Plan your visit to the Naples Underground

Visitor information at a glance

Naples Underground tour guide explaining historical tunnels and artifacts.

How many Naples Underground sites can you visit?

You can visit a total of five subterranean sites: the Napoli Sotterranea at Piazza San Gaetano, the Spanish Quarters Underground, Neapolis Sotterrata, and the Catacombs of San Gaudioso and San Gennaro.

Where is the Naples Underground located?

The main sites are located at Piazza San Gaetano, the Spanish Quarters, and Rione Sanità. Click here to see the exact locations and ways of getting to each site of the Naples Underground.

What are the Naples Underground opening hours?

Naples Underground opening hours vary. The Catacombs are open till 5pm, the Napoli Sotterranea tunnels at Piazza San Gaetano and the Spanish Quarters are open till 6pm, and the Neapolis Sotterrata is open till 5:30pm. Check the detailed timings for each site here.

What are the guided tour languages?

Guided tours are available with experts fluent in English or Italian. At the San Lorenzo Maggiore Monumental Complex, a multilingual audio guide is usually available on-site.

When is the best time to visit the Naples Underground?

The optimal seasons to visit Naples are during the spring (Mar to May) and fall (Sep to Oct). These periods feature mild temperatures and fewer tourists, making for a more comfortable exploration of both the city and its underground attractions. Winter is damp and off-season, visiting during this period can be enjoyable if you don't mind the slight wetness. While summer months can be hot and crowded, the underground's cool environment provides a pleasant escape from the heat.
Weekdays, particularly Tuesdays to Thursdays, are ideal for visiting the Naples Underground. These days typically see fewer tourists compared to weekends, allowing for a more intimate and unhurried tour experience.
To avoid peak times, consider joining an early morning or late afternoon tour. These slots are generally less crowded, providing a more relaxed experience. While advance booking isn't always necessary, securing your spot ahead of time can offer peace of mind, especially during peak tourist seasons.

Naples Underground timings

Compare Naples Underground sites

Wondering how to decide between the numerous subterranean sites and what sets them apart?

Compare the tunnels

Napoli Sotterranea, the Spanish Quarters Underground, and the Bourbon Tunnel are all manmade tunnel systems that have at one point served as World War II air-raid shelters up to 40 meters below the surface.

Compare the Catacombs

Both the Catacombs are early Christian burial sites and places of worship, featuring frescoes, mosaics, and tombs across two levels.

What makes Neapolis Sotterrata unique?

The Neapolis Sotterrata is distinct from the tunnels and catacombs. It refers to the buried ruins of an ancient Greek square and Roman marketplace beneath the San Lorenzo Maggiore Basilica.

Cover the Naples Underground by neighborhood

Here's how you can plan your visit in each neighborhood of Naples if you'd like to see the sites beneath your feet!

The Spanish Quarters

This charming neighborhood is known for its sprawling murals, colorful alleys, and vibrant markets.

Spanish Quarters Underground: Spend an hour exploring the sprawling Neapolis Aqueduct, tuff stone quarries, and WWII bomb shelters with an expert guide. Aim to arrive at least 15 minutes early.

13 minute walk ⏩

Bourbon Tunnel: An intriguing visit into a secret passageway built for King Ferdinand II. In one hour, uncover the political history and adventurous caves at this underground archaeological museum.

The Historic Center

A UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its layered monuments, churches, architecture, and underground tunnels and ruins.

Neapolis Sotterrata: Discover the remains of a Roman macellum and Greek agora under the San Lorenzo Maggiore Basilica. Take your time exploring the entire Monumental Complex and its stunning cloister.
Optional experience: walking tour of the historic center with tickets to Neapolis Sotterrata.

2 minute walk ⏩

Napoli Sotterranea: Head right next door to for a tour of this official route featuring wartime relics, water cisterns, an underground theater, and the recent hypogeum gardens.

1 minute walk ⏩

Grab a quick meal at Osteria Ippolito.
Must visit nearby: Via S. Gregorio Armeno (a lively street lined with Christmas ornaments) and Sansevero Chapel Museum (if you're into beautiful sculptures like the Veiled Christ).

Rione Sanità

It's not just a densely populated neighborhood known for its delicious food and interesting museums. Learn all about why it was once called the necropolis of Naples.

Catacombs of San Gennaro or San Gaudioso: Take a guided tour through an eerie labyrinth of early Christian tombs, paintings, and divine artifacts that memorialize the dead. With combined tickets valid for 12 months, flexibly visit both at your convenience.

