Italy · CATACOMBS & UNDERGROUND TOURS

The 15 Best Underground Tours in Rome

50 tours  ·  from $14 a head

Catacombs, an emperor’s buried palace and the aqueducts under the church floors. These 15 go below the modern street, priced and clear about the stairs, the temperature and which sites cap their groups.

Naples: Naples Underground Entry Ticket and Guided Tour - Roman theater remains appear under modern homes
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Naples: Naples Underground Entry Ticket and Guided Tour

1.Naples Underground Entry Ticket and Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 21,781 reviews · 1.5 - 2 hours · from $21Our pick

Enter beside San Paolo Maggiore and follow an English or Italian guide through Naples’ ancient aqueduct, Roman theater, and Summa Cavea. Expect 121 steps, cool tunnels, and one optional narrow passage. A free multilingual app and brochure help non-English speakers, while the pizza option adds a Margherita or Marinara and a soft drink.

“The tour started on time. The guide should have talked louder and walked a bit slower for people with mobility issues. The tour was very informative and interesting.”

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Colosseum: Underground and Ancient Rome Tour - Roman Forum and Palatine Hill in about one hour
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Colosseum: Underground and Ancient Rome Tour

2.Colosseum: Underground and Ancient Rome Tour

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

Spend three hours touring Ancient Rome with a live guide in English, French, or Spanish. Visit the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, then enter the Colosseum’s underground chambers, arena, ground floor, second tier, and exhibition areas. Guides such as Carmelo, Teddy, Maya, and Enza are praised for clear explanations and warm, lively presentations.

“Very informative and a fascinating step back into history! Teddy was a great guide. Whilst it seems a chunk of money up front, we felt it was good value given we were there for nearly 3 hours in a small group and Teddy was happy to answer questions. The underground tour addition felt such a privilege given the restricted numbers and really added to the atmosphere of the trip, knowing you have walked the same paths as the gladiators! For history fans this is a must see!”

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Naples: Catacombs of San Gennaro Entry Ticket & Guided Tour - The Guide Makes the Difference
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Naples: Catacombs of San Gennaro Entry Ticket & Guided Tour

3.Catacombs of San Gennaro Entry Ticket & Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 7,941 reviews · 45 min · from $15Best value

Spend about 45 minutes with an English- or Italian-speaking guide in the Catacombs of San Gennaro. See early Christian paintings, fourth-century basilicas, Byzantine art, the Crypt of the Bishops, and an ancient baptismal font. Your ticket also includes San Gaudioso and Santa Maria della Sanità for 12 months.

“It was breathe-taking and actually the tickets gives the opportunity to visit two other catacombs.”

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Rome: Crypts and Catacombs Underground Tour with Transfers - Meeting at Piazza Barberini
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Rome: Crypts and Catacombs Underground Tour with Transfers

4.Crypts and Catacombs Underground Tour with Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 5,341 reviews · from $74

Spend 2.5 to 3.5 hours beneath Rome’s streets, seeing the Capuchin Crypt’s bone art, early Christian catacombs, and San Martino ai Monti. Your English or Spanish guide handles the transfers, while an audio guide covers the crypt. Expect cool, dark passages, modest dress rules, and some walking.

“This was probably our favourite tour we did in Rome! It was very cool seeing the crypts, although the catacombs beneath the city was our favourite part. our guide, Andrea, was also awesome and gave some really good information about everything while still making everyone laugh and keeping the mood light. Great job!!!”

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Naples: Spanish Quarters Underground Guided Tour - Going below the Spanish Quarters
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Naples: Spanish Quarters Underground Guided Tour

5.Spanish Quarters Underground Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 5,064 reviews · 1 hour · from $17

Meet your guide near Toledo Street and Plebiscito Square, then descend into Underground Naples for a one-hour tour of tunnels, cisterns, and the Neapolitan Aqueduct. Guides such as Alex, Eduardo, Alessandro, and Grazia bring the history to life with jokes, legends, and clear explanations. Expect stairs, darkness, and a few tight passages.

“We started the tour at exactly 2:05 PM. It was incredibly interesting, and I found it exciting to walk through the narrow tunnels. My husband, who is claustrophobic, was accommodated well since there are larger tunnels that can be used as bypasses. Our guide, Giulia, was extraordinary. I would rate her a 10 out of 10!”

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Expert Guided Tour of Colosseum Arena OR Underground, and Forum - Inside the Colosseum: from engineering to spectacle
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Expert Guided Tour of Colosseum Arena OR Underground, and Forum

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

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

Visit the Colosseum with access to either the Arena floor or Underground, then walk through the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill with an English-speaking guide. Guides such as Gabriel, Rosy, Bogdan, and Nicoletta have been praised for vivid explanations. Expect headsets, strict security, and plenty of walking.

“I would not have appreciated the significance or beauty of Palatine Hill or the Forum without our wonderful guide. I’m so glad we did this with a small group. Really spectacular.”

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The Original Roman Crypts and Catacombs Tour with Transfers - The Domitilla Catacombs and their narrow passages
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The Original Roman Crypts and Catacombs Tour with Transfers

7.The Original Roman Crypts and Catacombs Tour with Transfers

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

Spend about three and a half hours exploring Rome’s bone-lined Capuchin Crypt, the Domitilla Catacombs, and the underground ruins beneath San Martino ai Monti. Guides such as Andrea, Alan, Heather, and Paula have led especially engaging visits. Expect walking, narrow tunnels, an air-conditioned coach, and strict modest dress rules.

