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- Naples Underground
- History
- Spanish Quarters Underground
- Napoli Sotterranea
- Naples Catacombs
- Neapolis Sotterrata
- Pompeii Tickets & Tours
- Herculaneum Tickets
- Mount Vesuvius
- Naples National Archaeological Museum
- Museo Di Capodimonte
- Villa Pignatelli
- Royal Palace of Naples
- Certosa di San Martino
- Catacombs of San Gennaro, Naples Tickets
- Città della Scienza
- Capri Boat Tours
- Bourbon Tunnel
- Maradona Tours
- Artecard Naples City Pass
- Veiled Christ
- Alibus Airport Transfers
Napoli Sotterranea: The labyrinth under Piazza San Gaetano.
Follow the official Naples Underground path, along ancient aqueducts and WWII bomb shelters.
- What you get: Descend 136 steps into millennia-old galleries, discovering Greek cisterns and medieval tunnels. Visit the underground War Museum and learn about the use of tunnels as shelters during WWII. Walk through the ruins of a Roman Theater beneath Neapolitan homes, and find emperor Nero's private dressing rooms used for performances. Explore the Hypogeum Gardens, an underground botanical project experimenting with crop growth at 35 meters depth!
- Why choose this: Save time and skip the lines at Piazza San Gaetano. What's more, choose between an English and Italian-speaking guide for an inclusive experience. This tour ensures you're not in the dark (quite literally), and are given insights into a historic establishment in Naples.
Follow the official Naples Underground path, along ancient aqueducts and WWII bomb shelters.
- What you get: Descend 136 steps into millennia-old galleries, discovering Greek cisterns and medieval tunnels. Visit the underground War Museum and learn about the use of tunnels as shelters during WWII. Walk through the ruins of a Roman Theater beneath Neapolitan homes, and find emperor Nero's private dressing rooms used for performances. Explore the Hypogeum Gardens, an underground botanical project experimenting with crop growth at 35 meters depth!
- Why choose this: Save time and skip the lines at Piazza San Gaetano. What's more, choose between an English and Italian-speaking guide for an inclusive experience. This tour ensures you're not in the dark (quite literally), and are given insights into a historic establishment in Naples.
Inclusions
- 1 to 1.5-hour guided tour of Naples Sotterranea with entry
- Expert English or Italian-speaking guide
- This experience is not accessible by wheelchair or stroller as there are 121 steps to access the underground with no elevators or escalators.
- For people with claustrophobia: There is one optional narrow tunnel. Those who do not want to walk the tunnel can take an alternate route and wait10 mins for the group.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Reviews
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Snapshots from our guests
4.5
443 ratings
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5
Guests from France, United Kingdom, Germany and over 19 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Susan
Apr 2025Verified booking
Before going on this tour, I thought it sounded a bit gimmicky. But it was recommended by family so we got tickets. Definitely skip The line was very helpful as it is a busy tour. And it was an incredible tour. So much history and you cannot imagine All that has happened underneath the city of Napoli.
Amy
Apr 2025Verified booking
Well organised - got a message before with google maps co ordinates and queue skip! Well worth the visit and well done by the company!
Deborah
Jun 2025Verified booking
Places of great charm and very nice guide
View original review in Italian
Sophia
May 2025Verified booking
Interesting tour through the underground of Naples. You will be shown some of the numerous tunnels under the city and told how the inhabitants of Naples used them in times of war. Short narrow passages lead you to a Roman cistern. If you want to see more of these, you should also visit the Lapis Water Museum.
View original review in German
Denis
May 2025Verified booking
The tour guide was great and also told us an incredible amount. What we didn't think was so good was the size of the group. A few people less and the pace of the tour a little slower, then you could have noticed more and taken a few more photos.
View original review in German
Arianna
May 2025Verified booking
the entrance instructions were clear the guide who accompanied us was very engaging and precise in his explanation
View original review in Italian
Lovison
Apr 2025Verified booking
Wonderful skip the line....it was worth it otherwise the line was really long....very much appreciated the visit, kudos to the guide
View original review in Italian
laura
Apr 2025Verified booking
The activity in underground Naples was very nice, and the guide managed to capture the attention of the children (ages 6-9). Very knowledgeable and engaging
View original review in Italian
Giorgia
Jun 2025Verified booking
Top organization... we arrived at the designated time and immediately the tour started. Unique and interesting experience
View original review in Italian
Kim
Jun 2025Verified booking
Well organized, the tour guide was nice, and the experience was interesting. Good value for my money!
maria
Jun 2025Verified booking
excellent guidance and spectacular places under Naples, history throbbing!
