to the galleries that are not open to visitors, and you must remain with your group throughout the tour.
Photography and visitor rules
Photographs and videos are strictly prohibited inside the catacombs. Staff may remove visitors who ignore this rule.
Visitors are also not permitted to:
- Leave the guided group
- Touch the frescoes or archaeological remains
- Bring large luggage or bulky objects
- Take strollers underground
- Bring pets
- Eat, drink or smoke inside
- Remove any object or material from the site
The catacombs are a sacred Christian cemetery, so visitors should behave respectfully even if they are not visiting for religious reasons.
Check the complete official visitor regulations before travelling.
Accessibility and claustrophobia
Unfortunately, the underground route is not wheelchair accessible.
Wheelchairs cannot enter because of the narrow passages, uneven steps and architectural barriers. Visitors must manage around 50 steps down and 50 steps back up, without a lift.
The site is also not recommended for people with severe claustrophobia. The passages can be narrow, the ceilings low and the air noticeably humid.
If you have limited mobility, respiratory difficulties or serious discomfort in enclosed spaces, this may not be the right attraction for you.
Families should also remember that strollers are not permitted underground. Young children must be able to walk or be carried safely.
How much time do you need?
The guided visit lasts approximately 40 minutes, but you should not plan only 40 minutes for the entire experience.
Allow:
- 40 minutes for the underground tour
- 15–30 minutes for arrival, ticket collection and waiting
- 30–60 minutes each way for transport from central Rome
- At least 2–3 hours in total for the visit
- Half a day if you combine it with the Appian Way
Arrive at least 15 minutes before your reserved tour. Visitors who arrive late may lose their priority or miss the selected language group.
How to get to the Catacombs of St. Callixtus
The catacombs are located at Via Appia Antica 110, outside Rome’s historic centre.
There is no metro station directly beside the entrance. You will need to combine the metro with a bus or use a taxi.
From Circo Massimo
Take Metro Line B to Circo Massimo. From the nearby Terme Caracalla/Porta Capena bus stop, take bus 118 towards Appia/Villa dei Quintili.
Get off at Catacombe di San Callisto.
This is usually the most practical public-transport route for visitors coming from the historic centre.
From San Giovanni
Take Metro Line A to San Giovanni and then bus 218 towards Ardeatina.
Get off at Fosse Ardeatine and walk to the entrance.
From Arco di Travertino
Take Metro Line A to Arco di Travertino and then bus 660.
Get off at Appia Pignatelli/Appia Antica.
Rome’s buses can be irregular, so check the route shortly before leaving. The official directions provide the latest recommended connections.
For information about metro tickets and operating times, read my complete guide to the Rome Metro.
My Pretty Travels Tip: Save the return bus stop on your phone before entering. The area is much quieter than central Rome, and finding a taxi immediately after the tour is not always guaranteed.
The best time to visit
The best times are close to the morning opening at 09:00 or when the catacombs reopen at 14:00.
The first tours are generally quieter, while arriving at 14:00 avoids the risk of reaching the site during the midday closure.
During summer, the underground temperature is pleasantly cool, but walking and waiting outside along the Appian Way can be extremely hot. Bring water for before and after the visit, but remember that drinks cannot be consumed underground.
Spring and autumn are ideal if you want to combine the catacombs with a longer walk or bike ride along the Appian Way.
Combining the catacombs with the Appian Way
The journey from central Rome takes time, so I would not return immediately after the underground tour.
Nearby places to consider include:
- The Church of Domine Quo Vadis
- The Basilica of St. Sebastian
- The Circus of Maxentius
- The Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella
- The ancient paving stones of the Appian Way
A practical half-day itinerary is to visit the catacombs in the morning, continue along the Appian Way and stop for lunch before returning to the city centre.
Another option is a guided e-bike tour. The longer version of the following experience includes the Catacombs of St. Callixtus, the Appian Way and the Roman aqueducts.
👉 Check the Appian Way and Catacombs e-bike tour
Make sure you choose the option that specifically includes admission to the catacombs, as the shorter versions may only cover the Appian Way and aqueducts.
Final advice
The Catacombs of St. Callixtus offer one of Rome’s most unusual historical experiences, but they require more planning than attractions in the city centre.
Book online, choose your tour language carefully and bring a light jacket. Most importantly, combine the visit with the Appian Way so that the journey becomes part of the experience rather than simply a return trip for a 40-minute tour.
They would not be my first recommendation for a very short visit to Rome. However, for history lovers or travellers looking for something beyond the standard itinerary, they are absolutely worth considering.
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