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A complete guide to visiting the Naples Underground

Plan Your Visit

Naples Underground | 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?

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.

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.

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Compare Naples Underground sites

Both Napoli Sotterranea and the Spanish Quarters Underground contain tuff stone quarries, ancient Greek-Roman aqueducts, and World War II air-raid shelters around 40 meters below the surface. And both Catacombs are early Christian burial sites and places of worship, featuring frescoes, mosaics, and tombs across two levels.

What sets them apart?

Compare the two tunnels

Features

Napoli Sotterranea

Spanish Quarters Underground

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.

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.

Historical significance

Includes the remains of a Greek-Roman theater.

Connections to military and civic history during the Spanish rule.

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.

Atmosphere

Ancient, mysterious, and historically rich.

Intimate and community-oriented, with a strong focus on storytelling.

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.

Compare the two 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.

Accessibility

Wheelchair accessible, with wide spaces suitable for larger groups and visitors with limited mobility.

Not accessible due to narrower spaces and uneven paths.

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.

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.

Know before you go to Naples Underground

Accessibility

Rules

Tips

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.

Booking online is highly recommended in order to get the best deals 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 all the Naples Underground sites in one day. Check their locations and begin planning.

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 1.5–2 hours each to fully explore, and are within 20 minutes of each other, it is possible to visit all the Naples Underground sites in one 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.