View original review in Italian
Silvia
May 2025Verified booking
Maximilian undisputed number 1!!!
View original review in Italian
Colin
May 2025Verified booking
The atmosphere here felt great and found the tour interesting
Ursula
May 2025Verified booking
The guide did an excellent job and it was very exciting!
View original review in German
AJM
May 2025Verified booking
Special location underground, good tour and information
View original review in Dutch
Gerardo
May 2025Verified booking
Excellent organization and customer service with excellent leadership
View original review in Italian
Alexander
May 2025Verified booking
Experienced guide, well-organized tour without standing in line
View original review in Italian
Dobrea
May 2025Verified booking
Very knowledgeable guide, involved us in his tour! Very nice
View original review in Italian
Paolo
Apr 2025Verified booking
The two empathetic and sympathetic guides
View original review in Italian
Sergio
Apr 2025Verified booking
Bravura and sympathy of the guide
View original review in Italian
Michał
Jul 2025Verified booking
Agnese
Jul 2025Verified booking
Kasper
Jul 2025Verified booking
Ulrike
Jun 2025Verified booking
Boldyrev
Jun 2025Verified booking
Make the most of Naples
Why visit Napoli Sotterranea?
Trace Naples' history across millennia
This underground network unveils 24 centuries of history and hidden treasures 40 meters beneath the vibrant cityscape. It began with the Greeks in the 4th century BCE and ended with the Roman Empire in the first few centuries CE, followed by the medieval, Renaissance, and World War eras.
Along a well-mapped route
Guided tours with experts ensure you don’t miss a thing, and help you navigate the underground caves safely. This official and authorized route covers ancient cisterns, a Greco-Roman theater, wartime shelters, and hypogeum gardens.
Part of the UNESCO-listed City Center
Dubbed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, the Historic Center of Naples is home to several important monuments. Right next door at Piazza San Gaetano 316, you'll find San Lorenzo Maggiore Basilica and the Neapolis Sotterrata ruins.
What to see inside the official Napoli Sotterranea?
See all photos
History of Napoli Sotterranea
4th century BCE
🪨The Greeks begin quarrying tuff stone from underground for city construction and subsequently establish Neapolis (modern Naples), forming the earliest tunnels of what becomes Napoli Sotterranea.
1st century BCE – 1st century CE
💧Romans expanded the underground network, constructing aqueducts and cisterns to supply water to the city.
🎭A theater is built nearby, integrated into the urban fabric above, becoming a hub for entertainment and dramatic performances.
Middle Ages (5th – 15th century)
🏙️The aqueduct system remains in partial use, but the Roman theater is abandoned and covered as the city grows above it.
♻️Subterranean spaces are repurposed for storage, refuge, and urban development.
Renaissance and Early Modern Period (15th – 18th century)
🔦The underground network is used for water storage and emergency escape routes. Structures above ground incorporate remnants of ancient ruins, blending Naples' layered history.
🚿In the 16th century, nobleman Cesare Carmignano built a new aqueduct because the old one and its rainwater cisterns were no longer able to satisfy the growing water needs of the city.
World War II (1939–1945)
🛩️The tunnels and chambers serve as air raid shelters, protecting thousands of Neapolitans during bombings.
💈Remnants of life under the surface during this time – including graffiti and personal artifacts, are preserved for all to see.
Post-War Era (1950s–1980s)
🔍In the late '70s, Enzo Albertini founded a committee to rediscover and restore Naples' subsoil, hosting guided walks through key sites of anthropological and archaeological significance beneath the city.
🎀✂️In the late '80s, the site known as Napoli Sotterranea was officially opened, offering regular excursions underground.
🏛️1995: The Historic Center of Naples, of which Napoli Sotterranea is a central feature, was officially designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Modern Day (21st century)
🏳️Napoli Sotterranea is a celebrated cultural and historical site, offering regular guided tours through an authorized route showcasing Naples’ rich and layered history.
🌱The hypogeum gardens were set up in 2015, in order to experiment with crop growth 35 meters deep in the ‘bowels of Earth’.
Plan your visit to Napoli Sotterranea
Location
How to enter
You can access the Napoli Sotterranea from Piazza San Gaetano, 68 [find on maps]. The entrance is marked by blue and white flags. As with all the others, this specific section of Underground Naples requires separate tickets.
How to reach
🚌By bus: Catch a bus on lines 3M or R5.
Nearest stop: Costantinopoli, Piazza Garibaldi
🚄By train: Lines FR, FA, FB, IC, ICN, or R.
