Best for
Early Christian history enthusiasts already exploring the Appian Way
Time needed
1–1.5 hours including the guided tour
Worth it?
Yes, particularly if combined with the basilica and Bernini's final work
Skip if
You've already visited San Callisto and don't need a second catacomb visit
About Catacombs of San Sebastiano
The Catacombs of San Sebastiano take their name from the 3rd-century martyr Saint Sebastian, whose remains are still kept in the basilica built directly above the tunnel entrance, and — unusually among Rome's catacombs, many of which were rediscovered and renamed centuries after being lost — this site has been continuously known and venerated by this same name since antiquity, never fully forgotten or buried under later development.
An early Christian tradition holds that the relics of Saints Peter and Paul were temporarily moved here for safekeeping during a period of persecution in the mid-3rd century, before being returned to their original burial sites (what are now St. Peter's Basilica and St. Paul Outside the Walls). Whether or not the tradition is literally accurate, it made the site a major pilgrimage destination in its own right for centuries, distinct from its role as a straightforward burial ground.
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The tunnels descend across four levels and include a striking feature not found at every catacomb: a set of well-preserved 3rd-century pagan mausoleums, decorated with stucco and painted ceilings, that were later built over and incorporated into the Christian catacomb network as burial practices and religious affiliations shifted — a rare physical record of Rome's gradual transition from paganism to Christianity, visible in a single continuous excavation.
Like San Callisto nearby, visits are guided-only, running 30–45 minutes, and the basilica above (included in some ticket options) is worth combining with the underground visit — it holds one of Bernini's final sculptural works, a bust of the Salvator Mundi completed shortly before the artist's death.
What to See: Highlights
- 1The only Roman catacomb to retain its name continuously since antiquity
- 2The tradition of Saints Peter and Paul's relics briefly resting here
- 3Well-preserved 3rd-century pagan mausoleums within the Christian network
- 4Bernini's final sculptural work, a Salvator Mundi bust, in the basilica above
- 5Four underground tunnel levels with mandatory guided access
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Insider Tips
Combine with the basilica above ground, which holds one of Bernini's last works
Book online ahead, especially on weekends when the site prioritises pre-booked visitors
Pair naturally with Catacombs of San Callisto or a walk along the Appian Way
Wear a light layer — like all catacombs, it stays cool underground year-round
Photography is typically restricted underground — check current rules with your guide
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Getting There
Via Appia Antica, 136, 00179 Roma RM
Open in Google Maps →- 1Metro B to Colosseo or Circo Massimo, then bus 118 (direction Via Appia Antica) to the Catacombe di San Sebastiano stop.
Where to stay
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you visit.
Is Catacombs of San Sebastiano worth visiting?+−
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Should You Visit?
Visit if...
- You're interested in the tradition of Peter and Paul's relics resting here
- You want to see the transition from pagan to Christian burial in one site
- You're already exploring the Appian Way area
- You want to see Bernini's final sculptural work in the basilica above
Skip if...
- You've already visited San Callisto and one catacomb visit is enough
- You're not planning to venture out to the Appian Way
- You're uncomfortable in confined underground spaces
Ready to Book Your Visit?
More to See in Rome
Catacombs of San Callisto
The largest and most important of Rome's Christian catacombs, burial place of numerous early popes — visited only by mandatory guided tour, roughly 20 kilometres of tunnels carved into soft volcanic rock.
Appian Way (Via Appia Antica)
The 'Queen of Roads,' Rome's oldest and most strategically important highway, now a protected regional park where you can walk or cycle on the same basalt paving stones legionaries marched on 2,300 years ago.
Circus Maximus
Ancient Rome's giant chariot-racing stadium, now a free open grass park in the valley between the Palatine and Aventine Hills — bring imagination, since almost nothing structural survives above ground.