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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
- Bourbon Tunnel
- Maradona Tours
- Veiled Christ
- Naples to Amalfi Coast Tours
- Castel Sant'Elmo
- Catacombs of San Gaudioso
- Lapis Museum Tickets
Contents
Visitor information at a glance
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.
Book Naples Underground tickets
Compare the tunnels
Features
Napoli Sotterranea
Spanish Quarters Underground
Bourbon Tunnel
Size and layout
Complex, multi-layered sections of ancient tunnels and cisterns. Includes hypogeum gardens.
Smaller in size and layout, focused on aqueducts and cavities under the Spanish Quarters area.
Single passage stretching about 530 meters, with large caverns and narrow tunnels.
Historical significance
Includes the remains of a Greek-Roman theater.
Connections to military and civic history during the Spanish rule.
Built in 1853 by order of King Ferdinand II, intended as an escape route for the royal family.
Archaeological features
See how the Theater of Nero connected to the emperor’s dressing rooms in surface-level homes.
Extensive parts of the Neapolis Aqueduct expanded during the Roman and Spanish eras.
Remnants of ancient cisterns, wartime artifacts, and abandoned vintage vehicles from the 20th century.
Atmosphere
Ancient, mysterious, and historically rich.
Intimate and community-oriented, with a strong focus on storytelling.
Dimly lit passageways and eerie silence create a mysterious and haunting ambience.
Accessibility
Not wheelchair accessible. Some sections involve steep stairs and low ceilings.
Not wheelchair accessible. Includes narrow and uneven passages that may be challenging for those with mobility issues.
The standard tour route is 60% accessible.
Visit if…
You want a deep dive into Naples’ ancient history through the official and authorized route in the historic center.
You want a localized perspective of Naples’ underground history in a charming neighborhood.
You want a fascinating journey through Naples' underground history, from royal ambitions to wartime survival.
Book now
Napoli Sotterranea Skip-the-Line Guided Tour
Spanish Quarters Underground Guided Tour
Bourbon Tunnel Guided Tour
Compare the Catacombs
Features
Catacombs of San Gennaro
Catacombs of San Gaudioso
Size and layout
Largest Christian catacombs in Southern Italy. Spacious upper level with wide corridors and high ceilings.
Features narrower passages and a compact layout.
Historical significance
Dedicated to San Gennaro, the patron saint of Naples, whose relics were kept here until the 9th century.
Dedicated to San Gaudioso, an African bishop exiled to Naples in the 5th century. Became a burial site for wealthy and noble families during the 17th century.
Artistic features
Rich in early Christian frescoes and mosaics. Includes a 5th-century mosaic of Bishop Paulinus, one of the oldest Christian depictions in the region.
Unique combination of early Christian frescoes and Baroque décor from later centuries. Features macabre 17th-century skeletal artwork.
Atmosphere
Spacious and majestic, resembling an underground basilica.
More somber and intimate.
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible, with wide spaces suitable for larger groups and visitors with limited mobility.
Not accessible due to narrower spaces and uneven paths.
Visit if…
You’re interested in grand spaces, significant historical context, and rich early Christian art.
You prefer a more intimate experience with a mix of early Christian and Baroque styles and enjoy macabre themes.
Book now
San Gennaro Catacombs Guided Tour
San Gaudioso Catacombs Guided Tour
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.
Features
Neapolis Sotterrata
Size and layout
The complex spans multiple levels, with the underground Roman market covering approximately 3,000 square meters beneath the Gothic Basilica.
Historical significance
It stands at the heart of ancient Neapolis, where Greek, Roman, and medieval influences converge near the intersection of two major roads, the Decumanus Maximus and Cardo,
Archaeological features
Includes a well-preserved Roman macellum (market), ancient squares, cisterns, and remnants of Greek foundations.
Atmosphere
The underground area exudes a mysterious, time-traveling ambiance, contrasting with the grandeur of the basilica above.
Accessibility
The entire Monumental Complex above the surface is accessible by wheelchair and stroller, but the underground archaeological areas known as Neapolis Sotterrata are not.
Visit if…
You want a unique perspective of Naples’ continuous evolution.
Book now
San Lorenzo Maggiore & Neapolis Sotterrata Tickets
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
Accessibility
Rules
Facilities
Tips
Things to do nearby
- 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.