Rome Bike / EBike Tour: Appian Way, Catacombs & Roman Aqueducts
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Rome, Italy
- 4 to 6 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Venture outside Rome’s historic center to take in ancient sights that many tourists miss, all on this cycling tour along the Ancient Appian Way. See ruins like the Aurelian Walls, Circus of Maxentius, and Roman aqueducts, all the while cycling through the countryside. Choose between the two bike types to fit your needs and/or upgrade to the longer tour that includes a guided visit to the 2nd-century catacombs.
- Get in-depth insights into ancient Rome from your guide
- Ride a mountain bike or upgrade to an e-bike for ease
- Upgrade to include a visit to the San Callisto or San Sebastiano catacombs
- Enjoy the personal attention and relaxed pace of a small-group tour
Why Travelers Choose This Tour
Ride out of Rome's busy center and off the beaten track.
What's Included
- Premium Bike or E-Bike (with anti-puncture tires and comfortable saddle)
- Helmet (mandatory)
- Professional guide
- Guided visit of the Catacombs of San Callisto or San Sebastiano (ONLY IN THE 6-HOUR TOUR)
- Handlebar bag
- Water (biodegradable bottle)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities
- LunchThis tour doesn't include any food or drinks; however, the route offers a few possibilities to purchase some food or drinks (which can be consumed during a suitable break).
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Via Labicana, 49, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
You can easily reach us using the A-line subway, getting off at Metro MANZONI (our shop is a 10-minute walk from there); or using the B-line subway, getting off at Metro COLOSSEUM (our shop is a 10/15-minute walk from there).
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Your bike tour starts at a central Rome location, where you meet your guide and gear up with your mountain bike or electric-assist bike. Ride out of the city center to the Appian Way which dates back to 312 BC, the Ancient Appian Way was constructed to connect Rome to Southern Italy and became one of the most important thoroughfares in the Roman Republic.
When you arrive at the start of the ancient road, you can relax and enjoy the scenery. Opting for an electric-assist bike allows you to cover a lot of ground with minimal effort while you enjoy the fresh air of the Roman countryside.
Follow your guide past ancient sites like the Thermal Baths of Caracalla, the Aurelian Walls, and the Park of the Aqueducts. Admire rural Italy and hear stories from your guide about the centuries-old ruins.
Upgrade to the longer tour option and enjoy a guided tour of the catacombs to learn about ancient Roman burial traditions as you delve inside the subterranean tunnels.
Your tour concludes when you return to central Rome.
When you arrive at the start of the ancient road, you can relax and enjoy the scenery. Opting for an electric-assist bike allows you to cover a lot of ground with minimal effort while you enjoy the fresh air of the Roman countryside.
Follow your guide past ancient sites like the Thermal Baths of Caracalla, the Aurelian Walls, and the Park of the Aqueducts. Admire rural Italy and hear stories from your guide about the centuries-old ruins.
Upgrade to the longer tour option and enjoy a guided tour of the catacombs to learn about ancient Roman burial traditions as you delve inside the subterranean tunnels.
Your tour concludes when you return to central Rome.
1
Porta San Sebastiano
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Appian Way (Via Appia Antica)
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
3
Catacombe di San Callisto
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Circus of Maxentius
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
Mausoleo di Cecilia Metella e Castrum Caetani - Parco Archeologico dell'Appia Antica
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
6
Villa dei Quintili e Santa Maria Nova - Parco Archeologico dell'Appia Antica
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
7
Parco Archeologico dell'Appia Antica
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
8
Terme di Caracalla
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Parco Della Caffarella (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Please note that approximately 40% of the route of this tour takes place in the city. We ride carefully chosen city streets, but some traffic is unavoidable to connect the Ancient Appian Way Park to the Aqueducts Park. In the remaining 60% of the route (riding in the parks) we encounter no traffic.
- You will cover an area of approximately 17 miles (27km), 60% of which takes place off-road. The difficulty level of this tour is intermediate (difficult with a child seat or child extension mounted on the bicycle).
- Child policy: (1) Infants under 1 year are not allowed to participate for safety reasons. (2) Infants aged 1-4 years travelling on a child seat (with load capacity of up to 49 lbs or 22 kg) come on the tour free of charge. (3) For children aged 5-8 years a child extension (child streamliner) is provided. (4) Children aged 9 and above can autonomously ride on an appropriately sized bikes or E-bikes.
- Minimum of 4 participants applies (total number of participants on tour). There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there is 3 or less passengers on the tour. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative for your tour or full refund.
- On Wednesdays, the route includes a deviation, so the tour may last half an hour longer (4.5 hours in place of 4 hours and 6,5 hours in place of 6 hours). The tour may be half an hour longer also in the period between mid January and mid February.
