Book Naples Underground Tours
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Guided Tour of Naples Underground from Piazza San Gaetano
- Explore what lies beneath the lively streets of Naples on this must-do guided tour of its historic heart, the Underground.
- Along with an expert English & Italian-speaking guide, learn about the city from a completely unique perspective.
- Located 40-meters below the bustling city, discover the true origins of Napoli through excellently-preserved tunnels.
- Delve into 2,400 years of history as you navigate through passages built of yellow tufa stone.
- This building material was the most common one used in the historical architecture of Naples.
- Major events like World War II have left their mark on the Underground walls as it served as an air raid shelter for more than 5,000 people.
- Witness the effects of history and time and more as your guide shares in-depth stories about one of the city's most fascinating highlights.
Inclusions
- 1.5-hour guided tour of the Underground
- English & Italian-speaking guide
- Entry ticket to the Underground
- English Guided Tour
- Italian Guided Tour
- It's recommended to wear comfortable shoes as this experience involves a fair amount of walking.
- The English guided tour is not guaranteed every day. Please check directly at the entrance time and availability.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Guided Tour of Naples Underground from Quartieri Spagnoli
- Step into a world of labyrinthine tunnels under the bustling streets of Naples with an expert English or Italian-speaking guide.
- Uncover fascinating histories and mysteries as you explore the underground path full of tanks and cavities.
- Discover the ancient cisterns through which water was provided to the city above.
- Learn about the curiosities of the underground weather, a result of insufficient communication with the outside.
- Find out how the underground provided shelter to the city's population during the second world war.
Inclusions
- English/Italian speaking guide
- 1-hour tour
- Entrance ticket
This ticket has the following options that you can choose from:
- English Guided Tour
- Italian Guided Tour
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Guided Tour of Naples with Underground Ruins Visit
- Walk through the streets of Naples' historic City Centre and discover Underground Ruins that date back to as early as the 4th century.
- Take in the famous S. Gregorio Armeno with its nativity scenes and the city's enchanting squares, votive spires, churches, and monasteries.
- With the chosen ticket option, discover the Underground Ruins of San Gaetano, a network of chambers and tunnels built in the 13th century.
- Or, walk to the Underground Ruins of San Lorenzo Maggiore and explore the ‘Catacombs’ in the Cathedral of San Gennaro.
Inclusions
- English guided tour (optional)
- Italian guided tour (optional)
- Licensed tour guide
- City center walking tour
- San Gaetano Underground Ruins entrance ticket (optional)
- San Lorenzo Maggiore Underground Ruins entrance ticket (optional)
- Tip: It is recommended that you carry a jacket or a sweater as it can get quite chilly in the Underground Ruins due to the site's location.
- The duration of the tour is 2 hours and 30 mins.
- This tour is available in English and Italian.
- It's recommended to wear comfortable clothing along with walking shoes as there is a fair amount of walking involved in this tour.
- Bring along your pets as they are allowed on this tour.
- The experience is not recommended for wheelchair users, and people with mobility issues.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Guided Tour of Naples with Underground Ruins Visit
- Walk through the 'SpaccaNapoli', a road that provides access to Naples’ most popular destinations, and the city’s historic center with a guide.
- Stroll through the 2000-year-old Underground Ruins which were once used as bomb shelters during WWII.
- Revel in the city’s art galleries, markets, and bars to get a taste of daily life.
- Visit the ‘Catacombs’ in the Cathedral of San Gennaro and learn about its historical past.
Inclusions
- 2.5-hr guided tour of Naples
- Local English and Italian-speaking guide
- Underground Ruins entrance fee
Walk through the street of SpaccaNapoli – Visit San Gregorio Armeno – Visit the Underground Ruins – Visit the center of San Gennaro
- Tip: If you want to document your experience in pictures and videos, bring tools that aid low-light photography underground.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Visiting Naples Underground, an Underground City in Italy
Famous for its iconic Neapolitan pizza made with just tomato and mozzarella, Naples is also known as a storehouse of ancient Greek and Roman heritage. The Naples Underground is one such fascinating ancient landmark that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. It offers a different view of the city from 40m below. The Naples Underground is a mark of the exemplary craftsmanship and ingenuity of the ancient Greeks to create a ‘Neapolis’ or new city under the ground.
