Basilica of San Clemente al Laterano (Basilica di San Clemente al Laterano) Tours
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Rome’s Basilica of San Clemente al Laterano (Basilica di San Clemente al Laterano) offers wonders both above and below ground. The interior of the 12th-century church is richly decorated with Byzantine mosaics considered among Italy’s best, and below the surface are two layers of ancient ruins including a fourth-century basilica, a temple, and a first-century villa.
The Basics
When visiting the San Clemente al Laterano, you can admire the present-day church—home to spectacular mosaics and the tombs of St. Clement and St. Cyril—before heading underground to tour the excavations below. Here, you’ll find well-preserved frescoes, a pagan temple dedicated to Mithras, and the remains of a Roman house.
There are thousands of years of history to take in at the basilica, so the best way to visit is by joining a private guided tour of the church and underground excavation sites with skip-the-line entry. Many tours of San Clemente al Laterano also visit the Capuchin Crypt and accompanying museum.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The Basilica of San Clemente al Laterano is ideal for history buffs.
- Book a skip-the-line tour to avoid long waits, especially in the summer months.
- San Clemente is a Catholic church—modest clothing, covering shoulders and knees, and a respectful decorum are required.
- Photography is not allowed inside the basilica.
- The excavations beneath San Clemente are not accessible to wheelchairs or strollers.
How to Get There
The Basilica of San Clemente al Laterano is located on Piazza San Clemente near the Colosseum. Take metro line B from the Termini train station to the Colosseo stop.
When to Get There
The church and underground excavations are open daily year-round; check the website for hours and mass times. The site is a cool reprieve from the summer heat, yet can be very crowded during this time.
San Clemente History
San Clemente was built on top of an older basilica dating from the fourth century, which in turn was built on the remains of a villa owned by a wealthy Roman, probably destroyed by the great fire in AD 64.
Address: Piazza San Clemente, Rome, Italy
Admission: Varies
Admission Tickets (1)

Underground Tour of St. Clements Church & Capuchin Crypt for Families with Marco
Go underground in Rome during a walking tour designed for families. Keep the kids involved with games and quizzes as you explore beneath St. Clement’s Basilica. See temple ruins dating back to ancient Rome and visit the Crypt of the Capuchins, home to several rooms decorated with the bones of over 4,000 monks, beneath the Our Lady of the Conception church.
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From
$183.02
Price varies by group size
From
$183.02
Price varies by group size
66 Tours and Activities to Experience Basilica of San Clemente al Laterano (Basilica di San Clemente al Laterano)
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Underground Tour of St. Clements Church & Capuchin Crypt for Families with Marco
Go underground in Rome during a walking tour designed for families. Keep the kids involved with games and quizzes as you explore beneath St. Clement’s Basilica. See temple ruins dating back to ancient Rome and visit the Crypt of the Capuchins, home to several rooms decorated with the bones of over 4,000 monks, beneath the Our Lady of the Conception church.
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From
$183.02
Price varies by group size
From
$183.02
Price varies by group size

Skip the Line: Crypts and Roman Catacombs Small-Group Walking Tour
Go underground to see Rome’s ancient catacombs and crypts on a half-day tour. Visit the Domitilla Catacomb and Basilica of San Clemente with skip-the-line access, plus visit the Capuchin Crypt, where you’ll see a Caravaggio painting and marvel at a chapel made entirely out of human bones. Learn about past burial customs and secret Christian worship spots during this fascinating exploration into the history of Rome.
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From
$84.75
From
$84.75
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Rome Super Saver: Skip-the-Line Crypts and Catacombs plus Ghost and Mystery Walking Tour
Discover the dark side of Rome on this Super Saver that combines two bestselling tours into one fascinating and fearsome sightseeing experience. You’ll start with a tour to the Appian Way to visit Domitilla Catacombs, where you’ll skip the line with priority admission. Learn about burial customs in Ancient Rome, and visit the Basilica of San Clemente and the Capuchin Crypt for a look at a chapel made entirely of bones. Then explore central Rome on a night tour that introduces you to the Eternal City’s many ghosts and mysteries.
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From
$103.18
From
$103.18
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Exploring Ancient Rome Private Tour
Step back in time with this half-day private tour of Rome. Start at the Colosseum, using your skip-the-line access to breeze right in past the always-long queue. Learn about the gladiator brawls that took pace here 2,000 years ago from your private guide before heading over to the Roman Forum to walk amongst the ruins of the erstwhile center of the Roman universe. Explore the fascinating Basilica of St. Clement, an 11th-century church built on top of a 4th-century church that was built on a 1st-century nobleman's house.
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From
$316.17
Price varies by group size
From
$316.17
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

