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Welcome to the Via Appia Antica — The Old Appian Way

Built in the late 4th century BC, the Appian Way, Rome’s first consular road, was one of the most ambitious military projects undertaken by the burgeoning Roman Republic. Its construction paved the way for Rome’s conquest of the fearsome Samnite tribe to the south and her subsequent domination of the entire southern Italian peninsula.

But the Appian Way was far more than just a military road.

Lined with the residences, villas, and the ornate tombs of wealthy Romans, and intersected by the subterranean catacombs of Rome’s early Christians, the Appian Way has for millennia been a treasure trove of personal stories — just waiting to be deciphered by those curious enough to look closer.

For years, I have been researching the Appian Way, studying its history and trying to piece together its stories.

Now I would like to share these stories with you.

Walking Tours

Ebike/Bike Tours

Golf Cart Tours

*Subject to availability

About My Tours

My private Appian Way tours last between 2 to 3.5 hours, depending on whether you want to walk or hire bikes. Bike tours can also include the Aqueduct Park and Caffarella Valley.

Cycling tours (3.5 hours) start on the Appian Way and stop at the Villa and Circus of Maxentius, the Mausoleum of Romulus, the Mausoleum of Caecilia Metella, and Capo di Bove Baths. We then continue to the Aqueduct Park and Caffarella Valley, for a round trip of about 11 miles / 19 km.

My walking tours tend to stay on the Appian Way, with visits to the Villa and Circus of Maxentius, the Mausoleum of Romulus, the Mausoleum of Caecilia Metella, and Capo di Bove Baths. We will also stop at several monuments further down the Appian Way, in the heart of the Roman countryside.

Below is a sneak peek from back in 2020.

About Me

I’m Alexander Meddings, a British-born historian with an MPhil in Roman History from the University of Oxford. I’ve been in Italy for 11 years, working as a writer and a tour leader in Rome. I’ve studied my Suetonius, come to terms with Cicero, and got to grips with Gibbon—all so you don’t have to—and I regularly feature as a guest on the BBC History Hit podcasts Betwixt the Sheets and After Dark.

I’m an ETOA guide, tour leader for ACIS (the American Council for International Studies), and part of the guiding team for the Regional Park of the Appia Antica: my favourite hidden gem in Rome.

I love the juicy details from Roman history: the sex lives of the Caesars; damnatio memoriae (the ‘cancelling’ of disgraced figures). And we could talk for hours about the emperor Caligula, whose reign I discussed on a recent podcast you can stream below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all your Appian Way tours private?

Yes. All my tours are private and led only by me, so you get my personal attention and professional expertise.

How physically demanding is an Appian Way tour?

Cycling tours require a moderate level of fitness, especially if you opt for regular pedal bikes instead of electric-assist e-bikes. If you suffer from mobility issues, contact me and we can look into a golf cart tour (subject to availability).

Is this tour suitable for children?

I would not recommend a bike tour for children below the age of 10 since there are a couple of occasions on which we have to navigate stretches of road. For families with children aged 10 and under, I recommend a private walking tour.

How can I get to the Appian Way?

You have three main options. The first, and easiest, is to book a taxi or Uber to reach the Bike Rental service centre on the Appian Way (Via Appia 58-60). The second is to take the 118 bus, which drops you off at the Bike Rental centre or further down the road outside the Catacombs of St Sebastian (our meeting point for the walking tour). Your final option is to walk: either from Metro Garbatella (25 minutes) or Metro Circo Massimo (45 minutes).

What’s the maximum group size for your private tour?

I prefer to keep party sizes as small as possible so I can dedicate my full attention, so ideally groups should be no more than 8. That said, I am willing to accommodate all requests.

Who should take an Appian Way tour?

Anybody with an interest in Roman history (specifically social and political history and the history of Rome’s emperors). Engineers will also enjoy the Aqueduct Park, where the remains of seven of Rome’s ancient aqueducts dominate the landscape. Even if you just love spending time in the countryside or getting out and about doing something different (and active!), I guarantee my private Appian Way tour will be a highlight of your trip.

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Reviews

★★★★★ 5.0 (4 reviews)

Our Appia Way e-bike tour with Alex was one of the absolute highlights of our visit to Rome. His relaxed and fun personality, combined with incredible historical knowledge of everything Roman made for a delightful afternoon and a much broader understanding of the Roman Empire than we would have had otherwise. His tour is a true gem and we would recommend it to anyone.

This might have been our favorite part of our visit to Italy. Family of four, two boys 11 & 14 did just fine. The e-bikes were excellent. Getting to ride alongside the aqueducts was amazing. Best of all was our tour guide Alex. He was patient with our group while we got accustomed to the bikes, was extremely knowledgeable but also had a great sense of humor. He clearly loves leading these tours. Very highly recommended. Would do it all over again.

This was an excellent tour, Alex was so knowledgeable and entertaining with his stories. A great experience to see something different in Rome.

One of the best tours we have taken. Alex was so much fun and full of enthusiasm and information. Highly recommend doing this.

Explore with a Roman Historian

My BA and Oxford MPhil in Roman History make me the ideal companion for a trip back through time along the Appian Way. I'll bring knowledge and substance, but without being academic and stuffy.

The Appian Way is My Speciality

I have been studying the Appian Way and its environs for more than 10 years. Nowhere else in the city gives you a more immersive insight into the culture of ancient Rome.

My Tours Are 100% Tailored

Whether you're interested in the engineering behind Roman roads and aqueducts, the lives of those buried alongside the Appian Way, or any other aspect of Roman civilization, you'll get a tour tailored specifically to you.

Venture Well Off the Beaten Path

The Appian Way and Aqueduct Park are a far cry from the hustle and bustle of Rome's city centre. As impressive as the Colosseum is, my guests cite their Appian Way tour as their most memorable experience in Rome.