Visitor's Guide to the Naples National Archaeological Museum

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Combo (Save 5%): Naples Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + National Archaeological Museum Tickets

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Naples National Archaeological Museum Guided Tour with an Archaeologist

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Naples National Archaeological Museum Private Guided Tour with an Archaeologist

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Artecard Napoli: 3 Museums Pass

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What's the best time to visit the Naples National Archaeological Museum?

To make the most of your visit to the Naples National Archaeological museum, consider your timing. The peak tourist season, from March to August, brings pleasant weather and larger crowds. In contrast, the low season, from September to February, offers cooler temperatures and fewer tourists, along with budget-friendly hotel rates and air fares.

For an ideal visit, opt for mid-week days like Wednesdays and Thursdays during the off-season. Consider visiting in the morning or late afternoon as it is less crowded, offering a more intimate exploration of the site.

Where is the National Archaeological Museum located?

Address: Piazza Museo, 19, 80135 Napoli NA, Italy

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The National Archaeological Museum of Naples is located in the heart of Naples, Italy, housing a rich collection of ancient artifacts. Positioned within the historic district, it offers visitors a glimpse into the region's rich history and cultural heritage. It is surrounded by other historic attractions such as the Centro Storico, a UNESCO Site, the Naples Cathedral and transport stations such as Piazza Museo and Piazza Cavour Station.

Directions to National Archaeological Museum

Getting to the National Archaeological Museum in Naples

By Public Transportation

By Metro: Metro Line 1 will take you to Piazza Museo, the closest metro station to the museum. Metro Line 2 will drop you Cavour Station, which is an 8-minute walk from the museum.

By Bus: Take buses 139, 168, c63, or 178 to reach the National Archaeological Museum. The nearest stop, Piazza Museo, is just a 1-minute walk from the museum.

By Subway: You can hop on any train on the L3 line and head over to Naples Piazza Cavour Station. This is the closest stop to the museum and is an 8 minute stroll away.

However, we recommend taking the metro since buses and subways are not always reliable.

Detailed directions to the National Archaeological Museum in Naples

By Car

Naples has many Limited Traffic Zones (Zona a Traffico Limitato or ZTL), where access is restricted to authorized vehicles only, typically for environmental or historical preservation reasons.

Due to the presence of these ZTLs, parking is not very prevalent and public transport is recommended. If you choose to drive, it is recommended that you inquire at your hotel for best possible parking options. You can park your vehicles in a centralized location for later access, at garages like Parcheggio Brin, Parking Plebiscito, etc.

Know before you go to Naples National Archaeological Museum

Wheelchair Accessibility: The National Archaeological Museum, Naples, is completely wheelchair accessible. There are elevators that will take you to the different floors and you can access the other wing from the second floor as well. Wheelchair-accessible toilets are available on the ground floor.

Service Dogs: You can bring service dogs into the museum free of cost so long as they're harnessed.

Wi-fi: There is free Wi-Fi for all museum visitors. Avail the login credentials at the Information Desk.
Lockers: There are free self-service lockers available.
Cloakroom: On the right side of the entrance is the cloakroom.
Toilets: The museum’s toilets are located in the basement and can be reached via corridors on the right and left sides of the entrance hall staircase.
Baby Changing Room: On the ground floor to the right side of the central staircase is a special area for newborns called the Baby Pit Stop.
Audio-Guides: Audio guides can be rented at the ticket counter. Italian, English, French, Spanish, and German are among the five languages available. In an 85-minute fascinating visit that you can enjoy at your own pace, the tour takes you through 90 items throughout the museum.
Video-Guides: There are video guides available in Italian Sign Language (LIS) that you can borrow from the Information Desk.
Pets: Small pets that can be carried or those that fit in a handbag are permitted inside the museum.

There is a bookshop on the ground floor on the left of the ticket office. You can visit the shop even without a ticket to the museum.

