Rome · Small group

Rome Underground: San Clemente Basilica Exclusive Tour

  • About 1.5 hours
  • San Clemente Basilica, Via Labicana
  • Small group
  • Mobile ticket

Overview

This is our small-group visit to the layers beneath San Clemente Basilica. With fewer people, you move at a slower pace through the narrow passages and spend more time in the 1st-century Roman level and the Mithraeum.

Your guide explains how Rome’s ground level rose over the centuries, burying whole buildings, and why this site is one of the clearest places in the city to see that history layer by layer.

Highlights

  • Small group, so there is time for questions
  • Extra time in the 1st-century Roman rooms
  • The Mithraeum, with its altar to Mithras
  • The 4th-century basilica and its frescoes
  • The sound of an underground stream beneath the city

Itinerary

  1. 1Start

    Meet outside San Clemente

    Meet your guide outside the basilica, a short walk from the Colosseum.

  2. 2Level 1

    Upper basilica

    A short introduction in the 12th-century church and its apse mosaic.

  3. 3Level 2

    Lower basilica

    The 4th-century church and its medieval frescoes.

  4. 4Level 3

    The Roman level

    Slow exploration of the 1st-century rooms, the Mithraeum and the underground water channels.

What’s included

Included

  • Licensed tour guide
  • Small-group format
  • Entry to the underground excavations

Not included

  • Transport
  • Food and drinks
  • Tips

Meeting point

San Clemente Basilica, Via Labicana. The exact meeting point and your guide’s contact details are in your confirmation email.

Open larger map · Basilica di San Clemente, Via Labicana, Rome

Good to know

  • Shoulders and knees must be covered.
  • Photography is not permitted inside San Clemente.
  • Stairs are steep and narrow; not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.
  • Bring a light layer, as it is cool underground.

Cancellation policy

Cancellation terms for this tour are shown before you pay and in your confirmation. Many tours offer a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.

Frequently asked questions

How is this different from the standard San Clemente tour?

The route is similar, but the group is smaller and more of the time is spent on the lowest Roman level.

Is it suitable for children?

Yes for older children who are comfortable with stairs and enclosed spaces.

Can I take photos?

No. Photography is not allowed anywhere inside San Clemente.

From
Check availability

Enquiry

Ask about this tour