“Very complete tour with interesting historical insight, friendly and available guides, and incredible sites; bring comfy shoes!”

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Rome: Colosseum Underground Small Group Guided Tour - The arena floor puts you in the center of the show
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Rome: Colosseum Underground Small Group Guided Tour

8.Colosseum Underground Small Group Guided Tour

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

Join a small English-speaking group of up to eight for a 1.5-hour guided visit to the Colosseum underground, arena floor, and upper areas. Guides such as Paola, Carmelo, Daniella, and Sofian bring the games and gladiator world to life. Your ticket also covers self-guided access to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

“This tour is a must do. It’s a small group, ours was only 6 people. The guide Paola was entertaining , knowledgeable and enthusiastic. If wanting to do the underground this tour is recommended”

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Rome: St. Peter's Basilica, Dome Climb, and Underground Tour - Meeting at Piazza della Città Leonina
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Rome: St. Peter’s Basilica, Dome Climb, and Underground Tour

9.St. Peter’s Basilica, Dome Climb, and Underground Tour

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

Explore St. Peter’s Basilica with a live guide, see the Papal Tombs and older basilica walls underground, then choose the Dome climb for wide views over Rome. Guides such as Claudio, Federico, Olga, Sofia, and Sophia are praised for clear storytelling and warm group care. Expect security queues, strict dress rules, and narrow stairs.

“We had Claude as our guide and he was amazing! Made every part interesting even the queuing (which as a Brit isn’t always exciting). Learnt so much about all parts of St Peter’s Basilica and Rome. Would recommend to anyone to do this tour and request Claude as your guide.”

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Rome: Colosseum Underground, Arena & Forum Tour - Entering the Colosseum with a guide
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Rome: Colosseum Underground, Arena & Forum Tour

10.Colosseum Underground, Arena & Forum Tour

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

Spend three hours exploring the Colosseum’s Underground and Arena, then visit the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill with a Spanish-speaking guide. Guides such as Francesca, Donatella, Gabriele, Gabriel, and Pat have been praised for clear storytelling and good pacing. The Forum and Palatine Hill remain yours to explore after the guided portion.

“Excellent tour of the Roman Forum, Palatino and Colosseum. Very informative guide who was very willing to answer questions from the group. Tour was a good pace to maximise sightseeing without being rushed. Worth it alone for access to the Colosseum underground and arena.”

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Rome: Catacombs of St. Callixtus Entry Ticket & Guided Tour - Reaching the catacombs from central Rome
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Rome: Catacombs of St. Callixtus Entry Ticket & Guided Tour

11.Catacombs of St. Callixtus Entry Ticket & Guided Tour

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

Spend 30 minutes beneath Rome’s Appian Way at the Catacombs of St. Callixtus. A live guide leads you through the Crypt of the Popes, the Crypt of St. Cecilia, and early Christian burial chambers. Tours run in English, Italian, French, or German. Expect a cool, respectful visit with no photography and no exposed skeletons.

“It was a very interesting, worthwhile and enjoyable tour. The guide was excellent, great fun and knowledgeable (older French man with 5 languages). Would recommend.”

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Colosseum Underground & Ancient Rome Guided Tour - Entering the Colosseum arena and upper level
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Colosseum Underground & Ancient Rome Guided Tour

12.Colosseum Underground & Ancient Rome Guided Tour

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

Spend about three hours with an English-speaking guide at the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Choose arena-only entry or the underground option, where gladiators and animals once waited beneath the arena. Guides such as Carmelo, Solomon, Mirta, and Teddy have led engaging tours, with headsets supplied to make the commentary easier to follow.

“Carmelo. Brilliant tour guide, very knowledgeable & helpful. Highly recommended this tour … ………………..”

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Cagliari: Underground Cagliari Walking Tour - Key points to know before you book
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Cagliari: Underground Cagliari Walking Tour

13.Underground Cagliari Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,329 reviews · 2 - 4 hours · from $35

Join a guide in English and Italian for a 2 to 4 hour tour beneath Cagliari. Visit the 120-meter Salesian school shelter, candle-lit Santa Restituta crypt, and Roman ruins beneath Saint Eulalia. Add a historic-center walk or wine and Sardinian snack tasting. Guides may include Francesca, Valentina, Federico, or Silvia.

“More interesting than I thought. Francesca was a great guide. would recommend.”

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Naples Underground Spanish Quarters with Guide - Why the WWII shelter matters
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Naples Underground Spanish Quarters with Guide

14.Naples Underground Spanish Quarters with Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,886 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $18Top rated

Spend about an hour below Naples with an English-speaking guide from Napoli Sotterranea, such as Alex, Grace, Alessandro, or Eduardo. Follow part of the ancient aqueduct, hear how it became a WWII bomb shelter, and pass through narrow tunnels. The tour starts on Vico S. Anna di Palazzo and ends near Via Chiaia.

“The dramatic history, engineering, our world at war, art and human stories came to life with Alex and our group. Truly incredible experience that gave us an insight and appreciation for Naples in the highlight of our trip there. Highly recommend not to miss!!”

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Rome: Guided Roman Catacombs Tour with Transfers - The 15-minute minivan ride from central Rome
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Rome: Guided Roman Catacombs Tour with Transfers

15.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 walk 16 metres underground through four levels of burial chambers and early Christian art. Your guide explains the frescoes, Roman burial customs, persecutions, and the Basilica of Nereus and Achilleus. Shared and private options are available in six languages.

“the tour guide we had had so much knowledge of this place. what an experience. highly recommend”

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