- On Easter Sunday (March 28th, 2027), the Catacombs are closed (therefore, the 6-hour tour will not be running)
- This tour doesn't include any food or drinks; however, the route offers a few possibilities to purchase some food or drinks (which can be consumed during a suitable break).
- Are the tours safe? The answer is: Absolutely! The tours follow carefully planned routes which have limited access to traffic, and some have no traffic at all, meaning you are able to enjoy your ride around the city in total relaxation and safety and you won't have to worry about traffic
- We require that all customers wear a helmet on the tour (provided for free).
- Our bike equipment carries a weight limitation of 300 lbs (136 kg)
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
I cannot recommend this tour enough. It was a fantastic way to see and experience Rome differently. It was the highlight of Rome for my two teenage boys. The bikes were top quality and our guide Bita was fantastic. We really enjoyed the ride through Appian Way and Aqueduct park with so much history.
Reviews
4.9
based on 1,939 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Fun ride through history. Friendly, knowledgeable guide. Local lunch stop. The e-bikes worked great, well maintained. Thanks Maria!!
Was wonderful but a lot of bumpy roads and riding on the streets of Rome was quite scary, we had a wonderful time otherwise and highly recommend this day trip!!
Excellent tour, get outside the city and see some country side. Be prepared the Appian road will be extremely bumpy due to large cobblestones.
Our guide Arena was great, patient waited to make sure everyone was together. Knew the history of the aqua ducts.
Gave plenty of time of pictures and water breaks.
This bike tour was one of the highlights of our trip to Rome. It was such a great way to see a different side of the city, especially the areas outside the busy center and all of the parks and greenery along the way.
The Appian Way, catacombs, and aqueducts were definitely highlights, but we also really enjoyed everything in between. The route gives you a great mix of history, scenery, and quieter parts of Rome that we probably wouldn’t have seen otherwise. There’s also a nice stop for gelato and coffee along the way.
It was a perfect alternative to spending another day walking everywhere. Our tour guide was very patient, knowledgeable, and made the whole experience enjoyable. Highly recommend if you want to see more of Rome beyond the usual sights!
Rick was an excellent guide. We felt safe riding with him and appreciated all the history and information that he shared along the way.
Kids loved it , as did I . Safe riding away from the traffic - we loved it !
Great experience for the kids and we learnrd a lot about Roman History
This was my second time taking this tour, and I can't wait to come back to Rome to take it a third time. Both tour guides were spectacular: so knowledgeable, personable and memorable. The bikes were very clean and in excellent condition. I highly highly recommend this tour!
Highly skilled guide, with clear english accent, and informative.
We enjoyed the trip, smooth and easy to do
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Ciao Morad,
Thank you so much for this review.
We are so glad that you enjoyed your time with us and we hope to have you ride with us again in the future!
Ali
We were in Italy for 11 days and this was the coolest, most fun experience we had!!! Highly recommend!!! Rens was our guide and he was so much fun, explained the history of what we saw in an engaging way that made it interesting and kept our attention. I had never been on an e-bike and it was easy to use and fun to ride. Can’t recommend this experience enough!!
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that your e-bike experience was one of the coolest and most fun moments of your trip in Italy. We’re especially happy that Rens made the history engaging and that you enjoyed your first e-bike ride! we hope to see you again!
Simone
Amazing tour. Frequent stops. Do not be afraid of the 6 hour number, it did not feel like it. Icarus(?) was a great guide! Highly recommend even for newbies to ebike
Cas our guide was amazing. This tour is really fun, and a great way to get outside the city gates. The Appian way! Aqueducts! Gates of the city! Saw amazing historical sights and got great background from Cas. Definitely book this tour if you are looking for something different!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for the lovely feedback! We’re so happy you enjoyed the tour and got to experience a different side of Rome, from the ancient Appian Way to the impressive aqueducts and city gates.
We’re especially glad to hear that Cas made the experience special with great stories and insights along the way. We’ll definitely pass your kind words on to them!
Thank you for recommending the tour, and we hope to ride with you again next time you’re in Rome! 🚲🇮🇹
Ali
Great time getting outside of the city and seeing another side of Rome.
Our tour leader was very attentive and made sure we were all safe
This tour was literally our favorite part of our stop in Rome - we are still talking about it over a week later! It was so nice to get out of the chaotic city and into the countryside for a day and see a different side of Roman history. Our tour guide Merhab (I'm sorry, I probably spelled that wrong) was great, and we only had 6 people total on our tour so we really got to know each other throughout the day! There are lots of stops, so you are never riding for more than 10-15 minutes at a time, and each stop is beautiful. We especially loved riding around the old aqueducts as the sun was beginning to set. The cool catacombs were a nice break, and it was nice to have the breeze on our faces to take the edge off the heat. We will remember this tour for years to come.
