Basilica di San Clemente Reserved Entry

Main Image
Duration: 1 hour

Overview

Reserved entry to San Clemente’s underground Rome. Add the Rome Audio Guide for extra stories and citywide highlights!

Duration: 1 hour

Included

Included
Reserved entry ticket to Basilica di San Clemente archaeological excavations (Lower Basilica, Roman levels, Mithraeum)
Included
Access to the Upper Basilica
Included
Rome audio guide (if the option is selected)

Important information

How long does the visit take?

Most visits take about 1 hour. If you choose the Rome Audio Guide option, the audio guide is flexible and can be used at your own pace.

Is the underground area suitable for everyone?

The underground levels include stairs and uneven surfaces and are not wheelchair accessible. It may not be suitable for guests with mobility limitations.

Can I take photos inside?

No. Photography and filming are not permitted inside the basilica or the underground excavations.

Is this a guided tour?

No. This is reserved entry to Basilica di San Clemente and its underground levels. If you select the Rome Audio Guide option, you’ll explore Rome with a self-guided audio guide.

What happens if I’m late?

Late arrival may result in missed entry, since access is time-based. Arriving a few minutes early is strongly recommended.

Do I need to bring anything for the Rome Audio Guide?

Yes. Bring a charged smartphone and headphones. Mobile data may be needed unless your audio guide supports offline downloads.

Highlights

More information

Picture this: you step into the Basilica di San Clemente and, in just minutes, travel through layers of Rome that most visitors never even realize exist. With reserved entry, the experience feels smooth and unhurried from the start.

Begin in the upper basilica, where shimmering mosaics and marble details set the tone. Then go deeper. Descend into the earlier church below, where medieval frescoes still cling to the walls with quiet drama and surprising color.

And then comes the real reveal: ancient Roman rooms buried beneath it all, ending at a hidden Mithraic sanctuary that feels worlds away from modern Rome. It’s one site, three eras, and a story that keeps unfolding the further down you go.

Stories You'll Hear

  • Rome Built on Rome: How one basilica ended up stacked over an older church and even older Roman buildings, creating a true timeline you can walk through.
  • The Frescoes That Talk Back: The famous lower-basilica paintings that include one of the earliest written lines of everyday Italian, captured like a medieval comic strip.
  • The Secret Cult of Mithras: Who worshipped in the Mithraeum, what their rituals meant, and why this underground sanctuary feels so different from the church above.

What's included:

  • Reserved entry to the Basilica di San Clemente archaeological excavations (Lower Basilica, Roman levels, Mithraeum)
  • Access to the Upper Basilica
  • Rome audio guide (only if the Rome Audio Guide + San Clemente option is selected)

What's not included:

  • Live guide
  • Transportation
  • Food and drinks
  • Smartphone and headphones for the audio guide