We will not be able to get to the Via Appia Antica on a Sunday when it is closed to most vehicle travel. We would love to see the catacombs, the circus Maxentius and the Mausoleo di Cecilia Metella, but can only go on a Saturday. Is it really dangerous to walk between the locations? I was thinking of taking the 118 bus to near the visitor center and then head down on foot. We would take the 660 bus back toward central Rome. My other plan was to take the 660, start at the Mausoleo di Cecilia Metella and head north ending with the various catacombs. Thoughts?
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23267 posts
Dangerous is relative term in Rome with traffic. There is narrow walkway along the street, no separation, and traffic is heavy. As long as you walk single file and stay close to the wall, should be no worse than many other places.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Thank you for the reply. Would Friday or Saturday make any difference with traffic?
Posted by
Colorado Springs
2822 posts
There's a visitor center across from the 118 bus stop near the Quo Vadis church which is quite helpful. They have an excellent map for about 2 euros, and they also rent bikes as I recall.
There's a better walking route that they can direct you to so you don't have to walk along the busy street...goes up past one of the catacombs and rejoins the Appian Way at the beginning of the scenic part, from where it's light traffic (local only) and very pleasant walking for miles.
The entrance to the "Ingresso" was easy to miss (we did at first)...looks like a driveway, but it's a much more pleasant way to go.
We went on a weekday and the traffic on the main drag was murder. Just crossing the street was an adventure, but once on the scenic, local traffic only, stretch there was hardly any traffic at all.
Can Google "Parco apia antica" to find their website
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Thank you for the information. Will definitely be on the look out for the ingresso. Have spent a fair amount of time at the website. At least I can assure my fiancee (will be wife this weekend before we head off to Rome on our honeymoon) that I am not trying to kill her right after marrying her.