2.5-Hour Private Rome Catacombs Family Tour
Sightseeing with kids isn’t always easy, but this 2.5-hour private tour of Rome’s Catacombs is tailor-made for families. Your guide will keep the whole family entertained with quizzes, games, and interactive iPad displays as you explore St Clements’ Basilica; venture underground into the eerie Catacombs of Priscilla; and discover the secrets of underground Rome.
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From
$329.19
Price varies by group size
From
$329.19
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Ancient Catacombs and Underground Rome | Semi-Private and Private Tours
Go underground in Rome and explore the city’s ancient catacombs with this small group walking tour. In a group limited to six people, follow your guide through narrow passageways to see tombs of some of Rome’s first Christian citizens. Learn about artwork on the walls and hear stories about the rituals once held in these spooky spaces.
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From
$115.46
Price varies by group size
From
$115.46
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas

Rome underground shore excursion from Civitavecchia's port
Specially designed for cruise ship passengers, this off-the-beaten-track shore excursion takes you deep below the Eternal City to discover Rome’s underground historic sites. Get a peek at early Christian art and ancient tunnels at the Catacombs of San Callixtus, visit the multi-level Basilica of San Clemente, and see the ornamental remains of thousands of 17th-century friars in the macabre Museum and Crypt of Capuchins.
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From
$454.23
Price varies by group size
From
$454.23
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers

San Clemente Underground, Church & St. Peter in Chains Tour
Discover the archaeological layers underneath the Basilica of San Clemente on a guided tour of this 12th-century church. Descend three levels under the church to see a 4th-century basilica, the remains of an ancient pagan Mitraic temple, and further below, the ruins of ancient Roman homes. Then walk to the nearby Basilica of St. Peter in Chains to view ancient relics and Michelangelo's famous sculpture of Moses.
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From
$62.71
From
$62.71
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

St. Clements Basilica and Quattro Coronati Church Small-Group Tour
Modern Rome sits on top of layers of history, and nowhere is this more evident than in the Basilica of San Clemente. On this guided tour, explore above and below ground by visiting the 12th-century church and its three levels of underground ruins that date from the 1st to the 4th centuries. Afterwards, move on to the 4th-century Santi Quattro Coronati, one of the most ancient basilicas in the city.
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From
$51.18
From
$51.18
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Rome Catacombs Tour: with St Clement & Temple of Mithras (Small-Group of 7)
Venture beneath the lofty churches and bustling city streets of Rome to discover the ancient mysteries of the Domitilla catacombs. Follow in the footsteps of early Christians as you explore this underground network of tunnels and burial chambers, and marvel at the macabre. You’ll also discover thousands of years of spirituality at an underground Mithraic temple, a pagan sanctuary buried under the famous Basilica of St. Clement.
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From
$121.60
From
$121.60

Between Holy Doors
What exactly can you expect from this tour?
Immerse yourself in the Rome of the Popes, where stories, wonders, legends and reality blur and harmonize with today's Rome.
You will be guided by one of our local, certified tour guides. What makes our guides special is their passion for Rome and they want to share it with you.
Highlights of the tour:
On this tour, you will experience "Santa Maria Maggiore", which contains one of the four Holy Doors.
Then we will reveal the hidden basilica "Santa Prasede" and its secrets.
Followed by "San Pietro in Vincoli" where you will see the statue of Moses by Michelangelo and the miraculous chains of St. Peter.
Then we will visit two of the oldest churches in the city:
"Santi Quattro Coronati" with the legend of Pope Sylvester
"San Clemente", dedicated to the fourth Pope "Clemens I"
The tour culminates in a visit to the arch-basilica of "San Giovanni in Laterano", which contains another of the four Holy Doors.
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From
$36.85
From
$36.85
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Private Tour of Ancient Rome
Discover the best that Rome has to offer on this private tour of the city’s highlights. Visit the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and the San Clemente Basilica during the course of four hours and learn about the history of ancient Rome from your informative guide. Enjoy skip-the-line access to Rome’s major attractions and make the most of your time in the ‘Eternal City.’
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From
$329.35
Price varies by group size
From
$329.35
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Rome Underground Walking Tour
Most travelers have little idea of what lies beneath Rome’s bustling streets. Go underground with a guide to explore the secrets of the city, including a buried church, an apartment building with well-preserved frescoes, and a 1700-year-old water fountain. Your guide gives you necessary context as you walk through archaeological sites hidden from the public eye.
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From
$60.19
From
$60.19
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Private Tour of Underground Rome
Ideal for in-the-know travelers who have already ticked off the Eternal City’s main sights, this out-of-the-box historical tour shows you Rome’s underground attractions—literally. Get far off the beaten track with a visit to a little-known crypt, where you can see rooms made entirely of bones. You’ll also head underneath the iconic Trevi Fountain for a peek at the first Roman aqueduct.
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From
$196.53
Price varies by group size
From
$196.53
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas

