Top-rated Catacombs of San Gaudioso Tickets & Guided Tours

Guided Tours

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Catacombs of Naples Entry Tickets & Guided Tour

Flexible entry to Naples' largest Christian burial sites with an expert guide.

Do it your way. Visit San Gennaro or San Gaudioso catacombs first with a 1-hour guided tour, and the other catacombs within 12 months.
At the Catacombs of San Gaudioso, see early mosaics like Christ Pantocrator and learn about morbid 17th-century burial processes.
At the Catacombs of San Gennaro, explore grand crypts, basilicas, and the tombs of Naples' patron saint and bishops.
Admire intricate frescoes and Byzantine paintings from the 9th and 10th centuries, and a baptismal font commissioned by Bishop Paul II.

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Free cancellation

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

1 hr.

Flexible entry to Naples' largest Christian burial sites with an expert guide.

Do it your way. Visit San Gennaro or San Gaudioso catacombs first with a 1-hour guided tour, and the other catacombs within 12 months.
At the Catacombs of San Gaudioso, see early mosaics like Christ Pantocrator and learn about morbid 17th-century burial processes.
At the Catacombs of San Gennaro, explore grand crypts, basilicas, and the tombs of Naples' patron saint and bishops.
Admire intricate frescoes and Byzantine paintings from the 9th and 10th centuries, and a baptismal font commissioned by Bishop Paul II.

Inclusions

1-hour guided tour of the San Gaudioso Catacombs with entry
1-hour guided tour of the San Gennaro Catacombs with entry
Entry to Basilica di Santa Maria della Sanità
Expert English or Italian-speaking guide

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Guided Tours

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Catacombs of San Gaudioso Entry Tickets & Guided Tour

Follow a licensed English or Italian-speaking guide on a captivating 1-hour tour of the Catacombs of San Gaudioso.
This guided tour will lead you through winding tunnels under the city to explore the eternal resting places of historic figures like Bishop San Gaudioso.
Marvel at the ornate tombs and gain a deeper appreciation for the diverse cultural influences that have shaped the city.
Enter San Gennaro and be amazed by the unique and macabre art collection featuring frescoes made using real bones and skulls
Upgrade your ticket to include the Artecard Campania and avail discounts, 5 free entries and so much more!

‌

Check availability

Free cancellation

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

1 hr.

Follow a licensed English or Italian-speaking guide on a captivating 1-hour tour of the Catacombs of San Gaudioso.
This guided tour will lead you through winding tunnels under the city to explore the eternal resting places of historic figures like Bishop San Gaudioso.
Marvel at the ornate tombs and gain a deeper appreciation for the diverse cultural influences that have shaped the city.
Enter San Gennaro and be amazed by the unique and macabre art collection featuring frescoes made using real bones and skulls
Upgrade your ticket to include the Artecard Campania and avail discounts, 5 free entries and so much more!

Inclusions

1-hour guided tour of the Catacombs of San Gaudioso
Expert English or Italian-speaking guide
Entrance to Catacombs of San Gennaro
Artecard Campania (optional)
Artecard Napoli (optional)

Tip: Bring along a sweater, even in hot weather, as the temperature in the catacombs varies between 15 and 22°.
Relief plaques along the route make it possible for guests with visual impairment to participate.
Facilities: Free Parking
This tour is unsuitable for wheelchair users and those with mobility impairments.

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Tickets

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Royal Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro Tickets with Audio Guide

Access the Royal Chapel of the Treasure and learn about the city's patron Saint Gennaro.

Skip past ticket lines and get time to explore this Baroque gem and centuries-old destination of worship.
Immerse yourself in a memorable storytelling experience with a 30-minute audio guide available in 5 languages.
Wander amidst chapels and altars elaborately decorated with gorgeous paintings, frescoes, bronze relics, and silver sculptures.

‌

Check availability

Free cancellation

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

30 min.

Audio guide

Access the Royal Chapel of the Treasure and learn about the city's patron Saint Gennaro.

Skip past ticket lines and get time to explore this Baroque gem and centuries-old destination of worship.
Immerse yourself in a memorable storytelling experience with a 30-minute audio guide available in 5 languages.
Wander amidst chapels and altars elaborately decorated with gorgeous paintings, frescoes, bronze relics, and silver sculptures.

