The Via Appia Antica, opened in 312 BC by the censor Appius Claudius Caecus, runs south from Porta San Sebastiano, between umbrella pines, tombs and ancient paving stones. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2024, it is protected by the Appia Antica Regional Park and by the Appia Antica Archaeological Park, which runs the paying monuments. The road itself is open freely and at no charge, every day. On Sundays and public holidays, cars are banned beyond the Tomb of Caecilia Metella: the best time to explore it on foot or by bike. Since 1 July 2026, the Tomb of Caecilia Metella (with the Capo di Bove complex, closed for restoration since 22 June 2026) and the Villa of the Quintilii each have their own €8 ticket; the €12 park ticket combines them over seven days. The sites are closed on Mondays.
Highlights
The ancient paving
Beyond the Tomb of Caecilia Metella, the road regains its large basalt slabs in places, lined with umbrella pines, cypresses and ruined tombs. It is the most photogenic stretch, and the quietest on Sundays.
The Tomb of Caecilia Metella
This large circular mausoleum from the 1st century BC was built into the Castrum Caetani in the early 14th century, whose crenellated tower rises on the tomb. The fortified enclosure holds a church, San Nicola, and a palace housing the Appia Museum: statues, sarcophagi and inscriptions from the tombs along the road.
The Villa of the Quintilii
At the 5th mile of the road, it is the largest residential complex in the suburbs of ancient Rome. It belonged to the Quintilii brothers, consuls in AD 151; Emperor Commodus had them killed in 182-183 and took over the villa. You can see baths, rooms with coloured marble, an antiquarium and, at the Santa Maria Nova farmhouse, mosaics of gladiators and horses.
The catacombs
St Callixtus and St Sebastian open directly onto the road, in its first stretch. Their visit, always guided, combines well with a walk; see our page on the [catacombs of Rome](/fr/attractions/catacombes-rome).
The Capo di Bove complex
Close to Caecilia Metella, these remains of Roman baths share the ticket of the Tomb of Caecilia Metella; they have been closed for restoration since 22 June 2026, with no reopening date announced.
The Domine Quo Vadis church
At the fork with the via Ardeatina, this small church marks, according to tradition, the spot where Peter, fleeing Rome, met Christ. The park information point is right next to it.
Infos pratiques
Tips
The Regional Park information point, at the Centro Servizi (Via Appia Antica 58/60), provides maps and rents bikes. Prices seen in October 2026: city bike €4 an hour or €16 a day, mountain bike €5 and €20, e-bike €8 and €32, helmet, lock and map included. The ancient paving is bumpy: a mountain bike or e-bike is more comfortable, and good shoes are a must on foot. Archaeological Park tickets: €8 full price for Caecilia Metella or for the Villa of the Quintilii (one ticket per site), €2 for EU citizens aged 18-24, €4 with the 48h or 72h Roma Pass, free for under-18s; the €12 ticket, valid seven days, covers all the park's sites. At the Villa of the Quintilii, last entry is 75 minutes before closing. The park is poorly lit: plan to be back before sunset. Bring water. To continue to the Roman arches, see the [Park of the Aqueducts](/fr/attractions/parc-des-aqueducs-rome).
How to get there
Information point: Via Appia Antica 58/60, 00179 Rome, bus 118 or 218, Appia Antica/Domine Quo Vadis stop. Tomb of Caecilia Metella: Via Appia Antica 161, bus 118, S. Sebastiano stop, or bus 660, Appia Pignatelli stop. Villa of the Quintilii: Via Appia Antica 251 or Via Appia Nuova 1092; metro line A to Colli Albani then bus 663 or 664, or bus 118 from the Celio/Vibenna stop to the Appia/Squillace stop.
Opening hours
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