A history buff’s haven, Naples Underground, or Napoli Sotterranea as locals call it, is a series of tunnels dug underneath the city of Naples. Constructed around the 4th century BC, the underground tunnels and Roman waterways are crucial elements of the city’s 2500 years of history. Read on to know more about the Napoli Sotterranea, how to reach there, how to book Naples Underground tickets, timings, and other information that will help you plan your visit.
Why Visit Naples Underground?
Historical Significance
The Napoli Sotterranea is a perfect embodiment of the ingenious construction of the ancient Greeks to create a city under the ground. The later Greeks and Romans turned the tunnels into aqueducts that were used to safeguard citizens during the Second World War.
Life Underneath
The Hypogeum Gardens is nothing short of a miracle. It is a vegetable garden growing in the depths of the Earth, in a seemingly less than ideal plant environment. Environmentalists presume it is the lack of pollution and smog that has enabled it to prosper.
Architectural Marvel
The Naples Underground is a collection of tunnels and pathways that are reminiscent of the city’s ancient heritage. Some remaining bunker beds and foliage indicate its past history. The pathways expand and narrow in certain portions.
Your Naples Underground Tickets Explained
Naples Underground Guided Tours
- Book your Naples Underground Guided Tour to skip the long queues and enter the labyrinth of tunnels underneath the bustling city.
- Book the Naples Underground Guided Tour tickets for a hassle-free touring experience. With expert guides, you can get a deeper insight into the city’s past.
- The Guided Naples Underground Tour provides two language options. You can choose either an English Guided Tour or an Italian one.
- The Napoli Sotterranea tunnels will take you nearly 2400 years back. Witnessing the process of change from the Greek city tunnels to Roman water cisterns to safety bunkers during World War II will be a worthwhile tour.
Super Flexible Cancellation Policy
Enjoy a Super Flexible Cancellation Policy with your Naples Underground tour by booking your tickets online. You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund. For more information, make sure to check your details before purchasing.
What is the Best Way To Book Naples Underground Tickets? Book Online
The winding tunnels that once housed entire cities are an unmissable experience. Since Napoli Sotterranea is an important historical site, it is crawling with tourists all year round. Make sure to book your tickets well in advance to avoid missing out on trudging through tunnels underneath the city. You can book your tickets online to reserve your spot and enjoy this unique experience.
- Convenience: With online booking systems in place, you can book a ticket easily and enjoy your tour without queuing up in long lines outside the tunnels.
- Secure Bookings: Since online reservations are taken early, you do not have to worry about missing your attraction. Your spot will be secured.
- Great Deals: Online bookings offer great discounts on a variety of experiences. You will also find added features like guided tours and audio guides in different languages to make your experience personal and memorable.
Naples Underground Highlights
Tuffaceous Tunnels
During the 4th century BC, the Greeks built an underground city called ‘Neapolis’ with tunnels for pathways. The tunnels of Napoli Sotterranea are carved onto yellow, tuffaceous (volcanic rock) that forms the very essence of the city. The tunnels are winding- quite narrow and pretty wide in some sections.
Roman waterways
The Graeco-Roman tunnels were used to store water in the past years. These aqueducts kept the citizens of ‘Neapolis’ hydrated for centuries. Sewer tunnels, rainwater harvesting cisterns, and water caverns are common sightings inside the tunnels. Experts speculate that it is because of such long water accumulations, foliage has grown in some of them.
Graeco-Roman Theater
The Graeco-Roman theater that connects to the Napoli Sotterranea tunnels was once used by Emperor Nero as his private dressing room. The marvelous architecture dating back to the 1st century BC gives a clear idea about the audience positions, stage location, and other elements in plays.
Forgotten War Relics
The underground tunnel networks were used as a bomb shelter during the Second World War. There are many bunk beds, forgotten weapons and war machineries inside these tunnel labyrinths. The most noteworthy highlight about the Napoli Sotterranea is how it evolved with time from being waterways and cisterns to housing bunker beds for citizens, and now an important exploration site for historians and tourists alike.
Hypogeum Gardens
The warm temperatures and humidity inside the tunnels coupled with accumulated water from those cisterns have grown some interesting foliage down the depths of the ground. There is an entire vegetable garden down there, called the Hypogeum Gardens, that was established during Expo Milano, 2015, “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life”, with the sole motive of checking if plants can grow in such inhospitable conditions.
Plan Your Visit to Naples Underground
- English Excursions
Daily except for Thursday: 10 AM, 12 PM, 2 PM, 4 PM, & 6 PM.