Inclusions

Entry to the Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro
Official audio guide in 5 languages

This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Why visit the Catacombs of San Gaudioso?

Visitors exploring Catacombs of San Gaudioso in Naples, Italy, on a guided tour.

✝️See Christian artifacts and treasures

Inside the catacombs, visitors can find a rich collection of splendid frescoes that illustrate both biblical scenes and images of early Christian life, epitaphs, and crypts. The main characteristic of this place is a fresco representing the Madonna della Sanità and is the oldest picture of Maria in the Campania region.

☠️Discover rare Renaissance burial art

The Catacombs of San Gaudioso uniquely blend early Christian traditions with Baroque artistry. Admire skull-and-bones frescoes paired with painted skeletons, a striking form of funerary art that reflects the era's fascination with mortality and the afterlife.

🪦Explore the Tomb of San Gaudioso

This catacomb is named after Saint Gaudiosus, a North African bishop who fled to Naples in the 5th century. His tomb remains a focal point, surrounded by early Christian mosaics and inscriptions that narrate his life and legacy.

🩻Witness Naples’ unique ‘draining’ burial method

Unlike other burial traditions, the catacombs showcase the scolatoi, a fascinating method where bodies were drained of fluids before interment. An exclusive practice that provides insight into the city’s macabre customs.

Experience	Guided tour	Audio guide	Location	Duration
Catacombs of Naples: San Gaudioso & San Gennaro Guided Tour	✅	❌	Via Capodimonte & Via Sanità	1 hour
Royal Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro Tickets with Audio Guide	❌	✅	Via Duomo	Flexible
Royal Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro Guided Tour	✅	❌	Via Duomo	1.5 hours

Explore the Catacombs of San Gaudioso

The Fresco of Pascentius

One of the most ancient frescos in the Catacombs of San Gaudioso, this dates back to the 5th or 6th century and represents a welcome scene. Its center depicts the figure of the Apostle Peter, introducing the deceased Pascentius to an unknown figure, either Christ or probably St. Paul. Another striking element is the presence of two candlesticks with burning candles placed on either side of the figure, resembling African representations.

The Fresco of Madonna

The San Gaudioso Catacombs were confirmed as a burial site in the 16th century, after the discovery of the Madonna fresco that had been previously concealed by mud. The Madonna della Sanita dates back to the 5th-6th century and is the oldest depiction of the Virgin Mary in the Campania region. After the revelation of this fresco, the catacombs were entrusted to the Dominicans, who later built the Basilica so as to house them in the building.

Tombs of the 17th century noblemen

During the 17th century, the catacombs housed graves of the nobility, mostly the aristocrats and the clergy. The tombs of these noblemen were created in a unique procedure where the skulls were placed on display in the ambulatory walls, while the rest of the corpse was frescoed. This mostly included clothes and occupational instruments that symbolized the social status of the deceased. Interesting fact; these frescoes were created by an artist, Giovanni Balducci, who refused payment in exchange for securing a place among the aristocrats after his demise.

Plan your visit to the Catacombs of San Gaudioso

Opening hours: 9:30am to 5pm, Thursday to Tuesday
Closed On: Wednesday, December 25, January 1
Last entry: 5pm
Best time to visit: Plan your visit to San Gaudioso during the quieter low season, between November and February. For the best experience, steer clear of weekends and public holidays, and aim to go early in the morning or after 4pm.

Address: Via Sanità, 123, 80136 Napoli NA, Italy Find on Map
By metro: Line 1, Line 2
Nearest stop: Museo station, Cavour station
By bus: Take bus lines 168, 178, C63, or R4 from the Museo Nazionale stop
Nearest stop: Basilica Incoronata - Catacombe San Gennaro
By car: Take the Tangenziale (beltline) to the Capodimonte exit (number 5) and turn right onto Via Capodimonte. San Gaudioso Catacombs is 7 min away from Capodimonte Museum.
Parking facility: There is free parking for visitors.