Nearest stop: Naples Centrale
🚇By metro: Lines 1 and 2.
Nearest stop: Museo Underground, 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
Visitor tips
- Carry a layer of extra clothing even during warmer months, and wear comfortable flat shoes to traverse the uneven terrain.
- Spring is the best time to visit since the weather is mild and crowds are relatively lower.
- Booking your tour online gives you the flexibility to enjoy other sites nearby before making a direct entry instead of standing in the ticket lines.
- Nearby, you can explore the historic center and landmarks like Via dei Tribunali, the octagonal Misericordia chapel featuring Carravaggio’s works, and the extravagant Duomo di Napoli.
- Craving a delicious Neapolitan pizza after your tour? Visit Gino e Toto Sorbillo. Or, head to Osteria Ippolito for authentic Italian comfort food.
Frequently asked questions about Napoli Sotterranea
How long does a typical guided tour of the Napoli Sotterranea last? Can I visit independently, without a guide?
A guided tour of the Napoli Sotterranea can last up to 1.5 hours. The only way to visit is in the company of an authorized guide.
Do I need to book tickets in advance, or can I purchase them on the day of my visit?
You can purchase them on the day of your visit outside the entrance, but there are usually long lines for tickets. Booking online gives you the flexibility to arrive at your preferred time and enter immediately.
What is the official Napoli Sotterranea route and where is it located?
The official Napoli Sotterranea route begins from Piazza San Gaetano, 68. It is a safe and authorized path taking you through Bourbon tunnels, Greek cisterns, hypogeum gardens, and a War Museum.
What other Naples Underground sites can I visit?
You can visit the Neapolis Sotterrata next-door, explore the Catacombs of San Gennaro and San Gaudioso at Rione Sanità, and head to the Spanish Quarters for a different side of Underground Naples.
Are we allowed to film or take pictures inside the Napoli Sotterranea?
Yes, taking photos and videos is allowed.
Is there a dress code requirement for visiting the Napoli Sotterranea?
No, but it is recommended that you wear comfortable walking shoes and carry a warm layer since the temperature underground is usually much cooler than the surface.
What are the main restrictions or accessibility issues that I could face?
The route is designed with handrails and spacious paths, with only one optional narrow section. Visitors with claustrophobia can opt for an alternate route and wait about 10 minutes for their group. However, due to numerous steps, the experience is not wheelchair or stroller accessible.
From happy customers
Susan
CanadaApr, 2025
Before going on this tour, I thought it sounded a bit gimmicky. But it was recommended by family so we got tickets. Definitely skip The line was very helpful as it is a busy tour. And it was an incredible tour. So much history and you cannot imagine All that has happened underneath the city of Napoli.
Naples Underground Skip-the-Line Ticket and Guided Tour
April
United StatesJul, 2025
Alex was an amazing guide. Funny, kind, thoughtful, and full of knowledge. This was a great tour.,
I took my four teens along and they had a blast as well.
Spanish Quarters Underground Guided Tour
Melanie
May, 2025
The tour was exciting and it was interesting to learn about things we didn't know had happened
Our guide Edward was great and very nice
View original review in Italian
Spanish Quarters Underground Guided Tour
Patrizia
ItalyFeb, 2023
Ottima esperienza, un tuffo nel passato che fa riflettere molto. Complimenti per il recupero di questa memoria storica!
Bourbon Tunnel Entry Tickets & Guided Tour
Alessandro
Dec, 2022
Interessante la parte di storia relativa al rifugio seconda guerra mondiale, interessante anche la storia borbonica. Per il resto abbastanza simile a Napoli sotterranea.
Bourbon Tunnel Entry Tickets & Guided Tour
Jennifer
May, 2025
We were through the line quickly at Peastum - it was a beautiful! Pompeii was another story as we were not aware of the 1st Sunday of each month being a Museum holiday where everyone egts in free. We waited in line for 2 hours because the "voucher" did not count as a printed ticket aloowing us immediate acccess, and then we were smooshed in through the gates by hoards of people trying to get in before it closed.
Artecard Campania: 2 Museums Pass
Mr
United KingdomOct, 2023
Easy to use and good value for site entry and getting around. Got on train from Sorrento to Herculaneum not knowing it only stopped a few times a day. Went through to Naples and easily caught the train to Herculaneum without extra cost or trouble. 😂
Artecard Campania: 2 Museums Pass
Jarrousse
FranceApr, 2025
easy access to transport and museums.
but I'd like to take issue with 2 things: the poor explanations on how to activate the card and the need to reactivate it each time it's used.
View original review in French
Artecard Napoli: 3 Museums Pass