Caelian Hill (Celio) Tours
One of Rome’s seven legendary hills, Caelian Hill (Celio) was a wealthy residential district under the Roman Republic. Today, this is home to the ancient Basilica of Saints John and Paul, the circular Church of Santo Stefano Rotondo, and the ruins of the Baths of Caracalla. Travelers can tour Caelian Hill on foot, or by bike, scooter, or bus.
The Basics
Caelian Hill is unique among Rome’s seven historic hills, as its western slope is one of the few tranquil and unpopulated places in Rome. Several ancient churches dating from the fourth and fifth centuries can be visited on Caelian Hill, in addition to Roman ruins and Villa Celimontana, one of Rome’s nicest parks.
The churches and ruins on Caelian Hill are best visited as part of a guided tour to appreciate their historical importance. Consider joining a walking, rickshaw, or Vespa tour of the hills of ancient Rome, or a small-group tour dedicated to the most historic churches in the Eternal City. Many tours of Rome’s seven hills include skip-the-line access to the Colosseum and Roman Forum, which are nearby on Palatine Hill.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Caelian Hill is a must for history buffs, as it is home to some of the city’s most fascinating ancient churches and Roman ruins.
- The Baths of Caracalla are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers, and the site offers restrooms and a bookshop. The ruins are open to the elements, so bring a hat and sunscreen in summer.
- Visitors must wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees to enter the churches. Some churches are not wheelchair accessible.
- The park and gardens of Villa Celimontana are an ideal spot for a stroll with kids.
How to Get There
Caelian Hill is located on the southeast corner of the historic center of Rome, along the Tiber River. The nearest metro stop is Colosseo, on line B.
When to Get There
Most of the Baths of Caracalla ruins are outdoors, so visit on a day with clear skies and mild temperatures. The quiet churches, on the other hand, provide a cool refuge from the midday summer heat.
Rome’s Seven Hills
Caelian Hill is the farthest southeast of Rome’s seven hills, which are all east of the Tiber and form the geographical heart of ancient Rome. The other hills are Aventine Hill, Capitoline Hill, Esquiline Hill, Quirinal Hill, Viminal Hill, and Palatine Hill, where legend tells us that Romulus founded the city and where the most famous archaeological ruins can still be seen.
Address: Monte Celio, Rome 00184, Italy
3 Tours and Activities to Experience Caelian Hill (Celio)
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Rome by Golf Cart Private Tour
Experience over 2,500 years of history on a private tour through one of the world’s most popular and influential regions—Rome’s beautiful historical district. Roam the streets of this city in a comfortable, covered, street-legal golf cart—providing access unavailable on foot. This family-friendly sightseeing tour offers a narrated journey of the palaces, monuments, churches, fountains, and statues that define the rich heritage of the capital and largest city in Italy.
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From
$153.78
Price varies by group size
From
$153.78
Price varies by group size
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Face masks provided for travelers
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
Private Tour: Secret Rome and Historical Churches
Bypass Rome’s tourist hotspots and uncover the lesser-known gems that many visitors miss. Guided by an expert in art history, the 3.5-hour tour introduces you to Caelian Hill with its history-steeped churches and archaeological digs. Check out Case Romane del Celio, an ancient Roman house, and step inside the city’s so-called medieval Sistine Chapel. Visit the papal seat, aka the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, and learn about the city’s history from Roman Empire days to the Middle Ages. The tour can be tailored to your preferences.
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From
$140.97
Price varies by group size
From
$140.97
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Bike Tour of Rome Appia Antica - The Queen of Roads
5 km southwest from the city center, this 3-hour bike tour takes you back in the time of Ancient Rome. The road is one of the most famous and oldest sites, called "Regina Viarum" - The Queen of Roads, named after Claudius Appius Caecus who built it in 312 BC. Made of cobblestones and specifically built to transport supplies and soldiers to strategic points trough the empire. Much of the original way has been preserved to this day. It was also a huge burial site lined with tombs due to law that forbade burying the dead within the sacred belt of the city.
We'll admire sites such as the Tomb of Scipio Family, the Tomb of Cecilia Metella, cross trough a park and enjoy the view on the Nympheum of Egeria and see the cenotaph of Annia Regilla, a second century Roman Lady whose assassination is still obscure.
This tour brings back to the very origin of Rome where you will experience intensively the slow flow of the time that devours everything.
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From
$66.43
From
$66.43
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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