Relief plaques for easy navigation for visitors with visual impairments
Free parking facilities
Audio guides available, need to be bought separately

The Catacombs of San Gaudioso are free from architectural barriers, however, due to hydrogeological instability, people with restricted mobility will find it not accessible
Embossed plaques along the itinerary offer a seamless visit for the visually impaired
The catacombs are not accessible by wheelchairs
Accessible by strollers

Starita: A classic Neapolitan pizzeria, famous for its Angioletti Fritti, 3 min away
Cantina del Gallo: Oldest restaurant and pizzeria with more than 100 years of history, 2 min away
Poppella: A popular pastry shop ideal for quick grab & bite, 1 min away
Da Concettina a Tre Santi: Famous woodfire pizzeria with gourmet toppings, 2 min away
Pizzeria La Campagnola: Local favorite joint for pizzas, pastas & spaghetti, 9 min away

Carrying large backpacks and trolleys is prohibited
Smoking or consumption of drugs (except prescribed medication) is strictly prohibited
Make sure to reach the catacombs at your selected timeslot, don’t risk missing your tour!
Using flashguns for photography is not allowed

Catacombs of San Gennaro: Underground burial chambers for Paleo-Christians and site of worship, 12 min away
Museum of Capodimonte: A treasure trove of Neapolitan art & paintings, ancient Roman sculptures, 7 min away
Naples National Archaeological Museum: Houses ancient Roman remains and artifacts from Roman, Greek, and Renaissance times, 10 min away
Sansevero Chapel Museum: A hidden gem of international artistic heritage, 7 min away
Piazza del Plebiscito: Largest landmark square in Naples, home to the neo-classical Royal Palace, 12 min away

Wear comfortable shoes and a light sweater or jacket as temperatures below ground remain at a cool 15 degrees Celsius even in summer
Dress modestly as it is a holy place for Christians; wear knee-length dresses, and avoid putting on sleeveless outfits
Visitors with cardiac conditions can avoid visiting San Gaudioso Catacombs as they might feel claustrophobic
Visitors must have a moderate physical fitness level

Frequently asked questions about the Catacombs of San Gaudioso

What are the Catacombs of San Gaudioso?

The Catacombs of San Gaudioso, in Naples, are underground Christian burial chambers, dating back to the 4th or 5th century. The site contains remains of St. Gaudiosus and other members of the nobility.

Why visit the Catacombs of San Gaudioso?

The Catacombs of San Gaudioso is the second largest in Naples after those of San Gennaro, home to beautiful frescoes and mosaics from the 5th and 6th centuries that depict early Christian symbols. In the 1600s, the catacombs became an important burial site for Naples' noble and aristocratic families. During your visit, you can discover several Neapolitan traditions and folklore around the cult of the dead and the afterlife.

How to book the Catacombs of San Gaudioso tour?

You can book the Catacombs of San Gaudioso tour online. This way you can book your preferred slot, plan in advance and eliminate the hassles of buying tickets from the venue in queues.

Can I explore the Catacombs of San Gaudioso on my own?

No, catacombs require an expert guide to help you navigate through the labyrinth of tunnels, ensure your safety and provide you with valuable information about the historical significance of the Catacombs of San Gaudioso.

Are guided tours available for the San Gaudioso Catacombs?

Yes, you can book guided tours of San Gaudioso Catacombs online and explore the ancient subterranean crypt, under the guidance of an English-Italian-speaking guide.

What is covered in a combo tour?

Booking a combo tour allows you to explore the San Gaudioso Catacombs along with free access to the San Gennaro Catacombs and the Basilica of Santa Maria della Sanita. It also includes a discounted entrance to the Cloister of Santa Chiara.

What is the cost of the Catacombs of San Gaudioso tour?

A guided tour of the Catacombs of San Gaudioso will cost you €11.

Where are the Catacombs of San Gaudioso located?

The San Gaudioso Catacombs are located in Via Sanità, 123, 80136 Napoli NA, Italy.

Can I visit multiple catacombs in one day?

Yes, you can visit the Catacombs of San Gaudioso and San Gennaro on a combo tour. Book your tour in advance and ensure you have ample time to explore each catacomb fully.

Are the Catacombs of San Gaudioso accessible for individuals with mobility issues?

No, unfortunately, the catacombs have limited accessibility for people with disabilities due to their underground nature and uneven terrain.

Can I take photographs inside the San Gaudioso Catacombs?

Yes, photography is permitted inside the Catacombs of San Gaudioso. However, the use of flash is strictly prohibited.

Are there any dress code requirements for visiting the Catacombs of San Gaudioso?

Wear comfortable shoes as the surface is uneven and it’s a long walk inside the tunnels. Dress modestly to respect the sacred nature of San Gaudioso Catacombs, with knees and shoulders appropriately covered.