Aurelian Walls

★ 4.6 (2,036)Free

Built under Emperor Aurelian starting around 271 AD in response to growing threats to the empire, these walls once enclosed the entire city and remained in defensive use for centuries afterward, unusually long for ancient fortifications. Certain sections, particularly near Porta San Sebastiano, are well preserved and include a small museum inside one of the gate towers explaining the walls' construction and history. Because they run through less touristed parts of the city, walking or cycling along them offers a quieter, more local view of Rome than the historic center. They suit visitors interested in military history or simply looking for a walk away from the crowds.

✨ Reasons to go

1Built starting around 271 AD under Emperor Aurelian to defend Rome amid mounting threats to the empire.
2Stretching 19 kilometers, they are Rome's largest surviving ancient monument and remained in defensive use for centuries.
3The gate tower at Porta San Sebastiano houses a small museum detailing the walls' construction and evolution.

💡 Good to know

1Visit the small museum inside the Porta San Sebastiano gate tower for context on the walls' history
2walking or cycling a stretch works well combined with a trip to the nearby Appian Way
3expect far fewer tourists here than in the historic center, a good change of pace.

⏱️ Typical visit

20 min

🕰️ Best time

morning or early evening

🚶 Walking intensity

Easy pace

📍

Address

Via di Porta San Sebastiano, 18, 00179 Roma RM, Italy · RomaGoogle Apple

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Booking

Walk-in

What people say

"There are little to no tourists near the walls so its no problem walking beside it. Rome is the first city I’ve been where ancient is so intertwined with the modern. On the photo, on the one side you have our modern road and cars which to a Roman would seem alien yet on the other side you have a wall that is approximately 1,750 years old, still standing, its a literal time portal and that is just something that will never fail to amaze me."

— M M