This is such a great way to get out of the busy city. I was worried that it would be a little too hot considering the summer weather. But I think it was better than being on the city streets. Our guide, Tommaso, was fabulous. He was full of information and very friendly. And despite riding on some city streets, he made sure we were quite safe.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you so much for this lovely review! We're so glad the ride outside the city offered a refreshing escape from the summer heat, and that Tommaso kept you safe and informed with his friendly guidance along the way. We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to him. Hope to see you again soon!
Ali
Topbike
We did a eBike tour along the Appian Way with TopBike Rental in mid July. Our guide Icaro was fantastic. He was a very safe guide who was enthusiastic with sharing information. The bikes were very comfortable and we had no concerns with safety throughout. Whilst it was hot, we had frequent stops for gelato, nasoni visits. The Appian was very interesting including the amazing catacombs and aquaduct park. It was one of the highlights of our holiday for our 15 year old son. Thanks Icaro!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you so much for this wonderful review! We're delighted that Icaro's enthusiasm and safety-focused guiding, along with the gelato and nasoni stops, made the Appian Way tour such a highlight of your holiday — especially for your son. We'll happily pass along your thanks to Icaro. Hope to welcome you all back to Rome soon!
Ali
Topbike
This was our favorite excursion while in Rome. We had a small group with only another couple which made navigating easy and simple. Our guide was excellent and not only made the trip fun but had lots of historical and interesting facts.
We chose the 6 hour trip that included a hour long guided tour of the catacombs. This was also cool experience and nice way to get out of the heat.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that this was your favorite excursion in Rome. A small group really does make the experience more enjoyable, and we’re happy your guide could share history, stories, and fun facts along the way. We’re glad you also enjoyed the catacombs visit as a refreshing and unique part of the tour.
Kind Regards,
Simone
TopBike Rental&Tours
More technical and nerve wracking than advertised. However, so glad we did it. Beware it is hot in summer, and 40% of it you are dodging cars. Loved our guide, he took good care of us. Last name started with an I.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re happy to hear that, despite being more technical and exciting than expected, you enjoyed the adventure. We always appreciate feedback about the summer heat and road conditions, and we’re glad your guide took great care of you throughout the ride. We’ll make sure to pass along your kind words to him!
Kind Regards,
Simone
TopBike Rental&Tour
Paola was fantástic. She had so much knowledge and was very flexible! 10 out of 10. Lots of ruins to visit and beautiful scenery.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for this fantastic review! We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to Paola, and hope to welcome you back to TopBike soon!
Ali
Very cool way to see a different part of Rome. Easy ride, covered a lot a places and the guide was great. Highly recommend.
This bike tour was GREAT! It was so fun to be out in the countryside of Rome rather than just in the city center. We saw the old aqueduct and the old Appian Way road, which was cool, the catacombs tour was excellent, and it was just a fun experience. We learned a saw a lot!!! Now, a little disclaimer: this is not for the faint of heart. It’s a long bike ride and a long day, in the heat. (Although the breeze on our faces was great.) It’s a great value for your money, but I wasn’t aware of how many miles we would ride. Thankfully they were E bikes. But a disclaimer about that too: those E bikes can have a little bit of power for people who don’t know how to ride them, so just be careful! Not saying don’t do it, just be aware. I had a little minor accident, but our tour guide was there with Band-Aids and wound spray. Our guide was Icaru- great guy, fun and kind and knowledgeable 😊
Such a great tour off the beaten path from Rome. Loved hearing more about parts of Roman history that you may not hear on the typical Rome tours. It was nice and quaint. Not overrun with Tourists
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your kind words! We're so glad you enjoyed exploring a quieter side of Rome and discovering stories and history beyond the usual tourist highlights. It means a lot to hear you appreciated the more authentic experience, and we hope to see you again on another adventure soon!
This was a very fun tour. You get to see a lot of different parts of Rome and riding the Appian Way and in the aqueduct park was very special. Our guide Zac did a great job with stops and keeping us all safe while riding.
It was so interesting, the Catacombs, the countryside, navigating the streets of Rome on a bike, it was some of everything!
