What’s Old Is New Again: Rome’s Via Appia Antica

Now that we’ve entered the Holy Season, tourism to Rome is going to start heating up again quite quickly. Of course, you can follow the pilgrimage throngs around the Lenten Station circuit. Or, you can travel outside the city walls to check out the Via Appia Antica.

David Farley’s one-day itinerary along the ancient road recently published in the NY Times is a great break from the crowds of the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, and the Vatican Museums. Known in English as the Appian Way, Via Appia Antica is unfortunately left off of many tourists’ agendas. Blame Rome for having too darn much to do and see.

As I advise people in The Unofficial Guide to Central Italy, one hassle-free way to “do” the Appian Way is by taking the Archeobus, a tour bus service run by Rome’s municipal transportation company. You can hop on the Archeobus at several stops within town, including the Termini Train Station, the Circus Maximus, or the Baths of Caracalla, and travel to the attractions of the Appian Way, including the Catacombs. Once you get to the Appia Antica park, you can even rent a bike for a couple of euros.

The price for the Archeobus starts at €13. You’re lucky to even get a gelato at that price these days!