Let’s cycle the Appian Way in Rome
Part 2 of our 1st Italian Adventure
We all know the picture postcard things to do in Rome like visit the Colosseum, The Spanish Steps, The Trevi Fountain, The Pantheon and The Forum and these are all fantastic. If you’re looking for something a little different to do in Rome then why not hire some bikes and let’s cycle the Appian Way.
We did this on one of our first visits to Rome. It was a pleasure getting out of the city onto the Appian Way on a warm summer day, immersing ourselves in Roman culture.
Where did we hire the bikes for our cycle?
We hired our bikes from Eco Bikes who are located just south of the city centre. You can reach them easily by Bus or on foot depending on where in Rome you’re coming from.
Road bikes cost approx €3,00/hr up to €15,00 ( 5 hours or more). They also provide mountain bikes at €5,00/hr up to €20, 00 and assisted electric bikes (1,60 cm up) at €6,00/h up to €30,00. They are open from 9:30 am until sunset everyday, except for the 25 of December and the first of January.
Bike rental is always available and you can rent your bike until one hour before closing time. Price includes locks, helmets (mandatory for children however available for everybody) and they provide a free map giving all the information about the route.
How did we get to the Appian Way?
The Bike Rental is located at the beginning of the Appian Way Regional Park.
The nearest subway is Circo Massimo (B line). Get off from the subway, take the 118 bus and get off at Appia Antica/Domine Quo Vadis.
You can also take the 218 from Porta San Giovanni (A line) by getting off at the same bus stop.
You could also take: line 30 express, 130 (holidays), 160, 671, 714 and 715. Get off at the bus stop Cristoforo Colombo/Bavastro or Cristoforo Colombo/Circonvallazione Ostiense. Then walk the path of Circonvallazione Ardeatina for 10 minutes.
If you’re driving then you can park at 50, Via Appia Antica near the bike shop from Monday to Sunday (until 6 pm). There is other parking nearby but you may have to pay.
Cycle the Appian Way with a group tour or independantly?
Eco Bikes have a range of options to choose from cycling tours to going it alone. The tours are where you can join a guided group to cycle the Appian Way. Alternatively or you can just hire bikes independently and make your own way along the route.
There are maps and guidance available so its really easy to do.
We decided just to explore on our own. We prefer to set our own schedule and see things at our own pace. There’s approx 27km’s of route to explore, Roman Villas, Catacombs and other Roman sites including an Aqueduct to see along the way. Absolutely jam packed full of history.
The Appian Way route and what to expect
Our experience of cycling the Appian Way was brilliant. It was a wonderful afternoon and there were a few little cafe’s dotted along the route so you could grab a drink or something to eat. Do check check the timings of these as some closed for a few hrs in the afternoon and then reopen early evening. There are also loads of open grassy areas where you can have a picnic. Plan to spend the day as there’s loads to see and do.
The road surface can be a little rough in places where the cobbles have not been preserved as well as other areas. Sometimes the cobbles were a bit slippy and you are advised not to ride on the cobbles but on the dirt track at the sides. It can be a bit tricky in places but all in all pretty straight forward. Our hired bikes coped really well. Definitely suitable for children as its practically flat.
Sights & Attractions you’ll see while cycling the Appian Way
Watch out for these superb locations as you cycle down the Appian Way
Circus and Villa of Massenzio & Mausoleum of Romolo
Villa Capo di Bove
The Catacombs
(there is a small charge to enter the catacombs and they are not open all day so check this out first if its something you really want to see. They are within the first few kms of the route.
Some other sights you’ll see along the Appian Way
This is a trip that you can do in an afternoon or take the whole day to explore. Its really up to you and gets you away from the throngs of people in the city centre and into a beautiful, calm & tranquil environment.
TIP OF THE TRIP
Take plenty water with you. There are little cafe’s but they’re not always open and it can get dusty on that road so make sure you have supplies on hand.