7 Private Cave Tours in Italy That Repay the Climb Down

1.Capri & Blue Grotto Semi Private Boat Day Trip from Sorrento

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,053 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $216Our pick

From Sorrento, join a maximum of eight people on a skipper-led gozzo boat to Capri. Guides such as Luca, Anna, Francesco, and Yana combine coastal sights, swimming stops, snacks, drinks, and several hours on the island. The Blue Grotto costs extra and may close in rough seas.

“Ferdinando and Pepe were great! One of the highlights of our trip. We had such a great time and I would recommend 10/10.”

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2.Private Capri Island and Blue Grotto Day Tour from Naples or Sorrento

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 311 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $604

Spend about eight hours exploring Capri with a private guide such as Vincenzo, Stephanie, or Lucia. Ride the ferry from Naples or Sorrento, visit the Blue Grotto when weather allows, take Anacapri’s chairlift to Monte Solaro, and see Capri’s Piazzetta and Augustus Gardens. Transport, key admission tickets, and ferry fare are included, but lunch and tips are extra.

“Michele was a fantastic tour guide. He helped us navigate through the ferry options over to the island of Capri. He rearrange our tour a little bit based on the weather that morning and visibility with the chairlift. It worked out beautifully. We enjoyed some sightseeing, a wonderful boat tour, and by the afternoon the fog had burned off the top of the mountain, and we could do the chairlift. We weren’t able to do the blue grotto based on the rougher waves. Michele gave us many alternate options to fill in our day. There was still so much more to see. We ate at a hidden gem/ local restaurant.…”

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3.Ancient Rome and Colosseum Private Tour with Underground Chambers and Arena

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 184 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $423

Spend about three hours exploring Rome’s Colosseum, including the arena and underground chambers, then walk through Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum. Your main tour is private, though the underground section is led by a local Colosseum archaeologist in a small shared group. Guides may include Franz, Francis, Chiara, Andrea, or Marilu.

“Great experience, the underground tour is a must. The archeologists were very knowledgeable. Tour guide gave us great recommendations for Rome.”

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4.Exclusive Capri, Anacapri & Blue Grotto Private Tour from Naples

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 121 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $574

Travel from Naples to Capri with a private guide such as Vincenzo, Tatziana, or Theresa. Ride the Mamma Mia road, visit Anacapri, take the Monte Solaro chairlift, enter the Blue Grotto when sea conditions allow, and explore Capri’s Piazzetta and Augustus Gardens. Lunch is not included.

“We had a great time and Vincenzo took really good care of us. He met us at the Molo Beverello point and ushered us onto the ferry. He guided us through the crowds in Capri, got us a taxi to visit Anacapri (where we enjoyed the chairlift to the top and enjoyed fantastic views) early-on before it got crowded. He showed us all the highlights of the island. The grotto was closed because the water was so choppy but we were able to take a boat ride around the island in place of that activity and it was still very nice. He made sure we had a wonderful lunch with…”

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5.Private Tour of Catacombs and Ancient Appian Way (hotel pick up)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 120 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $190

Travel from your Rome hotel in a private vehicle with a driver-guide such as Stefano, Alessandro, Patrick, or George. Visit the Catacombs of St. Callixtus on a guided group tour, walk along the Appian Way, see Domine Quo Vadis, and visit St. Paul’s Basilica when open. Expect history, flexibility, and some uneven walking.

“We had a wonderful time with Patrick visiting the Catacombs of Callixto, the Appian Way, and a few other nearby sites. It was great to get off the beaten path to see some parts of Roman history that don't make it onto the city center tour itinerary and were not overwhelmed with tourists.”

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6.Hidden Gems & Rome Catacomb Semi Private Tour by golf cart

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 114 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $108Best value

Ride through Rome with a local driver-guide, visiting the Catacombs of Saint Callixtus, Appian Way, Aventine Keyhole, Aurelian Walls, and Pyramid Cestius. The vehicle group has up to seven people, though the catacomb visit joins a larger group led by the site’s own guides. Mauro, Andrea, Mido, and Assem are among the guides praised for their local knowledge.

“The Hidden Gems & Rome Catacomb Semi Private Tour was a great way to see some of Rome's lesser-known sites, including the keyhole, city landscapes, and beautiful fountains. However, be aware that the guide does not accompany you into the catacombs, and there is an additional fee to enter. If you're hoping to see bones, this isn't the tour for you, as the bones have been removed due to past thefts. These catacombs are where Christians were buried for centuries, and the historical significance is still very much present. Overall, a good tour with some important details to keep in mind.”

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7.Private Guided Tour of Colosseum Underground OR Arena and Forum

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 111 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours (approx.) · from $446

Spend about three hours with your own English-speaking guide at the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. Depending on availability, you may walk the arena floor and underground areas, where guides such as Bogdan, Rosy, Mario, and Sonia Pardo have brought Roman engineering, gladiator life, and imperial politics to life. Expect steps, security checks, and a fair amount of walking.

“Well communicated reservation and meeting point. Our guide was first rate. She took a lot of time with us and was very well versed on her archeological history and cultural understanding of Ancient Rome”

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