ROME CAVE TOURS

The 15 Best Underground Tours in Rome

47 tours  ·  from $16 a head

Catacombs on the Appian Way, the Capuchin crypts, the basilica levels under San Clemente and the hypogeum below the Colosseum. These 15 are priced and clear about which need a guided ticket and how far in advance.

Colosseum: Underground and Ancient Rome Tour - Starting at the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
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Colosseum: Underground and Ancient Rome Tour

1.Colosseum: Underground and Ancient Rome Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 12,691 reviews · 3 hours · from $160Our pick

Meet The Ultimate Italy at Via dei Fori Imperiali for a three-hour guided visit to the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and Colosseum. You’ll walk the arena floor, enter restricted underground chambers, and hear the story of gladiators, emperors, and ancient Roman crowds from guides such as Carmelo, Teddy, Maya, and Enza.

“This was fantastic. I would absolutely do this again”

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Rome: Capuchin Crypts and Catacombs Tour with Transfers - The Capuchin Crypt and its 4,000 bones
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Rome: Capuchin Crypts and Catacombs Tour with Transfers

2.Rome: Capuchin Crypts and Catacombs Tour with Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 6,456 reviews · 2.5 - 3.5 hours · from $60

See Rome beneath the surface: the Capuchin Crypt’s 4,000 monk bones, a Caravaggio painting, early Christian catacombs, and San Martino ai Monti. Air-conditioned transfers and skip-the-line entry keep the 2.5 to 3.5 hour tour orderly, with guides such as Emiliano, Andrea, Maria, and Cat bringing the stories to life.

“Paola was amazing!!! So funny and so much knowledge. Always checked in with us to make sure we were ok and if we had any questions. We had 3 tours with her, and my partner and myself had the best time! Thank you so so much Paola! Your amazing personality and knowledge really shined. Thank you for a day we will never forget. 🩷🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿.”

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Expert Guided Tour of Colosseum Arena OR Underground, and Forum - What you see on the Arena floor
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Expert Guided Tour of Colosseum Arena OR Underground, and Forum

3.Expert Guided Tour of Colosseum Arena OR Underground, and Forum

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5,041 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $107

Choose the Colosseum’s Arena floor or restricted Underground, then follow an English-speaking guide through the Forum and Palatine Hill. Guides such as Gabriel, Rosy, Bogdan, and Nicoletta bring ancient Rome to life with clear explanations, visual aids, and included headsets.

“Comprehensive view of Rome if you have only a few hours. See all the highlights with picture stops. Highly recommend.”

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The Original Roman Crypts and Catacombs Tour with Transfers - The Capuchin Crypt and its bone-lined rooms
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The Original Roman Crypts and Catacombs Tour with Transfers

4.The Original Roman Crypts and Catacombs Tour with Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4,896 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $66

Visit Rome’s bone-lined Capuchin Crypt, the vast Domitilla Catacombs, and ancient ruins beneath San Martino ai Monti. English or Spanish guides lead the catacomb visit, while the crypt uses an audio guide. Transfers connect the sites, making this a smart choice without a car.

“We had the absolute best tour guides for this experience! The Roman Crypts and the Catacombs were so interesting and unreal! Just to think that it was built sooo long ago and hw they accomplished it all!”

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Rome: Colosseum Underground Small Group Guided Tour - Meeting at Via dei Fori Imperiali, 25
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Rome: Colosseum Underground Small Group Guided Tour

5.Rome: Colosseum Underground Small Group Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 4,844 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $105

See Rome’s Colosseum from below, walk onto the arena floor, and hear how gladiator shows worked from an English-speaking guide such as Paola, Carmelo, or Daniella. Your 8-person group gets restricted underground access, headsets, and entry to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill for self-guided visits.

“great tour of the underground coliseum. I would've been disappointed with any other.”

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Rome: St. Peter's Basilica, Dome Climb, and Underground Tour - Getting through security at St. Peter’s
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Rome: St. Peter’s Basilica, Dome Climb, and Underground Tour

6.Rome: St. Peter’s Basilica, Dome Climb, and Underground Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 3,404 reviews · 1.5 - 2.5 hours · from $38

Meet KK Tour staff at Piazza della Città Leonina 2, then tour St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Grottoes, and, if selected, the Dome. Guides such as Federico, Claudio, Olga, and Sofia explain the art and history in several languages. Expect security lines and a demanding climb.

“Tour guide Frederico was brilliant and made the tour come to life. He was very knowledgeable and got us to the right place to see things.”

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Rome: Colosseum Underground, Arena & Forum Tour - Understanding how the games shaped Roman society
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Rome: Colosseum Underground, Arena & Forum Tour

7.Rome: Colosseum Underground, Arena & Forum Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3,272 reviews · from $157

This three-hour Spanish-language tour takes you through the Colosseum’s Underground and Arena, then to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Guides such as Francesca, Donatella, Gabriel, and Gabriele are known for lively storytelling, clear explanations, and a steady pace.

“I loved the variety of places we toured, and the history we were told. Our guide was very thorough, knowledgeable and friendly!”

