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    All about the Naples Underground

    The Naples Underground is a maze of tunnels, caves, and cisterns spanning 450 kilometers below the city! Access three unique sections: the iconic Napoli Sotterranea starting at Piazza San Gaetano, the Underground of the Spanish Quarters, and the N...

    Founded On

    1989

    NaplesNaples UndergroundAbout

    Quick Information

    ADDRESS

    Naples

    RECOMMENDED DURATION

    2 hours

    Timings

    10:00–18:00

    TICKETS

    From € 10

    NUMBER OF ENTRANCES

    4

    EXPECTED WAIT TIME - STANDARD

    30-60 mins (Peak), 0-30 mins (Off Peak)

    EXPECTED WAIT TIME - SKIP THE LINE

    0-30 mins (Peak), 0-30 mins (Off Peak)

    Plan your visit

    Did you know?

    In around 470 BCE, the Greeks excavated the volcanic tuff rock of the underground in order to create a Neapolis, or 'new city'. Evidence of this quarrying can be found across all the sites you visit.

    The Naples Underground tunnels at Piazza San Gaetano and the Spanish Quarters are both known for serving as water reservoirs in the Roman era and air raid shelters during the Second World War.

    The Neapolis Sotterrata beneath San Lorenzo Maggiore reveals the ruins of an ancient Greek marketplace and Roman structures, offering a fascinating glimpse into Naples' layered past.

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    How to book Naples Underground tickets?

    Spanish Quarters Underground Guided Tour
    Free cancellation
    Instant confirmation
    Mobile ticket
    1 hr.
    Guided tour
    More details
    from
    €12
    Napoli Sotterranea Skip-the-Line Guided Tour
    Free cancellation
    Instant confirmation
    Mobile ticket
    1 hr. 25 min.
    Guided tour
    More details
    from
    €15
    Catacombs of Naples: San Gaudioso & San Gennaro Guided Tour
    Free cancellation
    Instant confirmation
    Mobile ticket
    1 hr.
    Guided tour
    More details
    from
    €13
    San Lorenzo Maggiore & Neapolis Sotterrata Tickets
    Free cancellation
    Instant confirmation
    Mobile ticket
    Flexible duration
    More details
    from
    €10

    Naples Underground in a nutshell

    • Locations: Piazza San Gaetano, Spanish Quarters, Rione Sanità
    • Opening years: 1985-1989
    • Total area: 450 kilometers
    • Types of experiences: Tunnels, ruins, catacombs
    • Unsuitable for: Infants, people with major mobility issues

    What to see at Naples Underground

    1/4

    Explore the official Napoli Sotterranea

    Walk through the sprawling tunnels, admire the Greco-Roman Theater of Nero, and learn something new about botany at the Hypogeum Gardens.

    See Roman market ruins at Neapolis Sotterrata

    Wander through the San Lorenzo Maggiore Basilica and Monumental Complex, exploring the museum and chapter halls before heading down into the remains of a Roman macellum and Greek agora.

    Descend below the historic Spanish Quarters

    See the extensive Neapolis Aqueduct, ancient tuff quarries, and wartime shelters beneath the charming neighborhood known as Quartieri Spagnoli.

    Admire frescoes at the Catacombs of Naples

    See early Christian art and the macabre burial practices of medieval devotees and nobility at the Catacombs of San Gennaro and San Gaudioso.

    What to see inside the official Napoli Sotterranea?

    Naples Underground Tickets

    Greek Roman Theater

    The Graeco-Roman theater, also known as the Theater of Nerone, connects visitors to a typical Neapolitan apartment. From here, one can view the rooms once used by Emperor Nero as his private dressing room.

    Naples Underground Tickets

    War Museum

    The underground tunnel networks were used as a bomb shelter by close to 40,000 people, during the Second World War. The Underground Naples War Museum collects and preserves documents and objects relating to the war, including bunk beds, forgotten weapons, and war machinery.

    Looking at artworks

    Co.R.E. Gallery

    At the entrance of the Naples Underground, you will find the Co.R.E. Gallery, a contemporary art gallery. Visiting the museum offers the opportunity to discover the most talented and innovative artists in contemporary art research.

    Naples Underground Tickets

    Hypogeum Gardens

    The warm temperatures and humidity inside the tunnels coupled with accumulated water from those cisterns have grown some interesting foliage 35 meters below the ground. It 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.

