Visiting The Appian Way (Via Appia Antica) From Rome
A Practical Guide For Those Planning On Visiting Via Appia Antica
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| Typical Stretch Of Appian Way (Via Appia Antica) |
Official Web Site - Via Appia Antica
The Via Appia Antica is the old Roman Appian Way, which ran from Rome down to Brindisi. The stretch close to Rome, the Via Appia Antica, is now part of an nature and archaeological park, the Parco Regionale dell'Appia Antica, and makes a lovely day out, particularly on Sundays when the area is closed to traffic.
Its quite easy to visit the Appian Way at any time either by public bus or the hop on, hop off Archeobus service. Walking along the Via Appia Antica is a refreshing change from the city, you can also hire bikes from the visitor centre. The road is attractive and atmospheric, with plenty of grassy spots where you can picnic.
What Is There To See ?
Whether you are arriving by Archeobus or public bus, a good first stop is the visitor centre at the start of the Via Appia Antica you explore.
At the Visitor Centre you can pick up maps and leaflets about the area and even hire bicycles.
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Be prepared for plenty of walking, if you want you can follow the Appia Antica for 16kms. There are no 'must see' blockbuster attractions, just a series of low key ones.
Perhaps the most visited and commercial attraction is the Catacoombe San Calisto, one of three catacoombs along the way.
There is an Appia Antica Card covering most of the attractions and the Rome Museum Pass also covers the same.
Its a good idea to visit the official web site (link at top of page) to get an idea of what might be of interest personally to you.
Its probably chance encounters like image right that you will remember most.
From the Visitor Centre most people will not go immediately along the Via Appia Antica where the odd bus hurtles along, but into the park like grounds on the western border here. Following the main path here that goes parallel to the Via Appia Antica up to the Catacoombe San Calisto.
When you continue past the Catacoombe San Calisto, this main path rejoins the Via Appia Antica at a point that is much more civilised. This path is also used by the many cyclists so do keep a look out.
Roma Pass
Roma Pass provides free and direct entry to the first two museums or archaeological sites visited, the choice is yours. After the first two sites/museums visited there are reduced ticket prices to all other museums and archaeological sites visited thereafter.
There is a long list of Rome museums and archaeological sites, perhaps the main draws for most tourists are the Colosseum (including the Roman Forum & Palatine Hill, Galleria Borghese and Appia Antica . The notable area not covered is the Vatican.
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| Archeobus Hop On, Hop Off Bus |
Archeobus
The simplest option for visitors to get out to the Via Appia Antica is the Archeobus hop on, hop off sightseeing bus. It ignores the main sights in the centre of Rome, making its way from Termini Station to the Via Appia Antica via the Colosseum, Roman Forum and the Baths of Caracalla before getting out to Via Appia Antica proper.
The standard ticket is valid on the day. If you were to stay on the bus for the entire loop, it would take approximately 1 hour 45 minutes.
There is also a 48 hour bundle deal where you can combine the Archeobus with the 110 Open Tour bus, a traditional Rome city centre hop on, hop off bus.
After stopping at the Visitor Centre the Archeobus goes about a mile or so down the Via Appia Antica before doing a U turn and coming back the way it came.
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| Via Appia Antica Visitor Centre |
Getting To The Via Appia Antica Via Public Bus
There are a few permutations on getting to the Via Appia Antica. Probably the simplest is the 118 bus that starts in front of Piramide Metro Station and will drop you off in front of the Visitor Centre.
Piramide Metro Station is linked by walkway to Ostiense railway station with services to Fiumicino Airport.
When traveling by bus, the Visitor Centre is on the right hand side of the bus. The bus should stop outside.
The Rome public transport pass is valid for this journey.
The Visitor Centre is easily missed, especially if you are looking for a modern, well signed visitor centre. Its easy to think at first its just a bar in and old farmhouse, (see image right).
When traveling by bus, the Visitor Centre is on the right hand side of the bus. The bus should stop outside. If you are looking for something like the image left you should be fine.
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The Rome ComboPass® valid for three days, it includes 'Roma Pass,' unlimited use of public transport, free access to the first two museums, discounts for numerous other museums, hop on/off bus for two days, hop on/off boat for one day during high season, and more!
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