Bookshop opening hours: Wednesday to Monday 9am to 7 pm.

Since there are many exhibits at the museum and navigating them can be daunting, you can ask visitor services to guide you on how to tour the gallery. They can help you craft an itinerary based on your interests, time available, etc.
Some collections, like the Magna Graecia, have options to interact with the exhibits via touch resources. This is a great facility for guests with disabilities.
Visit the museum with plenty of time to spare. There's a lot to see here, so set aside at least two hours if not more (you won't be disappointed).

The Museum has an in-house eatery called MANN Cafe that offers nutritious and delicious small-eats, for whenever you want to take a breather. Besides this, there are plenty of options to explore nearby. Since the museum is located next to Rione Sanità, you can sample famous Neapolitan pizza from the neighborhood.

Antica Taverna a Chiaia: At this outdoor eatery, even vegetarians have plenty of options to choose from. Sample the lemon cod and the eggplant parmiggiana at this eat-out that's 3.4 km away.
La Lazzara Trattoria e Pizzeria: Priding themselves as masters of Campanian cuisine, eat at La Lazzara Trattoria e Pizzeria to feast on local flavors that balance the strong and the delicate. Try the cheese board, the codfish with tomato sauce and the beef ragu at this restaurant that's 3.3 km away.
La Locanda Gesù Vecchio: If you're feeling fancy, treat yourself to a Michelin experience at La Locanda Gesù Vecchio. Don't miss the classic Campania favorite: the ziti-pasta based Ragù alla Genovese. The restaurant is 4.4 km away from the museum.

Budget: B&B Belvedere Partenopeo (1 km away); Sansevero La ca de pitor (1.8 km away)
Mid-range: B&B Terra Mia Napoli (450 m away); Fondaco House (2.3 km away)
Luxury: Caio Bellini (1.3 km away);B&B Medea (3.6 km away)

Frequently asked questions about visiting the National Archaeological Museum in Naples

How do I avoid the crowds to optimise my visit to the National Archaeological Museum?

To avoid crowds, it is recommended to visit the National Archaeological Museum on weekdays (Wednesday and Thursdays), especially during the early morning or late afternoon. The museum tends to be busiest on weekends, particularly during peak tourist seasons between March and September.

How much time should I set aside for my National Archaeological Museum visit?

The duration of a visit to the National Archaeological Museum can vary depending on personal interests. Plan to spend at least 2 hours exploring the main highlights, but for a more comprehensive experience, allocating an additional hour or two is advisable.

Can I re-enter the National Archaeological Museum once I exit?

Once you exit the National Archaeological Museum, you will not be able to re-enter the museum with the same ticket.

How do I get to the National Archaeological Museum from the city centre?

The Naples museum is centrally located and is situated around many other points of significance such as Historic Center of Naples (Centro Storico), San Gregorio Armeno, Piazza del Gesù Nuovo Spaccanapoli, and, Naples Cathedral (Cattedrale di San Gennaro) amongst others. The best way to arrive at the museum is via metro line 1. You can get off at Piazza Museo, the closest stop to the Museum.

Is the National Archaeological Museum wheelchair accessible?

The National Archaeological Museum, Naples, is completely wheelchair accessible. There are elevators that will take you to the different floors and you can access the other wing from the second floor as well. Wheelchair-accessible toilets are available on the ground floor.

Can I visit the Naples National Archaeological Museum with kids?

Sure, kids would be thrilled to visit the museum as it not only has exciting exhibits but also period exhibitions and activities for kids. Consider taking a guided tour or buying an audio guide to enrich their experience.

How many entrances does the Naples museum have?

There are three entrances to the National Archaeological Museum in Naples:

The eastern side, which is located on the right of the main exit of the Museo metro;
The middle, or central staircase;
The western entrance which can be accessed from the Museo metro exit by walking up the sidewalk and turning right to where cars are permissible. The third entrance is for people with disabilities and wheelchair users.