    Tufello Wine

    Tufello Wine

    A unique wine produced in the tuffaceous cavities of Underground Naples, the Tufello Wine is a must-try while you are in Naples. The tuffaceous rock acts as a natural insulator, creating a temperature and humidity that is ideal for aging wine. This process results in a wine with a distinct flavor and aroma.

    What to see inside the Spanish Quarters Underground?

    Naples Underground Tickets

    Neapolis Aqueduct

    Dug more than 2,500 years ago, these were used to store and supply water in the past. Sewer tunnels, rainwater harvesting cisterns, and water caverns are common sightings inside the Neapolitan tunnels.

    WWII air raid shelters

    Part of the Neapolis Aqueduct was converted into air raid shelters during the war. The preserved artifacts and graffiti offer poignant insights into life at that time.

    Tuff stone quarries

    The underground tunnels were originally excavated as quarries for tuff, a volcanic stone used in building Naples. These vast cavities highlight the city's architectural foundations.

    What to see inside the Neapolis Sotterranea & San Lorenzo Maggiore Basilica?

    Roman market ruins

    Find everything from taverns to treasuries lining the structured roads and forum 10 meters underground.

    Sala Sisto V

    The Swabian cloister lies in the lower right corner, leading to the grand Sixtus V room, once a friars' refectory. Luigi Rodriguez's early 17th-century frescoes adorn the vaults, exuding an austere yet captivating ambiance.

    Museum

    The new museum, which spans three floors above the courtyard, chronicles San Lorenzo's history, from classical archaeology to charts of historic shipping routes linking Naples to Magna Grecia and the Roman Empire.

    What to see inside the Catacombs of Naples?

    Fresco of Madonna della Sanità

    San Gaudioso

    Created in the 5th-6th century, it is the oldest depiction of the Virgin Mary in Campania.

    Tombs of the 17th- century nobility

    San Gaudioso

    Noble and clergy tombs followed an interesting process: skulls were showcased within ambulatory walls, while their bodies were frescoed, often adorned in attire and tools symbolizing their status. It was often painted for free by Giovanni Balducci in order to secure himself an aristocratic burial.

    Fresco of Pascentius

    San Gaudioso

    This painting depicts Pascentius at the time of his death being welcomed by the Apostle Peter and other saints.

    Baptismal font

    San Gennaro

    The grand lower vestibule, with soaring 6-meter-high ceilings, features a magnificent baptismal font commissioned by Bishop Paul II, who sought refuge in the Catacombs of San Gennaro during the 8th-century iconoclastic conflicts.

    Crypt of the Bishops

    San Gennaro

    This crypt holds the tombs of the city’s bishops, vivid frescoes, and mosaics honoring early Christian leaders.

    Frequently asked questions about the Naples Underground

    What makes the Naples Underground different from other underground cities or networks?

    The Naples Underground is unique because it reflects over 2,500 years of continuous use, starting with Greek quarrying, Roman aqueducts, and early Christian burial sites, to Spanish-era cisterns and WWII bomb shelters. Its layers mirror the city's complex history and evolution.

    How does the history of the Catacombs of Naples differ from the rest of the underground?

    The Catacombs of San Gennaro and San Gaudioso were specifically used as Christian burial and worship sites, featuring frescoes and mosaics that reflect early Christian art. In contrast, most other underground spaces served civic, military, or residential purposes.

    How was the Naples Underground used during World War II?

    Many parts of the underground, such as Napoli Sotterranea and the Spanish Quarters, were repurposed as air-raid shelters. Thousands of residents sought refuge here during Allied bombings, leaving behind graffiti and artifacts that capture wartime life.

    What can I learn from Neapolis Sotterrata under San Lorenzo Maggiore?

    At the Neapolis Sotterrata, you can see a preserved Roman macellum (marketplace), complete with shops and storage areas, offering insights into the commercial and social life of ancient Neapolis.

    How did the underground impact daily life in Naples historically?

    The underground provided water through cisterns and aqueducts, acted as a refuge during wars, and influenced burial practices through catacombs. It was an essential part of the city's infrastructure, connecting directly to homes and shaping daily routines. Learn more about the history of the Naples Underground here.

    What were the challenges faced in rediscovering and preserving Naples Underground?

    Rediscovery required extensive excavation due to centuries of urban development burying these sites. Preservation has involved balancing historical authenticity with modern safety requirements to ensure these fragile spaces remain accessible to the public.