Official Information
Official website: https://www.catacombe.org/
Online tickets: https://www.catacombe.org/booking
Address: Via Appia Antica 136, 00179 Roma RM, Italy
Google map: View on Google Maps
Opening Hours
According to the Pontifical Commission of Sacred Archaeology, the Catacombs of San Sebastiano are generally open to visitors Monday to Sunday from 09:30 to 17:00, with the last guided visit starting at 16:45. There is a weekly closing day during some seasons and an annual closure in early December; up-to-date information is published on the official catacombe.org pages.
The Catacombs of San Sebastiano lie along the historic Appian Way and are among the best-known Christian burial complexes in Rome. Managed by the Pontifical Commission of Sacred Archaeology, they preserve several levels of underground galleries originally used for both pagan and Christian burials before becoming strongly associated with the martyr Sebastian. Visitors join a guided tour, the only way to enter, and descend by stairways into a network of corridors lined with loculi—niches for bodies closed by tiles or marble slabs once inscribed with names and symbols. Along the route, the guide explains the burial customs of the early Christians and how these differed from or resembled contemporary Roman practices. Particularly notable are cubicula (family tomb rooms) with painted decoration and small mausolea adapted into underground chapels. Above the catacombs, the basilica of San Sebastiano fuori le Mura was once a major pilgrimage site, and the entire complex formed part of the traditional route visiting the tombs of apostles Peter and Paul. Modern signage and the official website provide clear information on opening times, required clothing and photography rules, as well as accessibility considerations since much of the visit is via stairs and uneven surfaces. The official site also handles ticket prices, language options for tours and group reservations. For travellers who want a structured, historically grounded catacomb experience on the Appian Way, San Sebastiano combines archaeological interest with a strong sense of early Christian devotion and is easy to pair with a walk or bike ride along the ancient road.