Thursday: 9 PM (minimum 10 people) - Italian Excursions
Daily except for Thursday: 10 AM to 6 PM.
Thursday: 9 PM (minimum 10 people) - National Holidays (incl Sat and Sun): before 9:30 AM or after 6:30 PM.
Duration of Visit: The Guided Naples Underground tours last for one hour and 30 minutes.
Best Time to Visit: The month of May is one of the best times to visit Naples as the weather gets warmer and there is barely any rainfall.
Address: Piazza San Gaetano, 68.
- By Bus: Take a bus from either of these routes- 02-NA, 151, 168 to reach Naples Underground.
Nearest Stop: Nicotera or Piazza Carolina - By Train: Take a train from the Naples Garibaldi station (Line 1) to Toledo and walk until Naples Underground.
Nearest Stop: Toledo - By Metro: Line1 and Line 2 metro lines reach Naples Underground.
Nearest Stop: Dante on Line 1. - By Car: You can grab a car or taxi to reach Napoli Sotterranea. It will be a 10 minute walk from the parking spots.
Nearest Stop: Duomo, Piazza Cavour, or Corso Umberto parking spaces
Toilets: There are free public toilets right before the entrance.
Photography: Yes, you can take pictures inside the Naples Underground tunnels.
Bilingual Guides: The Naples Underground Guides Tours allow you to choose either an English or an Italian-speaking guide.
Accessibility: The long, winding tunnels are not suitable for wheelchair users.
- Royal Palace of Naples The Royal Palace of Naples, commonly known as Palazzo Reale has several intricate objects, tapestries, frescoes, and rooms in Baroque and Rococo styles. The Royal Chapel and Throne Room are two unmissable attractions of this palace.
- Pompeii Ruins The Mount Vesuvius eruption around 79 AD blanketed a town, Pompeii in a thick coat of volcanic ash. Villa dei Misteri, The House of the Tragic Poet, The Temple of Isis, and The Temple of Apollo are the highlights of this attraction.
- Herculaneum Another victim of the Mount Vesuvius eruption, the Herculaneum is much smaller than Pompeii but no less grand. Several excavation projects over the years have granted it the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Royal Palace of Caserta The Royal Palace of Caserta is the largest palace in the world. With intricate porcelain sculptures, art galleries, a grand staircase, and a Palatine Chapel, reminiscent of the Bourbon kingdom, the palace is grander than the grandest.
- What To Wear: Make sure to wear comfortable clothes that would not mind a tear as you have to squeeze through some really thin pathways. The Naples Underground tour involves a lot of walking and some places may have accumulated water, so wear comfortable, closed shoes.
- Temperature: The temperatures inside the tunnels sometimes get quite cold, so carry a light jacket or cardigan.
- Health Issues: This trip is not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart problems or other serious medical conditions.
- Know Before You Go: If you are claustrophobic, you may find the Naples Underground tunnels really uncomfortable.
- Tips For Babies: It is advised that you carry your baby in a stroller.
- Service Animal: Service animals are allowed to be a part of this tour.
- Wheelchair: The tunnels are not suitable for travelers in wheelchairs.
- Your Experience: You will be given modern-day, battery-powered candles for ease of exploration.
All Your Questions About Naples Underground Answered
A. Yes, the Naples Underground Tickets are available online.
A. It is best to buy the Naples Underground tickets online.
A. Buy Napoli Sotterranea tickets online to enjoy great discounts.
The Naples Underground Tour lasts for about an hour and a half to two hours.
The Napoli Sotterranea is located on Piazza San Gaetano, 68.
The Naples Underground tunnels are open from 10 am to 6 pm every day.
A. The best way to travel to Napoli Sotterranea is to take the metro or train from Line 1 and get down at the nearest spot- Dante (metro) or Toledo (train).
The Napoli Sotterranea are a collection of tunnels that are the remains of an ancient Greek city called ‘Neapolis’, that later became safety chambers during World War II bombings.
Yes, photography is allowed inside Napoli Sotterranea.
No, the tunnels inside Naples Underground are not wheelchair accessible.
The month of May with warm temperatures and no rainfall is the best time to visit Naples Underground.
A. The Royal Palace of Naples is only a few minutes from the tunnels. The Royal Palace of Caserta, Herculaneum, and Pompeii is an hour or so away.
A. The tunnels are quite congested in some areas, but you can always come up mid-way if you feel uncomfortable.