Rome: San Clemente Basilica & Ancient Underground Secrets Tour
- 0.8–1 hour
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- 5 languages
- Private tour
Highlights
Discover one of Rome’s most captivating hidden gems with a self-guided audio tour of the Basilica of San Clemente and its extraordinary archaeological excavations. Just steps from the Colosseum, this site unveils over 2,000 years of history, layered beneath your feet. With your audio guide, explore freely and at your own pace. Begin in the magnificent 12th-century basilica, where shimmering mosaics and medieval frescoes adorn the walls. Then venture below to a 4thcentury Christian basilica and, even deeper, an atmospheric Mithraeum — a pagan temple used for ancient rituals. Wander through ancient rooms and passageways, marvel at the preserved ruins, and imagine life in Rome across the centuries. Your audio guide offers rich storytelling, bringing each space to life while giving you the freedom to linger and explore at your own pac Don’t miss this unique opportunity to delve into Rome’s hidden underground world. Book your San Clemente audio tour today — the Eternal City’s secrets await!
Inclusions
What's included
- Visit of the Third Level - Archaeological Excavations, including the ancient Mithraeum
- Visit of the Upper Basilica of San Clemente (12th century)
- Audio guide app available in: English - Spanish - French - German - Italian
- Audio guide app with 22 listening points to explore the site in depth
- Visit of the First Basilica level (4th century)
- Skip-the-line ticket for the archaeological site
What's not
- Food & Drink unless specified
- Gratuities
- Transportation from/to the attraction
- Tour guide
Itinerary
The Basilica of San Clemente is one of Rome’s most fascinating hidden gems, a true time capsule layered with over two millennia of history. Just a short walk from the Colosseum, this site allows visitors to descend through three distinct levels of Roman life. The 12th-century upper basilica features beautiful medieval frescoes and stunning mosaics. Beneath it lies a 4th-century Christian basilica, its faded yet evocative frescoes telling stories of early Christianity. Descend further and you’ll find a 1st-century Roman house and an extraordinary Mithraeum, a temple dedicated to the god Mithras, complete with an altar and intricate carvings. As you explore these underground chambers, you witness the city’s evolution from pagan worship to Christian devotion. The site’s intimate, mysterious atmosphere offers a unique glimpse into Rome’s layered past. San Clemente is a must-visit for those eager to experience Rome’s rich, multi-layered history, where every stone whispers ancient stories.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
3.5
- 57
- 41
- 30
- 22
- 13
Ratings come from 13 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- The meeting point is at our travel agency, located at: Via Labicana 96, Rome — just a few steps from San Clemente Basilica and the Colosseum. Our friendly staff will be waiting to welcome you at the agency and assist you before and after your tour begins.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operated by
- Tour In Rome by Tour in the City
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- A dress code is required to enter all the churches: knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women.
- PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED
- To download and use the app, we recommend using a smartphone produced in 2020 or later.
- Headphones are recommended for optimal audio quality — bring your own.
- Please arrive at the meeting point at least 20 minutes before your scheduled entry time.
How it compares in Rome
- Its from-price is 94% below the median of the 8352 experiences we list in Rome.
- It is shorter than most of them.
- By number of reviews it ranks 2094 of 8352.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Rome
Rome layers nearly three thousand years of history into one walkable city, from the Colosseum and Forum to Baroque piazzas and Vatican art.
Ancient Rome is still in plain sight. The Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill sit together at the city's heart, the Pantheon still stands with its open oculus, and fragments of temples and aqueducts turn up between apartment blocks. Across the Tiber, Vatican City holds St Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums and Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling.
Top-ranked sights in Rome: Colosseum, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel.
Special offers in Rome
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
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