Off The Beaten Track: Underground Tour of Rome
Benefit from a private half-day tour that takes you into three underground attractions in Rome. Visit the Basilica of San Clemente, the Museum and Crypt of Capuchins, and Vicus Caprarius – the City of Water with your own private guide who shares live commentary about each site. Learn about Capuchin friars, ancient aqueducts, and more as you see several lesser-known places that are worth seeking out.
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From
$208.81
Price varies by group size
From
$208.81
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Underground Rome Tour
Visit the underground attractions of Rome on a 4-hour private tour. The comprehensive itinerary would be difficult to complete in one day by public transit or taxi. Instead, start from your hotel and let your private driver comfortably transport you to a number of locations. Explore each attraction independently, including the Catacombs of St. Callixtus and Capuchin Crypt. Listen as your driver explains monuments you pass along the way.
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From
$147.40
Price varies by group size
From
$147.40
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Exclusive Rome Underground San Clemente Basilica Small-Group Tour - VIP Entrance
Discover some of Rome's hidden treasures on this small-group tour that takes you from the arenas of the ancient republic to the sublime art of the High Renaissance. Admire sacred relics and an unfinished masterpiece by Michelangelo at San Pietro in Vincoli church, and see where gladiators prepared for battle at the Ludus Magnus near the Colosseum. Then, take an underground archaeological tour through millennia of Roman history at the multi-layered Basilica of San Clemente al Laterano.
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From
$83.53
From
$83.53

Underground Rome Tour: St. Clement and Celian Houses
Discover what ancient sites lies beneath Rome’s already historical streets on an underground tour. Following a guide, explore a labyrinth of hidden churches, temples, tombs and narrow streets 50 feet (15 meters) below the modern-day street level. See houses of Roman senators, abandoned shops and even a subterranean spring. You’ll start at the Basilica of St Clement to head below ground, plus visit the ancient church of Santi Giovanni e Paolo on Celian Hill.
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From
$88.29
Price varies by group size
From
$88.29
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Underground private tour of the hidden sights of Rome
Explore off the beaten path in Rome with this underground walking tour. Follow a private guide to see three historic sites including the multi-level underground of San Clemente’s Basilica, the Capuchin Crypt, and Vicus Caprarius, located under Trevi Fountain. Learn about the history of Ancient Rome and see Roman aqueducts during this private tour.
…More
From
$208.81
Price varies by group size
From
$208.81
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Private Tour in Colosseum,St Clements Underground & Crypts for Families and Kids
Explore the Colosseum and the lesser-known Saint Clement’s Church during this archaeologist-led, two-for-one guided tour, specially tailored to families with kids. Visit four underground levels of the fresco-filled basilica, including the ruins of an ancient temple. Skip-the-line Colosseum admission tickets are included, so you can save time for more sightseeing.
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From
$195.30
Price varies by group size
From
$195.30
Price varies by group size

Small Group Tour: Christian Rome and Underground Basilicas Half-Day Tour
Explore the Christian basilicas and landmark locations in Rome on this guided, 3-hour, small-group tour. Visit the Basilica of San Clemente, the ancient Santi Quattro Coronati, the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran. Learn fascinating facts about these and other basilicas along the way. Skip-the-line entrance tickets to the Basilica of San Clemente provided. Please dress conservatively. Attire such as shorts, miniskirts and uncovered shoulders are not allowed. Rome hotel pickup and drop-off included.
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From
$113.00
Price varies by group size
From
$113.00
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers

Private Tour: Christian Rome and Underground Basilicas - Half-Day Walking Tour
The history of the early Church is one of the most fascinating aspects of western history. This private half-day tour takes you to the most important sties in Christian Rome. Marvel at the Basilica of St. Clement, a 900-year-old church built on top of a fourth-century church that is built on a first-century nobleman's house. Pop into the Church of St. Sylvester, where the Donation of Constantine is said to have taken place, and explore the huge San Giovanni in Laterano and the Sancta Sanctorum, a room that once held the most revered relics in Christendom, including the heads of Saint Peter and Paul, a chunk of the table used at the Last Supper and Jesus' Foreskin.
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From
$214.95
Price varies by group size
From
$214.95
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers

Private Tour For Kids of Colosseum and San Clemente's Basilica
Bring history to life for all the family with this child-focused Colosseum and Basilica of San Clemente al Laterano tour. With commentary, games, and tablets to keep the kids engaged, the private tour offers a more personal experience to help you all get the most out of your Rome tour. Hear secrets of the gladiators as you stroll around the Colosseum terraces, then visit the Basilica of San Clemente al Laterano to discover layers of history under the main church.
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From
$243.21
Price varies by group size
From
$243.21
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Christian tour of Rome (8hrs) with Driver & Private Licensed Tour Guide
Discover the historic Christian landmarks of Rome during this private tour. Skip the line for quick entry into the Vatican Museums with priority access tickets and explore the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. Visit the Catacombs of San Callisto, the Basilica of San Clemente, and the Sant’Ignazio Church and learn about each attraction’s history. The itinerary can be customized according to your interests.
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From
$767.70
Price varies by group size
From
$767.70
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Underground Rome: Catacombs, St Clement and Capuchin Crypt (Private Tour)
Step down into Rome's dark, pagan past during this multi-stop underground tour with a private guide. You'll visit the Catacombs of Domitilla, the Capuchin Crypt, and the underground of St. Clement's Basilica, enhanced by personalized commentary from your guide. Learn about the collision of Christianity and the pagan religion, a conflict that includes strange mystery cults, ancient burial sites, and decorations made of human bones.
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