No, the Via Appia Antica. Yes, you can get there from here. The Via Appia Antica, or the Ancient Appian Way, is arguably the world’s oldest and most significant “superhighway.” Commissioned in 312 BC by the Roman censor Appius Claudius Caecus, it earned the title Regina Viarum (Queen of Roads) for its unprecedented engineering and strategic importance.
For a traveler today, exploring it is a unique experience—it is a rare “living museum” where you can walk, cycle, or even take a golf cart tour along the same basalt stones (basoli) used by Roman legions, emperors, and saints. UNESCO World Heritage Status: In July 2024, the Via Appia was officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This recognition has brought renewed attention to its preservation, making 2026 an ideal time to visit as the infrastructure for tourists has been significantly refreshed. The Layered History: It isn’t just a road; it’s a linear archaeological park. Because Roman law forbade burial within the city walls, the wealthy built extravagant tombs along this highway. You can see 2,300 years of history in a single afternoon—from the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella (a massive drum-shaped tomb turned medieval fortress) to the Circus of Maxentius (one of the best-preserved ancient racetracks).
Rare indeed is the ancient-history buff who has never dreamed of walking the roads of the Roman Empire. But unlike many longings stoked by interest in the distant past, that one can actually be fulfilled. As explained in the video above from Youtube channel Intrigued Mind, a fair few Roman roads remain in existence today, albeit only in sections, and mostly ruined ones at that. “Like other incredible monuments that still stand, as if to prove the power of the Roman Empire, there are a surprising number of Roman roads still in use today,” some converted into modern highways, but “many still paved with their original cobblestones.” Want more?
Our affiliate partners, Get Your Guide can get you there. Click here Believe it or not, you can drive on parts of the Via Appia Antica (Appian Way), but it is restricted. Cars are allowed on weekdays, but the road becomes a Regional Park pedestrian zone on Sundays and holidays. The road is mostly gravel/ancient cobblestone, and traffic can be slow, making bikes or walking better options for sightseeing
Rome wasn’t wasn’t built in a day. But you can still get around. Discover Cars have your ride Click here
No matter where you go, prepare. Travelex has insurance, money exchange and more. Click here