I think it’s helpful to know these guys are a bike shop that runs tours, not a tour group that has a bike option. Having basic mountain biking experience is helpful taking this tour. Biking on cobbles and appian way takes some bike navigation skills. Riding with traffic on the cobblestone also takes some caution. There is limited biking on paved surfaces so it’s not an easy ride though of course the powered bike helps. The downhills are long and you can pick up a lot of speed so if you’re not used to it, it can seem dangerous because there’s a lot a navigating around blind curves and corners. I would say our guide Rob was somewhat cavalier. He was generally polite but I don’t think he kept us together very well and didn’t give much support to the riders or clear instructions on what terrain we would be biking and what hazards to look out for. He is Iranian and knowing we were from the US made joking comment(?) about the Strait of Hormuz which I found very off-putting. Coming from the US and never ridden an e-bike before, I expected more instruction on how the bike operated and what the different modes of the e-bike were for. Also what are the rules of the road in Italy - may be there really aren’t any but generally who has the right away? Again, not clear. If you have and neck or back issues the bumpiness of the Appian Way is not for you. If you’re not a confident bike rider, I wouldn’t recommend this tour. I wouldn’t recommend Rob as a guide as well.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Dear Jessica,
First of all, thank you for providing, for the benefit of future guests, a detailed account of what some participants may experience as the more challenging aspects of the Appian Way Tour.
Indeed, some of the potential difficulties you mentioned are why we rate this itinerary "intermediate", particularly given that 60% of the tour takes place on off-road terrain (dirt paths, cobbles and light gravel). This makes the tour most suitable for confident cyclists, or cyclists who have a little more than just basic biking skills. While we make every effort to smooth out the itinerary (by selecting the lighter off-road paths and using front-suspension Cannondale E-Mountain Bikes, for example), it is important to recognize the "physical" limitations of the route. For a similar reason, we agree that this tour may not be suitable for all guests, and that those with certain health conditions should carefully evaluate their suitability for this itinerary.
Regarding your overall experience of the ride, we're sorry to hear that you felt you didn't receive enough support from the guide during the tour and that you felt the group wasn't kept together. Our goal is always a seamless experience that lets you freely enjoy the beauty of the Appian Way Park without ever thinking about the "mechanics" of the tour: how the bike works or who has the right of way — and we apologize if we fell short of this objective. We have addressed this with the guide to ensure close adherence to all our policies related to safety and the perception thereof (including safety and bike briefings and a tight control of the group during the tour).
We also apologize if one of your guides' comments made you uncomfortable. We spoke with him on this too, and he explained that his intention with the joke was never to make anyone uncomfortable, but rather to break the ice. In any case, we can see how such a comment can have a different impact than intended, and we appreciate you bringing it to our attention.
Thank you again for your review. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back so you can enjoy the experience we strive to give all our guests.
With my best regards,
Akram
TopBike Rental & Tours
Amazing, the best experience. I’ve been on a lot of tours but this one is the most fun and interactive.
This is a great activity for groups or families especially if you have older kids or teenagers who are active and want to get out of the hustle and bustle of the crowded city while still seeing the sights of Ancient Rome! Our guide, Alejandro, was great a patient with a couple of us who were a little slower than the rest of our family! My teenagers loved it!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Dear Lauren,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted that your family enjoyed exploring Ancient Rome away from the crowds, and that everyone — teenagers included — had such a great time. Alejandro will be thrilled to hear your kind words about his patience and care for the group. We'd love to welcome you all back to TopBike on your next visit to Rome!
Warm regards,
Ali
My family of four, including a 13 and 10 year old, took the four hour e-bike tour. Our guide, Tommaso, did a great job of helping our group navigate Rome, both in the city and outer areas. We loved the route, which was both beautiful and a bit exciting. Tommaso was very helpful and informative, leading us through the city, along the Appian Way and through the aqueducts and parks. This was favorite tour in Rome and such an incredible way to see parts that wouldn’t be possible on foot. We would highly recommend and would definitely do again if ever in Rome.
Great tour, lovely to be seeing the countryside along the way. Maria was such a friendly and very knowledgeable guide. Highly recommend for a family day out
I traveled to Rome in April on a group bus tour. We visited the Appian Way and catacombs one morning, all slowly shuffling out of the bus and walking a short distance up the road as the tour guide droned, and I noticed people zipping by us on e-bikes off into the distance and said to myself, “I want to do that!” I split from the group the next day and took this tour and it was the highlight of my trip to Rome. The weather was beautiful, and the ride along part of the Appian Way and through the countryside was spectacular—I couldn’t stop smiling. Our guide was great, and made sure the slowpokes in the back (me) kept up with the group. Some of the narrow/bumpy parts of the path were a bit challenging, but I’m 67 and I made it all the way. Highly recommend, this was a day I won’t forget.
You will see things around Rome you won’t see on other tours. The guide did great and the bikes were top notch equipment.
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