One of the best ways for your family to understand Roman history is to see it literally layer by layer. Lying at times up to 10 meters below the modern city, much of ancient Rome is still being excavated today. On this carefully planned Rome underground tour, your family will explore the hidden, subterranean levels of the Eternal City, and learn how we are still uncovering bits and pieces of it today.

Catacombs and crypts are some of the perennial favorites of families who crave a vacation with a sense of adventure. For an enjoyable experience that will add something extra to your Roman holiday, uncover the secrets hidden beneath your feet with your kids. On this Rome underground itinerary you will journey down into underground burial chambers and ruins, visit the shadowy Capuchin Crypt, the ancient Appian Way, and of course the early Christian catacombs.

Underground Rome's streets there are centuries of history to discover that make for a fascinating adventure from ancient times to the present. The Catacombs of Rome offer a unique experience that will allow your family to explore some of the most fascinating places in all of Italy. This Rome underground tour is designed for children aged 6 and up, so it’s perfect if you have kids who are curious about history or archaeology!

Unique Rome Underground Tour

Much of what Rome has to offer is buried underground and through this tour – the only tour that takes you to crypts and catacombs from different historical eras in locations across the city – you can discover the true underside of Rome.

Step back in time

This tour will take you to some of Rome's most famous ancient sights and you'll go from one end of the city to another, discovering its most iconic monuments and learning about their fascinating history. Settle into your private minivan and venture outside of the city walls to the catacombs off the ancient Appian Way where Umbrella Pines, twittering birds, and lovely vistas line the way. Pass by the Circus Maximus, laid out below the villas of the ancient emperors, just as it was 2000 years ago. On the way, your professional kid-friendly guide —an archaeologist or classical historian- entertains you with stories of Rome's mysterious past.

Uncover Rome’s extraordinary history

Go underground to see Rome’s ancient catacombs and crypts on a 3-hour private tour. Visit the ancient Appian Way, an early Christian Catacomb and the Capuchin Crypt, where you’ll see a Caravaggio painting and marvel at a chapel made entirely out of human bones. Learn about past burial customs and secret Christian worship spots during this fascinating exploration into the history of Rome.

Go deep beneath the Appian Way

The ancient Appian Way was once the most important road in the world, and still today it maintains a feeling of faded glory. You'll see where the original marble pavers have been scarred by centuries of chariot wheels; you'll walk past the tombs of the Imperial families; you'll spot ancient road signs that have survived for two millennia. Because there is no traffic on this road, and it is surrounded by quiet Roman countryside, you can really imagine how it may have been when Spartacus led thousands of uprising slaves along its length so many years ago.

The Catacombs of Rome

Your journey through the centuries continues visiting one of the Roman Catacombs underneath the Appian Way. Here you will descend into underground labyrinths and dark passageways to learn about the Christians persecuted in ancient Rome. Kids are sure to enjoy simply descending into Rome's depths, like a modern archaeologist, sure to uncover some secret.

The Creepy Capuchin Crypt

There is no end to the fun, as you will even come face to face with the skeletal remains of the city’s past at the spooky Capuchin Crypt, aka the bone chapel. See the bizarre display of the bones of an estimated 4000 Capuchin monks that decorate the underground crypt. There are vertebrae chandeliers, skeletons posed in several rooms and literally piles of bones that must be seen to be believed. You'll also see a beautiful painting attributed to Caravaggio along with other artifacts that will give you a great insight into what the lives of the Capuchin monks were like.

Age-appropriate tours

Best for families seeking to escape the crowds and immerse themselves in the midst of Rome's less-seen treasures and explore some of the secrets of city's past and present. This private Rome underground tours is sure to inspire animated discussions with your family about early Roman life and culture. If you are interested in continuing to learn about Roman history, we highly recommend our Kid Friendly Ancient Rome Colosseum Tour & our Ostia Antica Half Day Family Tour, and our Vatican for Kids Tour three of our most popular kid friendly tours in Rome.

Looking for a custom family trip to Italy?

For inspiration, see this sample Classic Italy Family Trip. If you like this package but prefer to customize it in any way, such as a different style of hotel, additions or subtractions in the number of nights, or extensions into other cities, use our Custom Itinerary Service.