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Rome: Catacombs of St. Callixtus Entry Ticket & Guided Tour - Meeting the guide at the ticket office
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Rome: Catacombs of St. Callixtus Entry Ticket & Guided Tour

8.Rome: Catacombs of St. Callixtus Entry Ticket & Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 3,037 reviews · 30 min · from $16Best value

Visit the Catacombs of St. Callixtus beneath the Appian Way on a 30-minute guided tour. See the Crypt of the Popes, the Crypt of St. Cecilia, and early Christian frescoes. Guides such as Francesca, Sam, and Fr. Peter have been praised for clear, engaging explanations. Bring a sweater and expect no photography.

“It was interesting and our guide was very informative and respectful. He answered questions and it was a pleasure to meet him”

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Colosseum Underground & Ancient Rome Guided Tour - Exploring the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
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Colosseum Underground & Ancient Rome Guided Tour

9.Colosseum Underground & Ancient Rome Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,590 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $74

Visit the Colosseum arena and underground dungeons, then walk through the Roman Forum and up Palatine Hill. Guides such as Carmelo, Solomon, and Mirta bring the ruins to life with clear stories, while headsets help you follow along in a group of up to 24.

“Carmelo was awesome!! Very personable, knowledgeable and made for a great experience for our group of 4. Highly recommended”

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Tour of St Peter's Basilica with Dome Climb and Grottoes - Bernini’s square before the basilica
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Tour of St Peter’s Basilica with Dome Climb and Grottoes

10.Tour of St Peter’s Basilica with Dome Climb and Grottoes

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,382 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $58

Explore St. Peter’s Square and Basilica with an art historian guide, then visit the grottoes and climb to the dome’s top balcony. Guides such as Francesca, Valentin, Rosy, and Patrizio have earned praise for clear storytelling. The tour lasts about 1 hour 45 minutes, but security and dome queues can add time.

“Great guide, new perspectives. Quick, concise and could pivot when asked new questions. Entering through grottoes was key”

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Rome: Guided Roman Catacombs Tour with Transfers - The 15-minute ride toward the Appian Way
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Rome: Guided Roman Catacombs Tour with Transfers

11.Rome: Guided Roman Catacombs Tour with Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,830 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $65

Travel by minivan from central Rome to the Domitilla Catacombs, then follow an expert guide through four levels of tunnels, early Christian frescoes, burial chambers, and the underground Basilica of Nereus and Achilleus. The small-group tour lasts 90 minutes and includes transport and entry.

“Host was very well informed and shared a lot of valuable info.”

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Rome: Catacombs Guided Tour with Transfer - Meeting at Piazza Ara Coeli
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Rome: Catacombs Guided Tour with Transfer

12.Rome: Catacombs Guided Tour with Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 1,808 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $54

Travel from Piazza Ara Coeli to Rome’s ancient catacombs by open panoramic bus. A multilingual guide leads you through burial tunnels dating to the 2nd century AD. Add the Trevi District underground tour or visit the Capuchin Crypt independently with an audioguide.

“Alessandro was a fantastic guide! Not only do you see the catacombs but you also have the chance to pass by several historic sites on the transport to and from.”

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Rome EBike Tour: Appian Way, Catacombs & Roman Aqueducts - Riding the Appian Way, Rome’s Queen of Roads
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Rome EBike Tour: Appian Way, Catacombs & Roman Aqueducts

13.Rome EBike Tour: Appian Way, Catacombs & Roman Aqueducts

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,766 reviews · 4 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $102Top rated

Ride a Cannondale e-bike from central Rome to the Appian Way, Roman aqueducts, ancient walls, and countryside parks. Choose four hours or six hours with a 45-minute catacomb visit. Guides such as Cas, Carmen, and Fabio lead groups of up to 10 riders.

“It was fun riding on the "world's oldest highway", but if you are not a confident cyclist you may want to walk that part. The catacombs were interesting and a bit creepy, but you should know that you can't take pictures inside so no need to prep your camera.”

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Rome: Trevi Fountain and Underground Guided Tour - Nine meters below Rome at Vicus Caprarius
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Rome: Trevi Fountain and Underground Guided Tour

14.Rome: Trevi Fountain and Underground Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,664 reviews · 40 min · from $41

Meet near Trevi Fountain and follow a live guide such as Mario or Francesca through the fountain’s history before visiting Vicus Caprarius, nine meters below street level. You’ll see an ancient working aqueduct and imperial Domus remains, but not the fountain’s basin itself.

“Very interesting we’ve got a much better insight into the layers of chrome and the Aquaduct system.”

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Rome: Catacombs and Capuchin Crypt Guided Tour with Transfer - The ride to the catacombs saves a lot of effort
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Rome: Catacombs and Capuchin Crypt Guided Tour with Transfer

15.Rome: Catacombs and Capuchin Crypt Guided Tour with Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,606 reviews · 2.5 - 3.5 hours · from $41

See Rome's bone-decorated Capuchin Crypt, then ride by private air-conditioned vehicle to ancient Christian catacombs. Guides such as Monica, Fiona, Davide, and Maria bring history to life, while skip-the-line entry keeps the visit moving. Expect covered knees and shoulders, no photography, and underground walking.

“Monika was an amazing guide, she explained the history inna fun and exciting way and took care to answer our questions. The tour was awesome and I can only recommend it!”

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Pick your way underground

By boat, by ladder, by staircase or on a rope.