12 minute walk from San Gennaro ⏩

Make a trip to Capodimonte Museum and Park to see enchanting artworks and porcelain collections, and take in the city view from Capodimonte Hill.

5 minute walk from San Gaudioso ⏩

Basilica di San Severo Fuori le Mura & Jago Museum: See astoundingly evocative marble sculptures by the talented Italian artist Jago.

Know before you go to Naples Underground

For wheelchair users and strollers, nearly all Naples Underground sites are not accessible.
The only exception is the Catacombs of San Gennaro. Its wide layout and architectural features have allowed it to be adapted for visitors with low mobility. The street-level accessible entrance is at Vicoletto S. Gennaro dei Poveri, 22.
Those experiencing claustrophobia must practice caution when entering these sites, as there are some enclosed spaces. However, there is always an alternative route for those sections and you can stop the tour and head to the surface any time you want.

Ensure your camera's flash is on low/off, especially when snapping pictures of old frescoes and mosaics.
In order to preserve the integrity of the sites, and safely navigate the underground, follow the instructions of your authorized guide in the tunnels and catacombs.
Always enter from the official entrances, and don't try to take shortcuts or get roped into a bootleg tour around a random part of the underground. These are usually unsafe and not recognized by preservation committees.

Restrooms: Most Naples Underground sites, such as Napoli Sotterranea and the Catacombs of San Gennaro, have restroom facilities near the entrance or visitor center.
Cloakrooms: Some locations provide cloakrooms or storage areas for visitors to store bags, coats, and bulky items securely during the tour.
Ramps and elevators: While not all sites are fully accessible, certain areas, like parts of the Catacombs of San Gennaro, are equipped with ramps or elevators to accommodate visitors with limited mobility.
Seating areas: Rest areas or benches are available at select sites, offering a spot to relax before or after the tour.
Lighting and safety features: Adequate lighting and safety measures, such as railings and clear signage, are in place to ensure a safe and comfortable experience in the underground passages.

Booking online is highly recommended in order to get the best deals, preferred time slots, and the flexibility to organize your day well.
Dress warmly since the temperature below ground is often several degrees cooler than the surface, even during summers.
Bring along a camera to capture the ingenious corridors and aqueducts.
Don't shy away from asking your guide for further context about any structure or artwork you come across.
Start early if you wish to visit multiple Naples Underground sites in one day. Check their locations and begin planning.

Near Napoli Sotterranea & Neapolis Sotterrata

Royal Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro (5 min walk)
Sansevero Chapel Museum (5 min walk)

Near the Spanish Quarters Underground

Royal Palace of Naples (6 min walk)
Castel Nuovo (8 min walk)

Near the Catacombs

Capodimonte Museum (12 min walk from San Gennaro)
San Felice Palace (4 min walk from San Gaudioso)

Frequently asked questions about visiting Naples Underground

What can I see on a visit to the Naples Underground?

You can see the remnants of Greek quarries, Roman aqueducts, and World War II air-raid shelters in the tunnels of Napoli Sotterranea and the Spanish Quarters. At the Neapolis Sotterrata, you can explore an ancient marketplace and square under the San Lorenzo Maggiore Basilica. The Catacombs of Naples feature Christian iconography, prayer areas, and unique burial niches.

Can I visit all Naples Underground sites in one day?

Since each site takes about 2 hours each to fully explore, and are within 20 minutes of each other, it is possible to visit most of the Naples Underground sites in one day. However, in order to best appreciate the nuances of each site, it's recommended to limit it to two in a day.

How should I plan my visit so I can visit all the Naples Underground sites in one day?

You can check the exact location for each Naples Underground site here, and begin mapping the day by your preferred mode of transport depending on where your starting point is.

Which parts of the Naples Underground can I visit on a wheelchair?

The Catacombs of San Gennaro have wide corridors and open spaces, with an accessible street-level entrance at at Vicoletto S. Gennaro dei Poveri, 22. The rest of the tunnels, ruins, and catacombs are not accessible by wheelchair.

Do I need to book a guided tour to visit the Naples Underground?

Napoli Sotterranea, the Spanish Quarters Underground, and the Catacombs of Naples all require you to book a guided tour in order to access them. The only site that can be explored on your own with just entry tickets is the Neapolis Sotterrata and San Lorenzo Maggiore Monumental Complex.