We walked the 15 minutes from Catacombe di Santa Domitilla to this Catacombe. Both are wonderful guided tours and both quite different experiences. C. San Sebastiano seems more touristy in that there is still a fully functioning church at ground level, several artifacts and signage in the tour entrance, a nice little cafe and more to see underground than at Domitilla. But we were so glad to have visited them both. You need to reserve a timed spot on the official website but don’t pay the €10 until you get there. They recommend dressing warmly but we didn’t find it chilly at all underground. We had a wonderful guide who led us though the tunnels, told us who San Sebastiano was, showed us ancient mausoleums, had us sit in the former family gathering area and explained about the church over our heads where San Sebastiano’s remains are. Visiting the catacombs is a nice break from the hustle and bustle of central Rome. It’s an easy bus ride there and back.

You start this visit in a small museum focused on ancient sarcophagi (information in Italian and English). Then you go with a guide through the catacombs, which once contained the remains of Saint Sebastian (now housed in the church above) and several other martyrs, and which at one time also (according to legend) held the relics of Saints Peter and Paul. There were twelve people in our English-language group, led by Marta, who was a great guide. There was a first stop to discuss the different kinds of burials and the Christian symbols which decorated some of the burial slabs; another stop in the small chapel area which once housed St. Sebastian's relics; and another stop before three gorgeous and extremely well preserved pagan tombs. The last stop was in the church, at Bernini's bust of Christ. It's a short tour, but very worthwhile.

We showed up at the catacombs a few hours early on accident. We asked if we could join an earlier group, as we got mixed up and miscommunicated. They were so nice; they rustled up an English speaking guide (Martina) and we basically got a private tour. We highly recommend this place if you are into history at all. Learned aloe!!

First - the 118 bus is easy to use to get here; drops you off in front of the catacombs. On the return, is a half mile hike up the Via Appia with traffic and no sidewalks. 2000 years and no one thought to put sidewalks. The 118 stop is just a dirt patch right off the road. On Wednesday, the pedestrian park is closed for some reason so call a cab for the return. The catacombs themselves are very interesting and the site is well organized. Each tour is about 35 minutes and ends in the church. No bodies inside, but worth the effort - just skip Wednesdays or call a taxi to return.

It’s on the Appian Way just outside of the walls of Ancient Rome. The tour includes the basilica and takes about 30 minutes. The tour takes you through three levels of catacombs that include accent Roman pagan and early Christian tombs. The site was a quarry that was turned into a burial site. The apostles Peter and Paul were once buried here, as was Sebastian, patron saint of soldiers. The catacombs housed the tombs of these people. The tour was interesting. We had just six people on the tour, which was a good number to be able the hear the guide. The Basilica houses some interesting artifacts and are, including the purported last sculpture that Bernini ever made. No cost to visit the Basilica, in case anyone in your group does not like the idea of enclosed spaces. A note on getting there, if you walk, the Appian way does not really have any sidewalks so I would take a different street. There is one that runs parallel that may be safer.

Fascinating place to visit - we included it as part of a half day out to the Appian way. It is easy to get to on the 118 bus from Rome as the bus stops almost directly outside, and the catacombs are open every day. You can only venture down as part of a guided tour (10 € pp) and note you cannot take photos anywhere in the catacombs. The guide was fantastic (she had quite a large group she had to keep track of) and provided loads of information on the history of the site and St Sebastian. Well worth a visit.