Park of the Aqueducts in Rome: Roman arches in open countryside

Updated on October 1, 2026

The Park of the Aqueducts (Parco degli Acquedotti), in south-east Rome, spreads the arches of several ancient and papal aqueducts, including the Aqua Claudia and the Acqua Felice, across about 250 hectares of countryside. It is part of the Appia Antica Regional Park. Access is open and free, every day and at any time. You can get there by metro: Giulio Agricola and Subaugusta stations on line A are close to the entrances. Along the arches, the paths can be explored on foot, running or by bike.

Highlights

The Aqueduct of Claudius

Begun by Caligula in AD 38 and completed by Claudius in 52, the Aqua Claudia brought water from springs about 68 km from Rome. Its mighty arches of tuff blocks reach up to 28 metres high in places: the most spectacular stretch in the park. The channel of the Anio Novus, completed the same year, runs on top of it.

The Acqua Felice

This aqueduct was built at the end of the 16th century by Pope Sixtus V, born Felice Peretti, who gave it his first name. It partly reuses the arches of the Aqua Marcia and crosses the park, where its arcades remain clearly visible.

The Aqua Marcia

Built between 144 and 140 BC, it is the longest aqueduct of Rome, with a course of 91 km. Two other channels, the Aqua Tepula and the Aqua Iulia, were added on top of it in the 2nd and 1st centuries BC.

The Roman countryside

Between the arches stretch meadows, umbrella pines and dirt tracks. The park has more than 500 plant species, including 13 varieties of orchid.

The Villa delle Vignacce and the Casale di Roma Vecchia

The ruins of this villa from the time of Hadrian and the medieval Roma Vecchia farmhouse show that the area was lived in long after antiquity.

The opening scene of La Dolce Vita

In 1960, Federico Fellini filmed here the helicopter carrying a statue of Christ over the ancient arches, the first image of La Dolce Vita.

Infos pratiques

Tips

The park has little shade: bring water, a hat and sunscreen in summer. The paths are dirt tracks and can be muddy after rain. There is no ticket and no opening hours, but the park is best discovered by day. The park has children's play areas and dog areas. For a full day in the Roman countryside, combine it with the [Via Appia Antica](/fr/attractions/via-appia-antica), which belongs to the same regional park. It is one of the no-cost outings recommended in our guide to [free Rome](/fr/articles/activites-gratuites-rome).

How to get there

Main entrance at via Lemonia 256, 00174 Rome; other entrances from vicolo dell'Acquedotto Felice and viale Appio Claudio. Metro line A, Giulio Agricola, Subaugusta or Lucio Sestio stations. Buses 559, 590, 650, 654 and 657.