Rome Underground Temples of St. Clement’s Basilica Tour 2 hr - Image 1
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Rome Underground Temples of St. Clement’s Basilica Tour 2 hr

TourTruth score 6.9 out of 10

Average

23 reviews · Rated on 1 provider · How we score

  • Rome, Italy
  • 2 hrs
  • Updated November 2, 2026

Explore pagan temples, early Christian ruins, an underground river, and famed mosaics on a guided journey beneath St. Clement’s Basilica in Rome.

About this tour

Beneath Rome’s St. Clement’s Basilica, centuries of history lie stacked in a remarkable underground world. On this small-group Rome Underground Temples of St. Clement’s Basilica tour, follow an expert guide down three levels to uncover ancient pagan temples, a 1st-century home associated with St. Clement, a 4th-century basilica with original frescoes, and an underground river. The layers reveal how the site changed across eras, while your guide brings the ruins and their stories into focus.

After exploring below ground, return to the 12th-century basilica above and take in its celebrated mosaics. Headsets help you hear the guide clearly, and a luggage deposit is available at the office during the tour. You can also select an extended option that adds a guided visit to Santo Stefano Rotondo; its itinerary and ending point may vary, and the visit can occasionally be unavailable during special events or liturgical celebrations.

Wear shoes suited to stairs and cover your knees and shoulders for church entry. Join this Rome Underground Temples of St. Clement’s Basilica tour to see a quieter, fascinating side of the city’s past.

Highlights

  • Descend three levels beneath St. Clement’s Basilica
  • Explore ancient pagan temples and early Christian ruins
  • See a 1st-century home and an underground river
  • Admire original frescoes and the basilica’s famed mosaics
  • Hear the layered history explained by an expert guide

What's included

Included

  • Expert live guide
  • Headsets to hear the guide clearly
  • Luggage deposit at the office during the tour
  • Entrance fees to the Basilica di San Clemente
  • Guided tour of Santo Stefano Rotondo, only with the selected option

Not included

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Food and drinks
  • Optional gratuities
  • Guided tour of Santo Stefano Rotondo, unless selected during purchase

Ratings on each provider

The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.

Important information

  • Meet at Piazza di San Clemente, 00184 Rome, 5 minutes before departure; look for staff holding a yellow label
  • Church dress code requires covered knees and shoulders
  • Expect moderate walking and many steps and stairs; comfortable shoes are recommended
  • Not recommended for guests with claustrophobia
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  • Photography and filming are not allowed inside the basilicas; silence your phone
  • Pets are not allowed inside the basilicas
  • The Santo Stefano Rotondo option may be unavailable during special events or liturgical celebrations; its visit order and ending point may vary
  • Santo Stefano Rotondo’s martyrdom frescoes may not be appropriate for children
  • Tour may be affected by weather or liturgical events; if canceled, choose an alternative date or receive a full refund
  • Public transportation is available nearby; specialized infant seats are available

Frequently asked questions

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts 120 minutes.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at Piazza di San Clemente, 00184 Rome, 5 minutes before departure. Look for a staff member holding a yellow label.

Is Santo Stefano Rotondo included?

The guided visit is included only if you select that option during purchase. It may occasionally be unavailable due to special events or liturgical celebrations.

What should I wear?

Cover your knees and shoulders to enter the churches, and wear comfortable shoes for the many steps and stairs.

Is the tour suitable for guests with claustrophobia?

The tour is not recommended for guests with claustrophobia.

How this score is calculated

This score is based on one provider. Viator rates it 4.74 from 23 reviews. We place that rating among all Viator ratings and weight it by its review count. If the tour is found on another provider later, both ratings are combined.

How the score works and rating distribution in Rome
  • Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
  • Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
  • Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
  • The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 6.9.

Provider rating distribution in Rome

How many tours in Rome have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.

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